The sheer amount of abuse, atrocity, and indifference in this book is staggering. The sheer amount of perseverance, heart, and resilience in this book is staggering. And to know that this book is based on a true story and a part of history. Don't neglect to read the notes by the author at the end of the book. They are integral in realizing how the book came about and the historical research that was the foundation for this story.
As other reviews have mentioned, the main character in this book was in the author's first book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. While I have not had the opportunity to read the first book, it didn't hinder my understanding of reading this title. I'm sure it would definitely be beneficial and add more to the story to read The Tattooist of Auschwitz first. Cilka's Journey includes flashbacks to the previous story that played out in The Tattooist of Auschwitz, but the main focus is centered on Cilka's time in a Siberian prison camp. This story leaves you asking yourself a lot of hard questions. What would I have done in those situations? It's easy to speculate what noble, fair decisions you would have made when you've never been put in such heartrending, unfair circumstances.
This story leaves you emotionally drained reading about all of the depraved acts that humanity can bring about in the world. It also leaves you hopeful that even in such depths a light can shine to cut through the darkness. Regardless of all the incessant abuse and horrific situations that are thrown at Cilka, she persists. Even when she thinks she has no more left to give, that she will always be cursed to walk with death around her, she finds a way to keep taking a step forward. I rated this five stars. I normally rate a book five stars if I would be willing to read it again. I don't know that I will read this title again, but I don't think you would have to read this title again to refresh your memory. The author does a more than adequate job of leaving this story seared into your memory long after you've finished the last chapter.
As other reviews have mentioned, the main character in this book was in the author's first book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. While I have not had the opportunity to read the first book, it didn't hinder my understanding of reading this title. I'm sure it would definitely be beneficial and add more to the story to read The Tattooist of Auschwitz first. Cilka's Journey includes flashbacks to the previous story that played out in The Tattooist of Auschwitz, but the main focus is centered on Cilka's time in a Siberian prison camp. This story leaves you asking yourself a lot of hard questions. What would I have done in those situations? It's easy to speculate what noble, fair decisions you would have made when you've never been put in such heartrending, unfair circumstances.
This story leaves you emotionally drained reading about all of the depraved acts that humanity can bring about in the world. It also leaves you hopeful that even in such depths a light can shine to cut through the darkness. Regardless of all the incessant abuse and horrific situations that are thrown at Cilka, she persists. Even when she thinks she has no more left to give, that she will always be cursed to walk with death around her, she finds a way to keep taking a step forward. I rated this five stars. I normally rate a book five stars if I would be willing to read it again. I don't know that I will read this title again, but I don't think you would have to read this title again to refresh your memory. The author does a more than adequate job of leaving this story seared into your memory long after you've finished the last chapter.