Cilka’s Journey: A Novel by Heather Morris
Follow up novel to: The Tattooist of Auschwitz
October 1, 2019
St Martin’s Press
Historical fiction
320 pages
Rating: 4/5
8/14/19-8/24/19
I received a digital copy of this ARC from NetGalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an unbiased review.
This is a follow up novel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz. It is not a sequel but more of a companion read which makes it a stand alone story. The first novel shines light on the unimaginable “job” as tattooist that a prisoner accepts as a means for survival in Auschwitz concentration camp. In Cilka’s Journey, we learn of another unenviable “job” in order to survive the atrocities of Auschwitz.
This book is based on the life and survival of Cecilia “Cilka” Klein during her time at the Auschwitz concentration camp and the years that follow. Her story is revealed through alternating chapters from her initial experience in Auschwitz where she meets Lale “The Tattooist” and Gita. She is sent there with her older sister Magda until many of the prisoners are released in 1945.
As many are released, it is just the beginning of more years of hard labor and struggling to survive for Cilka. She was accused of being a spy and working for the Nazis at Auschwitz and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. In July 1945, she was transferred with many others to Montelupich Prison in Krakow and eventually endeding up in Vorkuta Gulag, Siberia.
There are often moments when Cilka wonders if surviving Auschwitz was encouraging only to remain a prisoner. She is reluctant to share her reason for being sentenced not wanting to be judged for her actions to survive. Once again, Cilka uses her courage and resilience to do whatever she needs to do to survive. Often, it meant she was allowed to move into “jobs” which kept her from working in the mine. Although she tries to avoid the attention of being placed to work in the hospital, Cilka eases some tension by sneaking leftover food from patients into her block.
Cilka becomes very useful in the hospital where they offer to train her as a nurse. She develops relationships with the other nurses and Dr Yelena Georgiyevna who help to protect her. After upsetting Dr Gleb Vitalyevich for “interfering” with his orders, she is sent to spend time in the “hole” as a punishment. Once she survives the isolation and humiliation of being in the “hole” she is provided another opportunity to work with Dr Yelena’s colleague, Dr Petre Davitovich, in the maternity ward.
Being in the nursery provides Cilka another view of the cruel inhuman treatment of the prisoners. Although she tries to “stay under the radar” Cilka can’t help but to question many of the practices to which she finds deplorable. She is able to stir up concern amongst the staff to make changes to improve the living conditions and treatment of the mothers and babies.
Cilka’s Journey is one of survival and empowerment. She endures 10 years and is released 5 years early where she finds the need to start her life over again. She no longer has the structure of working at the hospital and protecting the other women. Cilka must decide how to start a new life once again.
Follow up novel to: The Tattooist of Auschwitz
October 1, 2019
St Martin’s Press
Historical fiction
320 pages
Rating: 4/5
8/14/19-8/24/19
I received a digital copy of this ARC from NetGalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an unbiased review.
This is a follow up novel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz. It is not a sequel but more of a companion read which makes it a stand alone story. The first novel shines light on the unimaginable “job” as tattooist that a prisoner accepts as a means for survival in Auschwitz concentration camp. In Cilka’s Journey, we learn of another unenviable “job” in order to survive the atrocities of Auschwitz.
This book is based on the life and survival of Cecilia “Cilka” Klein during her time at the Auschwitz concentration camp and the years that follow. Her story is revealed through alternating chapters from her initial experience in Auschwitz where she meets Lale “The Tattooist” and Gita. She is sent there with her older sister Magda until many of the prisoners are released in 1945.
As many are released, it is just the beginning of more years of hard labor and struggling to survive for Cilka. She was accused of being a spy and working for the Nazis at Auschwitz and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. In July 1945, she was transferred with many others to Montelupich Prison in Krakow and eventually endeding up in Vorkuta Gulag, Siberia.
There are often moments when Cilka wonders if surviving Auschwitz was encouraging only to remain a prisoner. She is reluctant to share her reason for being sentenced not wanting to be judged for her actions to survive. Once again, Cilka uses her courage and resilience to do whatever she needs to do to survive. Often, it meant she was allowed to move into “jobs” which kept her from working in the mine. Although she tries to avoid the attention of being placed to work in the hospital, Cilka eases some tension by sneaking leftover food from patients into her block.
Cilka becomes very useful in the hospital where they offer to train her as a nurse. She develops relationships with the other nurses and Dr Yelena Georgiyevna who help to protect her. After upsetting Dr Gleb Vitalyevich for “interfering” with his orders, she is sent to spend time in the “hole” as a punishment. Once she survives the isolation and humiliation of being in the “hole” she is provided another opportunity to work with Dr Yelena’s colleague, Dr Petre Davitovich, in the maternity ward.
Being in the nursery provides Cilka another view of the cruel inhuman treatment of the prisoners. Although she tries to “stay under the radar” Cilka can’t help but to question many of the practices to which she finds deplorable. She is able to stir up concern amongst the staff to make changes to improve the living conditions and treatment of the mothers and babies.
Cilka’s Journey is one of survival and empowerment. She endures 10 years and is released 5 years early where she finds the need to start her life over again. She no longer has the structure of working at the hospital and protecting the other women. Cilka must decide how to start a new life once again.