I love historical fiction, and Auschwitz is a setting that is fascinating, in seeing the horrors of those that had to exist in those conditions, and their ultimate fates. However, despite such a set up for an emotional story, I felt like Cilka's Journey never really hit the mark. I found the story interesting but did not feel emotionally connected to any of the characters. And when the book ended my feeling was "oh that was nice," which feels like the wrong reaction to a Holocaust novel. I enjoyed the story, and at no point did I consider not finishing, but I would have wanted a deeper connection to it and a greater emotional investment.
I'd recommend this to anyone who absolutely cannot get enough Holocaust historical fiction, it's still a worthwhile story. But if you're looking for only one book to read in that genre, I don't think this is it, unfortunately.
I'd recommend this to anyone who absolutely cannot get enough Holocaust historical fiction, it's still a worthwhile story. But if you're looking for only one book to read in that genre, I don't think this is it, unfortunately.