This is the story of an Auschwitz-Birkenau survivor who was sent to the Gulag in Siberia for "sleeping with the enemy" during the war. The truth was that she was raped and forced to lord over other prisoners to survive. The novel does describe the horrific and brutal conditions that she lived with during her time in Siberia. Rape is a frequent occurrence in the prison as well and she is often forced to make impossible choices to survive. She eventually begins working in the prison hospital and again is forced to make very difficult choices. Sounds depressing right? The beauty of the novel and of this character is that she manages to make good friends and to do some good in such a wretched environment. The overall feel of the book is of philanthropy, hope and sacrificing for the greater good. I read the entire book in two days because I felt myself drawn to it in every spare minute. I highly recommend it!