Cilka's Journey - Opinion and Review

Sometimes, I wonder why I enjoy putting myself through such emotional trauma...but I've discovered how much I love Historical Fiction over the past couple of years, and stories about WW2, and The Holocaust in general, get me every time. Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris was no exception.

I had read and LOVED The Tattooist of Auschwitz 2 years ago, also by Heather Morris, and was elated to find out that there was another book to go along with it. As I may have already mentioned---I grew up Jewish and have spent the greater part of my life learning about the horrors that happened to 6 Million + Jews and others during WW2, because of the horrible actions made my Nazi's and Adolph Hitler. I personally find it equally as important to continue to educate myself.

Cilka's Journey picks up after her liberation from Auschwitz, where she's in a prisoner camp. She spends her days working in the hospital and nights in her hut with other female prisoners. Days are hard, but the nights are harder as she and the other girls are raped repeatedly. Many become pregnant, and Cilka has to find strength to keep not only herself, but her fellow prisoners strong and alive. Throughout her time in the prison, Cilka befriends many young girls and continues to help keep their spirits up, and their bodies living. At times, it seems impossible in such a horrible place, but the overall theme of friendship and survival prevail.

History has a tendency to want to repeat itself...and that's a scary thought. Books like these help keep people informed as to what has happened in the past, and hopefully sheds light on how we have to work together to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.

I recommend this book, highly, to anyone and everyone. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Dates read: January 3, 2021-January 10, 2021