Title: Cilka’s Journey
Author: Heather Morris
First published October 1, 2019
352 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781250265708 (ISBN10: 1250265703)
Rating: 4.4
Overview
Heather Morris’ Cilka’s Journey is a powerful follow-up to the bestselling historical novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Based on a true story, Cilka’s Journey tells the harrowing tale of Cilka Klein, an 18-year-old woman who survived Auschwitz only to be imprisoned once again.
Despite her innocence, Cilka is sentenced to a 15-year term in a Siberian labor camp. Yet, her strength, intelligence, and perseverance enable her to survive the brutal conditions of the Vorkuta gulag.
Morris’ book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
About the Author
I was born and raised in New Zealand, but now I live in Australia and work at a big public hospital in Melbourne. I spent a few years learning about screenwriting and even wrote a few scripts.
One of them caught the attention of an Academy Award-winning screenwriter in the United States.
In 2003, I met an elderly man who had a story that I thought was worth telling. His name was Lale Sokolov, and meeting him changed my life.
As we became friends, Lale shared with me the intimate details of his life during the Holocaust, and it was a journey of self-reflection for him.
At first, I wrote Lale’s story as a screenplay, which was well-received in international competitions. But eventually, I turned it into my debut novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Editoral Review
Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris is a historical fiction novel that tells the harrowing story of Cilka Klein, a young Jewish girl who survived Auschwitz only to be sent to a Siberian prison camp after the war ended. First published on October 1, 2019, this novel is a follow-up to Morris’s critically acclaimed bestseller, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Morris is an Australian author who gained international recognition with the publication of The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide.
Cilka’s Journey is a masterpiece that seamlessly blends fact with fiction. The novel is narrated in the third person and follows the journey of Cilka Klein as she arrives at the Vorkuta Gulag in Siberia.
The book is a gut-wrenching tale of survival, resilience, and hope. Morris’s writing is vivid, and her descriptions of the brutal conditions of the camp are gut-wrenching.
The plot and characters are engaging and keep readers hooked until the very end.
Cilka Klein, the protagonist of the book, is an incredibly strong and brave character who faces unimaginable horrors with unwavering courage.
She is a young woman who is denied justice and human dignity in the face of adversity. The novel’s other characters are equally well-drawn and compelling, and readers will find themselves invested in their fates.
The setting of the book is also expertly crafted, and Morris’s attention to detail brings the bleakness and despair of the Siberian prison camp to life. One of the most significant strengths of Cilka’s Journey is its historical and cultural significance.
The book sheds light on a little-known aspect of the Holocaust – the fate of women who were seen as complicit in the crimes committed against them. Cilka’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope.
The book is a timely reminder of the atrocities committed in the past and their continued relevance today.
However, the book is not without flaws.
Some readers may find that the pacing is slow in some parts of the book, and the ending may feel rushed. The novel’s theme of redemption may also feel unearned, considering the complexity of the protagonist’s situation.
Despite these limitations, Cilka’s Journey is a book that is worth reading. It is an emotionally rich and powerful novel that will leave readers feeling inspired and moved.
Morris’s writing is beautiful, and her story is both heartbreaking and uplifting. This book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about the Holocaust and who hopes to find hope in the midst of despair.
In conclusion, Cilka’s Journey is a compelling novel that is a must-read for anyone interested in the Holocaust and its aftermath. This book deserves a score of 8 out of 10 for its excellent writing, engaging plot, well-drawn characters, and historical significance.
