Book Review: Cilka’s Journey

Since reading THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ (see my review here) I have been devouring ANY and all WWII books that I can get my hands on. It is just such an emotional part of our history and I find myself drawn to the individual stories of the survivors and their strength to endure in the most horrible conditions. CILKA’S JOURNEY by Heather Morris is based on the true-life journey of Cilka Klein and her life AFTER surviving the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

We first meet Cilka in THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ, when, at the age of 16, she arrives at the camp. Cilka is beautiful and strong and attracts the attention of SS-Obersturmführer Johann Schwarzhuber. In order to survive and save her sister, Cilka is forced to become the mistress of the Nazi leader. At the end of THE TATOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ, we do not know what will happen to Cilka after the liberation of the camps; she does not march out with the other prisoners, but she is also not free to leave. And this is where CILKA’S JOURNEY begins

I found this book so interesting because I had NEVER thought much about the lives of the liberated prisoners AFTER Auschwitz. Most stories end with the survivor’s freedom and then I just assume that the person lives a long and happy life after the nightmares of the camps. But in the case of Cilka, her horrors are only beginning AFTER the war ends. Because of her “relationship” with the Nazi leader, Cilka is tried by the Russian government, found guilty of collaboration with Nazis, and sent to Siberia to a work camp. I honestly had to put the book down for a few days after finding Cilka in ANOTHER level of Hell in Vorkuta. Her story is emotional and raw and tugged at heartstrings I didn’t even know I had.

Cilka’s story will stay with me for a while. Her resilience and strength a testament to the capabilities we all have to overcome struggles and even flourish in hard times. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction, but be forewarned that this one is not for the faint of heart. This is a very HONEST view of life in the prison camp and contains adult language and content which includes rape, murder, violence, suicide, etc. It is impossible to say that I “enjoyed” this book, but I can wholeheartedly say that I was very affected by it. I shared a few other favorite WWII books HERE and HERE. What OTHER historical fiction books do I need to add to my list??? I would love your book recommendations. Let’s chat soon. Jessica

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