Book Review: Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris

“Everyone affected by war, captivity, or oppression reacts differently—and away from it, people might try to guess how they would act, or react, in the circumstances. But they do not really know.”

Heather Morris, Cilka’s Journey

Review:

Like The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka’s Journey is based on a true story. It’s been a long time since I’ve read the first book, but from what I remember, this felt like a good continuation. 

In 1945, Cilka Klein trades the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp for a Siberian prison camp. After suffering abuse at the hands of the Nazis, she’s treated as a collaborator. Her experience in this new prison isn’t much different than her life in the concentration camp. Fortunately, after a camp doctor, Yelena Georgiyevna, trains her as a nurse, her role shifts. We follow Cilka through her years at the gulag.

At this point in my reading life, I think I prefer learning about real figures from the Holocaust through memoirs and biographies. I enjoyed a lot about the book, but I didn’t feel as connected as I would have liked. Still, this was a heartbreaking and inspiring story. I remember feeling similarly about The Tattooist of Auschwitz, which I rated highly at the time, but would probably lower that rating considerably if I were to reread it. I can’t shake the feeling that the undertones of the story are too romanticized given the subject matter. Perhaps not intentionally, but it’s there. 

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• Although nonfiction would be my preference, as already mentioned, I do respect when books are based on real people.
• A solid continuation to the series.

What I didn’t like:

• ‘Flowery’ isn’t the right word, and maybe ‘romanticized’ is too strong a word, but there was just an element to the book that felt too unrealistic despite being based on a true story.
• I struggled to connect with the characters.

Afterthoughts:

I already own the third (and I believe final) book in the series, so I do intend to finish.

Where to buy the book: