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oceanwriter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I’ve been trying hard to make my way through my physical TBR. I’m not sure how long I’ve had this book, but it’s certainly been a while. However long it’s been, I wish I’d picked it up sooner!
Based on a true story about a German woman who followed her husband and children into Auschwitz, this book follows Helene. Married to a Gypsy man, she chooses to follow him and their five children when they are arrested and taken to Auschwitz. There, her husband is separated from her and the children, however, Helene is permitted to stay with the kids in a special barracks. Being German, she is also granted other privileges, granted, life is still a nightmare.
Finding favor with Josef Mengele (sadly in part due to her twins), Helene is permitted to operate a nursery/school for the Gypsy children. This provides her and her children with slightly better living conditions, giving Helene the hope and strength she needs to take on each day.
At first, I wasn’t sure I was liking the direction the book was taking with Helene. It felt as though she was absolutely clueless about her surroundings. Of course, she would not have gone in with the knowledge we know now, but at the very beginning, it felt she was incapable of putting two and two together. As the book went on, I felt a shift in her character and I became far more invested. An emotional read, but a worthwhile one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Genocide, Religious bigotry, and War
rochelleisreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity
sarahandherbookshelves's review against another edition
sad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Suicide, Violence, and Religious bigotry
drraytay's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and War
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