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sarahflanders's review
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Child abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Violence, Classism, Abortion, Alcoholism, Murder, Rape, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, War, Hate crime, and Kidnapping
gabriellainman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings: abortion, childbirth, rape, religious persecution, shooting, infanticide, death
Through a dual POV from Ana and Ester, we get another retelling of the Holocaust through “The Midwife of Auschwitz”. Split up into three parts, this story talks about the thousands of babies born in Auschwitz.
Part one focuses on the background of both Ana and Ester. Ester, a self-made nurse in a Jewish ghetto, finds her way in Auschwitz when trying to save her mother. Ana, a midwife, ends up in Auschwitz as a political prisoner with ties to the Resistance. Although part one began slowly, the story truly built in part two. Part two focuses on the life inside Auschwitz, especially in the maternity ward. The violence and cold-heartedness of the Kapos is heartbreaking for two women that bring life into the world. Part three focuses on the liberation of the camp and life after camp for these two women.
This was another group of holocaust survivors that I would not have otherwise known about. This was a difficult read, especially with so much infanticide. If you enjoy reading about WWII, women’s history, or the Third Reich.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Abortion, and Child death
Minor: Rape
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