Reviews

The Midwife of Auschwitz by Anna Stuart

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brainra's review against another edition

5.0

Beyond breathtaking. Astounding. Heart wrenching. Illustrious imagery. So captivating I literally went straight on into the sequel!

chicksroguesandscandals's review against another edition

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5.0

Firstly I must mention the cover of this book, I don’t know about other readers but it really packs a punch, I felt shivers run down my spine just looking at it, it’s bleak and captivating all at once and I had a feeling that I was in for a highly emotional read and I was!

This really pulls at every emotional heartstring’s, it’s hard-hitting, brutally raw and a powerful account of true courage and friendship in the face of unprecedented horror. Anna Stuart has written a powerful story which will keep you gripped throughout, you will shed a fair few tears as well as feel numb and the hairs will stand up a few times at the evil which is played out across the pages, but also a sense of hope.

The Midwife of Auschwitz is a fictional story based on true events, it’s the incredibly moving story of bravery between best friends; Ester and Ana who find themselves pushed into a compact and claustrophobic train heading into hell itself; Auschwitz. Once there they are the lucky ones to be given jobs, and they are sent to the maternity ward. Once there they deliver thousands of babies and set a chain of events going which could cost them their lives if they are caught. They secretly start tattooing the mother’s numbers onto the infant’s legs in the hope that one day they will be reunited. I was left astounded at the ultimate act of bravery that these women did, they put their life on the line every time they picked up the tattoo pen.

Every time I read a story set in or around the atrocities of Auschwitz I feel an unwavering sense of courage for those who did everything they could to survive and utmost admiration for the survivors who so bravely told their stories, no matter how hard to read or hear their stories need to be heard and we need to listen, the horrors of that time – horrors which should never have occurred should never be forgotten, by knowing of the raw inhumane brutality can we learn from it.

I have read a lot of books set in or around Auschwitz and every time I come away with my emotions in tatters and this is no different, in fact, this one really got under my skin and not just pulled at my heart-string but yanked them until I was crying.

If you only read one book this year, then make it this one, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed and you will never quite feel the same again.

melaniejt's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

cozyreadswithb's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-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

5.0

Oof this was a heavy one to read! Beautiful writing and storytelling, I was captivated the whole time. It’s a very different perspective on life in the camps and time in WWII and very necessary to reflect on.

I appreciate these historical fiction books that are inspired by true stories and would really recommend this to anyone looking for that style book focused on WWII. It’s important to remember the horrors people survived and the power of humanity

jenna_bookworm_5822's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

noemie_vnc's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad

5.0

This book, like all those who deal with this subject, is just heartbreakingly incredible. I could talk about the power of this book for hours.

It is based on the true story of Stanislawa Leszczynska, a Polish midwife who delivered more than 3,000 children when she was in Auschwitz.

Throughout this book, you learn about the “Lebensborn” Program and the tragic fate of the babies born in the concentration camp. You discover the horrors the prisoners had to endure and the cruelty of mankind. The strength, the courage and the willpower the prisoners showed to survive is just indescribable. In the end, the only weapon is to stay alive and love will always triumph over hate.

This story, like the Tattooist of Auschwitz and many others, shows that History, with a capital H, is made of little stories like these.

The stories are even more compelling when you have visited Auschwitz. Which I truly recommend, if you are interested in this part of History.