This book tells the story of Cilka Klein, a young woman who is sent to one of the Soviet Gulags after being accused of 'sleeping with the enemy.' This book follows on from 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz,' and she is mentioned in that book as well. In Auschwitz, she was chosen by the commandant to be his property. Thus, the accusation of sleeping with the enemy. Here, we follow Cilka's story as she navigates life in a political prison camp 130 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Temperatures are way below freezing. Cilka is singled out again, this time to take on roles within the camp hospital. She helps out a doctor called Yelena, and this is what ultimately helps her through the days and helps her to become free. But she makes friends with the other members of her block, in particular a sixteen year-old called Josie. When Josie becomes pregnant, Cilka uses her friendship with Dr Yelena to help look after Josie and, eventually, to get freedom for Josie and her young daughter.

Now, after reading this book, I had a look online at other people's thoughts it. I had found it incredibly emotional, and I couldn't believe the horrors that Cilka endured. Then, I remembered reading that this book isn't actually Cilka's true story. It is based on a true person, who was in this situation, but the events inside the story may not have happened. In fact, according to some, categorically did not happen. It left me feeling a bit unsure about how I'd read it. If these events were made up by the author, telling us the most fantastical story she could, then I feel kind of wrong for reading them. Because there was plenty that did happen that would have been worth writing about. I don't know. In a weird way, I'm left feeling a bit ... icky.

People who like to read about events in and after the second World War. On the other hand, maybe those people will be angry at how inaccurate the book is. But, then, there is the argument of, what if the book is accurate? Should people be put off from reading and learning from this terrible situation? After all, the author spent three years interviewing Lale Sokolov, the tattooist of Auschwitz upon whose story the first book is based. So, she did have some first-hand knowledge. Albeit, from an elderly man at the end of his life. Oh, I don't know.

The passion with which Heather Morris writes. The details of the Gulag are incredibly well researched and written. I love (mostly) the character of Cilka. However, she is a little too good to be true.

Re:Cilka's character. She comes across as kind and sweet and, generally good. However, this is a bit hard to take when she refuses to leave the block's quarters to live in the nurse's quarters. Also, when they offer her the chance to leave, she passes it up so that Josie can leave. I didn't buy that.

Read the opinions of others because I'd been so deeply moved by parts of this book. I kind of wish I hadn't because I found a lot more hate than love out there for this. Maybe, I just needed to hold onto the part right at the start, where Heather Morris says it is a fictional story based on a real person.

Sad, frightened. I was on the edge of my seat a lot through this book. Then, afterwards, a little annoyed at something that tried hard to convince me it was true, when really it wasn't.

Heather Morris. I'm not sure how to think about her now. If we're talking purely about her writing, it is fantastic. If we're talking integrity, I'm not so sure.

I'm not sure I do. It's a very emotional, tough read. It really drains you as a reader. But then, you discover it may not be true. It may be complete fabrication.

It's not an account of what happened at the end of World War II. Although the author tries to make out it is, that is actually debatable.

It is a good story. It is well written. Just ... don't take it as an absolute account of what happened.

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Created Jan 15, 2024 at 5:59am • Submit your own review...