The sequel to the bestselling The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris’ poignant, profoundly humane book traces Cilka’s path from concentration camp to Siberian gulag. Once more approaching an emotionally charged period of history with sensitivity and depth, Cilka’s Journey presents an unflinching story with heart and hope.
This is a standard edition, a signed edition is available here.
Her beauty saved her life - and condemned her.
Cilka is just sixteen years old when she is taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, in 1942. The Commandant at Birkenau, Schwarzhuber, notices her long beautiful hair, and forces her separation from the other women prisoners. Cilka learns quickly that power, even unwillingly given, equals survival.
After liberation, Cilka is charged as a collaborator for sleeping with the enemy and sent to Siberia. But what choice did she have? And where did the lines of morality lie for Cilka, who was sent to Auschwitz when still a child?
In a Siberian prison camp, Cilka faces challenges both new and horribly familiar, including the unwanted attention of the guards. But when she makes an impression on a woman doctor, Cilka is taken under her wing. Cilka begins to tend to the ill in the camp, struggling to care for them under brutal conditions. Cilka finds endless resources within herself as she daily confronts death and faces terror. And when she nurses a man called Ivan, Cilka finds that despite everything that has happened to her, there is room in her heart for love.
'She was the bravest person I ever met.' - Lale Sokolov, The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Publisher: Zaffre
ISBN: 9781785769047
Number of pages: 448
Weight: 645 g
Dimensions: 240 x 162 x 39 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'Cilka's extraordinary courage in the face of evil and her determination to survive against the odds will stay with you long after you've finished reading this heartrending book.' - The Express
'A sincere...moving attempt to speak the unspeakable.' - The Sunday Times on The Tattooist of Auschwitz
'What an extraordinary and important book this is. We need as many memories of the Holocaust as we can retain, and this is a moving and ultimately uplifting story of love, loyalties and friendship amidst the horrors of war. I'm so glad Lale and Gita were eventually able to live long and happy lives together, and thankful that Heather Morris was moved to record their incredible story. It's a triumph.' - Jill Mansell on The Tattooist of Auschwitz
'Extraordinary - moving, confronting and uplifting... a story about the extremes of human behaviour: calculated brutality alongside impulsive and selfless acts of love. I recommend it unreservedly.' - Graeme Simsion on The Tattooist of Auschwitz
'A touching and redemptive tale of love and selflessness.' - Times Literary Supplement on The Tattooist of Auschwitz
'A moment of pure humanity amid unthinkable atrocity.' - The Independent on The Tattooist of Auschwitz
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“One woman’s amazing tale....”
In this heartbreaking sequel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz , we follow Ciilka’s journey from concentration camp to Soviet gulags, from despair to freedom.
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“Need to read about the Gulags”
Great follow up from the Tattooist. Can’t believe the extent of the Gulags and the conditions.
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“Another fascinating read from Heather Morris”
A poignant accompaniment to The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka’s Journey dramatises the life of Cilka Klein, described by Lale Sokolov, the tattooist of Auschwitz, as “the bravest person I ever met”.
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