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Cilka's Journey
Cilka's Journey: The sequel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz | Heather Morris
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 the Siberian prison camp of Vorkuta, 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 Alexsandr, 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
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CrystalE02
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Pickpick

I enjoyed listening to this book. I loved the narrator Louise Brealey. The book hit me with so many emotions. I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

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Maggie_Reads
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Pickpick

Holy moly…this one is going to stick with me. I read The Tattooist of Auschwitz a couple of years ago and enjoyed reading Lale‘s story. This is a story based on his friend Cilka who‘s story continues beyond her time at Auschwitz. The author took some liberties with characters and story line because Cilka died many years ago and couldn‘t tell her story, but the circumstances and events are well researched and as factual as possible. 💔

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Rissreads
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Pickpick

Latest school bookclub book. So many more stories of heartache from women in war.

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bookaholic1
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Pickpick

#68
I enjoyed this one as much as The Tattoo Artist, very good info at the end of the book as well

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losmith
Pickpick

9/10

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Cyndij82
Pickpick

Excellent book. Very sad but a great read. Highly recommended!

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rachaich
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Mehso-so

Ok, so I speed read the rest of This today. Plus much of the end of the book is detail from Morris.
I respect that she's researched the history, and appreciate the need to tell such historical stories... but it's too glossed over, too lightly written for the content and subject matter.

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rachaich
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Really don't want to read this but it's a book club choice and so I feel I should 😢😦

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megnews
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Pickpick

Amazing fictionalized story of a real teenage Holocaust survivor who is later sentenced to hard labor in a Russian gulag. Great information about the gulags and interview of the author at the end of the audiobook. This can stand alone from the first novel. Definitely recommend.

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charlotteamber
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Pickpick

After reading the Tattooist of Auschwitz last year, I was keen to read the next book by the same author ‘Cilka‘s Journey‘. This was another harrowing account of the atrocities that occurred, and it is so easy to forget whilst reading that this really happened. An important reason to continue educating ourselves! I didn‘t find this quite as captivating as the previous book, although will certainly read the next book by the author. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

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shaeleinfaye
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Pickpick

another one down, I really enjoyed Cilka‘s Journey as well as her other book Tattooist of Auschwitz. I‘ve always been very intrigued on learning about this horrible time in history, through fiction or nonfiction🤍

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BarkingMadRead
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Porch sitting and working on a challenge prompt. #1940s

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Mrs.C
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The true definition of multitasking. Finishing my audio book while crocheting on a road trip.

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Connster
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You know your book habit is bad when you even have books in the car! These were some that were being given away at school and it seemed a shame to leave them on the shelf all unloved. They‘re in the car still as my husband will roll his eyes at yet more books we have no room for 🙄😂

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Victoria_Clyne
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Pickpick

Based on the real story of Cilka Klein, this book tells her story as she survives Auschwitz only to be sentenced to a Siberian labour camp, for supposed collusion with the Nazis. I find it hard to comprehend how much some people are made to endure. I am in awe of their strength and fortitude.

I found this to be a well written and compelling story. Like the Tattooist of Auschwitz I think this a story that needs to be told.

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Arvena
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Pickpick

Emotional story about survival and hope - I wasn't fond of the writing style (lacked persuasiveness and expressiveness), but IMHO, it was better than The Tattooist of Auschwitz

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Cathy_J
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Mehso-so

Against popular opinion I didn't love the Tattooist of Auschwitz (book club selection) but then I received the sequel Cilka's journey as a gift. I think the writing style is not for me. I am also uncomfortable with the marketing "based on a true story" now that I know the stepson of the real Cilka did not want this to be published and is considering legal action. It certainly contains stories and events that actually happened which is horrific ?

AmyK1 I didn‘t like Tattooist either and refuse to read this one. 4y
TheRiehlDeal That's unfortunate. Now that there is controversy surrounding this book, I'm not going to read it. 4y
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CourtSmall
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Pickpick

106-2020 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Audiobook 25
Just WOW. This book is the story of Cilka Clein pieced together by recollections and interviews of other survivors that knew her. The author has taken some liberties to create a narrative that flows but we are left with the portrait of a strong, brave and kind women who did what she had to to survive. I liked this better than The Tattooist of Auschwitz

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Princess-Kingofkings
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I've had this book on hold for a while. While waiting in line at BK to pick up lunch for myself & Deputies, I received the notification that it was ready to borrow. I immediately started listening. 🍔🎧

Kaila-ann Heartbreaking but a good story. 4y
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Emmadeveau16
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Pickpick

I loved the tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka‘s sequel (Cilka‘s Journey) did not disappoint! Again I was struck with what this brave women endured and how she persisted was mesmerizing. As a nurse myself I enjoyed her working in the hospitals. A powerful story of love and survival.

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Curiouser_and_curiouser
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After waiting 3 months for this audiobook to be available it finally came through.

I've had it a while and as the content is heartbreaking and painful I've found it challenging to read a lot of it at once.

Today is my last day before I return it and I'm about halfway through. Lets see if I can manage the remaining 5 hours left today, before midnight. Its currently midday.....

runswithscissors007 Did you finish it? 5y
Curiouser_and_curiouser @runswithscissors007 Yyyaaaasssss, Sooo good, & so sad at the same time. I finished it at 11.45 tonight, inbetween a whole lot of "I'm hungry", & cooking dinner, then, "I'm tired" so putting little ones to bed, about a dozen messages coming through on my phone, interrupting the audiobook with notifications. Then as I finally crammed to finish it & getting swept away with the ending & then research facts, I refresh my app & I have another day, lol! 5y
runswithscissors007 Oh life! Thanks for sharing! 5y
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Nelle1
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I've been looking forward to reading this for so long!

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Hannah_11
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Pickpick

Obsessed with these books at the moment. I‘m in awe of how many incredible stories can come out of the worst places.
Which is your favourite?
#cilkasjourney #heathermorris #ww2 #bookworm #obsessed #currentlyreading

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Sammidnightsun
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Pickpick

Not as good as the first one

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Curvybookgirl
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Pickpick

Great follow up and great story. I would like to have read a little more about her journey post prison camp but still a very good book

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belkel63
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Pickpick

Another compelling read from Heather Morris. I admire her ability to produce a second novel just as well -written as her first, "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". A must read.

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Andrew65
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I was very split about reading this and delayed it for some time before giving it a go whilst questioning it. On one side it has been controversial as many have questioned its accuracy, and altering facts, on the other side if we don‘t speak about it are we aiding those that deny it happened. If nothing else this has sparked debate and I feel it is important to never forget these shameful acts! To be fair to Heather Morris she does state it is 👇

Andrew65 👆fiction based on some facts. It is a harrowing story and not easy to read but I felt I had to persevere for those that for them this was everyday life! 😢😭 Poor Cilka went from three years in a Concentration Camp to 10 years in a Gulag. How much can one person put up with! What an amazing inspiration and strong character to survive both of these. She has my utmost respect. Read this for #ReadingEurope2020 #Poland (edited) 5y
Crazeedi I just dodnt know if my heart can read this book at this time 5y
Andrew65 @Crazeedi It is a book you need to be in the right place emotionally for, at points though I found Cilka to be quite uplifting. 5y
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Crazeedi @Andrew65 well that's a plus! I've read so many of these in my past, I have a hard time any more. Not that I would ever forget, I just shake my head at the inhumanity of man 5y
Librarybelle Great review! 5y
Andrew65 @Librarybelle Thanks 😊 5y
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Cinfhen
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I shed many tears while reading this book however I‘m conflicted. Reimagining someone‘s life who is no longer alive nor has given her consent to share her story, makes me uncomfortable. At a time when deniers are accusing the Holocaust as being inflated I wonder if we should be altering any facts by presenting these dramatized stories. Regardless, Cilka‘s Journey is one of bravery & fierceness; determination & devotion.🌟🌟🌟 👇🏼

Reagan Great review. I haven‘t read this yet and was also a bit conflicted about it. I think that was very well said. 5y
TrishB I haven‘t read the first one because of all the negative feedback. I will try and stick to your guides advice 👍🏻 5y
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Cinfhen Thanks @Reagan I attended a meeting with a Holocaust expert this week and she raised that point. She also pointed out that there are almost no camp survivors left anymore and we owe it to their memory to try and read actual true accounts & survivors memoirs to preserve their integrity, as they bore witness 💔I bought a kindle book today @TrishB that is more “authentic “ and plan on reading over the weekend 5y
TrishB I‘ve stacked that one. Hubby‘s read this one recently and said it‘s harrowing (as they all are). 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thanks for the tag! I was also conflicted with the first one so idk about this one... 5y
Cinfhen The medical stories from Auschwitz are too hard for me to read @TrishB 😭😭😭 5y
Cinfhen I think you can take a pass on this one @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks or #BorrowNotBuy 5y
TrishB I don‘t blame you, I‘m not running to read this either! 💜 5y
Andrew65 I‘ve just finished this one and was conflicted about reading it for a long time for many of the reasons you state. It sat on my bedside table for a long time before I picked it up. In the end I decided there are two ways of looking at it. These dramatised stories can end up romanticising it (if you can romanticise death camps 😢), there has been big concerns about changing facts. On the other hand at times where people are denying it happened 👇 (edited) 5y
Andrew65 Something I just cannot get my head round! 😡🤬 But Writing a story about it does keep it in the conscious rather than hiding it which if we are not careful plays into the hands of those very same people. We cannot ever forget this has happened, how the human race did this to each other and others allowed it to happen is totally sickening and beyond me. The author does say it is fiction based on facts, but hopefully this keeps it being 👇 5y
Andrew65 @Cinfhen talked about or known about. Hopefully many people who do read this will go away and find out more from non fiction books. In the end I felt duty bound to read it. What happened and what they went through is beyond comprehension. Even more so if true for Cilka. 3 years in a concentration camp to then have do over ten years in a Russian Gulag! How much did one person have to endure. 😢😭😭😭 @TrishB @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 5y
Andrew65 @Cinfhen Whether I made the right decision to read it I still don‘t know. If this is anywhere near her story what a remarkable young woman! Who are we to judge the actions she had to take to survive. I just feel I need to say sorry to her for finding herself in this situation! 😢😭😢😭 @TrishB @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks (edited) 5y
Crazeedi You just stated why I've not read any of this type for a while. They start to seem like making the holocaust just another subject for fiction books. I've read plenty and I'm definitely interested in the NF ones mentioned in this feed. Thanks for sharing Cindy 5y
JennyM Great review, Cindy ♥️ 5y
rwmg >> Reimagining someone‘s life who is no longer alive nor has given her consent to share her story, makes me uncomfortable. 5y
Librarybelle Great review ❤️ 5y
Cinfhen I agree with so much of what you said @Andrew65 and I see all the reasons why these books are still important! I think Heather Morris had the best intentions when writing this story & what happened to Cecelia Klein is unimaginable. 5y
Cinfhen Thanks, friends. #WeRemember @rwmg @Librarybelle @JennyM @Crazeedi January 27 will be the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, I plan to light a candle for all of those who did not survive 😢 5y
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Cinfhen
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I‘ve been saying just a few more minutes to myself for the past 2 hours. I need to put this book down and get my day going but I‘m too fully invested in the fates of Cilka and her fellow inmates.

KarenUK Paul just read this, and really liked it.... 5y
erzascarletbookgasm Glad you‘re invested in Cilka. I‘m hesitant to read it because (unpopular opinion) I didn‘t like Tattooist. 5y
Cinfhen If you weren‘t a fan of The Tattooist @erzascarletbookgasm I would skip Cilka‘s story. Although I‘m invested I‘m finding the quality of writing & storytelling is not as good as her first book😬 5y
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Cinfhen
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Starting Cilka‘s Journey the follow up to The Tattooist Of Auschwitz, as I myself prepare to visit Poland in the next few weeks. Also a beautiful New Year‘s card from my dear friend arrived today!!!!! Thank you @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 😘

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You‘re very welcome!! Let me know how the book is!! 💗💗💗 5y
Eggs Read this yesterday - it was well done 5y
Cinfhen It‘s not grabbing me the same way Tattooist did @eggs but I‘m not that far in yet. It‘s such a devastating story 💔 5y
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BarbaraBB If you want to read another Auschwitz book (and a completely different one) I can really recommend this one. It is an easy read (not difficult in style) but with a lot of impact. I am still thinking about it. The title is awful but you should read the blurb. (edited) 5y
Cinfhen My kids read that book in HS @BarbaraBB and it wrecked me!! I probably should reread again before my trip. Although our guide told us on Sunday night we should generally avoid all fiction stories about the Holocaust. Her thought being 1. With so few survivors left, we owe it to them to read their actual accounts lest they be forgotten and 2. With so many denying the Holocaust reading fiction almost discredits any truth to the circumstances 5y
BarbaraBB I think that is a good advice from your guide. There is a lot of truth in that. This book is NF by the way. The author really was a prisoner in Poland and a guard in Auschwitz. He committed suicide years later because he couldn‘t live with what he saw there. It is so 💔 5y
Cinfhen It‘s based on his experience but he wrote it as fiction @BarbaraBB or at least that‘s what I thought 😝it has been 10 + years since Niki was in HS!!!! 5y
BarbaraBB You may be right, I thought it was autobiographical but I‘m not completely sure! (edited) 5y
Suet624 Interesting advice from your guide. Makes sense. 5y
Cinfhen But of course im not following her advice by reading above book @Suet624 @BarbaraBB which has gotten so much negative feedback from both the actual family of Cecelia Klein & The Auschwitz Museum who felt the author took too much artistic license in the telling of this book😬 Darn those challenge prompts 😉 (edited) 5y
94 likes10 comments
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laurabilly13
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First book of 2020 - I loved the Tattooist of Auschwitz and I‘m enjoying the story of brave Cilka #heathermorris #cilkasjourney

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beck8ryan
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About to jump into ‘Cilka‘s Journey,‘ the sequel to the ‘Tattooist of Auschwitz‘ by Heather Morris.

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Wonderwoman89
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Pickpick

Cilkas Journey is part two of The Tattooist of Auschwitz. After surviving the Concentration Camp Cilka is sent to a prison in Siberia. Cilka must do things she doesn‘t want to including sleeping with guards in order to survive. Cilka gets the attention of a female doctor who teaches her to be a nurse where she meets a man named Alexandr who teaches her that she can love. Although the story is part fictional it is still a good story

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Martta
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Pickpick

After the Tattooist of Auschwitz this was an obvious next step. Cilka's story was heart-breaking to listen to. What an amazing book!

Living close to the artic circle I never before this book have realized that the white nights might be an issue for some people. Interesting point of view. 🤔

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Martta
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My Bookbeat offer is closing soon and I wanted to listen this before it ends. The tattooist of Auschwitz left me wordless and I just had to listen this as well. Cilka's life story left me wondering after the first book I just had to find out what happened to her after Auschwitz.

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BookishTrish
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Woke up stressed so trying to find small beautiful things #audiocommute

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BookishTrish
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Four bald eagles by their nest #audiowalk

Lcsmcat So cool! 5y
Bookzombie Awesome! 5y
DrexEdit 💜 5y
62 likes3 comments
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DGRachel
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I feel like a monster but I have to put this book aside. I thought, after loving The Huntress earlier this year, I would be okay with WWII historical fiction, but I‘m not. 30 minutes in and I‘m a sobbing mess. The brutality and torment that Cilka faces makes me ragey and sobby. It‘s too much. It‘s beautifully written so far, but I can‘t handle the subject matter. Originally got through NetGalley but bought the audio when I missed the pub date.

DGRachel @Cinfhen No, I didn‘t and after what I‘ve read of Cilka‘s Journey I know I can‘t. I actually had to turn it off after 10 minutes this morning. I can‘t cry and drive. I‘m so angry that after surviving the horrid concentration camps, she ends up in a Russian Gulag, sentenced to 15 years hard labor. The injustice and the suffering is more than I can bear to read right now. 5y
Cinfhen I read an interview with Cilka‘s stepson. The family was disappointed by the way she‘s portrayed in this book though I haven‘t read it yet. I agree, even when the survivors were freed they still endured terrible hardships, injustices and atrocities. Tattooist really tore me up 😭😭😭I‘m going on. Jewish Heritage/ Roots trip in February. I‘ll be visiting the sites with a survivor, her daughter and granddaughter. I‘m taking my daughter with me 5y
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Cinfhen I need to mentally prepare myself. 5y
DGRachel @Cinfhen Wow. That's definitely going to be an emotional trip. Amazing, but emotional. I'm sorry to hear that Cilka's family was disappointed in the book. That's got to be an author's worst fear, at least if the author has a conscience. The beginning of Cilka's Journey was so hard, that I know Tattooist will be more than I can handle. Maybe some day, but not now. 5y
tpixie @Cinfhen what an awesome opportunity! Hard but so important. One bio I enjoyed from one of our Littens 5y
tpixie @DGRachel i‘ve been wanting to read this book but it sounds like it‘s very emotionally draining. 5y
Cinfhen It‘s on my list @tpixie thanks for the reminder 5y
tpixie @Cinfhen 🥳📚♥️ 5y
55 likes9 comments
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MeganTurner
Pickpick

I loved the tattooist of Auschwitz and I knew I‘d love this one just as much. It‘s such a horrendous tale but full of such strength and courage. I honestly don‘t have words to describe it. Put it on your TBR, you won‘t regret it

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SoManyBooksNotEnoughTime
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Pickpick

Cilka's Journey was a fantastic yet heartwrenching follow-up to the Tattooist. I actually liked it more, possibly because I could relate more to a female. I realize that this story isn't a completely factual account due to Cilka having died before this story was written & Lale being over 80. However, I don't feel that this detracts from the book at all. Morris is gifted writer, filling in the spaces with researched information as well as fiction.

Buechersuechtling Oh, how cool is that‼️ I just thanked @baes for her review on the “Tattoist” because it changed my attitude towards this book and now _you_throw the follow-up into my feed. Littens, you‘re wonderful has anybody already told you that❓😃 5y
SoManyBooksNotEnoughTime @Buechersuechtling haha glad to help, Litsy really is a great community, i love it! 5y
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ReadWithRaquel
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Pickpick

Recommended! Frequently I had to pause while reading because I was in awe by what this woman experienced. Cilka‘s Journey reveals a part of history I never knew about regarding people who were considered enemies of the state for various reasons during WW2. A true testimony of survival, for oneself and others. A privilege to learn about parts of Cilka‘s life as a novel pulled from research by Heather Morris. #cilkasjourney #tattooistofAuschwitz

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AmyLarge
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I think, because of the lack of information about Cilka, and how the author has used accounts of multiple women to weave together a narrative, the story does, at times, slip into repetitive action. I lost count of the number of times Cilka was employed and then not! But a heartfelt story with, at its core, a testimony of the endurance of the human spirit in the face of unbearable suffering. Interesting to read something about the Gulags as well.

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peaKnit
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As long as I keep one hand on Leo I‘m allowed to read.😂❤️🐶

xxjenadanxx Totally a good compromise. And an excellent read! 5y
JenReadsAlot How are enjoying this? I'm going to give my copy to Ganser when I'm done! 5y
peaKnit @JenReadsAlot it‘s a quick one and I think I like it better than The Tattooist of Auschwitz actually. I started today and I‘m half done. 5y
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peaKnit @JenReadsAlot make that the first book I‘ve read in a day in awhile. 😊 5y
JenReadsAlot I finished it last night as well 👍 5y
peaKnit @jenreadsalot it was a fast one! Enjoyable, horrible but interesting. 5y
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Reecaspieces
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Check out my September reads! Lots of good ones this month! https://reecaspieces.com/2019/10/03/september-wrap-up-reviews-wrapup-5starreads/