Cilka's Journey

By: Heather Morris

Narrated by: Louise Brealey

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

"Louise Brealey is an excellent reader who gives Cilka a thoughtful, sympathetic voice." (Jersey's Best)

This program includes a bonus conversation with the author.

From the author of the multi-million copy bestseller The Tattooist of Auschwitz comes a new novel based on an incredible true story of love and resilience.

Her beauty saved her - and condemned her.

Cilka is just 16-years-old when she is taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp in 1942, where the commandant immediately notices how beautiful she is. Forcibly separated from the other women prisoners, Cilka learns quickly that power, even unwillingly taken, equals survival. When the war is over and the camp is liberated, freedom is not granted to Cilka: She is charged as a collaborator for sleeping with the enemy and sent to a Siberian prison camp. But did she really have a choice? And where do the lines of morality lie for Cilka, who was send to Auschwitz when she was still a child?

In Siberia, Cilka faces challenges both new and horribly familiar, including the unwanted attention of the guards. But when she meets a kind female doctor, Cilka is taken under her wing and begins to tend to the ill in the camp, struggling to care for them under brutal conditions.

Confronting death and terror daily, Cilka discovers a strength she never knew she had. And when she begins to tentatively form bonds and relationships in this harsh, new reality, Cilka finds that despite everything that has happened to her, there is room in her heart for love.

From child to woman, from woman to healer, Cilka's journey illuminates the resilience of the human spirit - and the will we have to survive.

©2019 Heather Morris (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

awesome stuff

such a sad story of human cruelty.
but the will to live and end up being able to love another. the fact that this is a true story of events that really happened is mind boggling.

Heather Morris does not disappoint!

I purchased this as a presale, anticipating its release. Not written as I expected it would be, but loved it just the same, along with the narrator. So much additional info included by the author after the story is done. Be sure to listen until the very end.

Amazing!

I Could not put this book down I read it in two days! Fascinating and educational.

Tattooist continued

This continues Cilka's story after she is released from Nazi concentration camps and sent to Siberia. It is just as emotionally draining as The Tattooist of Auschwitz, but contains a story that should never be forgotten. Cilka's life is full of hardships and yet, she survives and thrives. Once started, I could not put this down. I read and when I couldn't read, I listened to the Audible version in order to continue the story. If you read The Tattooist of Auschwitz, then you need to continue with Cilka's Journey.

Rarely shared aspect of Holocaust survival for women

Well written and narrated. I felt the main character’s complex feelings and asked myself how I would have survived. Really celebrates the resiliency of the human spirit and honors how people “survive” traumatic situations in different ways. Powerful follow up to the Tattooist...

Review of Cilka’s Journey

This book came highly recommended & it was a compelling & enjoyable listen, despite descriptions of the horrific conditions that the prisoners (mainly women) were subject.
The main character was selfless & had a will to live despite it all. She is an amazing person, that I will remember for her bravery, & unselfish actions and will to overcome despite the odds....!! This story will remain with me for many years! I enjoyed the authors descriptions & answers to questions abt Cilkas life after her release from prison!

A must read

We all have the responsibility to learn of the past so it never happens again. Cilka’s Story, I believe, can give us all a lesson of having hope through the hopeless times in our lives. If she can survive what she did we can hold on through our darkest hours with strength and the ability to lift others in the process. It gives hope to what’s good in each of us.

Great historical story telling!

I loved this book! I had also read her other book and enjoyed that. It was interesting to get an insight into the camps and then an insight into the the Soviet Gulags as well. So unfortunate that this girl had to experience both. I hope this history has more people aware of the possibility that this can happen again.

enticing all the way through

great book. I cannot fathom what people went through back then. thank you to the author for sharing and discoving chilka

Be Strong like Cilka

The narration is beautifully done, and the story is moving. I hope to think I'm as brave or strong as Cilka.