BOOK REVIEW
Heather taught us that to save one is to save the world.
Are you a fan of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Anne Frank’s Diary or Schindler’s List?
If you have ever read any of these amazing novels, it is simply a MUST that you turn the pages of Heather Morris’s latest series!
Set in WWII within the dangers of a concentration camp, this heartbreaking story follows protagonist, Lale Sokolov and his ‘other half’, Gita on an inspiring journey of love, trust and courage. Living amidst a society where individuals are replaced by withering numbers, the novel explores what it means to be stripped of freedom, family and dignity; losing control of one’s independent identity. This transforms us, as readers from the comfort of our own life, into a world of oppression and warfare, prompting the questioning of what it means to be human. Despite all the odds Morris encourages us to view the world from the perspective of pure and innocent love. As the tattoo's a number onto her arm, with one shared look they fall helplessly in love; but, is love enough for survival?Will love be strong enough to stop the inevitable death of the prisoners in the camp?It’s what they’re there for, isn’t it?
I’ve never enjoyed reading novels based on a true story as they’re usually too bland and uninteresting, but I can confidently reassure you that this novel is far from monotonous and anticlimactic. With scenes that are loud enough to make your heart beat fast in your chest with suspense, and proclamations of love to melt your heart, the novel is definitely an exciting roller coaster.
Throughout the novel, I was gripping onto the book as I sat on the edge of my seat. The suspense seemed to stretch out right in front of me, just as I thought it was over it stretched out once again. The romance danced around me and tested the limits that one would go for love.
One thing that I adored about this story was Lale himself. His views of women and how he treated every single one of them as a jewel, how he cherished his mother and figures who were maternal towards him. To see a novel explore that side of a man was interesting and intriguing as I had never read something that set in perspective the adoring thoughts towards women from a man.
I fell in love with the words, they were simple but somehow conveyed the precise emotions and atmosphere of the setting. Although I admire literature that lengthens sentences sophisticatedly and delicately, I still found myself enjoying the simplicity of the word choices for this novel. It showed me that with simplicity there can still be a sense of extravagance as long as the words are fitting to the scene.
Heather Morris, Author
For this to be based on a true story, for these people to have experienced such horrendous hardships, it was incredible to read and absolutely captivating. As a novel based on a terrifying event in humanity's existence, it taught me so much about humans and what we’re capable of, it taught me what terrible circumstances these innocent lives were forced into and it taught me just how cruel humans could be. It presented both good and bad sides of humans, how we can be so strong in times where expected to be weak, and how we can be so cruel at times expected to be kind.
I wholeheartedly relished this novel for its ability to teach me, provoke emotions and accurately describe scenes even through simple word choice. I definitely recommend this novel to others who are interested in history - especially WWII - however, I don’t recommend this for readers younger than students in year 10 as scenes can be confronting and explicit. I also don’t recommend this novel for those who are easily discomforted by confronting scenes and various types of abuse. Please be mindful that within these camps horrific events took place which could possibly trigger you.
I’m currently reading the second novel, so I’ll see you then!
-K Randall, Year 10