Book Description:
Auschwitz, 1943: As I held the tiny baby in my arms, my fingers traced the black tattoo etched across her little thigh. And I prayed that one day this set of numbers, identical to her mother’s, would have the power to reunite a family torn apart by war…
Inspired by an incredible true story, this poignant novel tells of one woman’s fight for love, life and hope during a time of unimaginable darkness.
Ana Kaminski is pushed through the iron gates of Auschwitz beside her frightened young friend Ester Pasternak. As they reach the front of the line, Ana steps forward and quietly declares herself a midwife – and Ester her assistant. Their arms are tattooed and they’re ordered to the maternity hut. Holding an innocent new-born baby, Ana knows the fate of so many are in her hands, and vows to do everything she can to save them.
When two guards in their chilling SS uniforms march in and snatch a blond-haired baby from its mother it’s almost too much for Ana to bear. Consoling the distraught woman, Ana realises amidst the terrible heartache there is a glimmer of hope. The guards are taking the healthiest babies and placing them with German families, so they will survive. And there are whispers the war is nearly over… Ana and Ester begin to secretly tattoo little ones with their mother’s numbers, praying one day they might be reunited.
Then, early one morning, Ana notices the small bump under Ester’s thin striped clothing…
An absolutely heartbreaking and page-turning WW2 novel of one woman’s bravery and determination to bring life and hope into a broken world. Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz,The Alice Network and The Nightingale will be gripped.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Midwife Of Aushcwitz' by Anna Stuart.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Anna Stuart, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 31st May 2022.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching unique cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Alice Network and The Nightingale will be gripped.' I am a huge fan of 'The Tattooist Of Aushcwitz' so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 36 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Auschwitz, Poland 🇵🇱.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Ester Pasternak and Ana Kaminski. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. The fact there are multiple protagonists is even better as it increases the readers knowledge of what more characters are doing and feeling.
'The Midwife Of Aushcwitz' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Anna discusses/includes violence, persecution of the Jews, murder of children and adults and death.
Well, what can I say but wow!!! This story is definitely not going to leave my head anytime soon. Firstly I must congratulate Anna Stuart for an absolutely extraordinary novel that seriously needs to be made into a movie which I assure would be best selling!!!
This book is extremely powerful and extremely well written. It is devastatingly heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. The storyline of this book is based on the true story Stanislawa Leszczynska, although fictional Anna has done an excellent amount of research and based the character Ana on Stanislawa and her "assistant" character Ester is based on Stanislawa's daughter Sylwia. It is absolutely rammed with emotions that will make you smile, cry and laugh on the roller-coaster ride to hell that is Auschwitz. Nothing is left out and the author has done an immense amount of research and brings Stanislawa and Sylwia's story to life via Ana and Ester.
This book did not disappoint. Some people believe that these stories should not be written but I am a strong believer that these victims earned the right for their stories to be told and to not be forgotten and this book does just that. I loved discovering not just "Ana" and "Esther's" stories but also rediscovering characters who I have "met" in other books previously. These include the extremely brave Mala Zimetbaum and Edek Galinski whose full story I read in 'The Girl who escaped from Auschwitz' by Ellie Midwood and Alma Rosé whose full story I read in 'The Violinist of Auschwitz' also by Ellie Midwood. I had also previously heard of Mengele and Irma Grese from other books by Ellie Midwood. This amazing group of people (not including Mengele and Irma) who supported and lifted each other up during these dark times and helping them see the light are absolutely... Words can't really describe but I will go with angelic. This book was very hard to read as a whole but there were certain parts that will stay with me for a very long time and that we're soul destroying. What the Nazi's did to these innocent people makes me absolutely sick to my soul. The poor children, babies and parents watching each other suffering especially. As a mother myself I believe what the monster Klara did to the babies will haunt me for a very long time.My heart screamed out to the mothers for what she went through along with Ana and Ester. I loved how this book ended and although it wasn't what I would wish for I much prefer it strangely enough because it was more realistic. Ana and Ester are such amazingly strong women who I absolutely loved and I am looking forward to doing more of my own research on Stanislawa. I was completely invested in all their stories and lives. A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Anna for doing her beautiful story justice and for bringing her to life again. I had never heard of this amazing lady before so I am so glad you have helped me discover her.
I would also like to thank Anna for her fantastic historical notes located at the end of this book. These give extra information and details on Stanisława Leszczyńsk, Irma Grese and Dr Josef Mengele and Mala Zimetbau. She also gives extra details about life at Auschwitz-Birkenau including the food, conditions, hospitals, Christmas (which was another extremely disturbing event), Selection, the trains, the death marches, News of the camps and Sunday detail. The other important information Anna includes are about the Łódź Ghetto and The Lebensborn Programme. I had never heard of either of these until I read this book so another huge thank you Anna for making myself and others aware. I will definitely be doing more research on both.
Clear your schedules and grab your tissues as you will not be able to put this book down or stop the tears from streaming!!!
Again congratulations Anna on an absolutely stunning emotional rollercoaster ride of a book!! I would say this book is on par with the likes of 'The' diary of Anne Frank' which left me with the same feelings your novel has if not even more emotional. I cannot wait to read the rest of your books and I would like to welcome you to my favourite 3 historical author list!!!
Overall a heart wrenching, devastating yet beautiful story of a true hero of Aushcwitz
Genres covered in this book include Historical Fiction, Women's Saga, Women's Historical Fiction, Literary Saga, Women's Literary Fiction, Historical Literary Fiction, Romance Literary Fiction and War Story amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz', 'Orphan Train',Ellie Midwood, The Tattooist of Aushcwitz, 'The Alice Network', 'The Nightingale', The Librarian of Aushcwitz and anyone interested in the Holocaust and its history.
375 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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@AnnaStuart @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio:
Anna Stuart lives in Derbyshire with her campervan-mad husband, two hungry teenagers and a slightly loopy dog. She was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English literature at Cambridge university, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels. Anna loves the way that writing lets her ‘try on’ so many different lives, but her favourite part of the job is undoubtedly hearing from readers. You can reach her on Facebook @annastuartauthor or Twitter @annastuartbooks.
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Buy Link:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B09VF3BGWDsocial
Audio:
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