The Librarian of Auschwitz
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
Pages: 432
Summary:
Dita Kraus does not lead an average teenage life. She is a prisoner of Auschwitz, one of the most infamous concentration camps during the Holocaust. But a beacon of light guides Dita through the terrors of her imprisonment; she reads books. When Dita is tasked to hide the few books her fellow prisoners have managed to sneak into the camp, she promises to honor her position by distributing the volumes around the campsite. Inspired by a remarkable true story, The Librarian of Aushwitz tells the tale of Dita Kraus, a young girl who risked her life to deliver hope in in one of history's darkest periods.
Plot:
Writing allows us to convey the importance of a story. Words enables us to harness such a gift and deliver truth where ignorance prevails. Antonio Iturbe chose to use his gift to deliver a resounding message from a nearly hopeless time. The Librarian of Auschwitz informs readers about one of history's most overlooked characters; its complex plotline and witty character dynamic serves to educate the audience while engaging readers in a climatic story. Iturbe's novel is both refreshing and terrifying; raw and brutal honesty collide to make it both beautiful and vastly important.
Characters:
Each of Iturbe's characters hold an important role in the story's progression, a feature that made the novel more endearing. However, I had a difficult time connecting to the main characters in the story. Each of the characters alternate between confiding their perspectives of the novels events to the reader. However, each perspective is told in brief segments throughout the story, making it hard for the audience to establish a secure connection with the characters. I feel that I would have enjoyed this novel a bit more if the story didn't alternate between different viewpoints as frequently.
Setting:
I really enjoyed the setting of this novel. Antonio Iturbe delivers an honest interpretation of the Auschwitz camp, and the horrifying reality that became inmate life. Reading about Auschwitz through Iturbe's voice reminds readers about the devastating truth of the Holocaust and its victims.
Review:
My overall review for this book is four stars out of five. I really enjoyed this novel, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. If this book seems interesting, you may also enjoy The Diary of Anne Frank of Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys. Thanks for reading.
