The Librarian of Auschwitz: A Book Review

Would your love of books and learning overcome?

It is reasonable to assume that anyone on the Medium platform might consider themselves lovers of books and knowledge. I definitely consider myself to be so inclined. Would that change trapped inside a camp designed to do nothing less than stamp out such notions?

The Librarian of Auschwitz challenges the reader to think about just that.

What would you do if you found yourself in a prison designed for your eradication? Facing certain death, will you cling to and guard, with your life, a few precious books?

The protagonist of this work of historical fiction, Dita, finds herself in just such a predicament. A girl, barely a teenager, is set against the genocidal machinations of the Third Reich.

The reader is taken on a journey with Dita from her quiet home, through the ghettos of Prague, ending up in the family camp of Auschwitz. Despite her age and the danger of the position, Dita shines in the role. Her love of the books entrusted to her is evident as she cares for them as if they were her children.

Each page brings new dangers and more tragedy for Dita and her fellow prisoners. Yet, she never gives up. She continually struggles against hate and repression in the only way she can — guarding and caring for the knowledge contained in eight tattered texts.

Would you go so far, risk so much, and stay so resolute?

Challenge yourself and ask yourself this question as you read the pages of this beautifully written book.