The Librarian of Auschwitz - The Story of A Very Brave Child Moved by Books

I recently finished this piece of historical fiction and was completely blown away. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read and enjoyed historical fiction in the past but have since been unable to find a novel that matched in content and enjoyment. This book is able to portray the already very much discussed subject of the Holocaust in a manner that revolves around unwavering hope and perseverance in day to day life despite crippling strife and struggle. The premise of this book is based upon the real life of a young woman who served as the librarian of the Auschwitz family camp children's school. The tale unravels the emotions of this character, whose name is Dita Adler in the story, told by author Antonio Iturbe, who spent a great amount of time visiting the real subject of the story's remarkable events, getting to know her and what she went through. The novel illustrates the hunger, fear, and raw emotions of hope and discouragement in the lives of the Jews imprisoned within Auschwitz. The underlying theme of the power of books is beautifully portrayed through the motif of the eight books Dita is able to keep hidden and pore over in her secret times and places. The characters and situations of the novel show the reader that books not only have the power to provide knowledge but unwavering hope in times when it seems that hope has deserted those most in need of it. Dita also represents the ability of humans to passionately cling to books as vessels of hope and objects of escape, inspiring hope in all types of readers. I highly recommend this one-of-a-kind story specifically for those who appreciate books that praise and analyze the power of other books. Now, I can't end this review without commenting on the cover of this novel which is pictured above. The illustration immediately drew me in when I saw it on display at Barnes & Noble. I think it is so fascinating how Dita, the girl pictured on top of the pile of books, is standing on top of the eight books that quite literally become her foundation as she learns to survive as a prisoner and face everyday with the weight of the secret that she holds. The books allow her to look over the fence that imprisons her. The blue and pink colors of the lightening morning sky perhaps even reflect ideas of far off hope.

My favorite quote from the author of The Librarian of Auschwitz: "Life, any life, is very short. But if you've managed to be happy for at least an instant, it will have been worth living." 

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