Review of Auschwitz Lullaby

Title: Auschwitz Lullaby

 

Author: Mario Escobar translated by Gretchen Abernathy

Pages: 281

Genre: Historical fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Based on the title alone, you know as you start  to read Auschwitz Lullaby by Mario Escobar translated by Gretchen Abernathy that this book is going to have a slightly predictable ending.   Unlike other WWII and Holocaust novels I've read Auschwitz Lullaby focuses on a lesser known group of people sent to concentration  camps;   Romani none pretty much as gypsies outside of their people.  So to me that was a welcome  change. This novel focuses on one family  but though their eyes you see life in the gypsy camp of Auschwitz.  Helene the mother could have avoided being sent to the camp because she was German not Romani but she chose instead to go with her husband and children, because a mother doesn't leave her children. 

It's through this novel that you see that Doctor Mengele pulled a lot of twins from the gypsy camp and others. If you've studied history you know what horrible things he did, things I won't mention in this review.  Helene and a few other woman under Mengele orders create a kindergarten as well as nursery do in part to the fact that she is a nurse.  The women do their best to give the children a normal life as possible inside the camps. 

Reading Auschwitz Lullaby was bitter sweet.  It was the first and only Holocaust novel that I've read that focuses on Romani and not the Jewish population.  I'm not going to lie Auschwitz Lullaby was not an easy read, and books about the Holocaust should be easy reads they should be reads that challenge you and make you think. As well as teach you so that events like that never happen again.  I recommend that everyone 16 years and older read this book.   To me it is a must read.  Have tissues handy. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.