5 stars, Survival of Auschwitz Prison Camp

THE GIRL IN THE STRIPED DRESS
by Ellie Midwood

The heartbreaking ordeal of a young woman who lost most of her family to the Nazis. She and her sister were saved. This is their story. It is a fictional telling, based on the true events of an SS guard who fell in love with a Jewish woman.

At the beginning of the novel, we are in a Denazification Tribunal where whatever Nazis were still alive were charged with Crimes Against Humanity and punished accordingly. Helena Kleinova barely survived Auschwitz and managed to save her sister through her relationship with a Nazi guard, Franz Dahler. Another man who survived Auschwitz has brought charges against Franz because of his cruel treatment of the camp's prisoners.

Helena has a lot of emotional issues, but she is okay if Franz is near. Helena and her sister survive the cruelties of Auschwitz as they work in an area called New Kanada. Franz is the Nazi in charge of the work area. From the first moment he sees Helena, he is in love with her.

The story is told from Helena's point of view. It bounces from 1947 the tribunal and 1942 the incarceration in the prison camps Highly recommend for anyone who is interested in WWII and survival against all odds

Much gratitude to #bookouture #netgalley for the complimentary copy of #thegirlinthestripeddress I was under no obligation to post a review. ( )

WW11, Auschwitz

This fictional story recreates the true story of an SS guard and a Jewish inmate. This powerful tale of forbidden love is brought to life in a heartbreaking and gripping WW11 page-turner.

1947, the trial and 1942, behind the barbed wires

It opens at the denazification hearing of Frank Dahler the SS guard in charge of the Kanada warehouses in Auschwitz concentration camp. He is facing charges of crimes against humanity. Novak, a former inmate, is one of the plaintiffs accusing him of being evil, cruel and very abusive. By his side during the proceeding is, Helena, his wife also a former inmate who worked under his commands.

In alternate chapters and in alternate times, the voice of Helena is heard recounting her experiences during her days in Auschwitz while Frank tells his version of events in turn. Novak adds his say, recounting what he saw insisting that Helena was forced by Dahler, who beat her into submission to completely have her under his control. What he failed to see was the strong attachment the two had for each other. Helena, Frank and Novak stories are completely different. To the observers Helena is not afraid of her husband and both seemed to be truly in love.

This story is wonderfully said. We can visualize every aspect described: bodies burning, human skeletons, the cold the starvation, the terror and the strong attachment between Helena and Frank. Ms. Midwood does a phenomenal job in capturing the time and events in words that brings to life this unusual love story. Undeniably, much effort, thoughts and research went into this book to ensure her story is close to reality as much as possible.

What a story

My thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley I had the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my thoughts ( )

A fictional story, with so much truth behind it, but how could something like this really happen?
What a wonderful job the author has done with this book, and it should be mandatory reading.
We will never know for sure if one of the prisoners that we come to know was suffering from Stockholm/Auschwitz Syndrome, with a Jewish inmate in a relationship with an SS Officer, and through the words of the author we are there for the Nuremberg trials.
A story of heart wrenching pain, atrocities, forgiveness, love, such a range of emotions, and you will feel them all and more in this book.
I will be looking for more by Ellie Midwood!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bookatour and was not required to give a positive review. ( )

Can love exist between captor and prisoner?

Another powerful story from Ellie Midwood, who brings the struggle for survival to life in this Novel. Warning: The mental side to the holocaust is explored in detail.

This is a must read for any fan of historical fiction. The emotions run high from page one to the very end. ( )

Franz Dahler and Helena Kleinova did not have a typical romance. Franz is a wounded SS Officer assigned to head up Kanada-the sorting detail for all of the objects taken from the inmates upon arrival to Auschwitz. Helena is a Czechloslovakian Jew being prepared for the gas chamber. Before she is taken to the chamber, Helena is pulled from line in order to sing Happy Birthday to an SS Officer. The Officer, Dahler is enraptured with Helena and arranges for her to be placed in Kanada, saving her life. As Helena and Franz spend time together, a relationship forms. Franz also rescues Helena's sister from the gas chambers and Helena eventually cannot imagine her survival without Franz. Now, in 1947 Franz and Helena are married. Franz is set to appear in Denazification Court for his crimes at Auschwitz. Another Auschwitz inmate, Andrej Novák wants Dahler to be fully investigated for his crimes against Helena. Two America psychiatrists observe the strange couple to figure out if Helena is a victim of abuse or simply a woman in love.
Stories from the Holocaust are more important now than ever since the world seems to be forgetting the result of hatred towards a group of people. Helena and Franz' story seems fictional, but is based on the very real story of Helena Citrónová and Franz Wunsch. The timeline of the story goes back and forth between 1947 as Helena testifies to the court in Franz' defense and Helena and Franz' memories of Auschwitz from 1942-1945. The writing manages to portray an uncertainty of the nature of Franz and Helena's relationship as Andrej, Helena and Franz recall the same events with different emotions and insight. I was amazed to learn about Kanada, the sorting detail. While I knew of the vast piles of items, I was unaware that the inmates of Auschwitz were made to sort through them. The description of Kanada and the rest of Auschwitz is detailed with historical accuracy. While workers in Kanada were typically better fed and kept in better conditions than the rest of the inmates, they were still subject to the torture of Auschwitz and the guilt that the deaths of others kept them alive. Also highlighted were the many SS Officers who knew what they were doing was wrong and tried to help inmates in their own small ways. The most valuable lesson of Helena and Franz' story comes from Andrej's character- we must never stop talking about what happened, we must not let people forget the damage that hatred brings.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ( )