The Librarian of Auschwitz

by Antonio Iturbe (Author), Lilit Zekulin Thwaites (Translator) 

The Librarian of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Dita Kraus.

Dita is now 95 years old, but was only 14/15 years old as her story is told in this book. Honestly, I don’t really know how to properly review books like this one, when based on such horrific circumstances that really happened, not that long ago. I think it’s essential that these books are read by anyone and everyone though. It’s quite scary to think how many people think these atrocities never happened.

Dita is quite a feisty girl, considering what she endures on a day-to-day basis whilst at Auschwitz. She is tasked with the responsibility of looking after Block 31’s library. It might have only consisted of eight books, but she vows to guard them with her life, quite literally. If they were to be found, the consequences wouldn’t even bare thinking about. How terrifying that must have been! How courageous she was to take on this responsibility.

I found her story inspiring whilst also being reminded of the horrific conditions these people endured and the terrifying things they witnessed during these times. It isn’t an easy read by any means, but beautifully written. Dita sounds like an amazing lady who has gone on, thankfully, to live a long life.

I agree with a friend of mine who said that it’s almost as if God has granted some of these survivors a long life for the purposes of making sure they can tell as many people as possible, for as long as they possibly can, what happened at Auschwitz.

We should never forget.

If you get the chance to read this, please do, then pass it on to someone else who should read it too.