I had sworn off any more WWII books.
They are depressing! They are full of death!!! Yes, I love history but UGH!
And yet.....
This one fascinated me. It is not about the war, although the story is very much because of the war. Do not be scared off by the subject matter that you read on the flap. This is a gorgeously written story of the bond between sisters, how the mind and heart work together to create hope from nothing, how the worst evil can actually be perpetrated by an unwilling source that can become your savior if you can survive. This book was amazing.
Pearl and Stasha are twins at Auschwitz. Yes, they are two of Mengele's twins. They experience horrific physical "experiments" and psychological tests that alter their personalities and futures. The author does not dwell on details, however; you understand most of what happens to the girls but not in excruciating detail or in any detail at all sometimes. That is not the focus here. The focus is on their relationship, the aftermath, how they survive, what happens when they are separated and Stasha fears Pearl is dead? What happened to all the other twins? And what will happen to them and to Mengele when liberation finally comes? Two doctors appear to be more upset at what they do than they can let on, and two boys become lifelines for each of the girls on their separate but forever connected paths.
I could not put it down. Mostly told in alternating perspectives between Stasha and Pearl, you begin to see their different strengths, and how they handle things so differently but towards a similar goal - being together forever, no matter what. Absolutely beautiful. Horrific subject matter, turned into a deep, searing, easy to read fulfilling novel. Wow.
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