Book Review: The Girl Who Escaped From Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood

I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction recently and it really has become my favourite genre to read. I’ve read a few WW2 novels including The Night Train To Berlin, The Yellow Bird Sings and The Book Of Lost Names, and have been moved by them all.

The Girl Who Escaped From Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood was published in 2021 and promised to be another emotional read.

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Author: Ellie Midwood

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 2021

Plot

The novel is based on the real-life story of Mala Zimetbaum and Edward Galiński. Mala, as the title suggests, was the first woman to successfully escape from Auschwitz, aided and accompanied by Edward. Mala’s talent for languages awarded her a job as an interpreter for the SS. Her position allowed her to help those most in need by smuggling food and delegating jobs to give them hope of survival.

Edward meanwhile was a political prisoner and one of the longest surviving inmates at Auschwitz. The two meet while becoming members of the underground resistance and hatch a plan to escape. A promise is made – they will either escape together or die together.

The Girl Who Escaped From Auschwitz Book Review

It’s so hard to say you loved a book that is so utterly heartbreaking but I really did. Mala and Edward’s story is one that will stay with me for a very long time.

Ellie Midwood doesn’t shy away from allowing the readers a haunting glimpse into the true atrocities that took place at Auschwitz-Birkenau. I read the majority of the book with a lump in my throat and heaviness upon my chest. It’s hard to imagine these events took place at all, much less in the last century. This is why stories like these are so important. We can’t forget. These horrendous events can’t be erased from history. We owe it to every single person who suffered to tell their stories and remember their names.

However, amongst the cruelties and the suffering, the resounding message throughout this book is one of hope. It’s a powerful tale of bravery, resilience and loyalty in the face of tragedy and fear. The friendships and camaraderie you might not have expected in such desperate times were particularly touching. It highlights that evil cannot suppress love. Above all, it’s a stark reminder to be thankful for the freedom and liberties we currently have. My petty lockdown complaints have truly been put into perspective.

A truly good book provokes some kind of emotion and Ellie Midwood certainly delivers that.

What should I read after The Girl Who Escaped From Auschwitz?

I would definitely encourage you to read more of Ellie Midwood’s novels. The Girl in the Striped Dress was another brilliant read.

You may also enjoy The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel and The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner. All these books focus on the sacrifice and bravery of women during WW2.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. For more information please see my disclosure policy.