Auschwitz: True Tales from a Grotesque Land by Sarah Nomber-Przytyk

Today I wandered through the library looking for books to read. After buying a few books from the library bookstore I ended up in the non-fiction section surrounded by books on the Holocaust. Yes, I've seen Schindler's List, Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The Pianist, and other movies/shows about the Hitler and his heinous crimes. But I guess after reading Sarah's Key, a work of fiction - I thought why not read something true.

So I checked out two books: Angela's Ashes and Auschwitz. Though terribly sad, I found Auschwitz by Sara Normberg gave me insight into the plight of the thousands of Jews in this horrid German camp. Telling her own story, Sara takes the reader into the hierarchy of prisoners within the camp. I had an image of all these people in a similar situation - looking to one another for comfort..knowing they all shared the same fate. But alas, that's not how it was. Even within the concentration camp there was a hierarchy based upon what 'type of Jew' you were. For instance, a German Jew felt that they would be spared because they were of course "German" or the Hungarian Jews who were looked down upon by others simply because of where they came from.

Then there were the Jews who worked for the Germans as nurses, aides, couriers, etc. These Jews were well fed, slept in the best quarters (by concentration camp standards), and had access to liberties not available to those housed in the main barracks. This group was made up of those who could 'organize' - meaning they could move themselves into better positions within the camp. Maybe what was most surprising is that some of the punishment and death was handed out by a fellow Jewish prisoner.

I liked that this book educated me on the inner workings of the Nazi concentration camps; however, the book is still incredibly sad. Horror upon horror is described - from the killing of new born babies, burning of children, gassing, killing of over 20,000 people in a day, experiments performed on prisoners, etc. etc. etc. Can I recommend it as a read - not sure, its just so sad. If you're interested in learning more about the Jewish plight during the Holocaust from a unique perspective I think its definitely worth looking into. Keep in mind this book only delves into the woman's side of the camp...but its definitely a humbling read.

For now, I leave with you a quote from Albert Einstein that's definitely appropriate for the subject matter.

"A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." Albert Einstein