Book Review #I Have to Save Them #Ellie Midwood #Bookouture Publisher #Book On Tour #Historical Fiction World War 2

 

MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

"I Have to Save Them" by Ellie Midwood is a heart-wrenching and gripping World War II novel inspired by the true story of Orli Reichert. Set against the haunting backdrop of Auschwitz in 1942, the narrative unfolds with a nurse named Orli, who finds herself betrayed by her own husband and thrust into the horrors of the concentration camp.

The story kicks off as Orli, a German resistance fighter, arrives at Auschwitz, fully expecting to face certain death. However, to her surprise and horror, she is assigned to work in the infirmary under the notorious Dr. Josef Mengele, infamously known as the Angel of Death. The author skillfully portrays the internal turmoil faced by Orli as she grapples with the moral dilemma of aiding a man responsible for the cruel experiments and deaths of thousands of innocent inmates.

Midwood's narrative captures the desperation and resilience of Orli as she navigates the grim reality of Auschwitz. The character's determination to continue her resistance work, even within the confines of the infirmary, adds a layer of suspense and intrigue. Orli's decision to smuggle medicine to the suffering patients and her subsequent plan to fake a typhus outbreak to save lives showcase her courage and the lengths to which she is willing to go to defy the evil around her.

The novel's strength lies in its portrayal of the indomitable human spirit amidst the darkest of circumstances. Orli's attempts to save others, even at the risk of her own life, make for a compelling and emotionally charged storyline. Midwood effectively captures the camaraderie among the nurses, highlighting their collective efforts to resist the atrocities unfolding within the camp.

The writing style is evocative, immersing readers in the grim reality of Auschwitz while also conveying moments of hope and humanity. The author skillfully balances the horrors of the Holocaust with Orli's determination to bring light into the lives of those she encounters.

"I Have to Save Them" stands out as a poignant addition to World War II literature, offering readers a gripping and unforgettable tale of one woman's courageous struggle against evil. Fans of historical fiction, particularly those drawn to stories like "The Choice" and "The Tattooist of Auschwitz," will find themselves thoroughly engrossed in this emotionally charged and unputdownable novel. Ellie Midwood's skillful storytelling and dedication to depicting the resilience of the human spirit make this a compelling and memorable read.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Auschwitz, 1942: The nurse’s entire body trembles as she watches the doctor guide the beautiful twins with chestnut curls into the infirmary. Everyone thinks he’s helping these innocent souls, but she knows the truth…

Betrayed by her own husband for being a German resistance fighter, Orli has no one left in the world as she stumbles from the cattle truck onto the frostbitten grounds of Auschwitz. She has arrived expecting to be sentenced to certain death. Instead, as a trained nurse, she is assigned to work in the infirmary to assist Dr Josef Mengele.

Soon, Orli learns Mengele is known as the Angel of Death, and is the most feared man in Auschwitz. At his hands, thousands of healthy inmates are cruelly killed and experimented on: and Orli is expected to assist him. She realises that her resistance work is not over. From inside the infirmary, she will secretly try to save as many souls as she can.

Orli starts to smuggle medicine to the most desperate of patients. But when Mengele instructs her to find children, she knows it isn’t enough… she has to keep him away. With the help of her fellow nurses, Orli plans to fake a typhus outbreak.

But can Orli really fool one of the most powerful men in Auschwitz? And if Mengele discovers her plan, will the cost of saving others be her own life?

Inspired by the incredible true story of Orli Reichert, this unforgettable World War Two novel brings to life the powerful tale of a woman who risked everything to fight against evil. Fans of The Choice and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will be utterly gripped by this unputdownable page-turner.

Ellie Midwood

Ellie Midwood is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning historical fiction author, whose works have been translated into 20 languages. She owes her interest in the history of the Second World War to her grandfather, a Junior Sergeant in the 2nd Guards Tank Army of the First Belorussian Front, who began telling her about his experiences on the frontline when she was a young girl. Growing up, her interest in history only deepened and transformed from reading about the war to writing about it. After obtaining her BA in Linguistics, Ellie decided to make writing her full-time career and began working on her first full-length historical novel, "The Girl from Berlin." Ellie is continuously enriching her library with new research material and feeds her passion for WWII and Holocaust history by collecting rare memorabilia and documents. In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her husband and their three dogs.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bookouture (January 31, 2024)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 31, 2024