Amazon.co.uk:Customer reviews: The Midwife of Auschwitz: Inspired by a heartbreaking true story, an emotional and gripping World War 2 historical novel

Top positive review

A harrowing story so beautifully written

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 July 2022

A hard book to put down and one I had to constantly remind myself was based on real events. How those people survived and found something to cling to each day was incredible. Anna Stuart’s sensitive and beautifully written story is a tribute to those who survived and a recognition of the harrowing treatment they, and those who did not make it, were put through. The story of Ana and Ester is one which will stay with me - delivering babies in such harsh conditions and providing love and hope in a time when that was so needed. I found the author’s notes at the end, providing the inspiration for the book, most interesting and am glad they had been included to give the parallels to the characters and scenarios in the book.

6 people found this helpful

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Rose

And some of them lived happily ever after

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 July 2022

This is a typically bittersweet book about weddings, ghettos and concentration camps. it might be anyone’s story that lived through this turbulent periods of twentieth century history. It tries to tell the story without bias but, for me two things stand out. Info dumping, which is fine if you’re new to this chapter of human existence, and too much of the author’s personal opinion and attitude of horror comes through. Horific that time certainly was but, seeing it written down through the eyes of the characters and behind that, the author’s own attitude shining through is something of a spoiler for me anyway.

One person found this helpful

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Monty

A harrowing story so beautifully written

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 July 2022

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6 people found this helpful

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Chloe Grant

Emotional

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2022

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Want to say I enjoyed this. But how can you enjoy something based on such horrific life events?
I couldn't put this down and gave myself a headache I was so absorbed.
I had to keep reminding myself. Things weren't far fetched. This is what real people went through in Auschwitz.

The story of Ana and Ester helping to deliver babies in the camps will break your heart. But you'll root for them in every step.

4 people found this helpful

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Great story, can imagine a film.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2022

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Very difficult story to make into fiction, but this managed to be an appealing plot all the same.
The history is harrowing enough so it only required the description to outline it, to draw the reader in. The relationships are reasonably well crafted and the finale satisfies the human need for positivity in the face of adversity.
I suspect that not very many of the survivors had quite such an ultimately happy homecoming as Ana, (finding her sons alive and well, with home intact) and eventually Ester (reunited with the love of her life). Their fictional homecoming is nicely balanced by the loss of the husband and father as well as the continued search for baby Pippa. A bitter sweet tale based on the true horror of an unforgiveable regime. Only time will tell if it has been a lasting lesson in human politics, or if we can still be so deceived, by other people's ideals, into believing a whole people worth exterminating based on propaganda.

2 people found this helpful

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F. Pawley

Heartbreaking. I never realised the Polish had gone through so much.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2022

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Hard to believe that over 3,000 babies could be born during this time without losing one mother, no 'breach position' babies or caesarean sections. Not even cord to tie off the umbilicus. No sterilisation at all, with rats and lice and general filth everywhere. Yet all babies are born with happy mothers.
The horrors are well described. I never realised that Poland went through so much. It shows the horrors of this war in the raw.
Well worth reading, but you will need your tissues.

3 people found this helpful

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Allmar

A troubling but unputdownable read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 July 2022

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This is one of the most researched holocaust stories I have read with attention to detail from the streets of Lødz to the barracks of Auschwitz and back again. There are many references made to actual people caught up in this most horrendous of histories periods who's stories become so unbelievable you would hope it's fiction but sadly not. I highly recommend this unflinchingly descriptive story but advise that some of the details may become distressing to some readers

3 people found this helpful

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Mrs. Carol A. Reeves

hard to read but a brilliant book a must read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 July 2022

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As soon as I saw this book advertised. I knew I wanted to read it. I know someone whose grandparents were in Auschwitz and she cannot even talk about what she’s been told what happened to them. It’s an extremely good read, even though some parts are just a novel. It still gives a good account. I truly think that all secondary school children should be made to read it in their history lessons, it might make them want to know more about this. It has me and I’m now researching more. Thank you so much for this story

2 people found this helpful

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Rose

And some of them lived happily ever after

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 July 2022

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One person found this helpful

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dc61

superb but so very sad

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 June 2022

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Beautifully written, at times I felt I was there too. Definitely worth reading but also a prayer that we have learned our lesson. There is no place for war and killing. Lest we forget. RIP to so many brave souls who gave their lives in so many different ways for the sick ideology of one man.

2 people found this helpful

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F L Finney

Heartbreaking

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 June 2022

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I obviously knew about Auschwitz but hadn't realised the extent of the cruelty until now. In her author's notes at the back, the writer says that she sometimes questioned whether if it was her place to tackle the subject. In my opinion, it was absolutely her place. It is extremely well researched and I learned a lot from reading this novel. As a previous reviewer said, you're rooting for the two excellently drawn main characters throughout. Definitely recommended.

2 people found this helpful

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Tess

An exceptional riveting read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 August 2022

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This is the first book I have read by Anna Stuart and I absolutely loved it. I have only read one other book about the Holocaust and that was Schindler's List. The book is a real page-turner with a lot of emotions running through me from outrage to heartbreak. I found it really hard to put down but there were times that I just had to. It's an outstanding read and I highly recommend reading it.

One person found this helpful

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