Book review: The Twins of Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor with Lisa Rojany Buccieri

 Well hello to you reader chums! I've read a few books based on what happened in Auschwitz, the Tattooist and the Librarian, and now The Twins. When I saw this in my local bookshop, I had to pick it up. I'm really interested in that era of history, as although it's incredibly heartbreaking what occurred during the Holocaust, I find it interesting to learn about the stories of the victims and survivors - and their stories.

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I'm a twin myself and I can really resonate with any book that talks about being a twin and that relationship, and that's why I loved this book so much. It's moving, powerful, inspiring and shows how far love can go for your twin.

Here are all my thoughts on the book, The Twins at Auschwitz.

Book review: The Twins of Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor with Lisa Rojany Buccieri

Story 

Usually, I would write about the plotline of a novel but this book is based on the true story of the twins Miriam and Eva. The story is told from the perspective of Eva who was sent to the Auschwitz camp with her family, where they were all separated - apart from her and her twin sister. Her parents and older sisters were taken to the gas chambers, while Eva and twin sister Miriam were taken into care by Dr. Joseph Mengele, who later gained the name of 'the angel of death.'

The girls were ten at the time when sent to the camp and were completely terrified but Eva always had the mindest of staying strong and the aim to get out of the camp which is so inspiring. Twins were granted the 'privileges' of keeping their own clothes and hair at the camp, which isn't the same as what other prisoners got. But, that 'privilege' also meant they were subjected to Mengele's dangerous medical experiments. They were forced to fight for survival daily, injected with many dangerous substances and many of the twins who went through this, unfortunately, died.

The narrative is told in such an honest and emotional perspective from Eva herself, who describes the pain, the hardship, and the heartbreak through her whole time at Auschwitz - and afterward too. It's an incredibly moving story about a child's endurance in the face of pure evil - and her ambition to get out with her sister and live a normal life once more.

Eva and Miriam - and their family

As I always say with any book, the people in it make the story - and this time because it's non-fiction, suppose to fiction, I was drawn to the people in the book even more. I felt their pain, their emotions, and their heartbreak, and couldn't even imagine dealing with what they went through

Eva is such a strong character who really holds everything together for her sister, even when she doesn't have the strength anymore. She and her sister are faced with unimaginable things done to them in the camp; losing their family, starvation, horrid experiments, and illness, it's hard to read about, truly.

The book also follows the girls after they leave the camp and what their life becomes. Unfortunately, they never did see their parents and sisters again, but they reconnected with other relatives, and built an inspiring life, even after everything they faced when they were only ten years old. Eva was an absolute saint and inspiration and I felt privileged, reading her story.

Book review: The Twins of Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor with Lisa Rojany Buccieri

Overall thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and read it incredibly quickly. Although it's really hard and tragic to read, it really taught me what true strength is and how willpower, determination, and forgiveness can get you everywhere you need to be. I think it's a must-read for everyone, especially those learning about Auschwitz for the first time. It offers a personal perspective, that raw honesty, and description.

Ending of the book

The book paces out in the stages of Eva's life an exactly what happened going to Auschwitz, in Auschwitz, and when she managed to leave the camp. The ending of the book was uplifting and really inspired me by everything Eva was able to do after surviving Auschwitz.

Book review: The Twins of Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor with Lisa Rojany Buccieri

I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you read this book?

Thank you for reading <3

45 comments

  1. I would love to try this book. I have read the tattooist of Auschwitz and enjoyed it so will have to try this too :)

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  2. Great review! This story sounds amazing but emotional. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. This book sounds like an emotional read, but a wonderful one all the same! I want to read the Tattooist of Auschwitz before reading this one x

    Lucy | www.lucymary.co.uk

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  4. Although I have a beauty blogger, I am actually a History graduate and love the history surrounding the Wars. I've read many books on Auschwitz and this is a great recommendation I'll look into! Thanks for sharing!

    xoxo Olivia | http://www.oliviaandbeauty.com

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  5. Seems like an interesting read but also something that will make me sad because it's revolving around war. Nonetheless thanks for the recommendation

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  6. This looks great - I really enjoy reading books from this period too. I loved The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka's Journey!

    Tash - A Girl with a View

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  7. I read the Tattooist and thought it was such an inspiring read. I haven’t heard of this one but it sounds like something I would love to read. I had the opportunity to visit Poland and speak to survivors and visit the remaining camps/go to the museums and it was truly eye opening! We were shown a gas chamber and walked through it but that was a bit too much for me x

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    1. I hope you get the chance to read it! Yes, I was exactly the same when I went to Poland this year xx

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  8. I've never heard of this book but it sounds fantastic! I love learning more about history so this is right up my alley. The fact that it's based on actual people makes it that much more exciting! Thanks for sharing. (:

    Single Vegas Girl
    http://singlevegasgirl.blogspot.com

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  9. Your review makes me want to read the book! Love the few lines you picked from the book. They're what we need right now! Thanks for sharing.

    www.lifebeginsattwenty.com

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  10. The book sounds inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  11. This is a great review. I really need to read this book. Like you, I'm interested in what happened at that time and have done research before into the camps and the treatment of the prisoners. I think its so important to learn about what happened and to talk about it so that those that didn't survive aren't forgotten and that we make sure nothing like this is allowed to happen again.

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  12. Oh I love that quote about forgiveness! This sounds like a really incredible, moving book. I'll definitely be adding this to my wish list. Great review x

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  13. It sounds very emotion, but a must read! I loved the quotes you shared! Added to my to be read list! Thanks for sharing x

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  14. I have a hard time reading anything about the Holocaust, but it's so important that people remember and recognize the absolute horrors of that time. This sounds like a great read, especially as I lean towards non-fiction myself these days.

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  15. This is a great post! I think this sounds like a touching and interesting read, and I'm always up for learning and understanding more about how the holocaust affected people across the world.

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  16. This sounds like such an interesting read. I haven't read much about the Holocaust but it is so important that we remember the absolute horrors that people went through there.

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  17. Another great book review. I would love to read this book but right now, I think I'm feeling a bit to fragile after a rough Christmas!
    Rosie

    https://www.loverosiee.co.uk

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  18. This sounds like such a powerful and emotional read - I've added it to my TBR list! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    Serena / http://www.ramblingsofanotherunigraduate.com

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  19. A very interesting story! I love reading about that time period too, something about it inspires me to help others and to reflect on how to never allow that to happen again.

    Lindifique

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  20. I like these quotes and that book must be great. Thank you for recommendation. Happy New Year.

    New Post - https://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2020/12/beauty-of-organization.html

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  21. Awesome! I'm always looking for new book ideas

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  22. I didn't know you're a twin Della, that's so interesting! And omg I've heard of these twins (I think I saw an interview with one of them? Might be plucking that out of thin air though!) This sounds like such a heartbreaking but really interesting read. From the snippets you've shared, I already massively admire Eva, her strength and her outlook on life! xx

    mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/

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    1. Thank you Mia! Yes, me too - she's so inspiring xx

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