Three Sisters

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I wanted to appreciate this more than I did. The story is based on real women, and my heart went out to these women. Their strength was amazing, especially their ability to put the needs of their sisters ahead of their own needs. As is said in the Afterword, the story is a testament to the power of love and devotion. But for me, I want to learn something new from historical fiction. This is why I blame the synopsis of the book. I expected a book about the influx of Jews to Israel after the war. It’s what I wanted to learn about. The synopsis literally says “ And this is where the story begins. From there, the three sisters travel to Israel, to their new home.” But it’s not where the story begins. The last 40% of the book describes their return to Slovakia and their attempt to reach Israel. I was much more interested in this part of the book, as it was all new to me. I wish the book had focused more on this time in their lives. I also wished that Morris had found a way to give us more details about the formation of the new country. I promise too, Father. I promise to look after my sisters—I won’t let anyone hurt them, you know that.” Heather Morris tells the three sister's stories of hardship, love, courage, determination, and strength. In her Author's note, she tells not only their story but the story of their beloved parents, and grandfather. She shares how their lives changed once living in Israel and included notes in the form of "Afterward" with family members. It left me gutted. I know what it is like to love a survivor and I can relate to how their families felt about their stories being told. Cibi and Livi were extremely fortunate to find themselves with two different kapos who were sympathetic to them and got them easier jobs in the camp. And how long will Magda stay in hospital?” asks Chaya. She turns to her father. “She won’t want to go, she won’t want to leave Livi. Don’t you remember, Father, when Cibi left, she made Magda promise she would look after their little sister.”

In Auschwitz-Birkenau the three sisters are reunited and, remembering their father, they make a new promise, this time to each other: that they will survive. Warning - there is a major disconnect between the synopsis of this book and what it actually covers. My rating is based on what I hoped to get out of the book, not the quality of the book itself. The book itself was well written and expressive. This book is wonderful! This is the true story of 3 sisters, Cibi, Magda and Livi, who made a promise to their father before he died that they will always protect one another. Years later, when all three were reunited in Auschwitz, this promise would be put to the test again and again. Will they be able to survive the cruelty, heartbreak, near starvation and so damn much more!? Livi stops squirming as Menachem plays with her soft, curly hair. Already he has described her to their mother as the wild one, the one he worries will run with the wolves, and break like a sapling if cornered. Her piercing blue eyes and petite frame remind him of a fawn, easy to startle and ready to bolt.Most of us have heard about stories of the holocaust and the horrific cruelty dealt to the people imprisoned at camps like Auschwitz - Birkenau, this story takes place before, during and after the holocaust. There aren't many Auschwitz/Birkenau survivors left but Heather Morris was able to talk with Livia, Magda, and their families, in 2019/2020, about their experiences before, during and after their lives in the concentration camps. The story is made up of real events from their lives and then afterwards, when they are still reviled by many in their home country. Later all three sisters make their way to their new homeland of Israel. The stories of millions ended during the war and the concentration camps and it is inspiring to read that there are some survivors who were able to go on and have families and fulfilling lives after their near death experiences. The story makes clear the feelings of guilt all the survivors felt, in some way or another, for living through what so many did not. The story is told simply, from the point of view of the girls, while they try to hold true to their promises to their father, throughout their lives. The author brings us into the day-to-day horrors of Auschwitz and Birkenau while showing how the love of family and the will to survive can bring about remarkable resiliency. This is a not a new theme and other books have heartbreakingly taken readers into the depths of the concentration camps. But knowing this is a true story (with some fictional elements) makes it all the more impactful. And as hard it is to read of the suffering, it is also uplifting to learn of life after the war filled with children and grandchildren. It is painful, however, to think of all the children and grandchildren who were never born because so many did not survive. Books like Three Sisters keep us remembering this. Recommend to fans of Historical Fiction, WWII survival and anyone who wants to learn about these amazing sisters.

After the war, Cibi, Magda, and Livi move to Bratislava, the capitol of Slovakia. They commune with other survivors and start to build a new life. Cibi gets married and has a baby. After years in the capitol, Livi decides that she wants to move to Israel to escape the lingering antisemitic sentiment in Bratislava. She and Magda join the Hachshara, travel to Haifa, and start a new life while they wait for their eldest sister to join them. In Israel, the sisters learn to live boldly and unabashedly, they recover from their trauma by building new lives, finding love, and having children. At the end of the novel, the sisters no longer need to verbally renew their promise to stay together, they know that no matter what happens in their lives, or where they are, their sisterhood will always give them the courage to persevere. Yes, I do know that, my darling Cibi. This promise will become a pact between the three of you and no others. Will you tell Livi of this pact when she is old enough to understand?” Cuando los nazis invaden Eslovaquia, Livia es enviada al campo de concentración y su hermana Cibi la sigue para no dejarla sola, al cabo del tiempo, Magda, se unirá a ellas. Chaya merely nods, now desperate for him to tell her what he needs to say. The years since the war broke out have changed her: her once smooth brow is lined, and she is so thin her dresses hang off her like wet laundry.From international bestselling author Heather Morris comes the breathtaking conclusion to The Tattooist of Auschwitz trilogy. La novela nos contará su estancia en el campo concentración, lo que tenían que hacer para sobrevivir, y como es la vida después, esas marchas de la muerte que sufrieron los que lograron superar los campos de concentración, el regreso a Eslovaquia, y un último viaje… guide them into adulthood, attend their weddings, hold his grandchildren. The operation is a risky one, and if he doesn’t survive, this may be the last day he spends with them. If that is the case, however awful it is to contemplate on this glorious sunny day, then what he needs to ask of his girls, must be said now.... Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own. In the horror of the death camp, these three beautiful sisters are reunited. Though traumatised by their experiences, they are together.

This book was so well written, as were the previous books by this author, the the characters came to life in a way that you wanted to be there to help them, love them, hug them. You know her, she’s off with the Hachshara.” Chaya doesn’t know what she thinks of the Hachshara, a training program to teach young people, just like Cibi, the skills necessary to make a new life in Palestine, far away from Slovakia and the war raging in Europe. This story of how they survive is an inspiring story of resilience and sorrow. Some of their family are murdered by the N**is. I read this book because I previously read and enjoyed Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris. I read this book in 5 days. A solid 4 stars for a book of courage in the face of incredible cruelty. This book is the story of 3 sisters, Cibi, Magda and Livi. They are living in Vranov, Slovakia, when the Germans invade. Prior to the invasion, their father calls them together in 1929 and makes them promise to always be there for one another. They are Jewish. Cibi and Livi are rounded up with other Jews and sent to Auschwitz in 1942. Magda has been hidden in the hospital by a friendly doctor. However, she too is found and sent to Auschwitz in 1944. Both fans of Morris and those new to her writing will enjoy Three Sisters. Readers interested in historical fiction, especially set during WWII, should put this at the top of their TBR piles, it’s a powerful and breathtaking story.Cibi understands now: some things are just too awful to accept. Maybe it’s a good thing—who knows what they may yet have to endure? Maybe it’s a skill she too will have to learn to cultivate.”