“Three Sisters”, ….Historical Holocaust- ‘based-on-a- true-story’, novel was written from love, warmth, and compassion….which any reader can see.
Heather Morris’s own heart is as big as they come.
Heather met with two of the sisters - 90ish- years old-
still alive - who spent hours with Heather sharing their story.
I could image the passion - power - and gratefulness the sisters and Heather felt being together, their communication exchanges and appreciation each of these ladies felt.

As for my personal experience of reading “Three Sisters” …. I bumped up against my resistance- my judgements- my ‘mind’.
The tone of the book (for me), felt elementary and the dialogue between the sisters felt too sugary-sappy, for my taste. Their was a fluffiness tone - that many readers might adore —
But… I’ve read dozens and dozens of Holocaust stories—
so for me—I was ‘Holocaust-spent’…. to be reading a fluffy-tone-tale.
I just didn’t feel I was learning anything new ‘about’ the horrors, struggles, hunger, work conditions- or escape …,
I found myself ‘not wanting’ to read every word of every page of this 400 page novel.
I admit - I started skimming- reading quickly…
just wanting to finish it and move on.
But…..
I ‘do’ appreciate Heather’s work and dedication—
and of course it’s moving to meet Holocaust survivors.

I enjoyed the Author’s Notes at the end. The straight history about the characters ‘was’ interesting to me…
but the storytelling itself ….left me feeling “been here - read this” too many times.

“Three Sisters” ‘would’ be a wonderful book to educate and put into the hands of young adults.

Cibi, Magda, and Livi are the names of the sisters from
whom this survival story is based.
The sisters grew up in Slovakia. In 1942, as teenagers, they left their home (a little family background at the start, along with the basic conditions and circumstances of the times)….
then off to work for the Germans.

The theme of the sisters was to ‘always protect’ each other - a ‘promise’ they made to their father. I felt this ‘promise’ was over- done - but ….at the same time, yes, I get it.

Cibi and Livi were sent to Auschwitz, while the middle sister, Magda, was hiding.
Two years later, in 1944, Magda was captured, and joined her sisters in the camp.
Eventually they find their way back home….make it to “The Promise Land”, in Israel.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Heather Morris.

The Power of Love and Devotion

Heartbreaking , Tragic, and Tear Jerking, this book deserves more than five stars. Oh My, I just couldn't stop reading it. The girls in this book showed so much courage and fortitude. To know that it is based on some real characters is just so sad. I don't know how anyone could go through what these girls did and live. It is no wonder that they fought the memories for so long.

I was glad that Cibi and Livi had each other in the Concentration camps. I also felt Magda's pain that she had been left behind. The girls had strength and hope on their side. Livi never lost faith. I was glad to see them reunited when Magda arrived even though it was in the camp. There was so many times in the book that I had to stop and wipe away the tears so I could keep reading.

I liked how the book showed the Kapos and officers as both good and bad in the same person. One minute they would soften and do something kind and the next they would cause someone's death. How could a person live with themselves in that situation? I think maybe some of those that worked in the camp must have had some deep mental problems, if not before the camps I am sure they did afterwards. Then some Nazi's were just pure evil.

It was a good touch to start the book showing a good loving family and the beautiful home they had before the Nazi's came. Then the way the neighbors and friends turned against the Jewish after the Nazi's came. It was very sad also in the aftermath when the sisters went home and how they were treated.
I loved the last part of the book. I would hope that some of the Jewish people did find their family members and regain a portion of their lives and were able to be happy again.

This was a very emotional read, but it showed some great courage and strength and documented some events in history that need to be remembered so that they never happen again. I would most definitely recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

Thanks to Heather Morris, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review a copy of the book.