The Botanist's Tracks

This has been a most satisfactory, page-turning read! But what else could one expect from author Michael Reit!

This is a third book in the Beyond the Tracks series. However, it is easily a stand alone read. The setting is set in a most interesting experimental horticultural camp in Rajsko, Poland. This camp involved prisoner botanists such as the character Felcia and other fellow scientific prisoners, with a true-to-life Dr. Caesar overseeing the work for developing a particular species of danelions for a most unusual use that was a surprizing reveal to me. Other themes involved in this saga were the treatment of inmates in concentration camps and of the resistance efforts and connections in and outside the camps.

Even though this is a work of historical fiction, it is based on reality and therefore I have come to highly respect those most amazing and courageous participants in such efforts to potentially alleviate prisoners' plights and foil the Nazi's foul plans. In my opinion, many readers will find this a riveting read.

A 5-Star rating from me.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

March 2024

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Botanist's Tracks is another of Michael Reit's superb books about the death camps. Based on true stories, he takes an unflinching look at the horrors of the concentration camps. You feel every one of his character's fear, horror, determination and grief at the loss of friends and family. One way to survive is to make yourself useful. Felcia is assigned to work in the laboratories where they are researching plants that will produce rubber for the Nazi war effort. Sabina is not a prisoner but joins the resistance. Their narratives are told in alternating chapters.. Highly recommended, this book will make you feel and remember their stories long after finishing the book.

The amazing story of one botanist trying to survive in Auschwitz after she was caught trying to keep her country people educated and the young teacher who joins the resistance. More please.

I've read all of Michael Reit's novels and probably liked this one the best. I found the main characters extremely likeable and believable. The brutality was difficult to read and process, although I know it was honestly portrayed through the writing. I also liked the premise of the novel. It was interesting using botany as the subject and women as the main focus.
It was interesting that the novel was set in Poland since many WWII novels are set in Western Europe.