The Red Ribbon is inspired by the seamstresses that were set up in a tailoring workshop by Auschwitz commandant Rudolf's Hoss's wife. While Auschwitz prisoners were beaten, abused and sent to their deaths a select few women were 'lucky' enough to find work altering and making clothing for their captors.
The story focuses on Ella, a 14 year Jewess who was snatched from the streets and who is able to survive by filling a position at the Upper Tailoring Studio recently vacated by another woman. The story follows her and the women she meets and what it takes to survive in such a barbaric place.
Aimed at a YA audience the story mentions a lot of what happens at the camp without going into the horrific details. I visited Birkenau and Auschwitz a couple of years ago and felt that the story telling was detailed enough for people who hadn't been as well as bringing back memories of having visited the site (in particular the items taken from new arrivals and stored in 'Canada', or the Department Store).
Being written from the view of a young teen some of the points in the story were naïve – not from Adlington's writing, but just from how someone of that age (and perhaps any age) would understand and try to cope in such an awful situation. I thought the relationships between Ella and the characters were well written and the author explored some interesting themes in particular with the interaction between Ella and a guard and how even in such a place there is no clear cut lines between good and evil.
I can't say it's a story I enjoyed - given the subject matter that is obviously not an appropriate term to use – but I am really glad I read it and would certainly recommend it to adults as well as YA readers.
The story focuses on Ella, a 14 year Jewess who was snatched from the streets and who is able to survive by filling a position at the Upper Tailoring Studio recently vacated by another woman. The story follows her and the women she meets and what it takes to survive in such a barbaric place.
Aimed at a YA audience the story mentions a lot of what happens at the camp without going into the horrific details. I visited Birkenau and Auschwitz a couple of years ago and felt that the story telling was detailed enough for people who hadn't been as well as bringing back memories of having visited the site (in particular the items taken from new arrivals and stored in 'Canada', or the Department Store).
Being written from the view of a young teen some of the points in the story were naïve – not from Adlington's writing, but just from how someone of that age (and perhaps any age) would understand and try to cope in such an awful situation. I thought the relationships between Ella and the characters were well written and the author explored some interesting themes in particular with the interaction between Ella and a guard and how even in such a place there is no clear cut lines between good and evil.
I can't say it's a story I enjoyed - given the subject matter that is obviously not an appropriate term to use – but I am really glad I read it and would certainly recommend it to adults as well as YA readers.