Review: Auschwitz by Pascal Croci

In stark and sometimes horrifying black-and-white drawings, Pascal Croci's Auschwitz tells the story that none of us should ever forget. Based on interviews with concentration camp survivors, Croci created the characters Cessia and Kazik, who unburden themselves of the memories they've held on to for a half a century.

When we remember episodes in our lives, especially events we've buried deep and have tried to forget entirely, we don't recall things in a coherent story line. And thus Croci's style is that of chronological memories that are not necessarily smoothly joined. Instead of being off-putting, this device adds an authenticity to the graphic novel.

Although Cessia and Kazik are fictional characters, the events told in the novel happened and are based on interviews and historical documentation. The horrors of the gas chamber and murder are true, and the book is emotionally difficult to read. This is not a story about heroes or finding happy endings.

Despite the importance and power of Auschwitz, the novel is not without flaws. The ending was confusing, and the separate stories of husband and wife were not ultimately linked. Thus the book somehow felt distance, despite the moving artwork. Click the scan to enlarge the image; I chose one of the more innocuous pages, so don't hesitate to take a look.

The backmatter of the novel, including an in-depth interview with the author, details about his sources, and information about the drawing process, however, is fascinating and shouldn't be missed.

Give it to me quickly: A half century after liberation, an elderly couple recalls their time in Auschwitz; a graphic novel based on eyewitness accounts.

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Published by Abrams, 2004
ISBN-13: 9780810948310YTD: 67
Source: Giveaway win (see review policy)
Rating: B-
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