The Midwife of Auschwitz: Inspired by a heartbreaking true story, an emotional and gripping World War 2 historical novel (Women of War)

Auschwitz, 1943: As I held the tiny baby in my arms, my fingers traced the black tattoo etched across her little thigh. And I prayed that one day this set of numbers, identical to her mother's, would have the power to reunite a family torn apart by war...

Inspired by an incredible true story, this poignant novel tells of one woman's fight for love, life and hope during a time of unimaginable darkness.

Ana Kaminski is pushed through the iron gates of Auschwitz beside her frightened young friend Ester Pasternak. As they reach the front of the line, Ana steps forward and quietly declares herself a midwife - and Ester her assistant. Their arms are tattooed and they're ordered to the maternity hut. Holding an innocent new-born baby, Ana knows the fate of so many are in her hands, and vows to do everything she can to save them.


When two guards in their chilling SS uniforms march in and snatch a blond-haired baby from its mother it's almost too much for Ana to bear. Consoling the distraught woman, Ana realises amidst the terrible heartache there is a glimmer of hope. The guards are taking the healthiest babies and placing them with German families, so they will survive. And there are whispers the war is nearly over... Ana and Ester begin to secretly tattoo little ones with their mother's numbers, praying one day they might be reunited.


Then, early one morning, Ana notices the small bump under Ester's thin striped clothing...


An absolutely heart-breaking and page-turning WW2 novel of one woman's bravery and determination to bring life and hope into a broken world. Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Alice Network and The Nightingale will be gripped.

Readers love Anna Stuart:

'An absolute must read. I devoured this book in its entirety... I am almost speechless... a box of Kleenex is mandatory. I absolutely loved this book, historical fiction at its best!... Definitely worth ten stars.' Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Whoa! Don't take those tissues away, I'm not quite cried out just yet! Happy tears, sad tears, who knows where one ends and the other begins!... Beautiful, heart-breaking, heart-warming, uplifting and inspirational.' Fiction Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


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366 pages

Average rating: 8.36

99 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

aviationmet
Mar 31, 2025
10/10 stars
Just haven't been in a huge reading mode, but when I did sit down with this one, it kept me engaged. Mostly fictional, yet based on a compilation of true stories - the atrocities of Nazi Germany during WWII are well documented and described in this book. Funny, I never would have thought that a midwife would be necessary in a concentration camp ... and yet, thinking about the reality, as new victims arrived all the time, it only makes sense. I had no idea that there were prisoners who survived these camps for years - I'd just assumed that the Nazis exterminated them all shortly after arrival in the camps. Another novel with much insight into the atrocities of the era - can't wait to open the next book of this genre.
TexasPinesLady
Jul 11, 2024
7/10 stars
The horrors of a Nazi death camp, even worse for women expecting a child. Some things hurt so much to read but were in keeping with the reality of the time and place. This is very believable.
Courtneybell
May 19, 2024
9/10 stars
Based on the true events/story of Leszczynska , a midwife who delivered 3000 babies while held captive in Auschwitz-Birkenau for two years. The main character Ester is fictional and is inspired by Leszczynska’s daughter who was also imprisoned with her. They were of Catholic faith and sent there for aiding the Jewish to escape the ghettos in their small town in Poland. An incredible tail of courage and strength.
Karilappin
Feb 26, 2024
10/10 stars
Wow. Gut. Wrenching. Historical fiction book about pregnant women/babies during holocaust. There truly are no words to describe this book.
Andiejax
Mar 05, 2023
8/10 stars
Certainly a tear jerker but is beautifully told linked to true events and horrors of ww2

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