Block 11 (edition 2012)

When I first read the premise for this novel, a novel about a psychologically disturbing choice during a very horrific time in history, I immediately thought of the novel, Sophie's Choice. An escape from an unnamed concentration camp is made and turns out to be successful, the commandant of the camp chooses a group of people, by number, from the same barracks where they escapees have been existing, can't bring myself to call it actually living. At first it seems as if the choices are random, but after a series of events, some of those who have been picked come to the realization that it is anything but, in fact it is another diabolical game by the cruel, game playing Nazi's. What follows as these prisoners must pick one to sacrifice is a mind game, as their private motives, thoughts, lives before the camp, relationships within the camp and their own morals are all brought into play and questioned. This is a very tightly wrought, and extremely interesting novel about how people act in the face of the worse possible situations, the decisions they make and how they each change as this night goes on. How things we perceive might not actually be what is really happening. It is about human endurance, the human experience and strength and the quest to live no matter the cost. ( )

Reviewed in SHELF AWARENESS FOR READERS, 10/30/2012: http://www.shelf-awareness.com/ar/readers/2012-10-29/block_11.html ( )