Arrival in Hell

Edek Galiński, a young Polish political prisoner, arrives at Auschwitz in 1940, stripped of his identity and reduced to a number. The camp's brutality is immediate and relentless, with SS guards treating inmates as vermin and enforcing a regime of terror. Edek's early days are marked by violence, deprivation, and the constant threat of death. He witnesses the arbitrary cruelty of the guards and the suffering of fellow prisoners, realizing that survival depends on both luck and adaptability. The camp's hierarchy, with its Kapos and privileged inmates, creates divisions even among the oppressed. Edek's resolve to survive is hardened by the daily horrors, but he also begins to notice small acts of resistance and solidarity that hint at the possibility of hope, even in the darkest place on earth.

Survival and Resistance

Mala Zimetbaum, a Jewish prisoner from Belgium, quickly rises to a position of relative privilege as a camp runner and interpreter. Her intelligence, language skills, and courage earn her the trust of both inmates and some SS officers, but also make her a target. Mala uses her position to help others, smuggling food, medicine, and information, and manipulating the camp's bureaucracy to save lives. She becomes a symbol of resistance, quietly defying the Nazis' dehumanization. The camp's underground network grows, with prisoners from various backgrounds—Poles, Jews, Soviets—cooperating to sabotage Nazi operations and protect the vulnerable. Despite the omnipresent threat of betrayal and violence, these acts of solidarity keep hope alive and lay the groundwork for more daring plans.

Mala's Promise

Mala's memories of her father's encouragement and her cosmopolitan upbringing in Antwerp fuel her determination to survive and resist. She clings to a lock of her shorn hair as a symbol of her lost freedom and a promise to regain it. Witnessing the murder of a fellow prisoner who dared to speak out, Mala commits to remembering and honoring the dead by carrying their stories beyond the camp's barbed wire. Her empathy and resourcefulness make her indispensable to the resistance, but also weigh heavily on her conscience as she is forced to make life-and-death decisions for others. Mala's promise to herself becomes a beacon, guiding her actions and inspiring those around her to believe that liberation is possible, even if only through small victories.

Edek's Resolve

Edek, hardened by years of brutality, reaches a breaking point after witnessing yet another senseless killing. He confides in his friend Wiesław that they must escape, not just for their own sake but to bear witness and join the fight against the Nazis. Edek's sense of justice and his refusal to become numb to suffering set him apart. He navigates the camp's dangerous social dynamics, leveraging relationships with sympathetic SS officers like Lubusch, who secretly despises Nazi ideology. Edek's resolve is tested by the constant threat of punishment, but his dream of freedom and resistance grows stronger. He begins to plot an escape, knowing that the risks are immense but the alternative—passive submission to evil—is unthinkable.

The Camp Underground

The resistance within Auschwitz is a patchwork of nationalities, ideologies, and personal vendettas, united by a common enemy. Mala, Edek, and their allies—doctors, carpenters, Sonderkommando, and even some SS—coordinate clandestine activities: smuggling, sabotage, and the gathering of intelligence. Trust is scarce, and betrayal can mean death, but the underground's successes—saving lives, organizing escapes, and planning for a future uprising—offer glimpses of agency in a world designed to crush it. The Sonderkommando, forced to work in the crematoria, play a crucial role, providing information and materials for resistance. The camp's shifting power dynamics, especially with the arrival of new commandants and the impending arrival of Hungarian Jews, heighten the urgency and danger of their work.

Love Amidst Horror

Amidst the daily horrors, Edek and Mala's paths cross, and a deep, transformative love develops. Their relationship is both a source of strength and vulnerability, as it defies the camp's dehumanization and offers a vision of life beyond Auschwitz. They support each other emotionally and practically, sharing contraband, information, and dreams of escape. Their love becomes intertwined with their resistance, as each is willing to risk everything for the other. The camp's brutality only intensifies their bond, making every stolen moment together precious. Their romance inspires others, becoming a symbol of hope and defiance, but also draws the attention of both allies and enemies within the camp.

The Escape Plan

Edek and Mala, with the help of trusted friends, devise a meticulous plan to escape Auschwitz. The scheme involves disguises, forged documents, bribed officials, and the cooperation of sympathetic SS officers like Lubusch. Mala will use her access to secure an Ausweis (pass) and gather materials for disguises, while Edek arranges for an SS uniform and a plausible cover story. The plan is fraught with logistical challenges and the constant threat of discovery. Each step requires careful coordination and nerves of steel. The couple's determination is fueled by the knowledge that their escape could inspire others and bring vital information to the outside world. The plan's success depends on trust, timing, and a measure of luck.

Allies and Betrayals

As the escape plan progresses, Edek and Mala must navigate a web of alliances and potential betrayals. Some prisoners and civilians, like the Polish tiler Szymlak, risk everything to help, while others falter when faced with danger. The couple's friends, including Wiesław and Jerzy, play crucial roles in facilitating the escape, but the ever-present threat of informers and shifting loyalties keeps everyone on edge. The camp's atmosphere of suspicion and fear is heightened by SS crackdowns and the liquidation of entire prisoner groups. Edek and Mala's trust in each other and their closest allies is both their greatest asset and their most profound vulnerability, as a single misstep could doom them all.

The Great Disguise

The day of the escape arrives, and Mala and Edek put their plan into action. Mala disguises herself as a male fitter, cutting her hair and donning overalls, while Edek dons the SS uniform provided by Lubusch. With the help of Jerzy and Jurek, they navigate the camp's checkpoints, using forged documents and carefully rehearsed behavior to avoid suspicion. Every detail is critical: the timing of their movements, the concealment of their true identities, and the coordination with outside contacts. The tension is unbearable, as any mistake could lead to immediate execution. Their transformation is both literal and symbolic, as they shed the identities imposed on them by the Nazis and reclaim their agency, if only for a fleeting moment.

Through the Gates

Edek and Mala successfully pass through the camp's outer cordon, their hearts pounding with a mix of terror and exhilaration. The world outside Auschwitz is both familiar and alien, filled with the sounds and smells of life that had been denied to them for so long. They navigate fields and forests, relying on their wits and the kindness of a few brave civilians. The threat of recapture looms constantly, but for the first time, they experience the simple joys of freedom: fresh air, sunlight, and each other's unguarded company. Their journey is both a physical escape and a spiritual liberation, as they begin to imagine a future beyond survival—a future built on love, memory, and resistance.

Freedom's Price

As Edek and Mala make their way toward the mountains and the safety of partisan territory, they savor their hard-won freedom but remain haunted by the dangers behind and ahead. The world is still at war, and every encounter with strangers is fraught with risk. Their love deepens, sustained by shared dreams and the knowledge that they have defied the odds. Yet, the shadow of Auschwitz lingers, and the possibility of betrayal or bad luck is ever-present. Their journey is a testament to resilience and the human capacity for hope, but also a reminder of the fragility of happiness in a world torn apart by hatred and violence.

Captured Dreams

Just as Edek and Mala near the border and the promise of true freedom, they are stopped by a German patrol. Their disguises and forged papers are not enough; the telltale Auschwitz tattoo and the lack of proper documents betray them. The couple is arrested and returned to the camp, their dreams of escape shattered. The pain of recapture is compounded by guilt and self-recrimination, as they grapple with the consequences for themselves and their friends. Yet, even in captivity, they refuse to betray their allies or surrender their dignity. Their love endures, offering solace in the face of impending death.

The Final Defiance

Edek and Mala are separated, interrogated, and tortured, but neither yields to their captors. Their final acts are marked by defiance: Edek inscribes their names in his cell, and Mala slaps her tormentor, Moll, in front of the entire camp, turning her execution into an act of resistance. Their deaths—Edek's by hanging, Mala's by beating and blood loss—become legendary among the prisoners, inspiring further acts of rebellion, including the Sonderkommando uprising. Their love story, forged in the crucible of Auschwitz, becomes a symbol of the indomitable human spirit and the power of resistance, even in the face of annihilation.

Legacy of Courage

The memory of Edek and Mala lives on, carried by survivors like Wiesław, who fulfills his promise to tell their story to the world. Their courage and sacrifice become a beacon for others, a testament to the possibility of love, dignity, and resistance in the darkest of times. The artifacts of their lives—a lock of hair, a note, a memory—are preserved as sacred relics, reminders of what was lost and what was saved. Their legacy endures, challenging future generations to remember, to resist oppression, and to choose humanity over hatred.

Characters

Mala Zimetbaum

Mala is a Jewish woman from Belgium whose intelligence, linguistic talent, and moral courage quickly elevate her to a position of relative privilege in Auschwitz. She uses her access to help others, smuggling food, medicine, and information, and manipulating the camp's bureaucracy to save lives. Deeply empathetic yet fiercely logical, Mala is haunted by the suffering around her and the impossible choices she must make. Her love for Edek becomes both her strength and her vulnerability, fueling her determination to escape and fight, but also exposing her to greater risk. Mala's psychological resilience is rooted in her upbringing and her father's encouragement to be independent and free. Her final acts of defiance—refusing to betray her comrades, slapping her tormentor, and facing death with dignity—cement her legacy as a symbol of resistance and hope.

Edek Galiński

Edek is a young Polish political prisoner whose sense of justice and refusal to become numb to suffering set him apart in the brutal world of Auschwitz. Hardened by years of violence and deprivation, he remains compassionate and principled, forming deep bonds with fellow prisoners and sympathetic SS officers. Edek's love for Mala transforms him, giving him a renewed sense of purpose and the courage to risk everything for freedom. His psychological journey is marked by a struggle between hope and despair, action and resignation. Edek's final defiance—choosing the manner of his own death and refusing to betray his friends—reflects his unwavering commitment to dignity and resistance.

Wiesław Kielar

Wiesław is Edek's closest friend and confidant, a fellow Polish prisoner whose intelligence and adaptability help him navigate the camp's dangers. He is both a practical realist and a dreamer, supporting Edek's escape plans while also recognizing the risks. Wiesław's psychological depth is revealed in his survivor's guilt and his eventual role as the keeper of Edek and Mala's legacy. He fulfills his promise to tell their story, ensuring that their courage and sacrifice are not forgotten. Wiesław embodies the tension between self-preservation and solidarity, and his journey reflects the moral complexities of survival under tyranny.

Edward Lubusch

Lubusch is an SS officer who secretly despises Nazi ideology and risks his life to help prisoners like Edek. His marriage to a Polish woman and his discomfort with the SS uniform highlight his internal conflict. Lubusch's psychological struggle is marked by guilt, fear, and a desire to do the right thing, even at great personal risk. He provides Edek with the uniform and documents needed for the escape, embodying the possibility of humanity within the machinery of evil. Lubusch's fate—desertion, capture, and survival—mirrors the ambiguous moral terrain of wartime Europe.

Jerzy Sadczykow

Jerzy is a Polish fitter whose imposing appearance belies a kind and loyal heart. He plays a crucial role in facilitating Mala's escape, providing physical protection and practical assistance. Jerzy's psychological resilience is rooted in his sense of duty and solidarity with fellow prisoners. He is a man of few words but great deeds, embodying the quiet heroism that sustains resistance movements. Jerzy's willingness to risk everything for others reflects the best of human nature under extreme conditions.

Kostek (Konstantinos)

Kostek is a Greek Jew forced to work in the crematoria, a position that brings both privilege and unbearable psychological torment. He becomes a key figure in the camp's underground, smuggling information and materials, and ultimately leading the Sonderkommando uprising. Kostek's psychological landscape is marked by trauma, rage, and a burning desire for revenge against the SS. His friendship with Mala and Edek provides moments of humanity amidst horror. Kostek's final act—killing an SS man during the revolt—epitomizes the desperate courage of those with nothing left to lose.

Zippy (Helen Spitzer)

Zippy is Mala's Slovak friend and fellow camp office worker, as well as a musician in the women's orchestra. She provides emotional support, practical assistance, and a link to the broader resistance network. Zippy's psychological strength lies in her adaptability and her ability to find moments of beauty and connection, even in Auschwitz. Her grief at the loss of friends like Alma Rosé and Mala is profound, but she survives to bear witness and help others.

Hauptscharführer Moll

Moll is one of the most feared SS officers in Auschwitz, notorious for his cruelty and inventiveness in mass murder. He takes personal pleasure in tormenting prisoners and devising new methods of extermination. Moll's psychological profile is marked by sadism, cowardice, and a desperate need for power. His interactions with Mala, especially her final act of slapping him, reveal his underlying insecurity and the limits of his authority. Moll represents the banality and horror of evil in the Nazi system.

Maria Mandl

Mandl is the head of the women's camp, a figure of both power and vulnerability. She is capable of both cruelty and moments of guilt, especially in her relationship with privileged prisoners like Mala and Alma Rosé. Mandl's psychological complexity is revealed in her attempts to justify her actions and her discomfort with the consequences. She is both a perpetrator and a product of the Nazi system, embodying the moral ambiguities of authority under totalitarianism.

Szymlak

Szymlak is a Polish tiler who risks his life to help Edek and Mala, providing shelter and assistance during their escape. His eventual refusal to provide civilian clothes, out of fear for his family, highlights the limits of courage and the moral dilemmas faced by ordinary people under occupation. Szymlak's psychological struggle reflects the tension between self-preservation and solidarity, and his story underscores the complexity of resistance and complicity.

Plot Devices

Dual Protagonists and Interwoven Narratives

The novel employs a dual-protagonist structure, following both Mala and Edek as they navigate the horrors of Auschwitz and the complexities of resistance. Their individual stories—shaped by gender, background, and position—intersect and ultimately merge in a shared quest for freedom. The interwoven narratives allow for a rich exploration of the camp's social dynamics, the psychology of survival, and the transformative power of love. The structure also enables the reader to experience the camp from multiple perspectives, deepening empathy and understanding.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The narrative is rich with foreshadowing, from Mala's lock of hair symbolizing lost freedom to the recurring motif of the gallows and crematoria. Small acts—smuggling, sharing food, exchanging glances—take on symbolic weight, representing resistance, hope, and the possibility of redemption. The use of artifacts (hair, notes, uniforms) as plot devices grounds the story in historical reality and emotional truth, while also foreshadowing the characters' ultimate fates.

Escalating Stakes and Ticking Clock

The plot is driven by escalating stakes: the arrival of new transports, the liquidation of prisoner groups, the approach of the Red Army, and the tightening grip of the SS. The escape plan is a classic ticking-clock device, with every delay or complication increasing the risk of discovery and death. The narrative structure mirrors the characters' psychological states, alternating between moments of frantic action and reflective calm, building toward the climactic escape and its aftermath.

Moral Ambiguity and Psychological Depth

The novel resists simplistic portrayals of good and evil, instead exploring the moral ambiguities of survival, resistance, and complicity. Characters like Lubusch and Mandl are neither wholly villainous nor heroic, and even acts of betrayal are shown in the context of fear and impossible choices. The psychological depth of the protagonists—marked by trauma, guilt, hope, and love—invites the reader to grapple with the ethical dilemmas of life under tyranny.

Testimony and Legacy

The epilogue, featuring Wiesław's donation of Edek and Mala's hair to the Auschwitz museum, frames the novel as an act of testimony and remembrance. The use of a survivor's voice underscores the importance of bearing witness and the enduring impact of individual stories. The narrative structure thus moves from immediate experience to historical memory, inviting the reader to reflect on the lessons of the past and the responsibilities of the present.

Analysis

The Girl Who Escaped from Auschwitz is a powerful meditation on the capacity for courage, love, and moral choice in the face of unimaginable evil. Through the intertwined stories of Mala and Edek, the novel explores how individuals can resist dehumanization—not only through grand acts of rebellion, but through everyday solidarity, compassion, and the refusal to surrender one's dignity. The narrative challenges readers to consider the complexities of survival, the costs of complicity, and the meaning of heroism. By foregrounding the psychological depth of its characters and the moral ambiguities of their choices, the book resists easy answers and instead offers a nuanced portrait of humanity under extreme duress. The legacy of Mala and Edek—preserved in memory, testimony, and the lives they touched—serves as both a warning and an inspiration: that even in the darkest times, the light of resistance and love can endure, and that the responsibility to remember and act belongs to us all.

Last updated: October 26, 2025