The Events of the Summer
- It's August, 1944, and there's news in the camp of the landing of Allied soldiers at Normandy, and an attempt on Hitler's life.
- There are also Russian attacks fairly close to Auschwitz, so the start date for producing synthetic rubber at the camp's factory gets pushed back.
- Normal work stops, and instead the prisoners have to repair damaged areas, and evacuate the important equipment.
- Sometimes, because of the attacks, there's no water, food, or light at night.
- Not surprisingly, the Jews aren't allowed in the bomb shelters, and have to fend for themselves during the air raids.
- But they're so beaten down and hopeless that they regard this as a kind of rest, and they watch the destruction around them with a sort of "whatever" attitude.
- During all this, Primo meets Lorenzo.
- Lorenzo's a civilian who helps Primo out by giving him extra food and clothing; he even has a postcard delivered to Italy for him.
- In Lorenzo, Primo sees that there's still some good in the world, and that there's something outside worth living for.
- Primo pretty much attributes his survival to Lorenzo.