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pam2375's review against another edition
4.0
This book is set in the late 1930's, Berlin, just as Hitler is coming into power. Georgina aka Georgie is a journalist. Georgie and other journalists from around the world are reporting what they are witnessing, however, their pieces are not actually being printed.
This was a bit of a slow starter for me, but once the story got going it was great. I found myself holding my breath as Georgie navigates the city with her Jewish driver, Rubin. I enjoyed and appreciated the friendship between Georgie and Max a fellow journalist.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon for this advanced readers copy. This book released October, 2020.
This was a bit of a slow starter for me, but once the story got going it was great. I found myself holding my breath as Georgie navigates the city with her Jewish driver, Rubin. I enjoyed and appreciated the friendship between Georgie and Max a fellow journalist.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon for this advanced readers copy. This book released October, 2020.
hannahwishart's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was an interesting and enjoyable read. I listened to the audiobook and it was well-narrated.
I frequently read war fiction and I found it interesting to read about the period just before the war for a change. I felt that the story and setting appeared well-researched and the author was able to immerse me in the bustling world of foreign press despite me having little prior knowledge. I enjoyed the story of the Amsels and the book had lots of endearing characters. I am glad that the author included a ‘whatever became of them’ section at the end.
Where the book slightly fell short for me was that the end section felt a bit rushed and everything seemed to miraculously tie up (especially the farmer’s truck scene). This book at times also didn’t fully grab me. Not sure why.
Would recommend overall.
I frequently read war fiction and I found it interesting to read about the period just before the war for a change. I felt that the story and setting appeared well-researched and the author was able to immerse me in the bustling world of foreign press despite me having little prior knowledge. I enjoyed the story of the Amsels and the book had lots of endearing characters. I am glad that the author included a ‘whatever became of them’ section at the end.
Where the book slightly fell short for me was that the end section felt a bit rushed and everything seemed to miraculously tie up (especially the farmer’s truck scene). This book at times also didn’t fully grab me. Not sure why.
Would recommend overall.
evespencer's review against another edition
3.0
There are so many war stories out there and this one didn’t stand out for me at all.
The story was ‘nice’ and rather farfetched for my liking. The characters weren’t extraordinary and the plot wasn’t either.
The book is written well and was still fairly enjoyable to read. But, essentially for me, it is just another war story.
The story was ‘nice’ and rather farfetched for my liking. The characters weren’t extraordinary and the plot wasn’t either.
The book is written well and was still fairly enjoyable to read. But, essentially for me, it is just another war story.
enticingtitles's review against another edition
3.0
Georgie "George" Young arrives in Berlin at the same time as Max Spender. Georgie is familiar with Germany, but now, things have certainly changed. This story follows her living in a Germany under Hitler's thumb and leading up to the start of World War II. There's murder, spying, decadence, and heartbreak. Georgie's story is intertwined with that of Max who finds himself in SS sights, the Amsel's: a Jewish family trying to survive and stay together while the German plan is to separate them... and worse. I enjoyed this read, but I felt like by the end, things were a little rushed and wrapped up too quickly after all the suspense. But, this definitely satiated my historical fiction craving!
Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for this ARC! I'm definitely going to read more of Mandy's work in the future!
Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for this ARC! I'm definitely going to read more of Mandy's work in the future!
history_girl's review against another edition
challenging
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
jmac3693's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
sassypantsreading's review against another edition
5.0
I was provided with a copy of The Berlin Girl via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this book. I love reading about World War II from different perspectives, and The Berlin Girl delivered for me. The story is centered around Georgie, a female correspondent stationed in Berlin in the year before the war. We meet some really interesting members of the press from across the world, most notably Max, with whom Georgie initially has a contentious relationship. We also meet the Ansels, a Jewish family, who have a tragic, but ultimately happy journey. I think the most interesting character is Kasper, a German SS officer who eventually plays a pivotal role in everyone’s lives. The author did a great job of showing Kasper’s growth as an evil, sadistic officer who delighted in destroying people.
Mandy Robothem really brought pre-war Berlin to life. She so vividly described the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells that it was easy to place oneself in the city. She also conveyed the mood - of the characters and the city - perfectly. The Berlin Girl has a perfect mix of drama and anxiety.
Finally, I was really intrigued by and interested in reading about the Nazi propaganda machine. Seeing how obviously false the information from press conferences was, and the reporters knew it, is totally mind-boggling. I think the propaganda machine is one of the most unbelievable things about the war.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend The Berlin Girl. It is very well-written and interesting to the end.
pandothiel's review against another edition
2.0
It was an okay enjoyable read, but nothing really spectacular for me.
Most of the book is more focused on journalism within pre-war Berlin than the actual events (at least, it felt like it to me) and was more of an expose on how to do journalism than anything else.
The last part that sees actions happening quickly felt a bit too rushed and far-fetched to be believable, especially next to naive Georgie from the beginning.
As interesting as pre-WWII Berlin may be, I feel like knowing what the outcome will be - WWII and its concentration camps - took away from the suspens and the tension. We know war is coming. We know the atrocities that are to come. We know that, whatever the characters may do or try, governments will close their eyes and war will happen just like in history books.
On the other hand, I really liked the journal articles included at the end which really helped shape the characters into real and believable human beings. If anything, I felt closer to these people in those articles than throughout the whole novel.
Most of the book is more focused on journalism within pre-war Berlin than the actual events (at least, it felt like it to me) and was more of an expose on how to do journalism than anything else.
The last part that sees actions happening quickly felt a bit too rushed and far-fetched to be believable, especially next to naive Georgie from the beginning.
As interesting as pre-WWII Berlin may be, I feel like knowing what the outcome will be - WWII and its concentration camps - took away from the suspens and the tension. We know war is coming. We know the atrocities that are to come. We know that, whatever the characters may do or try, governments will close their eyes and war will happen just like in history books.
On the other hand, I really liked the journal articles included at the end which really helped shape the characters into real and believable human beings. If anything, I felt closer to these people in those articles than throughout the whole novel.
kawanajane's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! I would read anything Mandy wrote. I’m patiently waiting for the next book to see what genius she comes up with next time!