Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
This is a very interesting and compelling look at the after math of World War II and the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials. Through history we already know who is guilty at the end of the trial, but what we don't know is the toll it takes on individuals and families.
The story is a story of a family drama, woman's independence, denial, and a look at what it was like to be a survivor.
I liked the character development of Eve and her becoming an independent young woman who wants to do the right thing. Sadly I found it difficult to form emotional attachments (either positive or negative) in any of the other characters. Overall, I am glad I read this book and have gained a deeper appreciation of the turmoil of that era in Germany.
Many thanks to BookishFirst and HarperVia/HarperCollins for an advance copy.
The story is a story of a family drama, woman's independence, denial, and a look at what it was like to be a survivor.
I liked the character development of Eve and her becoming an independent young woman who wants to do the right thing. Sadly I found it difficult to form emotional attachments (either positive or negative) in any of the other characters. Overall, I am glad I read this book and have gained a deeper appreciation of the turmoil of that era in Germany.
Many thanks to BookishFirst and HarperVia/HarperCollins for an advance copy.
In this newly translated debut, Eva takes a job as a translator for what turns out to be the case brought to trial against a group of SS officers that worked at the death camps during WWII. Set in the 1960's, this novel reminds us that history plus time allows for the distance to forget & secrets always find a way to work themselves free.
As the synopsis says, this book covers the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials of 1963. This was something I’ve never read about so I especially appreciate that Hess used real testimony from the trials in her book.
While this is a difficult subject to write about, Hess does so skillfully. Over the course of the book, we see Eva uncover information about herself, her family, and those around her, ultimately leading to her understanding that Hilter would not have been able to commit genocide without the help of thousands of others. When Eva confronts her parents with what she has learned in the trials, we understand that “self-preservation” plays a large part of this; some people are inherently evil, some may have ulterior motives, but good people can also do bad things because they are afraid.
So why only 3-stars? While many parts of this book were well done, I had a hard time relating to Eva, especially her relationship with Jurgen. While I felt that the historical aspect of the book was engrossing, the characterization (and perhaps this has something to do with the ‘60s era) fell flat.
See more of my reviews: Blog // Instagram
While this is a difficult subject to write about, Hess does so skillfully. Over the course of the book, we see Eva uncover information about herself, her family, and those around her, ultimately leading to her understanding that Hilter would not have been able to commit genocide without the help of thousands of others. When Eva confronts her parents with what she has learned in the trials, we understand that “self-preservation” plays a large part of this; some people are inherently evil, some may have ulterior motives, but good people can also do bad things because they are afraid.
So why only 3-stars? While many parts of this book were well done, I had a hard time relating to Eva, especially her relationship with Jurgen. While I felt that the historical aspect of the book was engrossing, the characterization (and perhaps this has something to do with the ‘60s era) fell flat.
See more of my reviews: Blog // Instagram
Thank you @harperviabooks and @bookishfirst for the uncorrected proof copy.
The German House is set during the Auschwitz Trials of 1963 and tells the story Eva Bruhns, who is a translator for the trial against several Nazi war criminals during their time at Auschwitz. Eva had a vague awareness of what happened which became an awakening during the trial. She begins having faint recollections and isn’t sure how or why she would be remembering these small details. She learns more about her family’s involvement through the trials.
Eva’s parents and her boyfriend are against her working as a translator for the trial. Her parents, Edith and Ludwig, own a restaurant named The German House and the family live above the restaurant. Her family also consists of her sister, Annegret, who is a nurse in the newborn unit at the local hospital, and Stefan, her younger brother. Her boyfriend, Jürgen, is the son of a wealthy businessman.
One thing I noticed about the book and it took me some to adjust to is that you would be following the story of one character and then seemingly without any separation, you’re following another character. Since this was an uncorrected proof and translated from German, I’m not sure it was fixed before publication.
The German House is set during the Auschwitz Trials of 1963 and tells the story Eva Bruhns, who is a translator for the trial against several Nazi war criminals during their time at Auschwitz. Eva had a vague awareness of what happened which became an awakening during the trial. She begins having faint recollections and isn’t sure how or why she would be remembering these small details. She learns more about her family’s involvement through the trials.
Eva’s parents and her boyfriend are against her working as a translator for the trial. Her parents, Edith and Ludwig, own a restaurant named The German House and the family live above the restaurant. Her family also consists of her sister, Annegret, who is a nurse in the newborn unit at the local hospital, and Stefan, her younger brother. Her boyfriend, Jürgen, is the son of a wealthy businessman.
One thing I noticed about the book and it took me some to adjust to is that you would be following the story of one character and then seemingly without any separation, you’re following another character. Since this was an uncorrected proof and translated from German, I’m not sure it was fixed before publication.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in return for an open and honest review.
Enjoyed this book about the 1963 war crimes trial and the major character is Eva a naive girl who is involved in the trial did however feel the middle of the book fell away and became static but overall the book was an enjoyable read.
Enjoyed this book about the 1963 war crimes trial and the major character is Eva a naive girl who is involved in the trial did however feel the middle of the book fell away and became static but overall the book was an enjoyable read.
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The German House, by Annette Hess (translated by Elisabeth Lauffer) is a story of ordinary people woven around the first Auschwitz trials that ran from 1963 to 1965 in Frankfurt. The protagonist is a young woman named Eva who lives with her parents and siblings above their thriving restaurant. She works as a translator and is drawn to offer her services to the specially created legal court when she realises the truth of what happened at the Auschwitz camp and how it has been swept under the carpet of her country’s collective conscience. Jürgen, the wealthy young man she hopes will become her husband, is against Eva taking on the job, going so far as to try to forbid her. Likewise, her parents are concerned, although for more intimate reasons.
Twenty-two defendants were tried in Frankfurt under German criminal law for their roles as officials in the Auschwitz-Birkenau death and concentration camp complex. They all denied the charges. The court’s proceedings were largely public and served to bring many previously unknown, horrific details to the attention of the German population who, two decades after the events, had chosen to move on with their lives. The hundreds of witnesses called included camp survivors, many of whom had observed the worst of the atrocities. The sheer scale of what had happened was not believed by many, including Eva’s sister, Annegret, a nurse with dark secrets of her own.
The subject matter – systematic Holocaust – is obviously distressing to read about. What makes this story particularly powerful is the parallel consideration given to more everyday matters. After listening to the terrible detail of witness testimonies, the characters continue with their family concerns and pleasures. Jürgen and Eva meet each other’s parents. Annegret starts an affair with a colleague. A Canadian on the legal team grows closer to a prostitute he has been using, who is distracted by her son’s educational aspirations. All have personal issues to contend with, now affected by the reminder of what their fellow man is capable of.
The writing is jagged in places, – dynamic and direct – as the trial progresses. Eva is struggling with the growing realisation that her beloved parents have not been entirely honest with her. Annegret is disdainful, accusing the witnesses of attention seeking, something she understands all too well. Jürgen grows jealous and attempts to exert greater control, fearful of taking on a wife who will not obey him. Eva’s crisis of identity results in her becoming less pliable and ever more alone.
It is too easy to assume that those who do monstrous things must be monsters. What this story brings home is the selfish complicity of supposedly good people and how shame leads to secrecy or even denial. Towards the end of the story there is a scene where Eva, wracked with guilt by association, talks to a camp survivor. His response provides a moving and candid understanding of how self-absorbed even those seeking some form of redress often are.
This is a moving but also compelling tale that opens a window on human behaviour – and how the instinct for survival can result in a terrible cost. It is a timely reminder that, “crimes of such magnitude […] could never have come to pass had only a tiny sliver of the population been complicit.” As Eva discovers, complicity can include doing nothing.
Twenty-two defendants were tried in Frankfurt under German criminal law for their roles as officials in the Auschwitz-Birkenau death and concentration camp complex. They all denied the charges. The court’s proceedings were largely public and served to bring many previously unknown, horrific details to the attention of the German population who, two decades after the events, had chosen to move on with their lives. The hundreds of witnesses called included camp survivors, many of whom had observed the worst of the atrocities. The sheer scale of what had happened was not believed by many, including Eva’s sister, Annegret, a nurse with dark secrets of her own.
The subject matter – systematic Holocaust – is obviously distressing to read about. What makes this story particularly powerful is the parallel consideration given to more everyday matters. After listening to the terrible detail of witness testimonies, the characters continue with their family concerns and pleasures. Jürgen and Eva meet each other’s parents. Annegret starts an affair with a colleague. A Canadian on the legal team grows closer to a prostitute he has been using, who is distracted by her son’s educational aspirations. All have personal issues to contend with, now affected by the reminder of what their fellow man is capable of.
The writing is jagged in places, – dynamic and direct – as the trial progresses. Eva is struggling with the growing realisation that her beloved parents have not been entirely honest with her. Annegret is disdainful, accusing the witnesses of attention seeking, something she understands all too well. Jürgen grows jealous and attempts to exert greater control, fearful of taking on a wife who will not obey him. Eva’s crisis of identity results in her becoming less pliable and ever more alone.
It is too easy to assume that those who do monstrous things must be monsters. What this story brings home is the selfish complicity of supposedly good people and how shame leads to secrecy or even denial. Towards the end of the story there is a scene where Eva, wracked with guilt by association, talks to a camp survivor. His response provides a moving and candid understanding of how self-absorbed even those seeking some form of redress often are.
This is a moving but also compelling tale that opens a window on human behaviour – and how the instinct for survival can result in a terrible cost. It is a timely reminder that, “crimes of such magnitude […] could never have come to pass had only a tiny sliver of the population been complicit.” As Eva discovers, complicity can include doing nothing.