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ceeemvee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This historical novel focuses on the Lebensborn homes established by Heinrich Himmler. The program’s purpose was to increase the number of Aryan children based on eugenics. Unmarried mothers meeting the criteria were encouraged to have their children adopted by families, particularly SS member families. The program also provided women for soldiers in the hopes the “model” women would become pregnant, and went so far as to kidnap children based on their desirability in order to “Germanize” them.
There are three main characters who all meet at Heim Hochland, a Lebensborn home. Gundi is part of the resistance and while she is a master specimen of Aryan eugenics, unbeknownst to authorities her unborn child is half Jewish. Hilde is a true believer and is proud to be having the child of a married SS officer. Irma is a middle-aged nurse who was widowed during the Great War and is questioning the direction the SS is taking her country.
The story was well-researched, and I would recommend reading the author’s endnote at the beginning. This is a dark and depraved part of history, but was handled delicately. The story was paced well, even if it was formulaic. Each of the women were fairly predictable. While all three have different attitudes, they were written without any distinction. I would have perhaps enjoyed the book more if each of the three women had a noticeably different voice. If you have no knowledge of this subject, it is a great introduction to set you on the path to learning more.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
This historical novel focuses on the Lebensborn homes established by Heinrich Himmler. The program’s purpose was to increase the number of Aryan children based on eugenics. Unmarried mothers meeting the criteria were encouraged to have their children adopted by families, particularly SS member families. The program also provided women for soldiers in the hopes the “model” women would become pregnant, and went so far as to kidnap children based on their desirability in order to “Germanize” them.
There are three main characters who all meet at Heim Hochland, a Lebensborn home. Gundi is part of the resistance and while she is a master specimen of Aryan eugenics, unbeknownst to authorities her unborn child is half Jewish. Hilde is a true believer and is proud to be having the child of a married SS officer. Irma is a middle-aged nurse who was widowed during the Great War and is questioning the direction the SS is taking her country.
The story was well-researched, and I would recommend reading the author’s endnote at the beginning. This is a dark and depraved part of history, but was handled delicately. The story was paced well, even if it was formulaic. Each of the women were fairly predictable. While all three have different attitudes, they were written without any distinction. I would have perhaps enjoyed the book more if each of the three women had a noticeably different voice. If you have no knowledge of this subject, it is a great introduction to set you on the path to learning more.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Child death, and Miscarriage
World War II Nazis
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