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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
This book delivers a delicious fiction take on Hitler and the rise if the Nationalist Socialist Party in Munich. Gretchen adores her uncle Dolf, who just so happens to be Hitler, and dotes on her since her father gave his life to save him. Or did he? Gretchen’s life’s gets flipped upside down when she meets a Jewish reporter named Daniel who claims someone in the National Socialist Party murdered her father.
I really liked how detailed the author was about 1930′s Munich. I could really tell that she did a lot of research for it, which I thought was a nice touch. I’ve been to Munich before and I felt like I was back there again when they talked about sitting and walking through the gardens. And I even learned about new things I didn’t know before, like the failed putsch.
I connected with Gretchen, but I did feel like she was a little too naive for a 17 yr. old. At times I kept getting confused because it seemed like she was so much younger. But, thankfully she does grow through out the book and does become more aware about her surroundings, while becoming more independent. That is mostly due to Daniel, my personal favorite character. He’s a Jewish reporter that writes for a paper exposing the National Socialist Party’s wrongs and secret plans. He’s smart and independent, and really helps her find herself. I found their relationship really sweet and cute. To me it wasn’t forced, although I do think they did come together a little easily considering the circumstances. As for the other characters, I thought they were good, but they fit too perfectly into a certain box. Like Reinhard was the mean older brother, Eva was the ditsy best friend. It was easy to tell who everyone was going to be early on.
I thought the style of writing was easy to read, but a little too cheesy at times. I felt like certain things could have been more vague and allow the reader to slowly discover certain things on their own, while the author just throws it in your face. But, there’s a certain treat for you if you studied German. The title of the book is influenced by a popular German poem called The Erl-King. The author weaves the poems into the book, and I thought it was brilliant to link it into the story the way she did.
Overall, I loved this book and I can’t wait for the next one in the series!
If you liked this review, I have many more at my blog Brains and Beauty.
I really liked how detailed the author was about 1930′s Munich. I could really tell that she did a lot of research for it, which I thought was a nice touch. I’ve been to Munich before and I felt like I was back there again when they talked about sitting and walking through the gardens. And I even learned about new things I didn’t know before, like the failed putsch.
I connected with Gretchen, but I did feel like she was a little too naive for a 17 yr. old. At times I kept getting confused because it seemed like she was so much younger. But, thankfully she does grow through out the book and does become more aware about her surroundings, while becoming more independent. That is mostly due to Daniel, my personal favorite character. He’s a Jewish reporter that writes for a paper exposing the National Socialist Party’s wrongs and secret plans. He’s smart and independent, and really helps her find herself. I found their relationship really sweet and cute. To me it wasn’t forced, although I do think they did come together a little easily considering the circumstances. As for the other characters, I thought they were good, but they fit too perfectly into a certain box. Like Reinhard was the mean older brother, Eva was the ditsy best friend. It was easy to tell who everyone was going to be early on.
I thought the style of writing was easy to read, but a little too cheesy at times. I felt like certain things could have been more vague and allow the reader to slowly discover certain things on their own, while the author just throws it in your face. But, there’s a certain treat for you if you studied German. The title of the book is influenced by a popular German poem called The Erl-King. The author weaves the poems into the book, and I thought it was brilliant to link it into the story the way she did.
Overall, I loved this book and I can’t wait for the next one in the series!
If you liked this review, I have many more at my blog Brains and Beauty.
Loved this story, especially how well the author analyzed what it would do to a person who was raised on the philosophies of Hitler. I thought the author handled the medical understanding of the issues well since she stayed in that time periods beliefs.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, War
This book was soooo AMAZING ! I have always found myself just beyond interested in World War 2, and how Hilter came into power. As a person he is pretty fascinating because how was he able to compel all these people to do as he wished, and belief his beliefs. It was terrible to be in this world, just because I could picture how it would be for people during this time. It's so sad and so frustrating. I loved Gretchen, and Reinhard as a bad guy. Daniel is also just the best. He is honest and caring... he is absolutely admirable in every quality.
Gretchen's father died saving Hitler's life, just before Hitler was put in prison. Ever since, her family has benefited from her father's martyred status. Hilter and his partners continue to support Gretchen and treat her as their daughter. As the National Socialist Party begins to rise in popularity and spread their hate of Jews, Gretchen begins to question this way of life. She is further forced to face the truth when a local reporter and Jew, Daniel, begins to question the events surrounding her father's death. Gretchen has found herself in the middle of a dangerous game that may just end with her life.
I am trying to pinpoint my exact opinion of this book. I think that I didn't like the reliance on historical figures because I think that its overwhelming presence made the book unbelievable. There has been so much written about Hilter and his cronies that the author's portrayal seemed overwhelmingly fictitious. I really like the love story and Daniel, Gretchen at times, though she was super naive. When the narrative focused on the author's story instead of historical context, I found myself enjoying the novel, but then when faced with the historical figures, I just couldn't get into it. I wanted to like this book, the cover, the title, even the subject all appealed to me, but I just couldn't get all on board and don't want to read the companion novel.
I am trying to pinpoint my exact opinion of this book. I think that I didn't like the reliance on historical figures because I think that its overwhelming presence made the book unbelievable. There has been so much written about Hilter and his cronies that the author's portrayal seemed overwhelmingly fictitious. I really like the love story and Daniel, Gretchen at times, though she was super naive. When the narrative focused on the author's story instead of historical context, I found myself enjoying the novel, but then when faced with the historical figures, I just couldn't get into it. I wanted to like this book, the cover, the title, even the subject all appealed to me, but I just couldn't get all on board and don't want to read the companion novel.
I feel like this year I've really been liking my historical fiction, but this was perhaps the biggest wow-factor I've stumbled upon so far, and all through the amazingness and epicness I was killing myself over not having discovered this earlier and given myself the pleasure of reading Anne Blankman's exceptional writing that blew my mind over and over again.
The story follows a young girl in Munich, Germany where the Nazis are on the verge of seizing power, an event that would propel what we today know as World War II, that would come to some of the greatest numbers of deaths the world has ever seen. Before that though, Gretchen is just an ordinary girl, who's family had been lucky to be sheltered by Uncle Dolf after her father had been vindicated a martyr for the Nazi cause by Uncle Dolf, who is non other than Adolf Hitler.
Gretchen follows Hitler's every command, until she meets a mysterious reporter who causes the young girl in the midst of the Nazi regime to question everything she has ever been taught and every personal thought she has ever had. When truth unravels before her eyes, and she realizes that her father hadn't willingly died a martyr at all, but had been murdered, Gretchen's life turns upside down while Hitler's and Germany's stories continue as scripted by history.
Anne Blankman succeeds in creating a story full of real-life historical characters and fictional characters who bring life to the history that has been written about over and over again. Blankman chose to write about this history from a different point of view, and nails every little detail of it to perfection.
Gretchen's character was as vivid and as real on the pages as the historical figures that appear entwined in her story, from 'Uncle Dolf' to his half-niece 'Geli'. And all the fictional characters in between that made the story bloom on the page, and made Blankman's depute a page turner and an absolute emotional ride.
Within this book, you will find characters that you will love, hate and some that you won't know how to react to, and all of it will come to an amazingly written historical fiction that although will leave you reasonably satisfied, will leave you craving for the continuation.
I know myself, as soon as I turned the last page, I was checking my email for any notice that my copy of the equal was gonna arrive at my door ASAP!
The story follows a young girl in Munich, Germany where the Nazis are on the verge of seizing power, an event that would propel what we today know as World War II, that would come to some of the greatest numbers of deaths the world has ever seen. Before that though, Gretchen is just an ordinary girl, who's family had been lucky to be sheltered by Uncle Dolf after her father had been vindicated a martyr for the Nazi cause by Uncle Dolf, who is non other than Adolf Hitler.
Gretchen follows Hitler's every command, until she meets a mysterious reporter who causes the young girl in the midst of the Nazi regime to question everything she has ever been taught and every personal thought she has ever had. When truth unravels before her eyes, and she realizes that her father hadn't willingly died a martyr at all, but had been murdered, Gretchen's life turns upside down while Hitler's and Germany's stories continue as scripted by history.
Anne Blankman succeeds in creating a story full of real-life historical characters and fictional characters who bring life to the history that has been written about over and over again. Blankman chose to write about this history from a different point of view, and nails every little detail of it to perfection.
Gretchen's character was as vivid and as real on the pages as the historical figures that appear entwined in her story, from 'Uncle Dolf' to his half-niece 'Geli'. And all the fictional characters in between that made the story bloom on the page, and made Blankman's depute a page turner and an absolute emotional ride.
Within this book, you will find characters that you will love, hate and some that you won't know how to react to, and all of it will come to an amazingly written historical fiction that although will leave you reasonably satisfied, will leave you craving for the continuation.
I know myself, as soon as I turned the last page, I was checking my email for any notice that my copy of the equal was gonna arrive at my door ASAP!
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
(Review of audiobook edition to come)
4.5 stars. A favorite. Some factual errors that made my eye twitch a little, but for the most part, an immersive, thrilling tale.
4.5 stars. A favorite. Some factual errors that made my eye twitch a little, but for the most part, an immersive, thrilling tale.
What if everything you were taught was a lie? What if your honorary uncle is a dangerous psychopath bent on obliterating an entire religious group?
Gretchen has known him as Uncle Dolf her entire life. The rest of the world knows him as Adolf Hitler. Her family are "cherished" friends of Hitlers. Her father was killed "protecting" Hitler. Her brother is in Cell G and is involved in dangerous operations.
A Jewish reporter, Daniel, contacts her to inform her that she doesn't know the truth about her fathers death or Hitler.
Gretchen learns that much of her upbringing has been a lie and Hitler is not who she thinks he is.
The story contains a lot of facts about Hitler and his followers. The author includes historically accurate information as a note at the end of the book.
This book is really well written and engrossing. I look forward to the next book!
Gretchen has known him as Uncle Dolf her entire life. The rest of the world knows him as Adolf Hitler. Her family are "cherished" friends of Hitlers. Her father was killed "protecting" Hitler. Her brother is in Cell G and is involved in dangerous operations.
A Jewish reporter, Daniel, contacts her to inform her that she doesn't know the truth about her fathers death or Hitler.
Gretchen learns that much of her upbringing has been a lie and Hitler is not who she thinks he is.
The story contains a lot of facts about Hitler and his followers. The author includes historically accurate information as a note at the end of the book.
This book is really well written and engrossing. I look forward to the next book!