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hiimjaimee's review against another edition
5.0
The City of Women was actually a better book that I could have possibly expected. I've had this book for a total of 3, dragged to many apartments and houses only to finally pick it up and read one day. So glad that I did. City of woman tells that side of the German people in WWII that isn't often written about in fiction; those who were willing to risk everything to help complete strangers escape the Hitler killing machine
The book tells the story of Sigrid, a woman living in 1943 Berlin, it starts with Sigrid's reflections on the months before her husband Kaspar was put into the Army and shipped to Russia and when she was having an affair with a Jewish man she met in a movie theater. Throughout the book Sigrid continues going to work at the patent office, flashing back to former times, and then befriending a young girl in her building named Ericha who is working through an informal underground (in that it never belies a connection to any of the named larger underground groups) that is protecting Jews and other "criminals" from deportation. Ultimately Sigrid becomes part of this group while also befriending the half-brother and half-sister of an SS soldier, entering bomb shelters during air force attacks, and facing increased scrutiny from friends and neighbors...many of whom have informed on other.
Already the story can be a hard one to read some parts, its tells the truth, giving us raw honestly about how it was to live during a time when everyone is living in fear. Whether it be from bombs dropping at night to neighbors ratting you out to the Gestapo.
What I really enjoyed about the book was enjoyed following Sigrid during her awakening of consciousness as she first forces herself to take notice of the horrors going on around her and then to take action to combat those horrors. I also found it interesting that Sigrid takes some not completely moral actions in her personal life that are stark contrasts to the actions she is taking to help others.
I would definitely recommend the book for those who, like me really enjoy reading books about WWII.
The book tells the story of Sigrid, a woman living in 1943 Berlin, it starts with Sigrid's reflections on the months before her husband Kaspar was put into the Army and shipped to Russia and when she was having an affair with a Jewish man she met in a movie theater. Throughout the book Sigrid continues going to work at the patent office, flashing back to former times, and then befriending a young girl in her building named Ericha who is working through an informal underground (in that it never belies a connection to any of the named larger underground groups) that is protecting Jews and other "criminals" from deportation. Ultimately Sigrid becomes part of this group while also befriending the half-brother and half-sister of an SS soldier, entering bomb shelters during air force attacks, and facing increased scrutiny from friends and neighbors...many of whom have informed on other.
Already the story can be a hard one to read some parts, its tells the truth, giving us raw honestly about how it was to live during a time when everyone is living in fear. Whether it be from bombs dropping at night to neighbors ratting you out to the Gestapo.
What I really enjoyed about the book was enjoyed following Sigrid during her awakening of consciousness as she first forces herself to take notice of the horrors going on around her and then to take action to combat those horrors. I also found it interesting that Sigrid takes some not completely moral actions in her personal life that are stark contrasts to the actions she is taking to help others.
I would definitely recommend the book for those who, like me really enjoy reading books about WWII.
lcoverosey's review against another edition
5.0
Historical fiction in a complicated time..... I like that Sigrid is entangled in her morals. Who wouldn't be? What would anyone do ?
annemariep68's review against another edition
3.0
Good read and an interesting look into what life might have been like in Berlin during the war...the oppression, the rationing, working and how people coped when everything was uncertain. I found myself losing interest mid-book because it was moving too slowly but really enjoyed the page-turning conclusion to the story!
littletaiko's review against another edition
3.0
My mother-in-law gave me this book four years ago after she read it and I'm finally getting around to it. Set in Berlin during WWII, it wasn't something I was just dying to read but every time I picked it up, I couldn't help but be caught up in the story. Yet, every time I put it down it would take some time for me to want to pick it back up again. I appreciated that it made me consider what life during the war would have been like for the Germans. It never really occurred to me that they had to hide in basements during air raids just like the British. While the men were away fighting, the women were left behind trying to survive the best they could while navigating relationships and new rules. The book centers around Sigrid whose husband is away fighting in the war. While he's away she's been having an affair with a Jewish man as well becoming friends with a young woman in her building who has a big secret.
ammbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I found City of Women to be a worthwhile read...though due to the topic it was hard. I always find it difficult to read about how cruel we humans can be.
readingiscol's review against another edition
5.0
I can't even begin to describe how enveloped I became in this novel. I have taken quite a liking to audiobooks. I had wanted to read this from the moment it had come out. Many people had recommended it to me and finally saw it on sale as an audio. I took advantage. I am so happy I did. It is heartbreaking and beautiful. I could see the life the main character lead. Her having to deal with the rough choices of whether to go left or right. She is by no means the perfect woman, Sigrid has many flaws. I felt compelled to her even more so because of how human she became and Gillham had described her and getting in her head. I cannot wait to re-read it to pick up on the things I missed the first time around
mellabella's review against another edition
3.0
Sigrid is a German stenographer. She living her life day to day in a loveless marriage with a hateful live in mother in law. The Gestapo is in control. Food rations are low. Sigrid begins having an affair with a Jewish man. She then begins to put her life at risk (after befriending a neighbor) after her husband is sent to the Russian front. She begins helping Jewish people. I don't think Sigrid was insatiable. Even though she seems to have a lot of sex. I think she was trying to feel? The sex with soldier in her building with one leg seemed a bit much. Not because of his injury. Because it didn't seem necessary. Her "friendship" with his sisters, odd. The fact that at times Sigrid wished her lovers wife and children were dead or gone was also a bit much. She wasn't written as cut throat and heartless. But, those are cut throat and heartless thoughts. Maybe that's why some men shouldn't write from a woman's perspective? I would have like to have a little more insight into her marriage with Kaspar. Before her miscarriage. Maybe when they first met. Whatever was between her an Egon didn't seem like love. At least not on his part. I've read other books where people in very dangerous situations weren't as careful or inconspicuous as they should have been. There were times when Sigrid's behavior was questionable given what she was doing. The book is complete with a villain (Frau Mundt), traitors, etc. I have mixed feelings about this book. But, I would recommend.
meghan111's review against another edition
3.0
In 1943, during the heart of World War II, in Berlin, the capital of Nazi Germany, Sigrid Schroder is pretending to be the perfect wife of a Nazi soldier. Going to her job as a stenographer each day, returning to her apartment every night to cook up whatever food she has been able to buy with strict rationing. Sigrid, though, also has a secret: in the middle of the day, at lunchtime movie matinees in a darkened theater, she meets her lover: a Jewish man.
When her lover disappears, Sigrid finds herself entangled in the underworld network of people helping Jewish people in hiding in Berlin, and attempting to smuggle them out. As her watchful mother-in-law starts asking questions, and as a high-ranking SS officer moves into the apartment down the hall, how long can Sigrid go without being discovered and denounced?
When her lover disappears, Sigrid finds herself entangled in the underworld network of people helping Jewish people in hiding in Berlin, and attempting to smuggle them out. As her watchful mother-in-law starts asking questions, and as a high-ranking SS officer moves into the apartment down the hall, how long can Sigrid go without being discovered and denounced?
emiliedoleshel's review against another edition
4.0
This book builds as the story moves along. As Sigrid changes and becomes more bold, so does the excitement. I enjoyed watching Sigrid change from someone bored with their life to someone who is thrown into something bigger than she is.
This book also makes one think about the choices we make. What would we do in this situation? Be idle and a "rule follower" or stand up for what is morally right?
This book also makes one think about the choices we make. What would we do in this situation? Be idle and a "rule follower" or stand up for what is morally right?