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alexklinect's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moving back and forth between two main characters and a twenty-year period of time, The German Wife is compelling and engaging. The shifts between years and characters were very well done, and I was satisfied with the ending, although it wasn’t perfect. I felt the author was successful at humanizing and eliciting empathy for German citizens put in very difficult, no-win situations (especially in raising their children) as well as for American soldiers dealing with the emotional and psychological ramifications of war. The story was a little slow at parts and I felt there could have been more detail in the settings, for example, no southern accents in Huntsville? The Germans describing distances in miles instead of kilometers? 4-4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Racism, and War
Minor: Vomit, Cursing, and Gun violence
kimmy0__0's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big WWII fan and this was so interesting to read about a historical fictionalized German family during and post war. That said, I did not enjoy Lizzie and her part of the story. She was the WORST. Always supporting her crazy brother and not ditching his toxic ness a long time ago #enabler . She was also just a straight up b*tch to Sophie anytime they interacted. Not to mention how she never gave her sweet husband who saved her from poverty any support or kindness. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes WWII. Very emotional. Makes you question how you would have acted in the given circumstances. Great bookclub choice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Bullying, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Death, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Racism, Violence, Hate crime, and War
Moderate: Alcohol, Gun violence, Hate crime, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Torture, Toxic friendship, Classism, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
Minor: Stalking, Suicide, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Excrement, Racial slurs, and Sexism
krysbunce's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Slavery, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Hate crime, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Death, Torture, Confinement, Classism, Child death, Antisemitism, Violence, Xenophobia, Racism, and Grief
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Title: The German Wife
Author: Kelly Rimmer
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Pub Date: June 28, 2022
Thanks to HarperCollins Canada for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Gripping • Reflective • Illuminating
📖 S Y N O P S I S
The German Wife follows Sofie, the wife of a German scientist during World War II and Lizzie, an American who grew up in the heart of the dust bowl of the 1930s.
20 years later, Sofie and Lizzie's lives will converge in Alabama when Sofie's husband is hired to work for the American space program, allowing them to make a fresh start. Unfortunately, their arrival is not welcomed by the community, and one act of violence will change everything, eventually revealing the truth.
💠T H O U G H T S
The German Wife is the first historical fiction novel I've read by this author, and it will not be my last. One of the reasons historical fiction is a favourite genre is because I typically learn some new part of history. And this one offers a new perspective - the impact of the war in both Germany and the United States. I had never heard of Operation Paperclip, a secret US intelligence program that employed former Nazis after WWII. This was a very secretive and controversial campaign, and it's the very first time I have heard about it.
Through thorough research, Rimmer delivers a well-written dual timeline/dual perspective novel that creates tension, evokes emotion, and prompts deep thought. While Sofie and Lizzie live very contrasting lives, she's manages to show how their lives are similar and eventually intersect. The plot tackles a variety of themes, but for me what really stood out were the ideas of sacrifice for security, how hate can grow, and the extent we will go to protect our families. The author captures the characters' self-doubt, to the point I couldn't tell if I was rooting for or against them. The cast of secondary characters really bring everything together.
I really appreciated the exploration of PTSD from a perspective I have yet to come across in WWII historical fiction. The side plot of Lizzie's brother was a welcome addition. Additionally, a beautiful ode to friendship just made this story seem so real. The ending seems a little too nicely wrapped up and is what kept this from being a five-star read.
The German Wife is without a doubt one of the best historical fiction novels I've read this year. It sure opened my mind to learning more, and my heart to more empathy. It will certainly spark further discussion and is one of those stories that will continually have me contemplating what I would do.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• WWII historical fiction fans
• women-centric historical fiction
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Hundreds of these decrees were passed, one by one. This is how polite society gives way to chaos. The collapse that comes at the end of the process is a consequence of the slow erosion over time."
"After wasn't going to be a single moment when all of the trauma and the guilt disappeared and everything was okay. There would still be regrets and shame, and nightmares and midnight anxieties, but After meant waking up every morning and facing each day as it came."
Author: Kelly Rimmer
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Pub Date: June 28, 2022
Thanks to HarperCollins Canada for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Gripping • Reflective • Illuminating
📖 S Y N O P S I S
The German Wife follows Sofie, the wife of a German scientist during World War II and Lizzie, an American who grew up in the heart of the dust bowl of the 1930s.
20 years later, Sofie and Lizzie's lives will converge in Alabama when Sofie's husband is hired to work for the American space program, allowing them to make a fresh start. Unfortunately, their arrival is not welcomed by the community, and one act of violence will change everything, eventually revealing the truth.
💠T H O U G H T S
The German Wife is the first historical fiction novel I've read by this author, and it will not be my last. One of the reasons historical fiction is a favourite genre is because I typically learn some new part of history. And this one offers a new perspective - the impact of the war in both Germany and the United States. I had never heard of Operation Paperclip, a secret US intelligence program that employed former Nazis after WWII. This was a very secretive and controversial campaign, and it's the very first time I have heard about it.
Through thorough research, Rimmer delivers a well-written dual timeline/dual perspective novel that creates tension, evokes emotion, and prompts deep thought. While Sofie and Lizzie live very contrasting lives, she's manages to show how their lives are similar and eventually intersect. The plot tackles a variety of themes, but for me what really stood out were the ideas of sacrifice for security, how hate can grow, and the extent we will go to protect our families. The author captures the characters' self-doubt, to the point I couldn't tell if I was rooting for or against them. The cast of secondary characters really bring everything together.
I really appreciated the exploration of PTSD from a perspective I have yet to come across in WWII historical fiction. The side plot of Lizzie's brother was a welcome addition. Additionally, a beautiful ode to friendship just made this story seem so real. The ending seems a little too nicely wrapped up and is what kept this from being a five-star read.
The German Wife is without a doubt one of the best historical fiction novels I've read this year. It sure opened my mind to learning more, and my heart to more empathy. It will certainly spark further discussion and is one of those stories that will continually have me contemplating what I would do.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• WWII historical fiction fans
• women-centric historical fiction
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Hundreds of these decrees were passed, one by one. This is how polite society gives way to chaos. The collapse that comes at the end of the process is a consequence of the slow erosion over time."
"After wasn't going to be a single moment when all of the trauma and the guilt disappeared and everything was okay. There would still be regrets and shame, and nightmares and midnight anxieties, but After meant waking up every morning and facing each day as it came."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Antisemitism, and Hate crime
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Suicide, and War
Minor: Torture
discrimination, PTSD, poverty
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