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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
A riveting account of Germany just after WW2, as a widow of an anti-Nazi resister makes good on her promise of searching for & protecting other resistance widows in the castle her husband inherited. Jessica Shatruck pulls you into the physical & emotional devastation of post-war Germany. Her prose is devastatingly beautiful, & I can't wait to read more from her.
I really enjoyed this book, and found it difficult to put down. The stories of Benita, Ania and Marianne wove together nicely, but also stood on their own. My biggest complaint was that so many parts of the story reminded me of "The Nightingale" (which I LOVED), that I found myself comparing the two a lot. I was also a bit disappointed with the very last chapter (I wish it had come earlier or there had been a final closing). But ultimately, this is a terrific story that highlights themes of love, friendship, and how you never really know all about a person (even if you think you do). I'd recommend!
I have never read a book centering around WWII quite like Jessica Shattuck's The Women in the Castle.
It largely takes place in Germany after Allied victory and liberation, dealing with the psyche of those trying to grapple with their country's horrific use of genocide. All three women have much different backgrounds: Marianne, a woman who was fervently against Hitler from the beginning; Benita, a charming, some would say frivolous, woman who largely stayed out of politics; and Ania, a woman who initially supported Hitler.
I've always been curious as to how those in Germany could have been so ignorant of the atrocities taking place, so readily support the fascist Hitler, or to be so courageous as to fight against the entirety of Hitler's government. Of course, who knows what any of us would have done if we would have been placed in the same situation.
Would we be a Marianne, letting our morals guide us no matter the hardships sure to follow? Would we be a Benita, comforting ourselves with life's luxuries like fine clothes and china in order to cushion the callous culture that was surrounding us at the time? Would we be an Ania, blindly supporting our leaders who promise growth, success, and happiness until we saw the deterioration of humanity in our very own neighborhoods?
This very question reminded me of Gandalf and Frodo's conversation: "I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
This is an exceptionally well-written book that centers around this very issue. Shattuck brings to life three, almost dichotomous, women that are battling to do what they think is best in what seems to be a desensitized, compassion-less period of time. While they have blatantly obvious faults (who doesn't?), I fell in love with all three women and their friendship. I believe that Shattuck's personal family stories and interviews is what grounded this novel and made it so real. Well worth the read.
It largely takes place in Germany after Allied victory and liberation, dealing with the psyche of those trying to grapple with their country's horrific use of genocide. All three women have much different backgrounds: Marianne, a woman who was fervently against Hitler from the beginning; Benita, a charming, some would say frivolous, woman who largely stayed out of politics; and Ania, a woman who initially supported Hitler.
I've always been curious as to how those in Germany could have been so ignorant of the atrocities taking place, so readily support the fascist Hitler, or to be so courageous as to fight against the entirety of Hitler's government. Of course, who knows what any of us would have done if we would have been placed in the same situation.
Would we be a Marianne, letting our morals guide us no matter the hardships sure to follow? Would we be a Benita, comforting ourselves with life's luxuries like fine clothes and china in order to cushion the callous culture that was surrounding us at the time? Would we be an Ania, blindly supporting our leaders who promise growth, success, and happiness until we saw the deterioration of humanity in our very own neighborhoods?
This very question reminded me of Gandalf and Frodo's conversation: "I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
This is an exceptionally well-written book that centers around this very issue. Shattuck brings to life three, almost dichotomous, women that are battling to do what they think is best in what seems to be a desensitized, compassion-less period of time. While they have blatantly obvious faults (who doesn't?), I fell in love with all three women and their friendship. I believe that Shattuck's personal family stories and interviews is what grounded this novel and made it so real. Well worth the read.
one of my most unpopular bookish opinions is that about 50% of all historical fiction is completely interchangeable to me.
this is part of that 50%.
that's all the review i've got.
2.5 stars
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i love to receive advance copies of books and then read them 3 years after they come out
i won this book in a goodreads giveaway. i know i am the worst
this is part of that 50%.
that's all the review i've got.
2.5 stars
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i love to receive advance copies of books and then read them 3 years after they come out
i won this book in a goodreads giveaway. i know i am the worst
Excellent historical fiction. I will definitely be thinking about this one for a while. Read (or listen to) this book if you’ve ever pondered how the Germans could condone what was going on under Hitler's reign. “There is so much gray between the black and the white…”
This was my book club selection for the month. I was excited for this one because I love historical fiction especially set during the time of World War 2. It didn't stand up to my expectations. It was quite boring and dragged out in parts.
**2/5**
Scattered format/time jumps, too many characters that I didn't care for, and very slow/didn't keep my interest.
Scattered format/time jumps, too many characters that I didn't care for, and very slow/didn't keep my interest.
Wonderful. I so enjoyed this story. I’ve been drawn to a lot of WWII novels lately. Not sure why but they fascinate me. This is a fantastic audio book. Great narrator. The characters are realistic and human. I really enjoyed the time span of the story and it felt very complete at the end.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Shattuck crafts an excellent novel about three German women's lives and the moral dilemmas many, no doubt, encountered before, during and after World War II. In gut-wrenching detail, she explores themes or survival, motherhood, love, guilt, deceit and division.