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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I had seen this book listed several months ago and the description initially made me feel "meh" about it but I picked up a Kindle copy when it was on sale for $1.99 a few weeks ago. I must say I really enjoyed it. It is a completely different type of WWII historical fiction story and tells the story that often isn't told. This time period was so multi-faceted. I initially thought it may end up being a bit apologetic or "woe is us" but it manages to tell the story of these women who had different lives and lived a different reality in a way that is complex and challenges the reader to see themselves as the characters.
I enjoyed the first half of the book a little more than the second but the second half definitely gave me a sense of closure.
Wonderful book. I actually didn’t want to read it because I wasn’t interested in reading another WWII book. I’m glad I caved. This was such an interesting story about Germans during the war - some were part of the resistance, some were loyal to the idealistic vision set forth for the mother country, some were Nazis and some just didn’t care. I recommend taking on another WWII book - it’s worth it.
I read this book while sick and don’t remember most of it even though I just finished it. Like I can’t really tell you what happened or anything about the characters.
Gripping story, exquisitely written. So bittersweet.
Shattuck's story kept me reading, with a steady pace and building suspense, intriguing characters and vivid setting. We are transported to Germany in the period between the world wars, during the war and post-war, with the conclusion set in New England in 1991 and finally returning to Germany. The castle in the title is Burg Lingenfels in Bavaria, a small-scale but historically important castle. Shattuck provides plenty of detail to make the castle and surrounding area easy to visualize. Parts of the story take place in other areas of Germany and Poland. The description of Europe immediately post-war is rather hard to bear, with the poverty and destruction made real.
Shattuck tells the story of this miserable time through the voices of three women who come to Burg Lingenfels to take shelter. One is the rightful owner, Marianne Von Lingenfels, widow of Albrecht Von Lingenfels, a high official in the Nazi government but also a member of the resistance who was involved in plotting the assassination attempt on Hitler. He was executed for his participation. Benita is a peasant woman, extremely beautiful, who had married Connie (Constantine) Fledermann, also a member of the resistance who was executed by the Nazis. Connie had been a very close friend of Marianne’s. The third woman is Ania, who is unknown to either Marianne or Benita and has a mysterious past.
Shattuck’s narrative never hesitates to present ethical dilemmas which force the reader to pause and ask, “How would I have lived through this and what would my course of action have been?” Of the three women, I felt that I was most like Marianne in personality, yet I sympathized with Ania and her impossible choices. At the end of the book, Ania finally wants to tell the truth about her past to her daughter Mary. But she asks, “How can she tell her daughter this? Instead she squeezes Mary’s arm and appreciates her kindness. Her understanding. This is why people have children, even when they believe the world is going to hell, even when life is nothing but uncertainty. In hopes of being understood.” (p. 337)
Shattuck tells the story of this miserable time through the voices of three women who come to Burg Lingenfels to take shelter. One is the rightful owner, Marianne Von Lingenfels, widow of Albrecht Von Lingenfels, a high official in the Nazi government but also a member of the resistance who was involved in plotting the assassination attempt on Hitler. He was executed for his participation. Benita is a peasant woman, extremely beautiful, who had married Connie (Constantine) Fledermann, also a member of the resistance who was executed by the Nazis. Connie had been a very close friend of Marianne’s. The third woman is Ania, who is unknown to either Marianne or Benita and has a mysterious past.
Shattuck’s narrative never hesitates to present ethical dilemmas which force the reader to pause and ask, “How would I have lived through this and what would my course of action have been?” Of the three women, I felt that I was most like Marianne in personality, yet I sympathized with Ania and her impossible choices. At the end of the book, Ania finally wants to tell the truth about her past to her daughter Mary. But she asks, “How can she tell her daughter this? Instead she squeezes Mary’s arm and appreciates her kindness. Her understanding. This is why people have children, even when they believe the world is going to hell, even when life is nothing but uncertainty. In hopes of being understood.” (p. 337)
This book is incredibly intriguing and gives a different perspective of WWII Germany that is not often explored. Very interesting to consider life in the rebuilding of post-war Germany and the experience of those in the German resistance.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was hard to connect and keep all the intertwining stories straight. Reading of the incredible suffering was hard but necessary to really portray this time period and those who suffered through it.
I LOVED The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck! This is the story of Marianne von Lingenfels, Betina Fledermann and Ania Kellerman, wives of the fallen resisters who try to assassinate Hitler. It is their stories of the war, the impact on their lives before, during and after the War. Through these women, and the people in the towns around them, the questions of “How did this happen?”, “Why didn’t they stop it?” and “Did they know?” are explored. And throughout, the castle becomes its own character, mirroring the lives of the women, as well as the state of Germany. This is a masterfully told story. I was caught up with each of these ladies from chapter 1, and I couldn’t let go. If you love WWII stories, this one doesn’t disappoint.
I enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book, but was not satisfied with the ending. I don't like historical fiction that jumps to the modern day in an attempt to have a neat and tidy ending.