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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I read the book quickly because I had to find out what happened, but at the same time I was sorry to be done with it so soon. The stories of the three women are so compelling, in the different ways they grapple with the rise and fall of Nazi Germany. They also feel sadly relevant to the present day as we are dealing once more with state-sanctioned prejudice and would-be authoritarian leaders.
I was so looking forward to this book but struggled to connect with both the story telling style and the characters. With the constant switching of view points and jumps in time it felt too fragmented for me and made it hard to connect with anyone.
I hate saying that I liked this book because the topic isn't one that you like or dislike. In fact, the topic is repugnant but novel itself is beautifully written...
This is one of those books that made me think long after the story had ended. We all like to think that, in a terrible situation, we would do the honorable thing and look after our neighbors and provide a voice for those who are being silenced. But, what if, speaking up means you lose your life or that your children could end up suffering? What then?
Read the rest of my review on livingoutsidethestacks.com
This is one of those books that made me think long after the story had ended. We all like to think that, in a terrible situation, we would do the honorable thing and look after our neighbors and provide a voice for those who are being silenced. But, what if, speaking up means you lose your life or that your children could end up suffering? What then?
Read the rest of my review on livingoutsidethestacks.com
I loved this. Well written, immersive, it sucked me in and swept me along. Interesting story—different; most WWII stories I’ve read were from the British or American side. The 3 main characters were not always sympathetic but that made them more real. Great author—read more by her.
absolutely brilliant. fine writing, vivid characters, and a poignant subject matter. three German women struggle with the legacy of WWII in their lives and their country. this gets my highest recommendation. would make an excellent summer read.
I've read a lot of WWII books written from a lot of different perspectives, but this is the first book I've read from the perspective of Germans, including one who helped run several training camps for young German children (to groom them to be "strong & pure Germans").
This book revolves around three women--Marianne, Ania, and Benita--and their unusual connection as widows of their husbands' resistance movement. They all have secrets. They all have pasts. And there are pieces of their pasts that they're trying to bury forever.
It was particularly interesting and thought-provoking to me to read a bit about the start of the war from the perspectives of Germans. How many turned their heads. How many assumed innocence because it was easier to believe that Hitler was truly trying to make their country better than to believe otherwise. It very much reminded me of the boiling frog thing, you know, where you put a frog in cold water and slowly boil it and the frog won't ever know it's being cooked.
This book revolves around three women--Marianne, Ania, and Benita--and their unusual connection as widows of their husbands' resistance movement. They all have secrets. They all have pasts. And there are pieces of their pasts that they're trying to bury forever.
It was particularly interesting and thought-provoking to me to read a bit about the start of the war from the perspectives of Germans. How many turned their heads. How many assumed innocence because it was easier to believe that Hitler was truly trying to make their country better than to believe otherwise. It very much reminded me of the boiling frog thing, you know, where you put a frog in cold water and slowly boil it and the frog won't ever know it's being cooked.
An epic saga that spans decades and oceans, this story will break your heart.
It was ok, but I wasn't too keen on the characters. A bit disappointing
DNF - it's an important, neglected time and story, well-written, and thoughtful, but I just couldn't get emotionally involved with the characters.