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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
‘A heart-wrenching, uplifting story about love and family…’
•
Overview: Berlin, 1930—When a wave of change sweeps a radical political party to power, Sofie von Meyer Rhodes’s academic husband benefits from the ambitions of its newly elected chancellor. Although Sofie and Jürgen do not share the social views growing popular in Hitler’s Germany, Jürgen’s position with its burgeoning rocket program changes their diminishing fortunes for the better. But as Sofie watches helplessly, her beloved Berlin begins to transform, forcing her to consider what they must sacrifice morally for their young family’s security, and what the price for their neutrality will be.
Twenty years later, Jürgen is one of the many German scientists offered pardons for their part in the war, and taken to America to work for its fledgling space program. For Sofie, this is the chance to exorcise the ghosts that have followed her across the ocean, and make a fresh start in her adopted country. But her neighbors aren’t as welcoming or as understanding as she had hoped. When scandalous rumors about the Rhodes family’s affiliation with Hitler’s regime spreads, idle gossip turns to bitter rage, and the act of violence that results will tear apart Sofie’s community and her family before the truth is finally revealed.
•
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars!
A riveting historical fiction which opens the eyes to different perspectives during World War 2. This novel was an important read, as much as it applies to today. This book was skillfully researched and truly powerful. The author captivates readers from the very first page. I highly recommend a ‘The German Wife’ for everyone who enjoys history, and the many lessons we can still take from it today.
•
Overview: Berlin, 1930—When a wave of change sweeps a radical political party to power, Sofie von Meyer Rhodes’s academic husband benefits from the ambitions of its newly elected chancellor. Although Sofie and Jürgen do not share the social views growing popular in Hitler’s Germany, Jürgen’s position with its burgeoning rocket program changes their diminishing fortunes for the better. But as Sofie watches helplessly, her beloved Berlin begins to transform, forcing her to consider what they must sacrifice morally for their young family’s security, and what the price for their neutrality will be.
Twenty years later, Jürgen is one of the many German scientists offered pardons for their part in the war, and taken to America to work for its fledgling space program. For Sofie, this is the chance to exorcise the ghosts that have followed her across the ocean, and make a fresh start in her adopted country. But her neighbors aren’t as welcoming or as understanding as she had hoped. When scandalous rumors about the Rhodes family’s affiliation with Hitler’s regime spreads, idle gossip turns to bitter rage, and the act of violence that results will tear apart Sofie’s community and her family before the truth is finally revealed.
•
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars!
A riveting historical fiction which opens the eyes to different perspectives during World War 2. This novel was an important read, as much as it applies to today. This book was skillfully researched and truly powerful. The author captivates readers from the very first page. I highly recommend a ‘The German Wife’ for everyone who enjoys history, and the many lessons we can still take from it today.
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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: Racism, Torture, War
Minor: Cursing, Gun violence, Vomit
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-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
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes