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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I've loved every historical fiction book I've read by this author, and this story was no different. It was another great insight into behind-the-scenes realities around the time of WWII.
The story revolves around three determined young women: Hanna, whose father has sent her to live with her aunt and uncle in Berlin after her mother dies, Klara, the young woman she becomes friends with... until Hanna (against her will) becomes romantically involved with the German officer Klara had been dating, and Tilde, a young woman whose father abandoned her and her Jewish mother years ago.
Hanna and Klara are enrolled in the school to be groomed for their rolls as wives of German officers. A fateful situation binds them together with their friend Tilde, and these three brave women do their best to buck the strict rules of "right and wrong" forced upon them.
It's a well-woven story about women with spunk, friendship, and a slice of history that educates and entertains. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this great book.
The story revolves around three determined young women: Hanna, whose father has sent her to live with her aunt and uncle in Berlin after her mother dies, Klara, the young woman she becomes friends with... until Hanna (against her will) becomes romantically involved with the German officer Klara had been dating, and Tilde, a young woman whose father abandoned her and her Jewish mother years ago.
Hanna and Klara are enrolled in the school to be groomed for their rolls as wives of German officers. A fateful situation binds them together with their friend Tilde, and these three brave women do their best to buck the strict rules of "right and wrong" forced upon them.
It's a well-woven story about women with spunk, friendship, and a slice of history that educates and entertains. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this great book.
There is something utterly hypnotic about Runyan's writing. In what felt like the same breath I started this book and then found myself over 50% in. This book pays homage to all the women whose lives were irrevocably altered by circumstances beyond their control.
There are two main storylines but in essence there are three main characters, Hanna, Tilde and Klara. Hanna went from living in a small town learning all her mother could teach her to being thrust into the lion's den of German high society. While her aunt portrayed a loving air, Hanna was unknowingly part of her aunt and uncle's plot to use her marriageable status to secure their own position and standing in the party.
Tilde had a loving family but that all changed when Jews were labelled as lesser beings and every association with them frowned upon. In a small show of defiance, Tilde attempted to have a "normal" life and pursue a romantic relationship. As the emotional toll and struggles of trying to survive as a Jew became all to real, Tilde was left alone.
Klara's desire to be involved with fashion and her family's status granted her privileges that not many others had. Like Hanna, Klara's family was looking to ensure their own security in the party through an advantageous marriage. Unlike Hanna, Klara seemed to accept the expectations placed upon her. Klara linked the women together as she initially befriended Hanna at school and took sewing lessons from Tilde. Klara became the pivotal player as the women struggled to survive the events that took them to the German Bride School.
Runyan wrote a breathtaking story. Three women who had their individual goals crushed all found ways to seemingly acquiesce to the system while at the same time they sought to challenge it. The School for German Brides will stay with you long after you close the book.
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.
There are two main storylines but in essence there are three main characters, Hanna, Tilde and Klara. Hanna went from living in a small town learning all her mother could teach her to being thrust into the lion's den of German high society. While her aunt portrayed a loving air, Hanna was unknowingly part of her aunt and uncle's plot to use her marriageable status to secure their own position and standing in the party.
Tilde had a loving family but that all changed when Jews were labelled as lesser beings and every association with them frowned upon. In a small show of defiance, Tilde attempted to have a "normal" life and pursue a romantic relationship. As the emotional toll and struggles of trying to survive as a Jew became all to real, Tilde was left alone.
Klara's desire to be involved with fashion and her family's status granted her privileges that not many others had. Like Hanna, Klara's family was looking to ensure their own security in the party through an advantageous marriage. Unlike Hanna, Klara seemed to accept the expectations placed upon her. Klara linked the women together as she initially befriended Hanna at school and took sewing lessons from Tilde. Klara became the pivotal player as the women struggled to survive the events that took them to the German Bride School.
Runyan wrote a breathtaking story. Three women who had their individual goals crushed all found ways to seemingly acquiesce to the system while at the same time they sought to challenge it. The School for German Brides will stay with you long after you close the book.
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
There are many books out there set during WWII, but The School for German Brides offered a fresh take that I personally hadn’t encountered before in these other novels.
This story focused more on the effects of wartime on the main characters’ lives rather then the war itself. I loved getting to read about these three very different, but all very strong, female roles. The detailed and skillful writing of Runyan also made it easy to feel immersed in their lives.
Reading from the points of view of both Tilde and Hanna helped to propel the story forward. However, I would also have liked more from Klara’s POV. She was a very interesting character, and getting her story only from the perspectives of the other girls did leave me wanting some.
Overall, this was a great read with a different approach to a WWII historical fiction than I’d previously encountered. It was an emotional experience (in the best way), with a satisfying ending. I would definitely recommend getting your hands on this one when it’s out!
•
Big thank you to William Morrow Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel ahead of its publication.
This story focused more on the effects of wartime on the main characters’ lives rather then the war itself. I loved getting to read about these three very different, but all very strong, female roles. The detailed and skillful writing of Runyan also made it easy to feel immersed in their lives.
Reading from the points of view of both Tilde and Hanna helped to propel the story forward. However, I would also have liked more from Klara’s POV. She was a very interesting character, and getting her story only from the perspectives of the other girls did leave me wanting some.
Overall, this was a great read with a different approach to a WWII historical fiction than I’d previously encountered. It was an emotional experience (in the best way), with a satisfying ending. I would definitely recommend getting your hands on this one when it’s out!
•
Big thank you to William Morrow Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel ahead of its publication.
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The vibe is “your mom would buy this at the airport bookstore”, but not in a bad way. I don’t love the decision to make Klara a non-viewpoint character when she was so central to Hanna and Tilde’s lives, but overall it was a compelling emotional story of girls pushed into adulthood before their time by fascism (which, as Elfriede Jelinek taught us, begins at home).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Antisemitism