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susangiardina's review
1.0
I didn't like this book. Just a downer, start to finish. All books dealing with Nazi Germany are sad, but usually have some redeeming social comment or uplifting human interest. This had none of that.
cawhite's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book as a goodreads giveaway, and I'm so glad I did. It was hard to put down. The story of two sisters who were raised in an orphanage in pre-war Germany, and then went in different directions during the rise of Hitler. The story is very compelling and filled with emotion. It's one of those books you can't stop thinking about. Highly recommended.
kncarter's review
2.0
I appreciated the integration of history into the narrative and the grey morality of the book was intriguing. However, it should be noted for any trans people considering this book that the one trans character (Anita) is continuously misgendered throughout the novel and is deadnamed in few places.
knihomolkazhavrasparu's review against another edition
4.0
Knihy, které se odehrávají za války nebo se jí nějakým způsobem dotýkají mě hodně zajímají. Tahle kniha není jedna z nejlepších, ale rozhodně je jedna z nejoriginálnějších. Kniha se soustředí na dvě sestry. Jejich cesty se rozdělí, válka a období před ní poznamená obě, ale každou jinak. Kniha ukazuje, že i lidé, kteří byli na straně Německa to neměli jednoduché. Pokud vás knihy o druhé světové válce zajímají, pak vám tuhle můžu jedině doporučit. Má svoje chyby, ale přinese vám zase nový pohled na tu dobu.
smj322's review
5.0
I finished Fraulein M. as the sun was rising this morning and when I decided to eat my lunch later in the day, I was kind of sad to remember that I had finished the book a few hours earlier. Some books feel like friends, and this was one of them.
I hesitate to call this a World War II novel because the setting is really pre-World War II, but for the sake of the argument, this is different from other books set in that period of time. This is wonderfully written and tasteful, suspenseful at times, and educational, particularly on the treatment of transgender people in the period this book covers. I knew absolutely nothing about this topic.
I may not have a sister, but I did appreciate the bond that forms the core of Fraulein M., and my heart broke for them as their different challenges were presented. I could certainly see this as a film.
I hesitate to call this a World War II novel because the setting is really pre-World War II, but for the sake of the argument, this is different from other books set in that period of time. This is wonderfully written and tasteful, suspenseful at times, and educational, particularly on the treatment of transgender people in the period this book covers. I knew absolutely nothing about this topic.
I may not have a sister, but I did appreciate the bond that forms the core of Fraulein M., and my heart broke for them as their different challenges were presented. I could certainly see this as a film.
diannel_04's review
4.0
Once upon a time there were two girls living in a Catholic orphanage in Berlin. The girls Berni and Grete are sisters. Berni is a rebel and Grete a frightened little girl with hearing loss. A chance encounter in a store brings them to the attention of Sonje Schmidt who comes to take the girls away. Twelve year old Berni jumps at the chance but nine year old Grete is frightened and gets left behind. At Sonje's Berni meets Anita, a transvestite. The girls work end up working together selling cigarettes at a nightclub, the was pre-war Berlin after all, and becoming best friends.
A couple of years later Grete gets taken in as a maid for the Eisler family. The mother and son, Klaus, are avid Nazis and she is influenced by them. Because of this she does something so hateful that Berni abandons her and the sisters don't speak for over 30 years.
Present day, Berni, now going by the name Anita, has just buried her husband when a letter comes from Grete, now living in New York. Berni's daughter intercepts the letter and communicates with the aunt she never knew existed. She finds out more about her mother's family than she ever knew.
In the background is the story of Klaus Eisler, who has been hiding in the US under an assumed name and is now on the run from the law.
When the sisters finally meet again it is not a happy reunion, especially when Berni finds Klaus in her sister's apartment.
Of course there is a happy ending, because, well there usually is. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
A couple of years later Grete gets taken in as a maid for the Eisler family. The mother and son, Klaus, are avid Nazis and she is influenced by them. Because of this she does something so hateful that Berni abandons her and the sisters don't speak for over 30 years.
Present day, Berni, now going by the name Anita, has just buried her husband when a letter comes from Grete, now living in New York. Berni's daughter intercepts the letter and communicates with the aunt she never knew existed. She finds out more about her mother's family than she ever knew.
In the background is the story of Klaus Eisler, who has been hiding in the US under an assumed name and is now on the run from the law.
When the sisters finally meet again it is not a happy reunion, especially when Berni finds Klaus in her sister's apartment.
Of course there is a happy ending, because, well there usually is. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
monikaskopalova's review against another edition
4.0
Knihy, které se odehrávají za války nebo se jí nějakým způsobem dotýkají mě hodně zajímají. Tahle kniha není jedna z nejlepších, ale rozhodně je jedna z nejoriginálnějších. Kniha se soustředí na dvě sestry. Jejich cesty se rozdělí, válka a období před ní poznamená obě, ale každou jinak. Kniha ukazuje, že i lidé, kteří byli na straně Německa to neměli jednoduché. Pokud vás knihy o druhé světové válce zajímají, pak vám tuhle můžu jedině doporučit. Má svoje chyby, ale přinese vám zase nový pohled na tu dobu.
alizabeth_c918's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0
kduncan's review
3.0
I enjoyed the setting and main plot of this book. There were definitely some interesting parts but also a few parts that dragged. I was also expecting more of twist near the end. I felt there was quite a bit of build up and then nothing worth while really happened. It did keep me guessing back and forth though about Grete in the end!
crystallyn's review against another edition
5.0
WOW. I was blown away by this novel of two German sisters during WWII. So much of this book seems fresh in the world of tales about that time period. It's a story of sisterhood, of transgender, of difficult choices, of terrifying consequences and of the underpinnings of love and loyalty.
Caroline Woods is a strong writer, able to dive headfirst into another time and culture and bring it to clear light for those of us unfamiliar with 1940s Berlin. She makes you care deeply about the characters and when they are faced with terrible decisions you are rocketed along the same rollercoaster path of emotions.
SO glad to start my year out with this wonderful book. It was one of the best I've read in the last year.
Caroline Woods is a strong writer, able to dive headfirst into another time and culture and bring it to clear light for those of us unfamiliar with 1940s Berlin. She makes you care deeply about the characters and when they are faced with terrible decisions you are rocketed along the same rollercoaster path of emotions.
SO glad to start my year out with this wonderful book. It was one of the best I've read in the last year.
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