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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD narrated by Cassandra Campbell
Three German widows are brought together shortly after World War II ends. Marianne von Lingenfels returns to her deceased husband’s ancestral castle – now in ruins. He had conspired with other resisters to assassinate Hitler and was himself murdered. But Marianne had promised her husband’s conspirators to find their families and help them, so that is what she sets out to do. First she rescues Martin, the young son of her childhood friend, from a Nazi re-education camp. They then find Martin’s mother, Betina, a beautiful but naïve, young woman. Finally, Marianne locates Ania, a quiet, resourceful and determined mother of two boys who have been in one of the many refugee camps that house the many citizens displaced by the war.
I liked the idea of this novel’s story more than I liked the actual book.
Make no mistake, there are some interesting and thought-provoking themes here. How does one move on after enduring such traumatic events? How do we recognize the ways we may be complicit – by willful ignorance, by standing by, by NOT making waves – and atone for that? Can we “allow” someone else to find happiness (let alone celebrate it), when we are so angry, hurt, fearful, ashamed? Can we allow future generations to NOT carry the burden?
However, on the whole I found the novel completely forgettable. I’m sure this is ME and not the novel. I’ve only just now looked at the back cover with all the blurbs by authors I love, singing Shattuck’s praises. And, of course, many people whose opinions I trust have rated the book highly. Perhaps I’m just completely over the desire to read about WWII and its aftermath.
Cassandra Campbell did a marvelous job performing the audiobook. She’s a gifted voice artist and has become one of my favorite audiobook narrators.
Three German widows are brought together shortly after World War II ends. Marianne von Lingenfels returns to her deceased husband’s ancestral castle – now in ruins. He had conspired with other resisters to assassinate Hitler and was himself murdered. But Marianne had promised her husband’s conspirators to find their families and help them, so that is what she sets out to do. First she rescues Martin, the young son of her childhood friend, from a Nazi re-education camp. They then find Martin’s mother, Betina, a beautiful but naïve, young woman. Finally, Marianne locates Ania, a quiet, resourceful and determined mother of two boys who have been in one of the many refugee camps that house the many citizens displaced by the war.
I liked the idea of this novel’s story more than I liked the actual book.
Make no mistake, there are some interesting and thought-provoking themes here. How does one move on after enduring such traumatic events? How do we recognize the ways we may be complicit – by willful ignorance, by standing by, by NOT making waves – and atone for that? Can we “allow” someone else to find happiness (let alone celebrate it), when we are so angry, hurt, fearful, ashamed? Can we allow future generations to NOT carry the burden?
However, on the whole I found the novel completely forgettable. I’m sure this is ME and not the novel. I’ve only just now looked at the back cover with all the blurbs by authors I love, singing Shattuck’s praises. And, of course, many people whose opinions I trust have rated the book highly. Perhaps I’m just completely over the desire to read about WWII and its aftermath.
Cassandra Campbell did a marvelous job performing the audiobook. She’s a gifted voice artist and has become one of my favorite audiobook narrators.
ajahde's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tmathews0330's review against another edition
4.0
A very character driven book, the women whose stories are told are fascinating and multi-dimensional, yet the full immersion into who they are and their world never feels complete.
joypouros's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
The book is WW2 historical fiction, but with an emphasis on the end of the war.
I felt the book didn't live up to its premise, in that Marianne only finds two other women, and they aren't at the castle all that long. While the focus of the book was the end of the war, I wish we knew more about the assassination attempt.
I also didn't love the format of the book, with it's constant back and forth flashbacks and changes in perspective. I understand why it was done that way for this story, but it just isn't my favorite.
What the book does well is focus on where the stories usually stop. What was it like in post-war Germany, where every new friend you meet you are unsure if they were a nazi or not, and how much does it matter to you?
The story ultimately follows three women who survived WW2. One is an avid resister, and assumes but is constantly disappointed when others don't share her convictions or don't match her intensity. It's about how they all choose to move on, to do what is best for their children and what they can live with.
I felt the book didn't live up to its premise, in that Marianne only finds two other women, and they aren't at the castle all that long. While the focus of the book was the end of the war, I wish we knew more about the assassination attempt.
I also didn't love the format of the book, with it's constant back and forth flashbacks and changes in perspective. I understand why it was done that way for this story, but it just isn't my favorite.
What the book does well is focus on where the stories usually stop. What was it like in post-war Germany, where every new friend you meet you are unsure if they were a nazi or not, and how much does it matter to you?
The story ultimately follows three women who survived WW2. One is an avid resister, and assumes but is constantly disappointed when others don't share her convictions or don't match her intensity. It's about how they all choose to move on, to do what is best for their children and what they can live with.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
curlyjessreads's review against another edition
4.0
This was a historical fiction about WWII, but even more so about the aftermath of WWII for the German people. So definitely don't just write this off if you're WWII overloaded! It follows three women whose husbands had a hand in the assassination attempt on Hitler. Marianne promised her husband, and best friend, that she would look after the wives of anything were to happen, so with that promise pushing her on she attempts to locate the others in the aftermath of the war, but just because they opposed the Nazis, doesn't mean they will have it easy in the years after the war. The rebuilding will take its toll on everyone!
I really enjoyed the different perspective of rebuilding lives after the war (and we even get to see many years later). I struggled a bit reading it, but I think that was more a result of my life circumstances at the time. As time has passed I've realized it's one of those books that sticks with you. We had some pretty good discussions during our book club meeting too!
I really enjoyed the different perspective of rebuilding lives after the war (and we even get to see many years later). I struggled a bit reading it, but I think that was more a result of my life circumstances at the time. As time has passed I've realized it's one of those books that sticks with you. We had some pretty good discussions during our book club meeting too!
sylda's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
colleengeedrumm's review against another edition
4.0
Another WW2 story set amongst three women and their families. Great story telling and lesson learning. The audio was well done and entertainable. Kept me going until the end.
dharma130's review against another edition
2.0
Wow. I was so bored by this book! Did not catch my attention at all. Gave up on it four hours into the audio.
myworldtoread's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5