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A review by bookmaddie
Remote Sympathy by Catherine Chidgey
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This novel is a lovely character study that follows three individuals—Greta Hahn, the wife of an SS officer at Buchenwald concentration camp; Dietrich Hahn, her husband and a high up officer at Buchenwald; and Leonard Weber, a doctor imprisoned at Buchenwald. The story is very well researched and each character's sections are told in unique ways—Greta's as an imaginary diary, Dietrich's as a recording of his confession/interview to someone after the trials at Dachau, and Leonard's as letters to his daughter.
Through these three characters, Chidgey explores complacency, and how community influences how people think. There are short sections written from the collective mind of the citizens of Weimar, the German town that sat below the concentration camp. These sections really highlighted the willful obliviousness and ignorance of the townspeople, who ignored rumors of the atrocities taking place up the hill from their homes. Chidgey has created a thoughtful explanation of how people can be blind to the evil happening on their doorstep, and what happens when that ignorance is exposed. A thoughtful, beautifully written and researched, and insightful story. It's not your average entry into World War II historical fiction, which is always refreshing!
Another great read from Europa Books.
Through these three characters, Chidgey explores complacency, and how community influences how people think. There are short sections written from the collective mind of the citizens of Weimar, the German town that sat below the concentration camp. These sections really highlighted the willful obliviousness and ignorance of the townspeople, who ignored rumors of the atrocities taking place up the hill from their homes. Chidgey has created a thoughtful explanation of how people can be blind to the evil happening on their doorstep, and what happens when that ignorance is exposed. A thoughtful, beautifully written and researched, and insightful story. It's not your average entry into World War II historical fiction, which is always refreshing!
Another great read from Europa Books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Antisemitism, Confinement, Religious bigotry, Death, Terminal illness, Cancer, Child death, Violence, and War