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A review by byashleylamar
The Melody of Secrets by Jeffrey Stepakoff
3.0
The Melody of Secrets by Jeffrey Stepakoff is a historical fiction story set in Huntsville, Alabama during the late 1950’s. After the conclusion of World War II in 1945, Maria and Hans Reinhardt had relocated to Huntsville, AL (a/k/a Rocket City). Now it is 1957 and the Cold War is reaching its peak. Hans, a German rocket scientist, has been assigned to help the United States catch up to Russia in the space program.
The Civil Rights movement is just beginning in the United States and Maria finds herself caught up in that as well. She sees the American people turning a blind eye to the persecution of the African-American’s in much the same way the German people turned blindly away from the plight of the Jewish people during World War II. When she befriends young Josephine and remembers all of the young children she couldn’t help in Germany her heart nearly finishes breaking. How much grief and struggle and heartache can one woman truly stand?
While there are flaws in the book they are minor and the book as a whole is a great read. I finished it within a day and a half and enjoyed the story on every page. The ending is tragic, heartbreaking, and perfect. Pick it up and give it a chance. It’s worth it.
The Civil Rights movement is just beginning in the United States and Maria finds herself caught up in that as well. She sees the American people turning a blind eye to the persecution of the African-American’s in much the same way the German people turned blindly away from the plight of the Jewish people during World War II. When she befriends young Josephine and remembers all of the young children she couldn’t help in Germany her heart nearly finishes breaking. How much grief and struggle and heartache can one woman truly stand?
While there are flaws in the book they are minor and the book as a whole is a great read. I finished it within a day and a half and enjoyed the story on every page. The ending is tragic, heartbreaking, and perfect. Pick it up and give it a chance. It’s worth it.