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jessicasilfenroy 's review for:
The German Wife
by Kelly Rimmer
Another 5 star read by one of my favorite authors. I went into this story blind, and it was not at all what I expected it to be. Rimmer will make you think when reading this book and you will be captivated by the storyline from the very first chapter. She dives into the choices that people make in impossible situations, what one will do to keep their family together, and has you contemplate whether you can just "erase" parts of the past without repercussions.
This story alternates between the perspectives of two women before and after the war. First we have Sofie who is the wife of a German rocket scientist. She arrives in Alabama to a community who is hostile towards her presence and her husband's involvement with Nazi Germany. Then we have Lizzie, a farmer's daughter who grew up in the American depression and like many others, was struggling to get by. She marries a wealthy, older American scientist who helps her "lost" brother enlist in the American army. After the war, Lizzie remains shocked that her husband is willing to work with these German scientists and her brother, being a vet, feels the same. Lizzie and Sofie's paths cross, and despite having two completely different lives, we learn that the parallels of their journeys are quite similar.
All historical fiction fans should read this book and learn from it. If WWII books are not your primary interest, this is a great book to start with as many chapters take place in the US and it's not as heavily focused on the fighting itself. It's touching, intense and emotional and dives into the hardships and prejudices in life before the war. Also, I found it really interested that Rimmer brings up the segregated south and how that compares to the Holocaust.
Many thanks to HTP for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: 6/28/22
This story alternates between the perspectives of two women before and after the war. First we have Sofie who is the wife of a German rocket scientist. She arrives in Alabama to a community who is hostile towards her presence and her husband's involvement with Nazi Germany. Then we have Lizzie, a farmer's daughter who grew up in the American depression and like many others, was struggling to get by. She marries a wealthy, older American scientist who helps her "lost" brother enlist in the American army. After the war, Lizzie remains shocked that her husband is willing to work with these German scientists and her brother, being a vet, feels the same. Lizzie and Sofie's paths cross, and despite having two completely different lives, we learn that the parallels of their journeys are quite similar.
All historical fiction fans should read this book and learn from it. If WWII books are not your primary interest, this is a great book to start with as many chapters take place in the US and it's not as heavily focused on the fighting itself. It's touching, intense and emotional and dives into the hardships and prejudices in life before the war. Also, I found it really interested that Rimmer brings up the segregated south and how that compares to the Holocaust.
Many thanks to HTP for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: 6/28/22