A review by mellabella
City of Women by David R. Gillham

3.0

Sigrid is a German stenographer. She living her life day to day in a loveless marriage with a hateful live in mother in law. The Gestapo is in control. Food rations are low. Sigrid begins having an affair with a Jewish man. She then begins to put her life at risk (after befriending a neighbor) after her husband is sent to the Russian front. She begins helping Jewish people. I don't think Sigrid was insatiable. Even though she seems to have a lot of sex. I think she was trying to feel? The sex with soldier in her building with one leg seemed a bit much. Not because of his injury. Because it didn't seem necessary. Her "friendship" with his sisters, odd. The fact that at times Sigrid wished her lovers wife and children were dead or gone was also a bit much. She wasn't written as cut throat and heartless. But, those are cut throat and heartless thoughts. Maybe that's why some men shouldn't write from a woman's perspective? I would have like to have a little more insight into her marriage with Kaspar. Before her miscarriage. Maybe when they first met. Whatever was between her an Egon didn't seem like love. At least not on his part. I've read other books where people in very dangerous situations weren't as careful or inconspicuous as they should have been. There were times when Sigrid's behavior was questionable given what she was doing. The book is complete with a villain (Frau Mundt), traitors, etc. I have mixed feelings about this book. But, I would recommend.