I am a HUGE fan of Catherine Hokin’s books (see my reviews of The Fortunate Ones and What Only We Know). Her books are always well-crafted with memorable characters and storylines that weave timelines seamlessly.
In her latest, the same hallmarks are there. I did think that some parts were much stronger than others, but as a whole, it was an intriguing and obviously well- researched book.
I was able to relate to Peggy from the start, which was good, because I think her story actually got lost along the way. As with many historical fiction novels, there is the need for a more contemporary storyline that allows for the historical line to be told.
In this case, the contemporary storyline was 1957, as Peggy goes in search of answers regarding an old photo she is given. (No spoilers, you’ll have to read to find out her full situation). But I was very sympathetic to her for personal reasons.
I thought the author did a good job with Peggy’s storyline. She captured the desires of a young woman who wanted to make a name for herself in a traditionally male-dominated profession (journalism) at a time when women were finding their voices.
All of that being said, this is really Anna’s story, and those were the sections that really had me turning pages. From the early (very early) days of Hitler’s rise to the aftermath, Anna’s story is one that will stick with me for a long time.
There were many unique sections to this book – events and other things that aren’t as common in WWII historical fiction. Yes, there are Nazis, but (as one example) the focus isn’t on concentration camps and the resilience of the people.
Not that those aren’t good stories – I’ve read several that address this extremely well.
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Although the first part of Anna’s story is set in 1930s Germany, a large part is set in America, and this is what I found most fascinating. I’d never heard of the movement that Anna gets unwittingly involved in (which is kind of sad, because I was a history major in college).
I also applaud the author for tackling the internment camps in the U.S. Most people don’t know about those.
Interesting side note, and I may have mentioned this before, but when I was in college, I took a class where the professor addressed the German and Japanese being taken from their homes in the U.S. I had written a paper on the Monterey fishing industry.
Italians, especially in this area, were also put into internment camps. The professor argued that wasn’t true…until I showed him the book I had researched. He ended up changing his lecture.
But I digress.
While I was completely engrossed in Anna’s story, which was realistic, accurate, and highly emotional, I thought that there were parts that went by the wayside.
Peggy’s story actually got lost for a good portion of the book. And I feel conflicted about Louise’s role in all of it. I understand why the author used her in the way she did, and I know her story could be applied to other actresses of the time, but it never felt entirely realistic to me, more as a method to propel Anna’s story.
In the end, however, I thought it was a very good book. Anna’s story alone is worth reading it.
Author Bio:
Catherine Hokin is the author of two World War Two inspired novels set in Berlin, her favourite city. Following a History degree at Manchester University she worked in teaching, marketing and politics, while waiting for a chance to do what she really wanted which was to write full time. Her short stories have been published by iScot, Writers Forum and Myslexia magazines and she was the winner of the 2019 Fiction 500 Short Story Competition. She is a lover of strong female leads and a quest.
Catherine now lives in Glasgow with her American husband. She has two grown-up children – one of whom lives, very conveniently, in Berlin – and a life long addiction to very loud music. Website: https://www.catherinehokin.com/
