Day: July 23, 2021

This was one of the more interesting historical fiction novels I have read lately, not necessarily because of a unique setting but more because of the story itself.

Let me see if I can explain without giving the plot away, but I will say that you can actually get a big chunk of it from the blurb itself.

At the very start of the book, Margarete is given a Hobson’s choice. I found her instantly relatable in this regard because I think many people would make a choice to live – even if it meant undertaking dangerous subterfuge.

What follows is a story focused on the role she must play and the things she must be aware of in order to survive. She soon realizes that the seemingly simple choice at the beginning was in fact only the beginning of her journey, not the pass to freedom that she might have initially thought it to be.

Interspersed with her chapters are those from the perspective of Wilhelm, a relation of those who suffered a terrible fate in the opening chapter – an event that Margarete has arguably taken advantage of for her own interests.

I’m not sure what else to write about, because the story itself relies on Wilhelm’s perspective of his family (not very favorable) and Margarete’s cunning to propel itself to the conclusion.

In some ways, Margarete’s choices validate Wilhelm’s opinion of “her kind.” But that’s too simplistic, because it really was a matter of life or death, especially as Margarete had found out what was to become of her had the tragic event not happened.

What I have not mentioned in this review is that Margarete is a Jew and Wilhelm is an SS officer, and the time is 1941 Europe. You can see where this is going.

I think what I found most strange was that the story itself could really have been set at any time and place. The identities of the two, and the situation, seemed to be more of a plot ploy instead of actually meaning something. I’m not quite sure why I feel that way.

I just kept thinking that everything was skimming along and seemed contrived in more than a few places, instead of having some actual depth to it. Characters came and went, some had one role to play and then disappeared.

A major plot twist occurred late in the book, which led to another twist. Neither of them seemed plausible to me. And in fact, almost derailed the story.

I realize this sounds like I didn’t like it, but I did. What kept me reading was that I was eager to see how Wilhelm and Margarete “ended” – if they would stay true to form or if they would buck tradition and expectations to forge a new path.

There was character growth from both of them, and that I enjoyed. And I seriously did NOT see the end coming – that was an interesting and bold choice by the author. I guess it ended up being about the sacrifices we are willing to make to protect the ones we love.

And that’s certainly enough to make a book worth the read.

Author Bio:

Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to “discover the world” and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she’s now living with her family.

Inspired by the true story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime, she started writing historical fiction, set during World War II. Her books are filled with raw emotions, fierce loyalty, and resilience. She loves to put her characters through the mangle, making them reach deep within to find the strength to face moral dilemmas, take difficult decisions or fight for what is right. And she never forgets to include humor and undying love in her books, because ultimately love is what makes the world go round.