Helpful Score: 2
I found this book to be riveting. There is not much known about the Lebensborn program. I asked my Dad who served in the army for 4 years in Holland and he told me there were lots of rumors about German soldiers targeting Dutch girls just so there could be more Aryan babies but that no one could ever tell them if it was true or not.
Although fiction, this read like a memoir. I was captivated by this story from the start and kept asking myself why I had left it in my TBR pile for so long.
The account of the things the Nazis sometimes did to ensure the "purity" of the race are told but not in too graphic detail.
I felt Cyrla's loneliness and despair as she realized that everyone she loved had either left or deserted her and as she struggles with the realization that she may lose her baby also to the Nazi program.
Although fiction, this read like a memoir. I was captivated by this story from the start and kept asking myself why I had left it in my TBR pile for so long.
The account of the things the Nazis sometimes did to ensure the "purity" of the race are told but not in too graphic detail.
I felt Cyrla's loneliness and despair as she realized that everyone she loved had either left or deserted her and as she struggles with the realization that she may lose her baby also to the Nazi program.
Helpful Score: 2
Cyrla is half-Jewish and living with Dutch relatives during World War II. Being nearly identical to her Dutch cousin, Annika, places her in a unique position to take Annika's place in a Lebensborn- a home for pregnant mothers of German babies- after Annika's unexpected death. Cyrla tries to keep her true identity a secret while living in the home but her Jewish heritage will soon put herself and those close to her in grave danger.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre and there is not much written about the Lebensborn or the despicable plans the Germans' had for their Aryan babies, so I was immediately interested in the backdrop of this novel. The book gave a fictional account of what a home for these unwed expectant mothers might have been like, and I found it absolutely fascinating.
Sara Young (who has also written under the name Sara Pennypacker) tells Cyrla's somewhat romanticized story in a way that was engaging while still being a bit over embellished. Cyrla's situation was compelling and I was anxious to discover how her story ended, but the enjoyment I derived from reading this book was mostly due to the interest I had in the subject matter, not necessarily the story line or Young's writing style.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction, but it is nowhere near as good as others in that genre (i.e. The Help, The Book Thief, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society). I wish more authors would try to tackle a novel about that part of World War II history.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre and there is not much written about the Lebensborn or the despicable plans the Germans' had for their Aryan babies, so I was immediately interested in the backdrop of this novel. The book gave a fictional account of what a home for these unwed expectant mothers might have been like, and I found it absolutely fascinating.
Sara Young (who has also written under the name Sara Pennypacker) tells Cyrla's somewhat romanticized story in a way that was engaging while still being a bit over embellished. Cyrla's situation was compelling and I was anxious to discover how her story ended, but the enjoyment I derived from reading this book was mostly due to the interest I had in the subject matter, not necessarily the story line or Young's writing style.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction, but it is nowhere near as good as others in that genre (i.e. The Help, The Book Thief, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society). I wish more authors would try to tackle a novel about that part of World War II history.
Helpful Score: 2
I liked the backdrop, the main thread of the story, and the part of WWII history rarely told. I did finish the book, mostly on the strength of the side characters and wanting to know how things ended. I did NOT like the main character. She was completely unbelievable as a 19-year-old in that time and place. Her attitude through most of the book was, "I'll just sit here and do what I want, despite all logic, and somehow bad things won't happen to me, despite me being a Jewish girl surrounded by Nazis." Everyone has to force or bully her into protecting herself, all the way through the book. I had no sympathy at all for her, and nearly quit reading just because I couldn't stand her. It gets better in the middle, but toward the end she got stupid and selfish again. My other big complaint is the amount of sex all through the beginning, and then in bits at the end. The pregnancies needed to happen for the plot to unfold, but the descriptions were unnecessary.
Helpful Score: 1
I cannot believe I let this book sit on my book shelf for months! I honestly forgot that I had it, until I hit a dry spell & needed a change of pace.
This book was amazing!
A page turner, very hard to put down!
So glad I discovered this great book & had the opportunity to read it!
This book was amazing!
A page turner, very hard to put down!
So glad I discovered this great book & had the opportunity to read it!
Helpful Score: 1
I liked the backdrop, the main thread of the story, and the part of WWII history rarely told. I did finish the book, mostly on the strength of the side characters and wanting to know how things ended. I did NOT like the main character. She was completely unbelievable as a 19-year-old in that time and place. Her attitude through most of the book was, "I'll just sit here and do what I want, despite all logic, and somehow bad things won't happen to me, despite me being a Jewish girl surrounded by Nazis." Everyone has to force or bully her into protecting herself, all the way through the book. I had no sympathy at all for her, and nearly quit reading just because I couldn't stand her. It gets better in the middle, but toward the end she got stupid and selfish again. My other big complaint is the amount of sex all through the beginning, and then in bits at the end. The pregnancies needed to happen for the plot to unfold, but the descriptions were unnecessary.
