Judith R. (judipatooti) reviewed on 2/10/2011 + 4 more book reviews

The Nazi Officer's wife reads like a novel even though It's a memoir of a very strong and brave Jewish woman who takes on the identity of a Christian Aryan to escape the horror of the Holocaust. It is fast paced and well written. Edith Hahn lived in Austria and refused to leave even though when she was steps away from her law degree when the Nazi's invaded and she was not allowed to go back to school.

Before she changed her identity, she was sent to a labor camp, all the while hoping her "mamma's boy" boyfriend, Pepi, will rescue and marry her. When she realizes this will never happen, she goes underground and resurfaces in Munich, as an Aryan and she tries to make herself invisible by not getting close to any one. However, she attracts the attention of a Nazi officer, Werner Vetter, who is smitten with her and she with him. Right before they marry, he finds out that she is Jewish and he keeps her secret.

She is the true example of a strong , intelligent woman who does what she has to do to survive. She somehow managed to save every document and picture through this ordeal and there is a very good display of them in the eighth chapter.

This was not a "feel good" book but when I read what she endured,I feel as though I will draw on her strength, when facing the toils and troubles that come with the happiness of life.

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