The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer

By Lean and Love �� - August 29, 2022

Tittle      : The German Wife
Author        : Kelly Rimmer
Pub Date : June 28, 2022
Pages         : 464
My Rating : ★★★★★

The Summary

A fascinating new book by the New York Times bestselling author of The Warsaw Orphan, The Paperclip, is based on the true account of Operation Paperclip, a contentious post-World War II US intelligence program that used former Nazis.

1930, Berlin The goals of the radical political party's newly elected chancellor help Sofie von Meyer Rhodes' professor husband when a tide of change sweeps it to power. Even though Sofie and Jürgen disagree with the social ideologies becoming increasingly common in Hitler's Germany, Jürgen's position with its expanding rocket program improves their deteriorating circumstances. But as Sofie watches helplessly, her beloved Berlin starts to change, compelling her to reflect on the moral compromises they must make for the safety of their young family and the cost of their neutrality.

Twenty years later, Jürgen is one of the many German scientists who received pardons for their wartime contributions and was relocated to the United States to work on that country's fledgling space program. Sofie will have the opportunity to make a fresh start in her adopted nation and exorcise the spirits that have followed her across the seas. Her neighbors, however, are not as hospitable or understanding as she had thought. Before the truth is ever revealed, Sofie's town and her family will be torn apart by the violent deed that arises from idle rumors about the Rhodes family's alleged ties to Hitler's reign turning into seething fury.

My Review

One of the best historical novels I've ever read is this one.

Although some facts have been adjusted for the benefit of better storytelling, I was highly pleased by the author's thorough research and her use of Werner von Braun as a model for one of her important characters.

We also got a narrative of a woman from America, so we get to see two different perspectives during the period. I had assumed the book would only be about a German lady's journey, but this was another surprising thing I discovered in the book.

The novel taught me that both women had extraordinary bravery and survival skills. We could see how vital it is for mothers and wives to play these roles during warfare, despite the fact that they fought in different ways, both to do that for the benefit of the family.

I heartily recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction.

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done!

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot.