bookishdelights's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I never knew about the Lebensborn Homes... This book made me laugh and cry.
abeth_parker's review against another edition
3.0
This book is about something that I didn't even realize existed. During WWII, Himmler established birth houses for girls and women. Married or not, those of the "ideal race" were encouraged to have as many children as they could. They also opened these houses in occupied countries for girls who had gotten pregnant by German soldiers. He was creating his "super race". The babies born here were adopted into Nazi families. Thousands of mothers and children were separated and never reunited. This is a fictional account of one of the girls who lived in one of them. I am a fan of WWII history, and I had never heard of these birth houses. How many lives were changed forever and how many families torn apart? I'm sure we will never know.
I am giving three stars because there are is some sexual references and scenes.
I am giving three stars because there are is some sexual references and scenes.
chrystinielsen's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
nursenell's review against another edition
5.0
I've heard of the maternity homes run by the Nazis but this is the first time I've read a book that takes place in such a home. It was an excellent book, sad and bittersweet.
jsh626's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting aspect of German regime that I wasn’t aware of, but characters felt flat.
leleroulant's review against another edition
4.0
You can read my review on my blog at http://melsbooksandblatherings.blogspot.com/
zachwaddington123's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
felinity's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written, this story of Cyrla and Anneke covers not only the choices they make but also how actions - particularly within war - are often layered with emotion, decisions, moral choices, and conflicting loyalties. Which is more important: to be half-Dutch or half-Jewish, to serve your country or to follow your dreams, to be a niece or a cousin, to be a friend or a lover, to be an advocate or a father, to be a mother or a wife? It's never clearcut, and although one character might perceive himself (or herself) as a coward, he (or she) might be regarded as courageous or even heroic by others, and still other decisions might be considered commonplace.
Although Cyrla does experience the fear of the ghettos and the camps, and the sorrow and guilt associated with her freedom, this is not a story of the Holocaust, nor is it a story of military strategy. The moral quaqmire of the Lebensborn and those people who cared for the pregnant girls and the babies is something rarely touched upon elsewhere, and the Nazi plan to repopulate their empire - sadly depleted of good German men after WWI - with babies conceived or stolen in this way should not be forgotten, nor should the callous abandonment or "cleansing" of those deemed unworthy.
Although Cyrla does experience the fear of the ghettos and the camps, and the sorrow and guilt associated with her freedom, this is not a story of the Holocaust, nor is it a story of military strategy. The moral quaqmire of the Lebensborn and those people who cared for the pregnant girls and the babies is something rarely touched upon elsewhere, and the Nazi plan to repopulate their empire - sadly depleted of good German men after WWI - with babies conceived or stolen in this way should not be forgotten, nor should the callous abandonment or "cleansing" of those deemed unworthy.
tomaind's review against another edition
5.0
This was an amazing story of a little known part of history from World War II. I was fascinated by the story & many times caught myself holding my breath as the suspense mounted. This storyline would make an interesting movie. So many horrible things were done to people during this war. Even though I had never heard of the Nazi Lebensborn progam, it just fits in with all the other sick things they did.
anneke_b's review against another edition
3.0
So I had to read this book, since the protagonist has my name! Like, almost, just one letter different.
Realized that I am not like either one of them (the real Anneke, nor the cousin-impostor), but hey, it is pretty cool to read a book like that.
Unfortunately, that is probably the only thing I will remember about the book, except that both Anneke's are pretty annoying, and I did not really enjoy the story line. While I appreciate the author trying to incorporate a lesser known aspect of the Reich, it just all fell flat to me.
It was okay, really, a fast read and some interesting details.
But it is on me now to write a book about a different, more likeable Anneke. And also a less pretty one perhaps!
Realized that I am not like either one of them (the real Anneke, nor the cousin-impostor), but hey, it is pretty cool to read a book like that.
Unfortunately, that is probably the only thing I will remember about the book, except that both Anneke's are pretty annoying, and I did not really enjoy the story line. While I appreciate the author trying to incorporate a lesser known aspect of the Reich, it just all fell flat to me.
It was okay, really, a fast read and some interesting details.
But it is on me now to write a book about a different, more likeable Anneke. And also a less pretty one perhaps!