karimorton33's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve read a good few books about WWII, but this one drew me in right away and was different from anything else I’ve ever read. I’d never heard of the brothels in the concentration camps, but it makes total sense that they existed. I enjoyed the way that the book came from the point of view of 3 different characters and depicted regimes in Germany and then Argentina 30+ years later. I found so many emotions and mental struggles (in as good a way as possible) were stirred when reading this.
kcoccia's review against another edition
4.0
I received an Advanced copy from Barnes and Noble.
Anything written about World War II, Nazis, or concentration camps really pulls me in. This book was interesting. The author says that brothels in concentration camps was actually a thing! That sounds insane to me. I'll be researching it. But all in all, a good story.
Anything written about World War II, Nazis, or concentration camps really pulls me in. This book was interesting. The author says that brothels in concentration camps was actually a thing! That sounds insane to me. I'll be researching it. But all in all, a good story.
jbaronn's review against another edition
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
caiterlenbach's review against another edition
4.0
I was running out of books at the end of 2022, so I picked up this one after sitting on my shelves for years(?). It did not disappoint. This historical fiction follows four characters, each as interesting as the other, in their journeys through the height of WWII.
It's heartbreaking, disturbing, beautiful, and everything a WWII historical fiction should be.
It's heartbreaking, disturbing, beautiful, and everything a WWII historical fiction should be.
lindzieh's review against another edition
2.0
Probably should have checked on content before I picked this up. The subject matter is brothels in concentration camps. I only got a few pages into it and it was too graphic for me. I don’t know where the other story line was going. I appreciate the author trying to write a historical fiction from a different stand point. Topic and subject too much for me.
bags_and_bookz's review against another edition
2.0
What a disappointing book. The cover sums everything up neatly and there is no reason to read further.
The story is told by three characters. Marijke, Dutch resistance, is arrested with her husband and are both sent to different camps. In order to find her spouse she accepts the offer to join brothel at his camp. SS officer Karl Müller is a new employee of the camp. He is on the mission to prove himself in eyes of his father but started doubting Hitler's policy. However, his doubts do not prevent him of being cruel toward prisoners. He fell in love with Marijke but when the camp goes down he abandons her to save himself. Luciano Wagner, student in Argentina, is arrested in 1977 during Argentine Dirty War. Luciano's chapters don’t make sense first half of the book, they seem to be out of place, but by the mile of the story the reader can guess his probable relationship to the other two.
I opted for an audiobook and glad I made that choice. I am not sure if I could have patience to read it through. Characters do not feel developed. All their actions are half done, thoughts are scrambled and seem very immature. Luciano story irritates me because it is hard to connect with other characters. The plot is not very engaging. Events are quite predictable. Yes, it is WWII and we all know how did that go. The book was just boring. I recently read The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah (same period) and what a difference!
I would not recommend this book. There are plenty others WWII books that will satisfy readers.
The story is told by three characters. Marijke, Dutch resistance, is arrested with her husband and are both sent to different camps. In order to find her spouse she accepts the offer to join brothel at his camp. SS officer Karl Müller is a new employee of the camp. He is on the mission to prove himself in eyes of his father but started doubting Hitler's policy. However, his doubts do not prevent him of being cruel toward prisoners. He fell in love with Marijke but when the camp goes down he abandons her to save himself. Luciano Wagner, student in Argentina, is arrested in 1977 during Argentine Dirty War. Luciano's chapters don’t make sense first half of the book, they seem to be out of place, but by the mile of the story the reader can guess his probable relationship to the other two.
I opted for an audiobook and glad I made that choice. I am not sure if I could have patience to read it through. Characters do not feel developed. All their actions are half done, thoughts are scrambled and seem very immature. Luciano story irritates me because it is hard to connect with other characters. The plot is not very engaging. Events are quite predictable. Yes, it is WWII and we all know how did that go. The book was just boring. I recently read The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah (same period) and what a difference!
I would not recommend this book. There are plenty others WWII books that will satisfy readers.
palliem's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
breanna_ms's review against another edition
Really brutal story with slow pacing and I just couldn’t get through it.
lanagabriela99's review against another edition
3.0
I figured out the connection between the WW2 and Argentina stories fairly early on, though that being said, I think it should've been clearer up front or perhaps done in a different way or told from a different POV. I can definitely see how it would be vague to some readers and leave them wondering about the reason for the Argentina storyline's inclusion or thinking it seemed like more of an afterthought. Both stories are equally important and perhaps a separate novel totally dedicated to the Argentina storyline would've worked better, leaving this one to focus solely on WW2.