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bookishfreedom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
idk if I will ever learn not to pick up a WWII era book and expect it to NOT destroy me… but i guess today is not that day
At the Wolf’s Table follows Rosa, one of ten women conscripted as Hitler’s food taster during WWII. Rosa has lost everything to this war: her parents are dead, and her husband is sent to the front lines. And now she is brought to the Wolf’s Lair, where every bite could be her last.
this book is heart-wrenching an insightful and raw. it gets off to a bit of a slow start, as we get to know rosa and the predicament she’s found herself in. but things quickly accelerate from there, and I couldn’t put it down after that.
the story takes many unexpected twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat. rosa’s relationship with her fellow tasters is in turn fraught and intimate, and every moment, every bite, is ripe with danger. do be warned, this story handles some pretty dark and heavy topics.
this book is translated from its original Italian, and oh so beautifully written. it’s been a while since i’ve read a novel in translation, and I found myself thinking: if I’m this devastated by the translation, how much would this hurt in the original Italian??
i’ve seen some reviews of this book that complained about the time jumping being a bit jarring - which i can understand, but it didn’t bother me - and also it seems some people don’t like the ending, which was possibly my favorite part. my jaw DROPPED.
At the Wolf’s Table follows Rosa, one of ten women conscripted as Hitler’s food taster during WWII. Rosa has lost everything to this war: her parents are dead, and her husband is sent to the front lines. And now she is brought to the Wolf’s Lair, where every bite could be her last.
this book is heart-wrenching an insightful and raw. it gets off to a bit of a slow start, as we get to know rosa and the predicament she’s found herself in. but things quickly accelerate from there, and I couldn’t put it down after that.
the story takes many unexpected twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat. rosa’s relationship with her fellow tasters is in turn fraught and intimate, and every moment, every bite, is ripe with danger. do be warned, this story handles some pretty dark and heavy topics.
this book is translated from its original Italian, and oh so beautifully written. it’s been a while since i’ve read a novel in translation, and I found myself thinking: if I’m this devastated by the translation, how much would this hurt in the original Italian??
i’ve seen some reviews of this book that complained about the time jumping being a bit jarring - which i can understand, but it didn’t bother me - and also it seems some people don’t like the ending, which was possibly my favorite part. my jaw DROPPED.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Antisemitism, Abortion, and War
jenndub34's review against another edition
3.0
I was looking for another Nightingale book and was not disappointed
I was so dissatisfied with the ending that it overshadows the great things about this book. The translation from Italian to English was seamless and I clung to every word, but disliked how she jumped around from present to past even within the same chapter at times.
I was so dissatisfied with the ending that it overshadows the great things about this book. The translation from Italian to English was seamless and I clung to every word, but disliked how she jumped around from present to past even within the same chapter at times.
pascalandthedogs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tidoublegarrr's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating historical fiction about the women who were forced to test food for Hitler to make sure it was not poisened. This was an enjoyable read for book club with a bunch of plot twists.
nypeapod's review against another edition
4.0
Parts of the story were very believable but other parts had me wondering "really?". The ending was rather abrupt. I probably would not read another novel by this author, just not my style.
kathydubs10's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book as part of a giveaway from Goodreads. I have to say that I have mixed feelings about it. I think initially, the concept was intriguing, as I personally did not know much about Hitler's food tasters or what their lives must have been like. The novel does a great job at describing Nazi Germany throughout the final years of the war, including major events, such as the assassination attempt on Hitler. I thought the novel was easy to follow and near the end, I was turning pages quickly. I think what lost me in this story was Rosa's relationships with men. With her husband Gregor, the relationship is basically nonexistent until the end of the novel. That jump was a big one for me and I think it was more something to give readers closure and to answer the big "what happened next?" question more than anything. With the Nazi officer, I can understand the purpose that relationship served in the story line, but I was confused as to why he started showing up to Rosa's home, other than pure interest and having the power to be able to do so? At some point, the book became less about what I thought it would be and was more so a forbidden love story. I think that disappointed me because I didn't expect it to change that way. Regardless, this is a solid read, especially if you're interested in era or event specific books.
bookoffimreading's review against another edition
4.0
[b:The Women at Hitler’s Table|52543502|The Women at Hitler’s Table|Rosella Postorino|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565155383l/52543502._SX50_SY75_.jpg|58639198][bc:The Women at Hitler’s Table|52543502|The Women at Hitler’s Table|Rosella Postorino|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565155383l/52543502._SX50_SY75_.jpg|58639198]
I thoroughly enjoyed this powerful story set in East Prussia 1943. Inspired by a true story it tells the incredible tale of Rosa, who is selected as one of ten women to taste Hitler’s food to protect him from poisoning towards the end of the war.
This is a compelling story of love, lust, friendship and the hardship of life in wartime Nazi Germany told in cool and intelligent writing, I suppose reflecting the atmosphere of the time. Rosa is an intriguing character, she is caring, loyal and introspective and the author gives vivid descriptions of Rosa’s thought processes and reflections.
The book gives a fascinating insight into Hitler’s personality and idiosyncrasies. It was also interesting for me to read a book set in World War II from a German perspective (as opposed to British or Polish) with the women’s opinions of Hitler and how little they knew of Hitler’s atrocities during that time.
Most of all I loved reading how the relationships between the women developed into friendships that would have a lasting effect on Rosa.
I would have liked more emotion in this story but it’s definitely a thought provoking read that I would highly recommend to fans of historical fiction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this powerful story set in East Prussia 1943. Inspired by a true story it tells the incredible tale of Rosa, who is selected as one of ten women to taste Hitler’s food to protect him from poisoning towards the end of the war.
This is a compelling story of love, lust, friendship and the hardship of life in wartime Nazi Germany told in cool and intelligent writing, I suppose reflecting the atmosphere of the time. Rosa is an intriguing character, she is caring, loyal and introspective and the author gives vivid descriptions of Rosa’s thought processes and reflections.
The book gives a fascinating insight into Hitler’s personality and idiosyncrasies. It was also interesting for me to read a book set in World War II from a German perspective (as opposed to British or Polish) with the women’s opinions of Hitler and how little they knew of Hitler’s atrocities during that time.
Most of all I loved reading how the relationships between the women developed into friendships that would have a lasting effect on Rosa.
I would have liked more emotion in this story but it’s definitely a thought provoking read that I would highly recommend to fans of historical fiction.
mouwuol's review against another edition
5.0
I’m in looooove with this book.
it’s based slightly on a true story which sends shivers up my spine. I can’t imagine being forced to be a food taster, not knowing that the meal in front of you could be your last.
This book was so fast paced and it would take 3 hours max to finish. It took me 3 days because everytime I picked up the book life’s responsibilities called so that sucked but I’m glad I took 3 days to read it because savouring this book was worth it!
it’s based slightly on a true story which sends shivers up my spine. I can’t imagine being forced to be a food taster, not knowing that the meal in front of you could be your last.
This book was so fast paced and it would take 3 hours max to finish. It took me 3 days because everytime I picked up the book life’s responsibilities called so that sucked but I’m glad I took 3 days to read it because savouring this book was worth it!