Scan barcode
A review by kimreadz
The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy
4.0
I’ve really developed an interest in the WW II era in the past year, and this is another story about that period. There are really two stories here; one from the war years in Germany, and the other from current day El Paso. The story begins when Reba, a reporter, interviews Elsie, the owner of a German bakery in El Paso. Elsie grew up in Germany during the war years, and as a young woman, was engaged to an SS officer. Reba is engaged to Riki, a border crossing guard and US citizen born of Mexican parents, who came to America legally.
The story raises some interesting questions about how far one goes in supporting laws and government without compromising one’s ethics. It is very interesting to see how Elsie evolves from Hitler supporter, to questioning the Nazi beliefs, to actually hiding a Jewish child from the Nazis. The story appears to draw parallels between treatment of the Jews in Nazi Germany and treatment of the Mexican aliens in Texas. and the struggles Elsie and Riki have with these treatments.
There were some difficult circumstances in the novel, but I learned a lot about Nazi Germany and was inspired to do some reading, in particular about the Lebensborn program. (If you aren’t familiar with this term, google it.) I was intrigued by this book and think it will make for a great discussion for book clubs! I'd bump this 1/2 star if I could - 4-1/2 stars!
Why did you choose this book? I saw this book in the ‘coming soon’ section and thought the story sounded interesting
When did you read this book? March 2012
Who should read this book? readers of historical fiction, particularly WW II fiction
Source: ebook borrowed from my local library
The story raises some interesting questions about how far one goes in supporting laws and government without compromising one’s ethics. It is very interesting to see how Elsie evolves from Hitler supporter, to questioning the Nazi beliefs, to actually hiding a Jewish child from the Nazis. The story appears to draw parallels between treatment of the Jews in Nazi Germany and treatment of the Mexican aliens in Texas. and the struggles Elsie and Riki have with these treatments.
There were some difficult circumstances in the novel, but I learned a lot about Nazi Germany and was inspired to do some reading, in particular about the Lebensborn program. (If you aren’t familiar with this term, google it.) I was intrigued by this book and think it will make for a great discussion for book clubs! I'd bump this 1/2 star if I could - 4-1/2 stars!
Why did you choose this book? I saw this book in the ‘coming soon’ section and thought the story sounded interesting
When did you read this book? March 2012
Who should read this book? readers of historical fiction, particularly WW II fiction
Source: ebook borrowed from my local library