In the days leading
up to WWI, Klare, an eighteen-year-old German-Jewish girl, has a big
decision to make. Jakob Kohler, a young Jewish attorney, wants to
marry her before he goes off to fight. Klare likes him. He has good
prospects, but she's unsure whether she loves him. In the pressure of
a country going to war, Klare agrees to the wedding and soon finds
herself a housewife and mother.
The novel follows
Klare's story from her marriage before WWI through the horrors of
WWII and beyond. The book is well researched and paints a realistic
picture of the fate of German-Jews before, during and after the two
world wars. The experiences of the author's
family, which form the basis of the narrative, add realistic detail.
The book is worth
reading to get the flavor of the life of an average person during the
wars. However, the narrative moves very slowly. In some ways, Klare
is a compelling character for the bravery with which she faces the
privations and discrimination of war. However, she is a very average
person. Circumstances drive her. She shows ingenuity in dealing with
some of the worst problems of WWII, however, she does it in a quiet
way. If you want excitement and fast-paced action, this is not a book
you'll enjoy. If you're interested in life in Germany during and
after the wars, the
book is well done.
I reviewed this book
for PR by the Book.
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