City of Women

By: David R. Gillham

Narrated by: Suzanne Bertish

Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

It is 1943 - the height of the Second World War. With the men taken by the army, Berlin has become a city of women. And while her husband fights on the Eastern Front, Sigrid Schröder is, for all intents and purposes, the model soldier's wife: She goes to work every day, does as much with her rations as she can, and dutifully cares for her meddling mother-in-law, all the while ignoring the horrific immoralities of the regime.

But behind this façade is an entirely different Sigrid, a woman who dreams of her former Jewish lover, who is now lost in the chaos of the war.

Sigrid's tedious existence is turned upside down when she finds herself hiding a mother and her two young daughters - whom she believes might be her lover's family - and she must make terrifying choices that could cost her everything.

©2012 David R. Gillham (P)2012 Penguin Audio

A Sleeper Novel

When I saw the listing of Gilham's novel, I was unsure if I wanted to download it. However, the WWII buff in me was curious to hear a description of wartime Berlin from the perspective of ordinary people. I was not disappointed with the story and Suzanne Bertish's narration was absolutely superb. The depiction of the characters living under the stress of food shortages and Allied bombing is fantastic. For the history lover this is a great listen.

Caught by surprise!

Not sure what I was expecting but this story caught be off guard. Brilliant reader and story put me in the middle of WWII in the heart of Berlin. A story I've not heard before about the German soldiers with v especially left home to manage to keep the home fire's burning while their husbands are drafted to the east e th front. It's a story of humble b beginnings th s t rises from the mundane to our unlikely heroines rise and fall to action to h I deals and get out as many Jews from the city as she can from under the noses of the Gestapo a n d her into d referring mother in law and best friend b d who both betray friends and family alike. I wish this author would write another book about our heroine, Sigrid. I can't say enough about the reader, Suzanne Bertish. Yes more please, Ms Bertish is the best female reader I've heard. She gave life to heroine. It's my go to story when I can't get interested in another audio book. Some readers just put me to sleep, but not Suzanne Bertish. Enjoy!

A Must Listen

Narration AND plot are outstanding in this well written novel that provides a German woman's journey through WWII as she struggles with an unpopular and illegal (at the time) decision to support the underground movement of protecting Jews from the Nazis. A must listen!

Compelling

Any additional comments?

Not your average war story and one of the best listens in a very long time. The author captures the good, bad and ugly of Berlin during the latter half of WW11. It celebrates humanity in all its contradictions. The characters are real and well rounded, the history faithfully re-created and the story compelling. I’ve got to say that the narrator, Suzanne Bertish did an amazing job. I would recommend this book to anyone who anyone who enjoys an exceptional story, told well.

excellent and griping story

Would you listen to City of Women again? Why?

Yes - bought this audio book by accident and thought OMG an audio !-but loved it and had it playing whilst driving long rides home from work and cooking meals - may have missed some small bits
Actually looked forward to long drive home at the end of a working day.

Who was your favorite character and why?

no favourites

What does Suzanne Bertish bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Just the different charactors and voices, emotions

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

don't know but would make a great movie

a little slow

This story started slow, picked up momentum about 2/3 in and then ended quickly. Still, worth the read.

A strong story

A pretty grim story but worth listening to for its historical context. And very well read .

Keep your friends close but your enemies closer

What did you like best about City of Women? What did you like least?

The book outlines the relationships between women in a really vulnerable time in history. The women are certainly vulnerable , but , the author also shows the strength that they are capable of developing against the odds.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most interesting were the relationships between the women. Least interesting was the portrayal of the woman as having little moral fibre even at a very challenging period in history.

Have you listened to any of Suzanne Bertish’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was City of Women worth the listening time?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I don't need to listen to more of her books. This was a little superficial in its content. I wanted much more .

City of Women

Would you listen to City of Women again? Why?

Yes Yes Yes. This is amazing. The author controls the tension and suspense. It is almost unbearable to listen to.

What about Suzanne Bertish’s performance did you like?

Suzanne was amazing. Her skills stunning. Her expression and storytelling superb.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but it is difficult to get the time. You need to listen to it in large chunks.

Any additional comments?

Wonderful, superb, gripping, terrifying and all so real.

Never Look Back....

Would you consider the audio edition of City of Women to be better than the print version?

Yes, definitely. The narrator was absolutely wonderful. Her accents and the way she glided from character to character was great!!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

* There were several. The main character, of course, however her mother-in-law, was a pretty good close second, she was so evil.

Which character – as performed by Suzanne Bertish – was your favorite?

The main character, she did a wonderful job with her. She really brought her to life!!!

If you could rename City of Women, what would you call it?

Don't Look Back, Survival? Keep Going Forward......

Any additional comments?

What a book! This leaves you thinking about those years and what the women went through (WW2,) long after the book is read. WONDERFUL BOOK! 🗼😀