The School for German Brides

A Novel of World War II

By: Aimie K. Runyan

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Kathleen Gati

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

In this intriguing historical novel, a young woman who is sent to a horrific “bride school” to be molded into the perfect Nazi wife finds her life forever intertwined with a young Jewish woman about to give birth.

Germany, 1939

As the war begins, Hanna Rombauer, a young German woman, is sent to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother’s death. Thrown into a life of luxury she never expected, Hanna soon finds herself unwillingly matched with an SS officer twenty years her senior. The independence that her mother lovingly fostered in her is considered highly inappropriate as the future wife of an up-and-coming officer and she is sent to a “bride school.” There, in a posh villa on the outskirts of town, Hanna is taught how to be a “proper” German wife. The lessons of hatred, prejudice, and misogyny disturb her and she finds herself desperate to escape.

For Mathilde Altman, a German Jewish woman, the war has brought more devastation than she ever thought possible. Torn from her work, her family, and her new husband, she fights to keep her unborn baby safe. But when the unthinkable happens, Tilde realizes she must hide. The risk of discovery grows greater with each passing day, but she has no other options.

When Hanna discovers Tilde hiding near the school, she knows she must help her however she can. For Tilde, fear wars with desperation when Hanna proposes a risky plan.

Will they both be able to escape with their lives and if they do, what kind of future can they possibly hope for?

©2022 Aimie K. Runyan (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Heart wrenching

It’s as if I were there. What a horrific time, a time that brought out the best and worst of human nature.
Well written, heart felt and brutally honest.

Relationships and Politics

This is a powerful story of family, social pressure, and rewards. What do you value most?
Consider: Tangible rewards or incentives, family, ranks, prestige, privilege, humanity, friendship

Excellent Narrative

This WWIi story needed to be told in order to have a slight understanding of how young German women were treated as Nazi fever took root and spread throughout the fabric of German culture. Three women of different lineages fought against the tide of Anti-Semitism and Nazi propaganda even as each young girl herself
wad faced with the possibility of her own demise at the hands of Nazi informants.
This story is beautifully crafted by a gifted writer of historic fiction. Faith in our humane instincts can be found even yes hi against one of the basest, most bestial times in human history.

Beautifully narrated

Beautiful story n interesting plot. Look forward to listening/reading more books from this author.

Great story and great ending!

I truly enjoyed this novel. I felt like I really knew the three main characters!

Excellent

This story was moving, poignant beautiful and engaging. The cast was excellent. Loved it throughly!

A New insight to that time in history

I like learning about this feeling and the struggles of the people of this time.

Not what the summary describes

Story is about two young women finding their way through Nazi Germany. They don't officially meet until the very last chapter. More of a coming-of-age story than a historical novel.

Fantastic!

The intertwined lives of these three women during World War II fantastic story would definitely recommend

My Musings

Kept me intrigued until the end. Tilda was my favorite character of the three women. Hanna and Clara put a lot into their efforts to fight the tyranny of the times. Happy reading and listening!