City of Women

De: David R. Gillham

Narrado por: Suzanne Bertish

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND ONE OF KIRKUS REVIEWS' BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

It is 1943—the height of the Second World War. With the men away at the front, Berlin has become a city of women.

On the surface, Sigrid Schröder is the model German 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 of passion who dreams of her former Jewish lover, now lost in the chaos of the war. But Sigrid is not the only one with secrets—she soon finds herself caught between what is right and what is wrong, and what falls somewhere in the shadows between the two . . .

READERS GUIDE INSIDE

Reseñas de la Crítica

“David Gillham’s excellent new novel, City of Women, is built on one of the most extraordinary and faithful re-creations of a time in history—Berlin in World War II—that I’ve ever read.” —Alan Furst, New York Times–bestselling author of Spies of the Balkans

“In this moving and masterful debut, David Gillham brings war-torn Berlin to life and reveals the extraordinary mettle of women tested to their limits and beyond. Powerful and piercingly real. You won’t soon forget these characters.” —Paula McLain, New York Times–bestselling author of The Paris Wife

“Haunting and sensual, City of Women is a story of survival, of the unfathomable choices made and consequences suffered by those pushed to the brink. David Gillham has depicted a little-known aspect of the war with humanity and grace.” —Pam Jenoff, internationally bestselling author of The Things We Cherished

“If you enjoy beautiful story telling, gripping suspense, and a distractingly romantic plot, this is the book for you! An exciting, page turning read!” —Kathleen Grissom, New York Times–bestselling author of The Kitchen House

“City of Women is a big, brilliant, passionate book, a masterful evocation of Hitler’s Berlin in all its claustrophobia, duplicity, and fear. This is a thriller of searing intensity. . . . I found it utterly compelling.” —Margaret Leroy, New York Times–bestselling author of The Soldier’s Wife

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 .

Messy

This was a real mess, both from a listening stand point and from a believability POV. Hard to grasp transitions, and resolution felt too contrived.

City

Suzanne Bertish was an amazing narrator. I enjoyed the story. I was tensed up the whole time I read it. Nazi Germany was a terrible time to be alive.

Top notch narration!

A fantastic book read by a fantastic narrator. Seriously. Suzanne Bertish makes this a must-listen.