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 different view of wartime Berlin

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

I would not know, but I generally prefer print editions. I get audio editions because I can "read" them during commutes and am able to read much more.

What other book might you compare City of Women to and why?

I have read many books about the Nazi period but this one is different from all the rest.

Did Suzanne Bertish do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

She did a fair job. I was occasionally confused about characters. I was annoyed by her mispronunciations of German words like Sichterheitspolizei. Why didn't she do her homework?

Who was the most memorable character of City of Women and why?

The leading character. A woman of strong passions who became an activist in a time and place when this was very dangerous.

Any additional comments?

I lived in Berlin for a couple of years in the 80's and heard a few stories about what ordinary Berliners experienced during the War. This book gave a glimpse into the complicated and difficult lives of those who were in the capitol city during those years.

A Benchmark

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. This is a gripping piece of work consisting of an intelligent dialogue between a set of strong, complex characters.

What did you like best about this story?

Its historic reference that paints a real life image of what life might have been like in a time and place that we as Americans are not typically exposed to in our traditional schooling.

What about Suzanne Bertish’s performance did you like?

Everything. A reader's range of volume is critical to me. Suzanne stays clear of the pitfall of one moment speaking so softly it is difficult to clearly hear what is being said, to another moment where the shouting makes you flinch. She also crosses gender roles very well. All this says nothing of an appropriate German accent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are too many to mention.

Any additional comments?

This was my first Audible experience. I am writing this review after listening to nearly a dozen other recordings. I was afraid to review this immediately after listening to the recording for not having any other reference point. This is also my first Audible review. I have come back to pen these comments with a sense of gratitude to David Gillham, who I still cannot believe has not been published prior to this novel, and to Suzanne Bertish for combining on a wonderfully creative experience. An experience that did exactly as it should: transport me temporarily from one place to the next with grace, style, and a means that opens my senses and invites my mind expand its knowledge. Thank you, both.

Survival of the Shrewd!

What made the experience of listening to City of Women the most enjoyable?

How the clever plot unfolded itself to the listener.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sigrid Schroeder.This women experienced every emotion with courage and tenacity.She is totally credible - a simple honest housewife thrown into a maelstrom of treachery against her will.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Egon finally gives Sigrid an explanation for his abominable and ruthless treatment of his fellow Jewish compatriots. Up until this time I did not warm to this character but the vivid account of his experiences made me ask myself 'what would you have done if confronted with the choices and decisions he had to make to survive.

If you could take any character from City of Women out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would invite Caspar. I would like to have found out more about his character and how he felt as the story unfolded. For me, he was the sad victim of the current time. He lost everything that was dear to him in such a short space of time.

Any additional comments?

I was enthralled with this book. Having lived in Germany as a 'Schwiegertochter' I was able to empathize with Sigrid. However, I was slightly irritated when the storyteller was unable to pronounce some of the German place names. This might not be of importance to a listener who did not understand German well.

Captivating! Amazing Characters, Great Narrator

Where does City of Women rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was one of the top books I listened to. Suzanne Bertish was a great narrator, giving life not only to Sigrid, but to all the characters in this wonderful story. What I liked abut her narration is that she was so emotional as she read.

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

I've never listened to another one, but I will be putting her on my list to hear again.

Any additional comments?

i was so excited and intrigued by this book. Sigrid's story was fascinating...twists and turns on every page. i thought that she was a truly strong female character - even with all her flaws - she embodied what all great lead women do. courage and empathy, but also sadness and doubt.

i was enthralled following Sigrid as she tried maneuvering wartime Berlin, and all it's cast of characters. And i loved that as a reader, we didn't know the truth about anyone...we found out as she did. friends were enemies, enemies were friends. who could she trust? could she even trust herself to do the right things?

i loved every minute of this novel. i wish it never ended.

Kept Me Listening - Very Enjoyable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would recommend this audibook. The story was very intriguing and I found myself looking for reasons to prolong the times I was listening.

What was one of the most memorable moments of City of Women?

The ending was very moving.

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

No

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

The development of the main character was superb. Nothing felt jarring or unreal. I really identified with Frau Schroeder.

City of Women

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

I loved reading the book. I want to get the audio book for my brother. It is a book that every person should give to each of the people who must read this book, It is a special gift for each person who reads the book or listens to the audio book.. I could never put the book down, It is a book about the Holocaust and Hitler. I will never understand how anybody could be so mean to anyone. When we were stationed in Germany, not one German admitted there was a Hitler or a concentration camp. Now the High School students in Germany must learn about Hitler and his team and go to a concentration camp. I am so pleased that the Board of Education is making the students know about the horrible things that were done to other people. Six million Jews were killed during World War two.

Linda T

What did you like best about this story?

The way some of Germans wanted to help the Jewish people to hide from the atrocities performed by Hitler and his group of officers.

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

Yes

A woman's awakening to her morality and humanity.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Compelling, richly described depiction of Berlin during the Hitler regime through the eyes of a young woman. As she awakens to the horror of conditions created by propaganda and hatred, Sigrid, the main character is moved to act.

What other book might you compare City of Women to and why?

Reminded me of Alan Furst's novels.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene is when Sigrid explains her political actions to her husband. While she is able to confront their dilemma, he has given up and throws himself under the wheel of tyranny. He does not condemn her. His acceptance reflects the helplessness of many German citizens who reluctantly resigned themselves to the inhumanity of the regime.

Young women read by old German women?

Any additional comments?

I couldn't even get into this book. They have a nice young women on the cover of the book, but has an old German lady narrating. It's not the narrators fault. I could not even listen.

Couldn't get very far into story...

because it was dull and depressing and I don't have time for that!!! There are way too many good stories out there! So....NEXT!!!

Sorry I wasted my money.

What would have made City of Women better?

The events of how the women survived in war torn Berlin must have some great material for stories. I would be interested in hearing more of those stories. I could not get past the third chapter.This one was told in a slow monotonous, and depressing tone.