The English German Girl

By: Jake Wallis Simons

Narrated by: Julie Teal

In 1930s Berlin, choked by the tightening of Hitler's fist, the Klein family are gradually losing everything that is precious to them. Their 15-year-old daughter, Rosa, slips out of Germany on a Kindertransport train to begin a new life in England. Charged with the task of securing a safe passage for her family, she vows that she will not rest until they are safe. But as war breaks out and she loses contact with her parents, Rosa finds herself wondering if there are some vows that can't be kept....

A sweeping tale of love and loss, with the poignant story of the Kindertransport at its heart, this is an exceptional accomplishment from one of Britain's bravest and most vibrant young writers.

©2011 Jake Wallis Simons (P)2011 W F Howes Ltd

Atmospheric, captivating, wonderful!

The English German Girl was a book I picked up on a whim, and I am glad I did!
The book begins in 1933 Berlin, with flashes forward in time, quietly showing the difficulty of living as a Jew in Germany, the trip on the Kindertransport, and life in England for Rosa.

I won't spoil it, but I did think the last chapter could have been cut out of the book entirely - the coincidence was strictly unnecessary, and made it seem like the author just needed a few extra pages. This is why I could only give the story 4 stars. Beyond that, the author and narrator were pitch-perfect, and I would recommend this book to anyone!

Wonderful history!

A must! For WW2 history lovers...beautifully
Interwoven right to the end! I recommend it!

Exceptional

It is a wonderful story. Makes you feel as if you have jumped into her life.

A unique point of view

First off, the narrating was fantastic! The story was a very unique point of view we don't often get to see, especially spanning so many years before and after the war. I lived out almost as much as All The Light We Cannot See as it's very similar. I truly love that a male author was able to create such a strong female protagonist without being cliche! However, even though I know it was certainly a very tragic time for millions of people, I do think the author tried a little too hard at times to make it exceptionally tragic. That's my only knock on it. Otherwise it was exceptional!

must read

Would you consider the audio edition of The English German Girl to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the book, but I feel like I have. Teal puts in all the voices and you get lost in the story and imagining the scenes.

What other book might you compare The English German Girl to and why?

This book is so well written it can be compared to the classics

Any additional comments?

I love the way the story weaves together and German words are sprinkled throughout. I got lost in this book and was thrilled it was long, but wished it were longer.

Exciting, gripping, absorbing

Very descriptive, imaginative, suspenseful. Lost quite a few hours sleep as storyline sucks you in, paces you, let's you have hope then grips you not letting you go to sleep. Exhausting...

The English German Girl

As a WWll historical fiction buff I had yet to read a book where a young Jewish girl gets out of Germany. It was an interesting perspective. It opened a part of my curiosity about children who survived by leaving their families.

I liked the story. It kept my interest. The narrator is excellent. I was, however, disappointed with the ending. It felt rushed. As though the editor had to make it shorter and cut important parts of the ending.

Great listening all the way through

I really enjoyed this book, which I got on audiobook. It got me interested the whole way through. It was not the usual Holocaust
stories that I am used to.

devastating beautiful insight into Kindertransport

I was riveted by this story from start to finish. tragic moving and spellbinding. it puts into perspective the traumatic decisions families had to make under the draconian Nazi regime.

Fabulous Novel-Wow!

This novel was suggested by audible based on my purchases. I'm so glad I bought it. Written in first person in the years leading up to WWII, the young German, Jewish girl describes day to day interactions and challenges in Berlin. I could not put it down! And the narrator is perfect for this character.