The German Wife

A Novel

By: Kelly Rimmer

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson, Ann Marie Gideon

Length: 13 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

The New York Times bestselling author of The Warsaw Orphan returns with a gripping novel inspired by the true story of Operation Paperclip: a controversial secret US intelligence program that employed former Nazis in the US after WWII. 

Berlin, Germany, 1930—When the Nazis rise to power, Jürgen Rhodes is offered a high-level position in their burgeoning rocket program. Jürgen and his wife Sofie fiercely oppose Hitler's radical views, and joining his ranks is unthinkable. Yet it soon becomes clear that if Jürgen does not accept the job, their income would be put on the line, and so would their lives. 

Huntsville, Alabama, 1950—Jürgen is one of many German scientists pardoned and granted a position in America's space program. For Sofie, this is a chance to leave the horrors of her past behind. But when rumors about the Rhodes family's affiliation with the Nazi party spreads, idle gossip turns to bitter rage, and the act of violence that results tears apart a family and leaves the community wondering if it's an act of vengeance, or justice.

©2022 Kelly Rimmer (P)2022 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Awkward Narrative

In trying to spin a story about a Nazi wife and an American woman from the rural south, each living during the same years preceding, during, and following WW II, the author looses control of her back & forth narratives so that the reader is stuck with a confusing time line and wonders what is the point? Narrative clashes are disconcerting. The south with twangy, high pitched voices and farm disasters, however tragic, are not be commensurate with living through the horrific, unspeakable disasters of Hitler’s Third Reich. The Southern woman’s rags-to-riches (cliché) would be best left out so that a genuine exploration of the German family’s plight as they try to adjust culturally, politically & individually to this new and terrifying government could be available.
For readers who like tied-in-a bow endings, this book is for you.

A different perspective

As a descendant of a Holocaust survivor, my point of view needs no mention. While no “true German” suffered the horrors of the Jews, Kelly Rimmer, writes about the perspective of a German family who did not want to join the Nazi party, and how life was made intolerable for them if they didn’t. It’s a human paradox how the human species does what is wrong for the sake of their loved ones, performing unconscionable behavior as a choice. This is seen by the scientists, “absent minded” with focus on nothing else but their work, who forfeited their dignity and integrity so that they could continue their research, with blinded eyes at the terrors they witnessed around them. Lizzie, too, a Nazi hater, ironically attempts to lie to the police after her deranged brother murders a German living in the USA. To protect her brother, a murderer, she attempts to cover up for him. “Do not judge others…” is a theme found within Rimmers new novel. Without being a spoiler, this novel leaves much to ponder after the last page is read.

Highly Recommend

This is a lovely and beautifully heartbreaking story. Historical fiction is my favorite genre and the majority of what I read/listen to is World War II fiction. This is a unique and different story line from any of the others I’ve listened to. I developed strong attachments to both of the lead characters. Typically with dual timelines I’m more invested in one than the other. Not so with with The German Wife. In the beginning I didn’t see how the two would stories would meet but it’s spectacular and heartbreaking and wonderful. Definitely recommend.

Another amazing novel about a little known event during WWII!

The German Wife
By: Kelly Rimmer

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another beautifully, intense Historical Fiction by Rimmer.

This novel reveals Operation Paperclip which involved hiring former Nazis by the US Intelligence Agency. Very secretive and controversial.

Berlin 1930- Sofia is married to Jurgen a German Rocket scientist during WWII. He is offered a job by the new elected chancellor, but since they oppose Hitlers views, he does not want to take the job. His way of life and income could be taken away.

1950 Alabama-Sophie’s husband Jurgen is pardoned and offered a job with the US space program. They each hope for a new start, but as the Americans hear of his past things become difficult for their family.

Lizzie is another character whose brother was in the war and their disdain for the former scientist giving freedom in the US. Lizzie and Sophia relationship is strained as Lizzie makes life difficult for her.
#kellyrimmer, #thegermanwife, #graydonhouse, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50

Another amazing book

I’ve probably listened to The Things We Cannot Say at least 50 times, and The Warsaw Orphan many times as well. I’ve been waiting a long time for The German Wife, and it was totally worth it! I think I love it even more than The Things We Cannot Say, which is my favorite book ever.
The narrators are amazing and I love hearing an American perspective of post war events. Both main characters felt so real and I loved them both. They both made big mistakes, and very different ones at that, but it was so interesting to understand why those mistakes were made. It just fits to show that you can never understand someone’s decisions without knowing their life story.

As with all of Kelly Rimmers books, I had tears in my eyes by the end. I immediately started it over so I could experience it all over again.

Left Out

I was disappointed. After slogging through the details of so many characters, I kept waiting for the nitty gritty of the details of the transition to America. I felt like the ending was abrupt, and there were some unnecessary rabbit trails that went nowhere.

WOW

Thank You Kelley🙏❤️
You have OPENED MY EYES.
Dear GOD how I used to JUDGE and DESPISE
Every German I ever met without any understanding of what they themselves experienced during the NAZI HITLER YEARS.
I used to wonder How Could A Country ALLOW a EGOMANIAC and His ENABLERS to go Completely Off its Rocker; then Trump came along; Families and Friends Hatefully Divided, Using Jesus Christ and the Bible as Fodder to OVERTAKE MY BELOVED UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 🙏❤️🇺🇸💙🙏
We NEED This Book to be REQUIRED READING IN AMERICA…if they don’t BAN it First😱😱😱😱😱
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Emotionally driven

Kelly write a story that send shivers down your spine and makes you compare the antics of Hitler to some American decisions. She does such an amazing job describing the smallest details and actions of a unthreatening government party that becomes successful in what we know today as one of the most horrific times of human kind. She forces you to compare current events and reevaluate current events…

Excellent!

Such a powerful book! The perspective as well as great storytelling gives a whole new view of life in this horrible era

Thought provoking story

Learned so much about this controversial event in history. The novel really makes you think what you would do if placed in a difficult situation where you have to chose between following orders to save yourself or standing up for your convictions.

A great page turner

Very different angle of two woman and their journey during post WW2 I initially thought it strange comparison to an American woman but as the story unfolded l felt empathy towards both woman An extraordinary story Well written Narrated very well

Another masterpiece By Rimmer

Kelly Rimmer is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of my favourite authors of all time. This story beautifully and heartbreakingly unfolds. She has a gift for showing the story from both sides and somehow you find yourself routing for both characters! I can’t recommend this enough.

Amazing

Loved every bit of it. Powerful and heartbreaking!! Amazing life story of suffering, hope and forgiveness!!

Another good listen

This author never fails to deliver, I especially like the depth that she adds to every one of her characters and the way she makes you care about them.