The German Wife

A Novel

By: Kelly Rimmer

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson, Ann Marie Gideon

Length: 13 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

“Skillfully researched and powerfully written, The German Wife will capture you from the first page.” —Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London

For fans of All the Light We Cannot See and The Tattooist of Auschwitz—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Things We Cannot Say and 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 after WWII.

Berlin, 1930—When a wave of change sweeps a radical political party to power, Sofie von Meyer Rhodes’s academic husband benefits from the ambitions of its newly elected chancellor. Although Sofie and Jürgen do not share the social views growing popular in Hitler’s Germany, Jürgen’s position with its burgeoning rocket program changes their diminishing fortunes for the better. But as Sofie watches helplessly, her beloved Berlin begins to transform, forcing her to consider what they must sacrifice morally for their young family’s security, and what the price for their neutrality will be.

Twenty years later, Jürgen is one of the many German scientists offered pardons for their part in the war, and taken to America to work for its fledgling space program. For Sofie, this is the chance to exorcise the ghosts that have followed her across the ocean, and make a fresh start in her adopted country. But her neighbors aren’t as welcoming or as understanding as she had hoped. When scandalous rumors about the Rhodes family’s affiliation with Hitler’s regime spreads, idle gossip turns to bitter rage, and the act of violence that results will tear apart Sofie’s community and her family before the truth is finally revealed.

“An unforgettable novel that explores important questions highly relevant to the world today.” —Christine Wells, author of Sisters of the Resistance

Don’t miss Kelly Rimmer’s newest novel, The Paris Agent, where a family’s innocent search for answers brings a long-forgotten, twenty-five-year-old mystery featuring two female SOE operatives comes to light!

For more by Kelly Rimmer, look for:

• Before I Let You Go
• The Things We Cannot Say
• Truths I Never Told You
• The Warsaw Orphan

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

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.

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.

Kelly Rimmer has done it once again.

I love the stories Kelly Rimmer so expertly tells. This one does not disappoint. Growing up in the south in 60s and 70s I knew several German women who had married American soldiers. I'd never given much thought to how hard it must have been for them to acclimate to a life in this country after the war. I love how this book tackles that issue both from the side of the Germans and the side of the Americans who were their neighbors and coworkers. You won't be sorry if you choose to listen to this wonderful story.

Great listen

Another great story by Kelly Rimmer. This one showed a different side of the war centering around a German family that also had Jewish friends. Each day the scientist sees the horror of the camps yet turns a blind eye; then one day his wife manages to get a glimpse. I enjoyed the history behind the German scientists family sent to the US and ending up in Huntsville, AL. There is also a side story of an American family that runs parallel and the issues with a brother suffering from the fallout of the war and how it connects to the German family. Great writing, characters and history. I listened to this via Audible and the narrators did an excellent job.

Amazing amazing book

Okay I listen to a lot of audiobooks and this one was phenomenal. It was told from a point of view I haven’t heard before which made it really interesting, though heartbreaking. Such a good book. I literally couldn’t stop listening. Must read/listen to this book you won’t be sorry!

Important

While at times difficult to hear, the events represented in this book are imperative for the younger generations to learn about and try to understand. Excellent performances. I loved it from start to finish

Heart Wrenching

A story that needed to be told. I must warn you, however, that you must pay close attention as the story moves in a back and forth between several time periods and several groups of characters.

Spellbinding

I truly loved the suspense and family dynamics portrayed in this piece and how easily one can get in uncomfortable situations and the effects of the decisions one makes.Couldn’t put it down.

Loved it!

I’ve loved all the books by Kelly Rimmer that I’ve listened to. The narrators in this one did an outstanding job.

Told from character perspectives

Well written story that takes you through decades of the war. The story is told from multiple characters perspectives and different time periods within the war. Well narrated. Definitely recommend.