The School for German Brides

A Novel of World War II

By: Aimie K. Runyan

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Kathleen Gati

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

In this intriguing historical novel, a young woman who is sent to a horrific “bride school” to be molded into the perfect Nazi wife finds her life forever intertwined with a young Jewish woman about to give birth.

Germany, 1939

As the war begins, Hanna Rombauer, a young German woman, is sent to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother’s death. Thrown into a life of luxury she never expected, Hanna soon finds herself unwillingly matched with an SS officer twenty years her senior. The independence that her mother lovingly fostered in her is considered highly inappropriate as the future wife of an up-and-coming officer and she is sent to a “bride school.” There, in a posh villa on the outskirts of town, Hanna is taught how to be a “proper” German wife. The lessons of hatred, prejudice, and misogyny disturb her and she finds herself desperate to escape.

For Mathilde Altman, a German Jewish woman, the war has brought more devastation than she ever thought possible. Torn from her work, her family, and her new husband, she fights to keep her unborn baby safe. But when the unthinkable happens, Tilde realizes she must hide. The risk of discovery grows greater with each passing day, but she has no other options.

When Hanna discovers Tilde hiding near the school, she knows she must help her however she can. For Tilde, fear wars with desperation when Hanna proposes a risky plan.

Will they both be able to escape with their lives and if they do, what kind of future can they possibly hope for?

©2022 Aimie K. Runyan (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Heart wrenching

It’s as if I were there. What a horrific time, a time that brought out the best and worst of human nature.
Well written, heart felt and brutally honest.

Relationships and Politics

This is a powerful story of family, social pressure, and rewards. What do you value most?
Consider: Tangible rewards or incentives, family, ranks, prestige, privilege, humanity, friendship

Description of the Challenges faced by young girls as World War II approaches and their choices for surviving the war.

Very moving and the emotions of the characters were vividly felt throughout the story. A must read for those who enjoy World War II novels .

surprising

Three very different characters that grow and change during difficult periods of time. Well performed.

Pretty good story but narration wasn’t great

Great story but I wish Clara had been developed just a bit more. The two narrators pronounced the name ‘Clara’ differently, which bugged me.

Great read

The story had more suspense than I thought I would. Don’t be surprised wondering how they were going to get out of this jam.

Brides

Absolutely liked this book. I enjoy reading of the past, yet it is so very sad what all happened. I look forward to reading more of the books.

Very good story but wished for more closure

I really enjoyed the story. It was interesting and the narrators did a great job. I felt like I really cared about the characters, but then I wished for more ending. The ending just felt rushed.

Really enjoyed this book

One of the best books I’ve read this year. I liked it better than The Women. Although it was about the war in Germany, it didn’t give any details that
made reading it difficult.
I definitely recommend this book. Clara, Hanna and Matilda (Tilly) were all likable
and showed great strength under the circumstances that were out of their control.

Fantastic!

The intertwined lives of these three women during World War II fantastic story would definitely recommend