The German Wife: An absolutely gripping and heartbreaking WW2 historical novel, inspired by true events

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Although conservative in many ways, Germany nevertheless differs from other German-speaking regions in Europe, being much more progressive on women's right to be politically involved, compared to neighbouring Switzerland (where women obtained the right to vote in 1971 at federal level, [6] and at local canton level in 1990 in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden [7]) and Liechtenstein in 1984. In Germany, there are also strong regional differences; for instance Southern Germany (particularly Bavaria) is more conservative than other parts of Germany; while former East Germany is more supporting of women's professional life than former West Germany. [8] Marriage and family law [ edit ]

Germany's persistently low birthrate gets marginal boost - DW - 18.08.2011". DW.COM . Retrieved 17 April 2018.My latest novel: 'The Secret Letter' is due out on 22nd July. It explores the lives of two young girls in the 2nd world war - Imogen separated from her parents as an evacuee, and Magda who is determined to fight the Nazi regime. Their lives are brought together by a young RAF pilot. The story is based in part on the extraordinary experiences of my father who escaped a German prisoner of war camp at the end of the war. Sofie’s story centers on how her genius husband, Jurgen, is physically and financially forced to work for the Nazi party and eventually join the SS. As much as they despise the Nazis, they know they must toe the line to protect their children and save their own lives. This is especially painful since Sofie’s best friend, Mayim, is Jewish. After the war, Jurgen is kidnapped by the United States under Operation Paperclip. He is initially held prisoner at Fort Bliss, then allowed his freedom and the right to bring his family to America.

Not many books in this genre allow readers to see life at this time through the eyes of the Nazis. So many focus on the prisoners and their plight. In this novel, we see life through the eyes of a wealthy Nazi family. Rix brings readers to the spot where they see the need to examine their own lives before they point a finger at what those around them are doing. She hopes we may find that we are capable of the same things we are blindly criticizing others for doing. Compared to other Western and even non-Western countries, Germany has a low proportion of women in business leadership roles, lower even than Turkey, Malaysia, Nigeria, Indonesia, Botswana, India. [25] One of the reasons for the low presence of women in key positions is the social norm that considers full-time work inappropriate for women. Especially Southern Germany is conservative regarding gender roles. In 2011, José Manuel Barroso, then president of the European Commission, stated "Germany, but also Austria and the Netherlands, should look at the example of the northern countries [...] that means removing obstacles for women, older workers, foreigners and low-skilled job-seekers to get into the workforce". [26] Violence against women [ edit ] Women in business 2015 results". Grant Thornton International Ltd. Home. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017 . Retrieved 17 April 2018.Reagin, Nancy. “The Imagined Hausfrau: National Identity, Domesticity and Colonialism in Imperial Germany,” Journal of Modern History 73#1 (2001): 54–86. Ultimately, this was rather underwhelming. The writing is beautiful, and it does make some great points about some important issues – guilt, prejudice, and discrimination in particular – but nothing much really happened. Yes yes, I see you rolling your eyes. Yet another WWII novel! But this is a bit different from the rest and if you enjoy historical fiction and flawed characters that you love to hate, you’ll probably enjoy this one. The title might make you believe that the book is entirely about Annaliese and her point of view on things happening in Germany during the WWII. Again, the book surprised me. Quite a lot of the content is written through Hans’ perspective. This provides a superb first-hand account of the atrocities committed in the camps in the name of medical research. Having the omniscient narration from both Hans as well as Annaliese made a big difference to the impact of the story. The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer was heart wrenching and uplifting at the same time. It was one of the best historical fiction novels I have read so far this year. The characters were vividly portrayed and so real that they found a way to creep into my heart and under my skin. Kelly Rimmer’s research on this book was extensive and thorough. It was so well written that the plot drew me in right from the beginning and held my attention until the very satisfying and well done ending. There were three distinct settings…Nazi Germany in the 1930’s, a small farm in Oakden, Oklahoma during The Great Depression and the devastating dust storms and in Huntsville, Alabama in the 1950’s. The story was told through alternating points of view from the two women protagonists and switched between the latter time periods and the present one in 1950. I have read several of Kelly Rimmer’s books and after reading each one I wonder how she will write one that is better the the last. Somehow she always manages to do it.