Sunday, November 4, 2012

City of Women by David R. Gillham

The book's title indicates what Berlin was like during WWII....women waiting for their soldiers to return home, women enduring the air raids, women keeping an eye out for traitors and those not following the German edicts at that time, and women going to work. 

Sigrid lived with her mother-in-law and hated every moment.  She worked in the day and kept people on their toes at all times, but always made friends.  Her favorite place to meet people for clandestine reasons or even legitimate reasons was in the movie theater.  You will follow Sigrid through her daily routines as well as her covert actions of smuggling and other secret activities. You will also be fearing what her decisions would be in different situations.....situations involving fellow citizens, situations where she would  be meeting a lover, or situations where she was helping hide Jewish people.  


I liked Sigrid and could see why she despised living with her mother-in-law.  She was a very strong woman and knew who she could trust and who was actually trying to trick her to see if she was being loyal to Hitler.  Her decisions were the basis of the book and what made the book quite gripping.

The book was beautifully written with wonderful detail and great descriptions of what life was like in Berlin at that time in history.  The German names were a bit difficult to keep track of, and it took a few pages to get into the storyline, but you could figure out what was going on and will become completely absorbed in the book because of the author's magnificent writing.   

This is a compelling novel that will have you putting yourself into the story and also one that will be making you nervous for the characters as they endured the life they lived and definitely will be making you fear the outcomes of their unethical or illegal deeds.  You will become immersed in the story and the characters simply because of the eloquent writing style of the author and its riveting content.
 

Even though it takes a few pages to get involved with the characters and the story, it is a book you won't want to miss.  The cover itself is enough to draw you in.  The genuine feel of the era is magnificently relayed to the reader and takes you along page by page into Berlin and into the lives and terrors of Berlin's citizens.  5/5 

I received this book free of charge from the publisher at the BEA in New York City in June of 2012 in exchange for an honest review.

23 comments:

  1. Gripping and compelling...one you will remember long after you turn the last page.

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  2. Interesting review Elizabeth. Be on stand by - Books You Loved is posting tomorrow....

    Have a nice week.

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  3. I have this in print and on audio and can't decide which way to go. The audio might help with the German names. Hmmm . . .

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  4. This sounds like a great book! I just added it to my wish list!

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  5. It does sound like a gripping read. I'm definitely intrigued by the setting and time period. Nice review!

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  6. Thanks for all the nice compliments about my review.

    Glad everyone could stop by.

    You might want to do the audio...it would be nice to hear the names and other things the characters said pronounced correctly. :) I am sure I butchered them. :) :)

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  7. It sounds like great read. I'll put it on my to read list
    Thanks
    Steve

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  8. Great review! This looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing :)

    Best,
    Danielle
    http://thereaderscommute.blogspot.com

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  9. I love reading about this era - such a lot happening and the changes in society were immense. This has to be a good read.

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  10. Thank for your review of this book it is on my wishlist!!

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  11. thanks for linking this in Elizabeth. Cheers

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  12. This looks really interesting, I will try this out.

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  13. Hi Elizabeth - I'd heard of this book and wasn't sure, but you make it sound very intriguing....

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  14. Elizabeth, you hooked me in with this book review. I've read Suite Francais,Sarah's Key, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society,and Zookeeper's Wife taking place during this same time period in different countries. This book will compliment the others I've read. Great review. Sally

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  15. Elizabeth -
    I have a great book you may enjoy. I still need to finish it.

    It's a WW2 historical fiction - The Time in Between by Maria Duenas. Translated it is a wonderful read just out in paper back.

    I will have to add this book to my pile, based on your review.

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  16. Thanks for stopping by, Shellie. I left a comment on your blog about The Girl on The Cliff.

    I do have The Time In Between on my shelf...I have to get to it.

    THANKS so much.

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  17. This sounds like a really good read, great to read how much you enjoyed it, thanks for the review.
    Lindsay

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  18. Interesting review. Perhaps one more book I need to add to my TBR list.

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  19. I can't wait for my turn in the library holds. I've been dying to read this one. Glad to see you rate it so highly.

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  20. I'm not really a fan of that kind of books but this actually sounds very interesting. I have to check our library if we have it.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

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  21. Elizabeth, thank you so much for your thoughtful review of CITY OF WOMEN. I very grateful for your kind words. All the best — David Gillham

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  22. Thank you for stopping by, Mr. Gillham.

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