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The Devil in Vienna
Inge Dorenwald and Lieselotte Vessely have been best friends for most of their thirteen years. They share secrets, fears, hopes and even the same birthday. It never mattered that Inge was Jewish and that Lieselotte was the daughter of a Nazi SS officer—until now. Hitler and Nazism are infiltrating Vienna, Austria, in 1938 and suddenly it is forbidden for the girls to continue seeing each other. Despite the danger, Inge and Liselotte struggle to keep their friendship alive. But will they be able to do it?
This novel, based on the author’s own experiences during World War II, is an ALA Notable Book and winner of the Sydney Taylor Award and the Golden Kite Award.
This novel, based on the author’s own experiences during World War II, is an ALA Notable Book and winner of the Sydney Taylor Award and the Golden Kite Award.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
10 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Doris Orgel
70 books10 followersDoris Orgel is a children's writer. She was born in Vienna, Austria. As a child, she and her family fled to Yugoslavia and finally the U.S. during the rise of the Nazi party in Europe. She attended Radcliffe College from 1946 too 1948, and graduated cum laude from Barnard College in 1950.
In her career, Ms. Orgel has written and translated several fairy and folk tales, as well as served as a translator for other authors. Prior to her work as a children's writer, Orgel was in magazine and book publishing. Her first original book, Sarah’s Room (1963) was published under the pseudonym Doris Adelberg. It was also republished in England and in Switzerland in German. In 1960, Ms. Orgel received the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for her translation of Willhelm Hauff's Dwarf Long-Nose (1960). Her book The Devil in Vienna (1978) received a Phoenix Award Honor in 1998. Ms. Orgel has also worked as a children’s book reviewer for "The New York Times".
She is married to Dr. Shelley Orgel; has three children: Paul, Laura, and Jeremy; two daughters-in-law: Sharon Lamb and Ling Chen Orgel; three grandchildren: Willy, Jennifer, and Julian; and three granddogs: Woof, Buster, and Otto. She lives in New York City.
For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/doris-orgel
In her career, Ms. Orgel has written and translated several fairy and folk tales, as well as served as a translator for other authors. Prior to her work as a children's writer, Orgel was in magazine and book publishing. Her first original book, Sarah’s Room (1963) was published under the pseudonym Doris Adelberg. It was also republished in England and in Switzerland in German. In 1960, Ms. Orgel received the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for her translation of Willhelm Hauff's Dwarf Long-Nose (1960). Her book The Devil in Vienna (1978) received a Phoenix Award Honor in 1998. Ms. Orgel has also worked as a children’s book reviewer for "The New York Times".
She is married to Dr. Shelley Orgel; has three children: Paul, Laura, and Jeremy; two daughters-in-law: Sharon Lamb and Ling Chen Orgel; three grandchildren: Willy, Jennifer, and Julian; and three granddogs: Woof, Buster, and Otto. She lives in New York City.
For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/doris-orgel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 26, 2024
Oh, where to begin?
In 1988, I watched a movie on the Disney Channel called, “Friendship in Vienna”, and was immediately hooked. Such a beautiful story of two young girls, best friends since 1st grade, whose relationship gets severely tested when Germany annexes Austria in 1938. Once I saw at the end that the movie was based on a book, “The Devil in Vienna”, I HAD to get it! It turned up under the Christmas tree that year, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve re-read it over the years. The book and movie both get 5 stars from me; it’s one of the very few book-to-movie adaptations that I would rate that highly.
No matter how many times I get into this book, it still touches me. Lieselotte and Inge are just two normal little girls. They are determined to stay friends, even though Nazi ideology makes that downright dangerous for Catholics and Jews to “mix”. The part that just wrings my heart every time is the scene where Lieselotte goes to a priest to intercede for Inge’s family, putting herself at risk. As they speak together, the priest, at first reluctant to disobey the laws of God and state, realizes that not saving people from certain harm must certainly be breaking God’s law.
And of all the characters, Inge’s Opa Oskar is my favorite. He is wise to the world, and thankfully has the foresight to realize what Hitler’s rise to power will mean for Jews in Vienna before it becomes too late. There is a special bond between the grandfather and Inge; she practices English with him to help him when he emigrates to America. And he, in turn, sends her off to have fun on the day of his departure, rather than have her watch him “disappear into the distance.”
The descriptions of life after Hitler’s take-over are well-drawn, and at times, very chilling. The disposal of the books with Jewish characters, the attitudes of even very young children towards Jews, and how the school’s curriculum abruptly changes to Nazi ideology never fails to make me draw a breath and think, “How, and why?!”
This book has been banned from many libraries, and I think that is a shame. I think anyone who reads this book could learn a lot from it.
In 1988, I watched a movie on the Disney Channel called, “Friendship in Vienna”, and was immediately hooked. Such a beautiful story of two young girls, best friends since 1st grade, whose relationship gets severely tested when Germany annexes Austria in 1938. Once I saw at the end that the movie was based on a book, “The Devil in Vienna”, I HAD to get it! It turned up under the Christmas tree that year, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve re-read it over the years. The book and movie both get 5 stars from me; it’s one of the very few book-to-movie adaptations that I would rate that highly.
No matter how many times I get into this book, it still touches me. Lieselotte and Inge are just two normal little girls. They are determined to stay friends, even though Nazi ideology makes that downright dangerous for Catholics and Jews to “mix”. The part that just wrings my heart every time is the scene where Lieselotte goes to a priest to intercede for Inge’s family, putting herself at risk. As they speak together, the priest, at first reluctant to disobey the laws of God and state, realizes that not saving people from certain harm must certainly be breaking God’s law.
And of all the characters, Inge’s Opa Oskar is my favorite. He is wise to the world, and thankfully has the foresight to realize what Hitler’s rise to power will mean for Jews in Vienna before it becomes too late. There is a special bond between the grandfather and Inge; she practices English with him to help him when he emigrates to America. And he, in turn, sends her off to have fun on the day of his departure, rather than have her watch him “disappear into the distance.”
The descriptions of life after Hitler’s take-over are well-drawn, and at times, very chilling. The disposal of the books with Jewish characters, the attitudes of even very young children towards Jews, and how the school’s curriculum abruptly changes to Nazi ideology never fails to make me draw a breath and think, “How, and why?!”
This book has been banned from many libraries, and I think that is a shame. I think anyone who reads this book could learn a lot from it.
March 19, 2008
I went back and forth about whether to give this book 4 or 5 stars. The writing, told by a 13 year old girl in diary entry form is very engaging. The story of the friendship isn’t quite as compelling as the tv movie based on this book (that I saw many years ago) but is still depicted in an emotionally moving way. This was a very fast read for me, mostly because I didn’t want to put it down. The author escaped as a child from Nazi occupied Vienna and this is an autobiographical novel; the 2004 edition has an informative and interesting short note by the author at the end of the book.
November 5, 2022
I did not finish this book. I stopped at page 94.
I was not impressed with the writing style, the characters or the content the author chose to add. In fact, I'm tossing this book.
Cleanliness: Girls talk about their bodies developing (bosoms, etc.). A girl drinks beer. Several people smoke throughout the book. A girl disobeys her parents repeatedly and argues often. A girl encounters a young man/boy with his pants unzipped (described), trying to entice her. Refers to people swearing and saying crude jokes without saying what they said. Uses some derogatory terms pertaining to nationalities. Mentions of girls getting their behind's touched. "D*mn" is used.
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I was not impressed with the writing style, the characters or the content the author chose to add. In fact, I'm tossing this book.
Cleanliness: Girls talk about their bodies developing (bosoms, etc.). A girl drinks beer. Several people smoke throughout the book. A girl disobeys her parents repeatedly and argues often. A girl encounters a young man/boy with his pants unzipped (described), trying to entice her. Refers to people swearing and saying crude jokes without saying what they said. Uses some derogatory terms pertaining to nationalities. Mentions of girls getting their behind's touched. "D*mn" is used.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
March 30, 2023
This book was first published in 1978 and I ordered it from my Scholastic book form at school in the early 80s, probably in 4th grade. I loved it then and I love it now. It’s the story of 13 year old Inge, who is Jewish, and her friend, Lieselotte, whose father is in the SS. It’s 1938 Vienna as the Nazis are taking over Austria. It’s written from Inge’s perspective, almost in diary format. The descriptions of Vienna add to the story and added to my visits there.
The 2004 copy has an author’s note from Doris Orgel that was not in my 1978 edition. When I couldn’t find that one and ordered a new copy, I loved reading about her life and her connection to the book. She is not Inge, but the story is close to her own.
I’ve read a LOT of WWII fiction in my life and this one has always stuck with me. It will always be one of my favorite books.
The 2004 copy has an author’s note from Doris Orgel that was not in my 1978 edition. When I couldn’t find that one and ordered a new copy, I loved reading about her life and her connection to the book. She is not Inge, but the story is close to her own.
I’ve read a LOT of WWII fiction in my life and this one has always stuck with me. It will always be one of my favorite books.
June 25, 2021
I must have read this 5-6 times over the years - it's a quiet story of friendship and family during the first years of WWII in Vienna, describing the friendship between Jewish Inge and German Lieselotte. The strongest grip of the story is that Inge is the narrator, and she is both wise (but not beyond her years) and believable in her thoughts and ideas.
December 7, 2019
I needed to read a banned children's/young adult book for a class. I chose this one. Very well written. A historical fiction story of a young girl living in Vienna, Austria when the Nazis take over. The notes at the end by the author, Doris Orgel, about how she based some of this on her own experience in that dark time added to the story.
February 4, 2016
If someone like Hitler came to power here and now, how would you feel? What would you think and do?
Those are the questions Doris Orgel examines in The Devil in Vienna. The story takes place in 1930’s Vienna, where Inge and Lieselotte have been best friends since third grade when they discovered they shared the same birthday. Inge comes from a non-religious Jewish family and Lieselotte is Catholic, but that never seemed to matter. Then Hitler rose to power in Germany, Lieselotte’s father joined the Nazi party and became an SA officer, and as Inge writes, "Something happened … that tore a hole in the world."
Lieselotte’s father, blinded by Nazi propaganda, forbids his daughter from seeing Inge. And Inge’s father, fearful of Nazi retribution, urges Inge to break her ties to Lieselotte. But the girls try to keep their friendship alive, even after Lieselotte and her family move to Munich.
Composed of diary entries and letters exchanged between the girls, the book conveys hope and optimism in the midst of danger, which reminded me in voice, structure, and style of The Diary of Anne Frank. Although this book is fictional, Orgel includes an author’s note that reveals the close parallels between the story and her own childhood in Nazi Austria. Also included is a list of other recommended World War II books, including Behind the Secret Window by New Jersey author and Holocaust survivor Nelly Toll.
Some of the unexplained cultural and historical references may interfere with readers’ understanding and appreciation of the book. But the themes of friendship, courage, and tolerance deserve our attention.
Those are the questions Doris Orgel examines in The Devil in Vienna. The story takes place in 1930’s Vienna, where Inge and Lieselotte have been best friends since third grade when they discovered they shared the same birthday. Inge comes from a non-religious Jewish family and Lieselotte is Catholic, but that never seemed to matter. Then Hitler rose to power in Germany, Lieselotte’s father joined the Nazi party and became an SA officer, and as Inge writes, "Something happened … that tore a hole in the world."
Lieselotte’s father, blinded by Nazi propaganda, forbids his daughter from seeing Inge. And Inge’s father, fearful of Nazi retribution, urges Inge to break her ties to Lieselotte. But the girls try to keep their friendship alive, even after Lieselotte and her family move to Munich.
Composed of diary entries and letters exchanged between the girls, the book conveys hope and optimism in the midst of danger, which reminded me in voice, structure, and style of The Diary of Anne Frank. Although this book is fictional, Orgel includes an author’s note that reveals the close parallels between the story and her own childhood in Nazi Austria. Also included is a list of other recommended World War II books, including Behind the Secret Window by New Jersey author and Holocaust survivor Nelly Toll.
Some of the unexplained cultural and historical references may interfere with readers’ understanding and appreciation of the book. But the themes of friendship, courage, and tolerance deserve our attention.
July 9, 2019
I read this when I was quite young--6th or 7th grade (I'm in my 50's now). It was not the kind of book I would normally read, but my teacher kept pushing me to read a variety of genres. This book was the first book to ever make me cry. I remember sitting in the back of my mom's car reading while on the road to somewhere, and this moved me so that I started crying. The girls in the story were close to the same age that I was, which I'm sure made it more meaningful for me at that time. And I couldn't imagine a world where war could happen. I also couldn't imagine being told that I was no longer aloud to see my best friend simply because we were different.
This was a very powerful book for me to read as a young girl, who was still very naive about the horrible things that can happen in the world. It's as much about friendship as it is about a time in history when for so many it was dangerous to be Jewish. It became a favorite book when I was young, simply because it affected me so much. It was well worth the read.
This was a very powerful book for me to read as a young girl, who was still very naive about the horrible things that can happen in the world. It's as much about friendship as it is about a time in history when for so many it was dangerous to be Jewish. It became a favorite book when I was young, simply because it affected me so much. It was well worth the read.
December 11, 2019
I read this to Aggie and Ilana in preparation for a trip to Vienna this summer. It is fantastic - I would recommend it to anyone, young and old alike!
Stepping into Inge's world as she records the changes she witnesses and how they effect her life as a young Jewish girl in 1937 and 1938 Vienna really brings her experiences of the Anschluss to life. The grim realities are well-balanced by the personal story of honesty, compassion, friendship, and hope. These characters truly came to life for me and I will miss them now that the book is through. Aggie must've felt the same way; upon finishing he asked, "is there a sequel?" Sadly, no.
Stepping into Inge's world as she records the changes she witnesses and how they effect her life as a young Jewish girl in 1937 and 1938 Vienna really brings her experiences of the Anschluss to life. The grim realities are well-balanced by the personal story of honesty, compassion, friendship, and hope. These characters truly came to life for me and I will miss them now that the book is through. Aggie must've felt the same way; upon finishing he asked, "is there a sequel?" Sadly, no.
March 31, 2019
After picking this book up, it was impossible for me to put it down. It is a somewhat quick read, mostly because every page made me anxious to turn to the next. The book is written in a journal entry format, which I found creative, and while it was a bit different and took me a chapter to get used to it, it ultimately was a great choice for the book's structure, because I found that I knew Inge's voice a lot better because of what she chose to "write" in her journal. The plotline is intense and gripping, while still allowing the main characters to seem realistic and relatable and remain as children - talking about growing up and girlish topics, despite all that is going on around them. This book is packed with historical information and anyone who reads this - child or adult - will gain a better understanding of every day life for children and adults in the situations that Inge and Liselotte and their families faced. The message of an enduring friendship that was strong enough to withstand so much, is so important. I had not read the author's note at the beginning or the end of the book prior to reading, so I was surprised when I read that it was loosely based on her and her sister's own lives as young girls in Vienna during that time. Finding that out gave the book a whole new meaning, and suddenly it became more than just a work of fiction with an important message. I do wish that there had been some sort of epilogue or that it would have ended a bit less open-ended, but nevertheless, the ending was wonderfully done. I highly recommend this book.
December 23, 2019
This book was really good. Mix the past with friendships and events and you get a plot-twisting story. Inge Dorenwald is a Jewish girl and lives in the period when Hitler started to take over her home in Vienna. Her Best friend Leiselotte Vessely belongs to the Hitler youth because of her father. For a time they were allowed to be best friends but then they were told not to be. Like most kids, they didn't listen. Both of the girls birthdays were on the February 13th, That's what started their friendship in 1st grade. Ever since Leiselotte moved away on November 7th, Inge has been lonely. On her birthday, her parents had gone skiing and her mother fractured her hip bone-they had to nail it back together, When her mother got home Inge was told to go to bed because she was sick. She suffers through all the hate as a jew. Then her parents change and become Christian but since she is a child still she has to stay Jewish. so she is a Jewish girl with Christian parents. And she tries to keep her friendship with her best friend ever a secret. ***NOTE: I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE JEWISH***
March 30, 2020
This is a WWII book, as is obvious by the front cover. Inge, a Austrian Jew, has to say good-bye to her best friend, Leisolette, as she moves to Germany to go to a Hitler Youth program against her will. Inge receives a journal from her grandpa and writes her feelings about the fast changes of Austrian nationalism to complete acceptance of Hitler’s idealism.
I did feel like the author tried to make it Anne Frank-ish, but with a hint more sarcasm as Inge makes fun of the idea of naming a journal, etc. Also, the back cover leads the reader to think that Inge and Leisolette’s “forbidden” friendship is the main plot of the story, but it really is only mention in the very beginning of the book, then the last 1/3 of the book. However, it was a quick read and I didn’t like putting it down. A lot of it was open and honest, like Anne Frank’s journal because Orgel said that this book was based off many experiences she had herself as a young Jew in Austria during Hitler’s raise to power.
I did feel like the author tried to make it Anne Frank-ish, but with a hint more sarcasm as Inge makes fun of the idea of naming a journal, etc. Also, the back cover leads the reader to think that Inge and Leisolette’s “forbidden” friendship is the main plot of the story, but it really is only mention in the very beginning of the book, then the last 1/3 of the book. However, it was a quick read and I didn’t like putting it down. A lot of it was open and honest, like Anne Frank’s journal because Orgel said that this book was based off many experiences she had herself as a young Jew in Austria during Hitler’s raise to power.
August 3, 2025
Not really a Holocaust book, the novel chronicles the friendship of two girls before and during the Anschluss (annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938). Inge is Jewish, and Lieselotte's father is a Nazi SS Officer. Lieselotte's family moves to Munich, and the girls hope to correspond, but that becomes impossible. But soon Lieselotte returns to Vienna. The girls meet secretly, and the bonds of friendship remain strong as information from Lieselotte helps Inge's family escape to Yugoslavia.
At first I found the style hard to follow: there are letters and there are journal entries and they often document past and present at the same time. But the beauty of the book is its subtlety. It is the strong bond of friendship that is the focus. Historical details of what happened in Austria are still chilling. Reading about "Strength Through Joy" programs and seeing Kamala Harris's emphasis on joy during her failed presidential campaign shows how relevant the book remains.
At first I found the style hard to follow: there are letters and there are journal entries and they often document past and present at the same time. But the beauty of the book is its subtlety. It is the strong bond of friendship that is the focus. Historical details of what happened in Austria are still chilling. Reading about "Strength Through Joy" programs and seeing Kamala Harris's emphasis on joy during her failed presidential campaign shows how relevant the book remains.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2018
A normal girl somehow finds herself back in time, stuck in Nazi occupied Vienna during World War 2.
When i first heard this description i immediately sought out the book.
I really enjoyed this book. It can be funny, suspenseful and very, very sad when you remember real people like this girl and the other characters went through the same things they did.
The book is probably more suited to readers around early teens, but i enjoyed it nonetheless, and i would recommend it to anyone who enjoys children's or YA WW2 or historical fiction.
When i first heard this description i immediately sought out the book.
I really enjoyed this book. It can be funny, suspenseful and very, very sad when you remember real people like this girl and the other characters went through the same things they did.
The book is probably more suited to readers around early teens, but i enjoyed it nonetheless, and i would recommend it to anyone who enjoys children's or YA WW2 or historical fiction.
February 21, 2019
I decided to read this book after first seeing the Disney movie. I thought the movie was more emotional and focused more on their actual friendship. The book is written mostly by the Jew Inge who keeps her diary. It focuses on her having a friendship with a Catholic and due to WWII coming up their friendship becomes more and more challenging. I think it is an interesting story about history and conflict. I would recommend especially to someone interested in historical fiction.
October 18, 2021
Somehow, you are reading a diary of a young girl during WWII, yet you never really get a sense of who she is.
The story followed two young girls (one Jewish and one who’s father is a Nazi SS officer) as they navigated their friendship during a time where consequences would be massive to be friends.
Overall, I just feel like you should feel more connected or know more about a main character and this book left much to be desired on that front.
The story followed two young girls (one Jewish and one who’s father is a Nazi SS officer) as they navigated their friendship during a time where consequences would be massive to be friends.
Overall, I just feel like you should feel more connected or know more about a main character and this book left much to be desired on that front.
June 11, 2022
Those who think one must gender swap in order to provide roles where girls can shine need to read this book. Two noble noteworthy female protagonists anchor this story of man's ruthlessness to his fellow man and the hope that true friendship brings.
One thing I am not sure of however is why the inclusion of the "sex pervert in the tunnel scene" at the beginning. It added nothing to this story.
One thing I am not sure of however is why the inclusion of the "sex pervert in the tunnel scene" at the beginning. It added nothing to this story.
May 11, 2021
excellent book. This is a young adult book that I read many years ago. I came across it in a box and I thought I'd read it again to see if my view of it had changed now that I'm older. It's still a wonderful book. Reading it I picked up things that I had missed the first time, probably because I have a better understanding of the Holocaust and the lead in to it.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
April 1, 2018
One of my absolute favorite books as a kid. So dramatic and historical. I checked it out of the library countless times.
August 24, 2018
This book was one of my favorite books when I was a kid. I've been thinking of it lately and I'm glad I re-read it. Very timely in these times, unfortunately.
November 4, 2018
A 6th grade favorite.
February 14, 2021
Potresna borba za prijateljstvo u vreme nacizma. Knjiga koju cesto porede sa dnevnikom Ane Frank.
October 7, 2023
This book did not go in quite the direction I thought it would. It's a sensitive portrait of a friendship put to an extreme test.
June 3, 2021
This book is shit. Inge is a terrible main character. The writing style is boring. The ending was also really weird. It skipped like 10 chapters that could have actually been good. I think Doris Orgel (the author) was bored of writing and did a quick ending so she wouldn't have to work on this terrible project anymore. Some pages were so bad that it was actually physically painful to read. I recommend you don't read this unless you hate yourself.
December 20, 2009
The Devil in Vienna is based around a sturdy friendship that was thought to be unbreakable. Inge Dornenwald is a 13 year-old Jewish girl living through hard times. Lieselotte’s and Inge have been best friends since they were young but now their friendship is on the verge of falling. Their country sags to its lowest point and their hearts sink with it. Lieselotte and Inge’s parents are at totally opposite sides. Lieselotte’s entire family are for Hitler. Her brother being a Nazi and her father working in an office for Hitler. Their parents try everything to put the friendship to an end but are unsuccessful. Lieselotte’s family move away leaving the girls in shock. Inge’s main internal conflict is escaping Austria alive.
While reading this book I made a text-to-world connection. During the Holocaust many friendships fell apart as the parents of the children had different beliefs. Nevertheless, there is always that rare exception where friends keep each other in their hearts and never forget one another. Where memories are not forgotten and as far away as they are, they remain friends. Like Inge and Leiselotte, they never forgot eachother and in their hearts they were still best friends and nothing could stand in the way of an emotion so strong.
I would surely give this book 5 stars. This was a heart throbbing novel loosely based on Doris Orgell’s own experiences. This story will stay with you forever as a friendship will. This was an inspiring story that will teach you that a bond so strong will never break. “The Devil in Vienna” will build an awareness in every person of the severe hatred the Nazis had toward the Jews which caused the death of 6 million innocent human beings.
While reading this book I made a text-to-world connection. During the Holocaust many friendships fell apart as the parents of the children had different beliefs. Nevertheless, there is always that rare exception where friends keep each other in their hearts and never forget one another. Where memories are not forgotten and as far away as they are, they remain friends. Like Inge and Leiselotte, they never forgot eachother and in their hearts they were still best friends and nothing could stand in the way of an emotion so strong.
I would surely give this book 5 stars. This was a heart throbbing novel loosely based on Doris Orgell’s own experiences. This story will stay with you forever as a friendship will. This was an inspiring story that will teach you that a bond so strong will never break. “The Devil in Vienna” will build an awareness in every person of the severe hatred the Nazis had toward the Jews which caused the death of 6 million innocent human beings.
February 3, 2016
Inge is a young Austrian girl. She is Jewish, and has a friend, Lieselotte, who is Catholic.. Inge is 12, almost 13. They have been friends she they were seven, but Lieselotte has gone away for a while. Her father is a storm trooper, a Nazi.
One of the courses Lieselotte is taking at her new school is Racial Science. She also has to sail Heil Hitler numerous times while at school or out walking.
Inge writes about how she and her parents gradually came to know that Lieselotte's parents were Nazis, and Liesolette was getting caught up in the Nazi propaganda machine.
Inge's mother is hurt in a skiing accident, but not terribly, and she's able to leave the hospital to recover at home. Meanwhile, more anti-Jewish graffiti is being seen everyone, and some of the Jewish people are trying to go to America or other countries, although Inge's parents aren't.
Gradually incidents of violence increase as Nazi's battle with pro-Austrian supporters. Things get worse when Austria is annexed by Germany, and two Nazis show up at the door.
Hitler is coming to town. Inge unexpectedly meets Lieselotte. Lieselotte tells Inge that she's not allowed to be friends with her, at least in any easily-seen fashion. Then there's a bunch of Lieselotte's letters that Inge reads, and it reveals what life is like on the pro-Nazi side of things for young people, although Lieselotte doesn't really believe them herself.
Things continue to get worse, and it becomes obvious that Inge and her family are going to have to leave Austria.
A depressing, but still interesting book, with lots of examples of small things that changed when the Nazi's took power, which makes the story even more powerful.
One of the courses Lieselotte is taking at her new school is Racial Science. She also has to sail Heil Hitler numerous times while at school or out walking.
Inge writes about how she and her parents gradually came to know that Lieselotte's parents were Nazis, and Liesolette was getting caught up in the Nazi propaganda machine.
Inge's mother is hurt in a skiing accident, but not terribly, and she's able to leave the hospital to recover at home. Meanwhile, more anti-Jewish graffiti is being seen everyone, and some of the Jewish people are trying to go to America or other countries, although Inge's parents aren't.
Gradually incidents of violence increase as Nazi's battle with pro-Austrian supporters. Things get worse when Austria is annexed by Germany, and two Nazis show up at the door.
Hitler is coming to town. Inge unexpectedly meets Lieselotte. Lieselotte tells Inge that she's not allowed to be friends with her, at least in any easily-seen fashion. Then there's a bunch of Lieselotte's letters that Inge reads, and it reveals what life is like on the pro-Nazi side of things for young people, although Lieselotte doesn't really believe them herself.
Things continue to get worse, and it becomes obvious that Inge and her family are going to have to leave Austria.
A depressing, but still interesting book, with lots of examples of small things that changed when the Nazi's took power, which makes the story even more powerful.
April 22, 2008
This book is a very good book. It is about a Fourteen year old girl named Inge who has been friends with her best friend Lieselotte ever since they started school together. The only problem is that Inge is Jewish and Lieselotte's dad is a Nazi. The Friendship all changes when lieeslotte dad decides to move her whole family out of Austria and into Germany to the Nazi headcourters. This is the biggest internal conflict that Inge has had to face her entire life.
Over the nexted few month Inge writes and writes Lieselotte in hope that she will write her back but after a while her hope soon fades and she comes to the conclusion that Lieselotte must have forgot about her and didnt want to be friends anymore. In this time Inge becomes extremily close with her grandfater and learns all about the world and its increasing despire. The fact that Hitler is trying to invade Austria only makes matters worse.
With Hitlers invasion coming soon the Jewish people of Austria know that their only hope is to get out of the country as fast as they can. Inge is all for leaving the country until they day that Hitler is said to invade Austria when she ends up facing her worst external conflict of all....Lieselotte had come back with her family. Inge is exstatice to here of her return, but the problem is that they parents wont let them see eachother, so they meet in secret when ever they can and face tuff interanl and external conflicts through there secret friendship that they only know about. I highly recommened this book to any one who wants to read a book with tons of secrets, twists and turns.
Over the nexted few month Inge writes and writes Lieselotte in hope that she will write her back but after a while her hope soon fades and she comes to the conclusion that Lieselotte must have forgot about her and didnt want to be friends anymore. In this time Inge becomes extremily close with her grandfater and learns all about the world and its increasing despire. The fact that Hitler is trying to invade Austria only makes matters worse.
With Hitlers invasion coming soon the Jewish people of Austria know that their only hope is to get out of the country as fast as they can. Inge is all for leaving the country until they day that Hitler is said to invade Austria when she ends up facing her worst external conflict of all....Lieselotte had come back with her family. Inge is exstatice to here of her return, but the problem is that they parents wont let them see eachother, so they meet in secret when ever they can and face tuff interanl and external conflicts through there secret friendship that they only know about. I highly recommened this book to any one who wants to read a book with tons of secrets, twists and turns.
June 14, 2015
In “Devil in Vienna”, two girls stay in touch during World War 2 despite everything that is happening around them. The book begins with Inge’s diary. The whole book is set in Inge’s diary. Inge and Lieselotte are friends, but Lieselotte’s father is a Nazi, while Inge is Jewish. Lieselote’s father does not allow the friendship to continue, and Lieselotte moves to another city. Over the next few months Inge writes to Lieselotte in hope that she will write to her back but after a while her hopes soon fade and she concludes that Lieselotte must have forgotten about her and does not want to be friends anymore. Then, Inge sees the world change drastically.
I would say that this book was written very well. The author had made the background of the characters very detailed, which is appreciated, as most of the book is about the pasts of the characters. The detail of the book is extraordinary. In the epilogue, the author says that the book was based on her life, which gives a different feel to the book. The book took specific events, and made an interesting tale of friends that are separated. The two main characters always will be friends, which to a degree makes the readers strive to have a friendship as strong as what was displayed in the book. Others should absolutely read this book.
I would say that this book was written very well. The author had made the background of the characters very detailed, which is appreciated, as most of the book is about the pasts of the characters. The detail of the book is extraordinary. In the epilogue, the author says that the book was based on her life, which gives a different feel to the book. The book took specific events, and made an interesting tale of friends that are separated. The two main characters always will be friends, which to a degree makes the readers strive to have a friendship as strong as what was displayed in the book. Others should absolutely read this book.
February 20, 2013
Inge and Lieselotte are best friends during World War 2. They've known each other for almost thirteen years of their life. They do everything together, they tell each other everything, and the coolest thing is that they also share the same birthday. But things start to change, when Hitler starts to conquer places. Inge is a Jewish girls and Lieselotte is a Nazi's daughter. Which means that soon they won't be able to stick together, and they might even have to separate.
I am not done reading this book, but I have a lot of questions floating in my mind. Like what will happen to the both of them? Will Inge have to go to a concentration camp? Will Lieselotte betray Inge and her family, and give them in to the Nazis? There are just so much questions in my mind.
I can kind of compare Inge to Eva, in the book Someone Named Eva, by Joan M. Wolf. These two girls are both Jewish, but Eva gets adopted by a Nazi family, and in the end she reunites with her mom. But everyone else in Eva's family is dead, and her little sister is missing. I don't know what happens to Inge yet, but maybe she will get adopted by a Nazi family also.
I am not finished with this book yet, so I won't recommend it yet. But for now, I think this book is very detailed, and it is also a page turner.
I am not done reading this book, but I have a lot of questions floating in my mind. Like what will happen to the both of them? Will Inge have to go to a concentration camp? Will Lieselotte betray Inge and her family, and give them in to the Nazis? There are just so much questions in my mind.
I can kind of compare Inge to Eva, in the book Someone Named Eva, by Joan M. Wolf. These two girls are both Jewish, but Eva gets adopted by a Nazi family, and in the end she reunites with her mom. But everyone else in Eva's family is dead, and her little sister is missing. I don't know what happens to Inge yet, but maybe she will get adopted by a Nazi family also.
I am not finished with this book yet, so I won't recommend it yet. But for now, I think this book is very detailed, and it is also a page turner.
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February 4, 2016Inge Dornenwald and Lieselotte Vessely are best friends in 1938 Vienna, Austria. But the world is changing, with Hitler rising to power throughout Europe. Because Inge is Jewish and Lieselotte is Catholic, their parents forbid the girls to see each other. Inge misses Lieselotte when the Vesselys move to Munich and wonders why Lieselotte never writes. In the meantime, she plays with upstairs-Evi, looks forward to being a bridesmaide in Mitzi's wedding, and observes the adults nervously reacting to the changing political situation. The Vesselys return to Vienna when Austria falls to Germany. Even though Mr. Vessely is an SA, the girls conspire to see each other and walk to school. Lieselotte is key to finding a church that doesn't have a swastika flag flying so that Mitzi and Fredl can marry. Eventually a family friend secures a job for Mr. Dornenwald in Yugoslavia and Inge and her family escape Austria.
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