A Perfect Madness

by Frank H. Marsh

It is the autumn of 1938 when Julia Kaufmann meets Erich Schmidt while studying medicine at the German University in Prague. With Hitler's army soon to invade the city and the terror of World War II looming, it is the worst of times for a Jew and a German to fall in love. As the excitement of the eugenics movement gives way to outright genocide, and the fear sweeping across Europe grows into madness, Julia and Erich find themselves forced to travel two very different paths--ones which will determine the fate of their love and, ultimately, the fate of their souls. A Perfect Madness takes us on a journey back to a dark time when the fight for survival often eclipsed the fight for the truth. Beautifully and provocatively written, it examines the crippling effects of fear on the human mind, asking painful questions of moral choice we cannot afford to leave unanswered. About the Frank Marsh was a trial attorney for twenty-five years and then a university professor of philosophy, law, and bioethics. He has published six books on bioethics, numerous articles, and scripted documentaries dealing with medicine, genetics, and law. He also is the author of the novel Rebekka's Children.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Ebooks, Fiction, World War II

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Caryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart breaking and provocative. Marsh explores the souls of ordinary people living through hell on earth. Each chapter juxtaposes motivations against choices. Sometimes the motivation is life and the choice is to live. Sometimes the motivation is fear, and the choice is merely to avoid death. And in the end, I am left believing that the choice to avoid death is no way to live.

We all just get one shot at life in this world. There are no do-overs. And redemption is not for human beings to grant. At least not in Frank Marsh's character studies.

I find the story of Maria most compelling, quite likely for the karmic, bitter, and ironic twist.

Mr. Marsh explores the medical ethics of eugenics without apology or excuses, not even for the American contribution to carnage. He shows how easily the concepts of honor and duty can be corrupted by compromise. He questions the bombing of Dresden, but again without apology for the ultimate destruction. He explains the psychological strategies employed by the Nazi regime, showing clearly how the monster became the master of its own destruction, rather than the boasted master race.

I also very much respect Mr. Marsh's technique of referencing true-life heroes and demons, but created his own characters instead of writing fictional blends drawn from fact.

Students of history need to read this book.

[Efrat]

This book is so well written, the pictures Frank Marsh paints are so vivid.

[Lori Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing book of historical fiction about WWII. While it touched on Auschwitz a bit, this book took a different direction from typical Holocaust books.

Erich is a German. Julia is a Czech Jew. Both meet in 1938 in a medical school in Prague right at the beginning of the rumblings of WWII, and fall in love. When all Jews are removed from the school, the two part; Erich to finish medical school as a psychiatrist and Julia helps transport Jewish children to the British countryside to protect them during the war.

Julia leaves Prague not knowing she's pregnant, and after giving birth, leaves her daughter, Anna, with a Scottish woman so she can help fight the war as an undercover operative with the Resistance. Erich begins work at a children's psychiatric hospital, only to be horrified that he is tasked with eugenics and not treatment.

That's where I'll leave you. There are many places where paths unknowingly cross for many people -- some I saw coming, some I didn't, and many were sadly ironic. At times the book delved deeper into philosophy and lost a little momentum, but not enough that I started skimming. It was an amazing book, and I'm so glad I accidentally ran across it.



Lori Anderson


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[Stephanie Payan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review may be a tad generous, but I felt like it was better than a 3, but slightly less than a 4. The book kept my attention the entire read and each chapter had multiple events. The story developed well and at one point or another all of the characters intertwined. It was very interesting the way it all came together. The story wrapped up very nicely.

The story, I guess it wrapped up, but sadness was overrun! The whole story got slightly gruesome and depressing, but you can't change history. These events did actually happen.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. The character development was extremely well done and made it easy to connect to the characters and get wrapped up in their individual stories. It is also extremely thought provoking, both while you are reading and even after you finish the book. We will never truly know what the people that lived through the atrocities of WWII felt when they found themselves in these horrendous situations, but this book really makes you think about it

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two medical students studying in Prague just before World War II break out fall in love. The problem is the male is german and the female is jewish. Due to circumstances, they are split up even though they are willing to face all the problems they may encounter. The story is told from each character's point of view throughout the war. Each chapter shows their individual point of view. Very heartwarming and realistic.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the very, very few books I have not finished. The author does too much telling and not enough showing. I think the author wants to demonstrate the ethical problems of WWII but it just doesn't work. In the first 50 pages I found characters doing very inconsistent things. I skimmed the rest and it looks like the story covers every moral dilemma in the war. It's a laudable goal, but it just doesn't work.

[Sunsette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sad tale of World War II, from a very personal standpoint...the story of two people, one german and one jew, and their impossible love affair. This book really did a fantastic job of displaying both sides of the coin.

[Jacquelyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provided a new look at WWII. It was a fast and fascinating read. It tells of forbidden love and addresses the effects of fear, desperation of personal choices during that time.

An emotional and learning read........

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your usual holocaust story. I like the narrowed focus on the two main characters, each having gone a different direction. Makes you think about why people go with popular opinion and do nothing to correct a wrong.

[Kathy Schlueter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting tale of the horrors of the holocaust. Book could have used a better editor and author digressed too much into philosophy for my tastes.

[Keena]

this book is a psycological study of how individuals reacted to nazi germany. using two main fictional characters, one a jewish girl and one a german doctor. This is a fascinating read.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept wanting to put it down because I was so horrified but read it straight through.

[Sybil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title says it all. Story of two people whose lives are dramatically changed by WW II.

[Carolee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much darker and raw than I had anticipated. But,
still valuable to read about this subject.

[Juliahoney Kamenker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent. A real page turner. The story shows how doctors were little by little desentsitized to the killing they were told to commit.

[Susan]

A Perfect Madness is an extremely thought provoking book. It contains both moral and ethical dilemmas. Well constructed with multiple complex themes. A great book for book groups

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing, powerful and raw story.

[Shelley]

Remarkable trip through the intriguing human psyche of two people in love but on two very different sides of a coin. Not a story for the faint of heart.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! Outstanding character development in a brutal and intense story about the horrendous Nazi death camps and the brave resistance fighters.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story.. I really enjoyed it!

[Jennifer Giles Hinojosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book. The author did a great job of making me love these characters.