Was tat ich dir?

by Hedwig Courths-Mahler

HCM Bastei #20

Schweigend erträgt Romana Nordegg alle Anschuldigungen ihrer Stiefmutter und ihrer Stiefschwester Beatirx, die ihr vorwerfen, geizig und rücksichtslos zu sein. Dabei ist Romana nur darauf bedacht, die ererbte väterliche Fabrik vor dem Konkurs zu bewahren. Tag und Nacht sitzt sie über den Büchern, während die Stiefmutter und die Stiefschwester rauschende Feste feiern. Am ausgelassensten dabei ist Beatrix, die schon lange nach einem reichen Freier Ausschau hält. In Gerald Rhoden hofft sie ihn gefunden zu haben. Als sie sich nahe dem Ziel wähnt, zieht sich Rhoden jedoch plötzlich zurück, denn er hat inzwischen eine wahrhaft tapfere und klügere Frau kennen und lieben gelernt...

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1920

About the author

Hedwig Courths-Mahler (pronounced [he:tviç kurts ma:ləʁ]), née Ernestine Friederike Elisabeth Mahler (February 18, 1867 in Nebra) – November 26, 1950 in Rottach-Egern) was a German writer of formula fiction romantic novels. She used the pseudonyms Relham, H. Brand, Gonda Haag and Rose Bernd.

Reviews

[Meri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely, romantic and warm book. It reminds me a bit of a children's fairy tale where in the battle between good and evil, good always wins. If only there are really that magic ring in life..... everything would be easier :)

[Hanna Skendrović · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty interesting in the sense that it is a light read.
The main character is Romana, young girl that inherits a pharmaceutical company in debts. Her late father remarried a beautiful woman, Bylla, and Romana got a half-sister, Beatrix, and half-brother Hans. However, Bylla and Beatrix are wasteful and like to live like the riches. Soon enough Romanas father dies from stress. Before dying, he makes Romana head of the house and leaves her with everything he owned (and owed). Romanas late mother was a rich woman that left her with the house and some money, which she used to buy off her father's factory.
Two years later, the factory is starting to make money again. We found out how have the family lived so far. Romana kept Bylla and Beatrix on a short leash with spending. They don't know she actually owns everything and keeps them satisfied because of the promise she gave her father. This means that Romana is the hated family member. That does not bother her while she works day and night to keep the money coming. The plot begins when Beatrixs and Hanses uncle Gerald comes to visit. Gerald is an honored and respected gentleman that just returned from India, with his loyal servant Calutta Bay. Since he is also rich, Beatrix lies her way to charm him to marry her. However, Calutta Bay has a magical ring that lets the wearer known if their interlocutor is honest. He gives it to Gerald and he finally sees the truth, Beatrix is a snake and Romana is a rose. I do have to mention the way Gerald thinks before he meet Romana. According to him, a wife should be a pretty decoration to show off. Meeting Romana, who is witty, smart and generous, he changes his mind.
On the other hand, Hans, who is in high school, has an enlightenment at the beginning. Previously rude to Romana like his sister, after she snaps him out of it and tells him the truth, that he is actually poor and she is keeping them afloat, his whole personality changes for better. Now he is a co-conspirator for Romana and Gerald.
The real plot comes later, it will involve Beatrix and her intrigues. Will Gerald and Romana find common ground? (If you have read even one of Hedwig Courths-Mahlers books, you already know the answer).
Now my thoughts. Even thought I am a fan of all magical things, this "magic ring" does not sit right in this story. If anything, it makes Gerald quite blind, to put it nicely. Like a stereotypical man, everything needs to be drawn out for him. Also, like in some other books from this author, at a certain point you can tell it was a man that wrote this. And I just can't shake that feeling. Apparently Romana falls in love with Gerald the first moment she sees him. Highly unlikely in my personal opinion. They have barely met and he obviously prefers Beatrix in that moment. Additionally, they don't even see each other or talk for weeks after meeting for the first time. Another thing that I disliked was Beatrix's behavior. If there is a ball that require her to be a hostess, she will be the life of the party, lovely towards everyone. But the moment things don't go her way, she starts acting like a little child, a brat. It just does not feel right, like she is bipolar. I think she would have acted differently. But maybe that is just me.
All in all, a good read.

[Наташа Алексовска]

Романа ќе ја наследи семејна фирма како и куќа, по смртта на нејзини родители. Но, како ќе продолжи нејзин живот, откако ќе им дојде на гости Џералд? Какви сплетки ќе им направи Беатрис на Џералд и Романа, за да го освои Џералд? Дали ќе успее во нејзини идеи? На крајот како ќе заврши на љубовно поле кај Романа и Беатрис?

[Марија Андреева · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, easy book, great if you need a little break from everything. I do assume that this book is more intended to a younger audience, since the style is very simple, almost childlike, like a fairy tale. However it is not a bad book, the story is interesting.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ein bisschen leichte Lektüre nach einer langen Rückfahrt von den Ferien. Passt dafür perfekt.