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Clara’s Three Lives
A Historical Novel Inspired by a True Story
She was a poor young German woman with nothing to her name, forced into prostitution just to survive. Yet in the darkest moments of her nation’s history, she risked everything to hide Jewish women, shielding them from the Nazis at the cost of her own safety.
Berlin, 1923. The city is still licking its wounds after the Great War. Citizens struggle to endure the crushing economic crisis as the Nazi movement quietly begins its rise. Clara, a young and impoverished woman living with her mother, clings desperately to her job. She doesn’t dream of changing the world. She doesn’t want to fight. All she longs for is to marry and live a simple, quiet life.
From 1923 to 1943, Clara battles through three turbulent decades to survive in a world rapidly descending into darkness. But after the Nazis seize power and war engulfs Europe, she realizes survival alone is no longer enough. At the height of the war, when evil seems unstoppable, Clara must make the ultimate to stand by and close her eyes, or risk everything to save the lives of others.
Inspired by a woman’s real-life story and true events, this unforgettable novel is a tribute to all who believe that even in the blackest shadows, there can still be sparks of light.
She was a poor young German woman with nothing to her name, forced into prostitution just to survive. Yet in the darkest moments of her nation’s history, she risked everything to hide Jewish women, shielding them from the Nazis at the cost of her own safety.
Berlin, 1923. The city is still licking its wounds after the Great War. Citizens struggle to endure the crushing economic crisis as the Nazi movement quietly begins its rise. Clara, a young and impoverished woman living with her mother, clings desperately to her job. She doesn’t dream of changing the world. She doesn’t want to fight. All she longs for is to marry and live a simple, quiet life.
From 1923 to 1943, Clara battles through three turbulent decades to survive in a world rapidly descending into darkness. But after the Nazis seize power and war engulfs Europe, she realizes survival alone is no longer enough. At the height of the war, when evil seems unstoppable, Clara must make the ultimate to stand by and close her eyes, or risk everything to save the lives of others.
Inspired by a woman’s real-life story and true events, this unforgettable novel is a tribute to all who believe that even in the blackest shadows, there can still be sparks of light.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2025
130 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Alex Amit
107 books44 followersAlex Amit is a historical fiction writer and author of the novel The Girl Under the Flag.
After dedicating more than a decade to learning the history of WW2 and armed with a BSc in Psychology, Alex's writing focuses on woman's bravery during those dark days.
Today he is writing his second novel, The Girl in the White Uniform
.
When Alex was a child, he would lie in his bed at night, reading history books, imagining himself traveling in a time machine to all those great moments. Many years have passed, and finally, he built his time machine, using his words and imagination.
After dedicating more than a decade to learning the history of WW2 and armed with a BSc in Psychology, Alex's writing focuses on woman's bravery during those dark days.
Today he is writing his second novel, The Girl in the White Uniform
.
When Alex was a child, he would lie in his bed at night, reading history books, imagining himself traveling in a time machine to all those great moments. Many years have passed, and finally, he built his time machine, using his words and imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 30, 2025
After WW1, the people of Germany, notably Berlin, faced a huge money problem as their country struggled to pay war reparations ordered at the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
Inflation soared as money lost its value and the people suffered as they tried to survive, find a place to live, and procure food for their children.
Clara and her mother have just been thrown out of their apartment despite both of them working diligently, but their combined income cannot keep up with the rent, so out they went. Life was hard. With no father or husband still with them, every day is a struggle.
Clara is 26 and her mother only 48, but the stress on the women is stultifying, making her mother age prematurely.
But the human spirit is wired for survival, so they must give it everything they can. When Clara loses her job through no fault of her own, everything falls apart for a while.
All around the two women, Berlin is changing. The voices of dissension are getting louder , and the voices of prejudice are even louder than that as Berlin and all of Germany move toward a crisis that will impact lives around the world.
The quiet wisdom of Mrs Hoffmann wrapped in the author's gorgeous sentences, with instances of humanity and the well- conceived plot will take us on a journey to the second World War.
Clara feels a responsibility for her mother and vows to help her even though her own life has sunk to unbelievable lows. She is a survivor and she will need that grit .
In telling the story of Berlin and a he people, the author writes with a calm hand. There was a paragraph where he described the beauty of the fall leaves so beautifully, I kept reading the luscious prose over and over again, not wanting to leave them behind. Heartwarming instances of humanity and a gentle touch fill the pages, contrasting with the scourge taking over Berlin, all conceived by a cowardly man without one iota of concern for his people.
Told in three parts Clara moves from child to woman. She has a good heart and tries to help others by making the ultimate sacrifice.
The story is loosely based on an actual woman who lived it. I wanted to hug Clara many times. She was personally responsible for saving the lives of young Jewish girls and presents a new vision of what the fascist, highly prejudiced times did to people. In the author's capable hands , it is a very good read.
Thanks to the author and publisher for allowing me to read the ARC. All opinions are strictly my own.
Inflation soared as money lost its value and the people suffered as they tried to survive, find a place to live, and procure food for their children.
Clara and her mother have just been thrown out of their apartment despite both of them working diligently, but their combined income cannot keep up with the rent, so out they went. Life was hard. With no father or husband still with them, every day is a struggle.
Clara is 26 and her mother only 48, but the stress on the women is stultifying, making her mother age prematurely.
But the human spirit is wired for survival, so they must give it everything they can. When Clara loses her job through no fault of her own, everything falls apart for a while.
All around the two women, Berlin is changing. The voices of dissension are getting louder , and the voices of prejudice are even louder than that as Berlin and all of Germany move toward a crisis that will impact lives around the world.
The quiet wisdom of Mrs Hoffmann wrapped in the author's gorgeous sentences, with instances of humanity and the well- conceived plot will take us on a journey to the second World War.
Clara feels a responsibility for her mother and vows to help her even though her own life has sunk to unbelievable lows. She is a survivor and she will need that grit .
In telling the story of Berlin and a he people, the author writes with a calm hand. There was a paragraph where he described the beauty of the fall leaves so beautifully, I kept reading the luscious prose over and over again, not wanting to leave them behind. Heartwarming instances of humanity and a gentle touch fill the pages, contrasting with the scourge taking over Berlin, all conceived by a cowardly man without one iota of concern for his people.
Told in three parts Clara moves from child to woman. She has a good heart and tries to help others by making the ultimate sacrifice.
The story is loosely based on an actual woman who lived it. I wanted to hug Clara many times. She was personally responsible for saving the lives of young Jewish girls and presents a new vision of what the fascist, highly prejudiced times did to people. In the author's capable hands , it is a very good read.
Thanks to the author and publisher for allowing me to read the ARC. All opinions are strictly my own.
October 6, 2025
Inspiring
An amazing story. Although it started out slow, it kept me intrigued and got better and better. Such bravery in the midst of extreme hardship, poverty, and fear should inspire us all.
An amazing story. Although it started out slow, it kept me intrigued and got better and better. Such bravery in the midst of extreme hardship, poverty, and fear should inspire us all.
October 16, 2025
excellent
This book was so well written that even though it was fiction it was so close to true events of World War II that it was difficult to remember that it wasn’t a true story. Very good book. I didn’t want it to end.
This book was so well written that even though it was fiction it was so close to true events of World War II that it was difficult to remember that it wasn’t a true story. Very good book. I didn’t want it to end.
October 16, 2025
Felt like I was there
So glad I read this book. I found it well written with clear images of the horror of living during wartime and in deep poverty. I felt humbled by her sacrifice and courage.
So glad I read this book. I found it well written with clear images of the horror of living during wartime and in deep poverty. I felt humbled by her sacrifice and courage.
October 26, 2025
Captivating story
This story kept me reading and broke my heart a little. The main protagonist Clara, struggled so much! She succeeded in saving Jewish people, but was never recognized for it until after she had died. And died in poverty.
Well written.
This story kept me reading and broke my heart a little. The main protagonist Clara, struggled so much! She succeeded in saving Jewish people, but was never recognized for it until after she had died. And died in poverty.
Well written.
October 6, 2025
This book is a masterpiece
I was thoroughly impressed with the storyline! The twists and turns kept me glued to the book - I couldn't predict the plot at all.
I was thoroughly impressed with the storyline! The twists and turns kept me glued to the book - I couldn't predict the plot at all.
November 6, 2025
Just okay
This book was just okay. I never felt like I got to know Clara well. It just wasn't the best WWII book I've read.
This book was just okay. I never felt like I got to know Clara well. It just wasn't the best WWII book I've read.
November 22, 2025
Courage in the face of fear
This story reminds me that courage
ge is not necessarily a lack of fear, but the will to act ,regardless. Historically correct..
This story reminds me that courage
ge is not necessarily a lack of fear, but the will to act ,regardless. Historically correct..
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews