The Big Rape: A Historical Novel of the Fall of Berlin

by James Wakefield Burke

The Big Rape, was first published in 1952 by Esquire's war correspondent James Wakefield Burke (1904-1989). The book, historically accurate in terms of place and events, is a fictional account of a German woman – Lilo Markgraf – in Nazi Germany, and traces the fall of Berlin to the Russians, and the subsequent widespread rape and debauchery the Red Army soldiers inflicted on the populace. At first, Lilo is an ardent nationalist and in love with a German soldier, but following the rape of her mother and her younger sister by Russian soldiers, Lilo returns from a small town to Berlin to attempt her revenge. She later becomes the mistress of a Soviet NKVD officer, taking advantage of the protection and benefits he can provide her. Finally, with the coming of the Americans in their occupied portion of Berlin, she attempts to plan her future.

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1951

Reviews

[♑︎♑︎♑︎ ♑︎♑︎♑︎ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I own a lot of books. I enjoy spending time in used bookstores almost as much as I enjoy reading. And in spite of believing I know my home library inventory fairly well, a few days ago I looked up from my favorite reading chair and saw, within arm's length, a first-edition copy of The Big Rape by James Wakefield Burke. The cover is preserved in a cello-cover so obviously at some point somebody thought it was worth preserving. I would guess my copy would be judged as "near-fine" by used book standards. Where did it come from? I have no idea. Here it is in my hand. I give it a read. It is a genuinely awful book. And yet, fascinating. German women suffered terrible, retributive violence following the fall of Berlin, but this near-contemporaneous book is definitely not the way to find out about it.

Keeping an eye on the guard, Herr Markgraf place in the hand of each of the women a safety razor blade. "It's a terrible thing," he whispered in a raw voice. "But it gives each of you a chance to choose for yourself. Wait until there seems to be no escape. Then if you decide to use it, plunge it quick and deep, under the large muscle in your neck. It won't be painful. Be sure it's the right place and it won't be messy.

hmm. I am just not so sure about this advice, Herr Markgraf.

Anyway, that's my review of The Big Rape.

[Adam Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Close to five stars but I didn't always look forward to picking it back up, so four.
What makes some books disappear while others live on? I'm learning it's not always about the quality of the writing.
If you're looking for a book about the end of the war from a German perspective, this is it, the only one I've ever heard of. In addition it is well written, the 1952 edition I bought for not much money is illustrated. And the author, you can tell, was there. He knows the names of the streets. He knows the smell of the place. These are things you can't get with historical fiction written currently.
The characters could have been a little better perhaps, but the setting and the story were top notch quality.

[Terri Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting story about WWII

[Avi B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5