Am Ende dieses Jahres (Kinder des Kriegsendes 1)

by Anja May

Mit 16 in den Krieg. Schlesien 1945: Uhrmacherlehrling Anton Köhler würde lieber eine Geige in der Hand halten statt eine Waffe. Doch als um Neujahr 1945 die Rote Armee seinem Heimatort immer näher rückt, wird er zusammen mit seinen Altersgenossen als Wehrmachtshelfer eingezogen und schließlich aus Breslau hinausgeführt. Für Anton und seinen besten Freund Gerhard beginnt ein langer und gefährlicher Weg, der sie mit feindlichen Luftangriffen und der Grausamkeit der eigenen Landsleute konfrontiert. Aber Anton ist entschlossen, seine Familie wiederzusehen. Als sie auch noch an die Front geschickt werden sollen, trifft er die Entscheidung, zu fliehen… Ein Roman über das Erwachsenwerden in einer der dunkelsten Zeiten der deutschen Geschichte, über Verlust und Hoffnung, Freundschaft und Liebe.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, World War II, War, Holocaust, Novels, Coming Of Age

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2016

Reviews

[Nadya Trifonova-Dimova]

Поредно доказателство, че никоя война не си струва платената цена.

[Sarah]

In the last months of a brutal war, a sixteen-year-old boy must fight for survival. The true account of a teenage soldier in World War 2 Germany.

Germany, 1945. Anton always wanted to play the violin, but when his father dies, the fifteen-year-old must give up his passion to support his seven younger siblings. As the Russian army marches closer to his hometown, Anton and his best friend Gerhard are pulled from their families and forced to help defend their home in a last desperate stand.

When Anton witnesses the slaughter of concentration camp prisoners, he vows to escape the war and find a way home to his family and his girl, Luise. In the chaos of impending defeat, Anton is torn between his promise to protect the life of his best friend and his desire to survive the war with his conscience intact.

(Review not my own, taken from the back of the book. I couldn’t put into words how incredible this story is.)

A book you can’t put down and will cry for days afterward, remembering.

[Robyn Echols]

Interesting and Enlightening

Great story about conditions in Germany during the final months of World War Two, especially as they related to the 15 and 16 year old boys who were pressed into service. A must read for those who wish to know more about this aspect of the war.

[Maben]

Mit "Am Ende dieses Jahres" begleiten wir den gerade mal 16-jährigen Uhrmacherlehrling Anton Köhler bei seiner widerwilligen Einberufung in den Kriegsdienst an der Ostfront während den letzten Wochen des 2.Weltkriegs 1945 und erleben was die Kriegsschrecken bei Jugendlichen anrichten, deren bedingungslosen Treue nicht dem faschistischen NS Regime gilt.

[Gerti]

Beeindruckende Schilderung eines knapp 16 jährigen, der in den letzten Monaten des 2. Weltkrieges eingezogen wird und trotz aller Gefahren es nicht fertig bringt, eine Waffe abzufeuern. Die Autorin schildert die Erlebnisse ihres Großvaters detailgetreu und unbeschönigt.

[L.S.]

I read this in no time at all. I just couldn't get the story out of my head and had to know how the boys fared.
The story starts in July 1944 with Anton Köhler following in his recently-deceased father's footsteps as an apprentice watchmaker. As the eldest son still at home, his wage helps feed the family. But he would much rather be a violinist.
When Anton and his best friend, Gerhard, are recruited as fifteen-year-olds, initially as 'helpers', they are thrust into the war, digging trenches to keep Russian tanks at bay.
As the Russians gain ground, their small troop is marched out of Breslau,and so begins a journey that brings them face to face with starved, skeletal and exhausted POWs. As the prisoners stand back to let the boys pass, a few make a bid for freedom but are mowed down by their German guards.
Startled by the horror of the scene, Anton and Gerhard run for cover as bullets fly through the air.
This is not to be their last encounter with such danger and terror.
The boys make it home, only to be deployed again. The German authorities are getting ever more desperate, and the boys find themselves facing many more nightmares before the war is over.
The story is enhanced by scenes of 'normality' with heart-warming family scenes, glimpses of young love, and the boys sharing their hopes and dreams of a future after the war. These give the reader an immersive glimpse into their experience. The touches of music, the watch references, and the interaction of friends and family members really make the story special.
The fact that many of the events within this story are based on the real experience of the author's grandfather makes it all the more poignant.

[Cindy Woods]

Another side to WWII

I found this story of a 15-year-old German boy during the latter part of WWII frightening, heartwarming and truthful. I needed to hear another side to the horrific WWII experience.

I've read dozens of books on this subject, but never from this aspect. It's good to find out there was a human side to the German citizenry. It's terrifying to think that boys as young as this were actually sent to the front in the last year of the war.

I agree with the author's assessment that this could happen again. We see the politics of nations disintegrate before our very eyes and remain passive. If more schools would educate on this very subject we would be better able to see the trends and counteract negative results.

At 16 I was still in high school going to dances and didn't feel I had a care in the world. It's so sad to read of lost youth like this.

A definite recommendation to readers of historically fiction. I hope to see more from this author.

[Joanne]

Excellent description of war from a 16 year old German soldier

This is a well-written story based on the experiences of the author's grandfather, but the specific characters are fictional. Germans who did not really support Hitler were still drafted to fight--even young 15 and 16 year old boys at the end of the war.

[Maguire Family]

Engaging, riveting, educational

I couldn't put the book down! The most eye-opening and enthralling novel of WW2 I've read, and it's been informative given its from the perspective of a young German soldier. This book will help the reader appreciate history from a different perspective.

[Bethany Cousins]

This was a mesmerising and tragic story to read, following the journey of young Anton during the second world war. It is so important to be reminded of the brutalities of war, and the traumatic experience that most can only imagine. When the War is Over is beautifully written, with innocence and bravery colliding to create a sobering narrative.

[Caius Fabius]

Simply superb

All look through the eyes of a young teenager during the collapse of the Third Reich. From civilian, to labor battalion, to deserter, to soldier... slmost all at the behest of the government. Well written, well researched. well done.

[Joy Schmidt]

This World War II story is told through the eyes of a German teenage boy who is drafted into the Nazi military even though he doesn't support their cause. It's loosely based on the author's grandfather's life . It portrays many of the horrors even the young soldiers had to face.

[C M Hilderbrand]

When the War is Over

Neon of German descent , I have wondered what the German peoples' perception of the war was. I have a better understanding of what lead to the war and how completely the German people lost Conor of their government.

[sally reid]

A wars lesson

This was very insightful and heart rendering. To be 15years and being sent to war is a horrible way to grow up and mature. The events are well described, as are the emotional events! Will read this again and recommend it to everyone!!!

[Sara Avrams]

Everyone Knows that People Are Just People

And this story illustrates that truth precisely. Here is a well told tale about the struggles of young boys subject to the harsh realities that the monsters of megalomaniacal leadership can create.

[..]

I cried!

I loved the concept of walking in a German’s shoes I couldn’t put the book down, but satisfied that Anton survived. I felt that it was so poignant that I could not stop crying. Needless to say, I loved the book.

[Floyd E. Gilreath]

Good read!!!

I enjoyed reading this book very much. I have read many fiction and nonfiction about WWII. But never one through the eyes of a young German. Very moving, highly recommend.

[Gail]

Pretty simplistic story but does give an idea of the terrible conditions Civilians and young school age boys suffered through.

Good young adults around the world to understand war is not glamorous. The writing is not very good but it is really easy to read/scim.

[Kathryn Spurgeon]

Worth reading

The young hero in this book, Anton, lives through one of the worst times in European history. I’ve read a lot of WWII books but not one like this. This is very good.

[Gwenn Ellingham]

A great read, thought provoking.

[Elaine E.]

Very good story from a German teenager's perspective at the latter end of WWII. I was particularly impressed with the author's basically retelling her grandfather's experience.

[Adelaide]

Bittersweet

This book is about coming of age I'm time of war and how Anton was forced to become an adult when he was actually a teenager.

[Robert D. Steinberg]

Good novel. Well written.

[John Patrick]

Now is a fitting time to recall the tragedy of war.

[RAYMOND DAVIS]

Great Read

This story is more than worth your time . Very well written, characters are easy to follow. You just might learn something along the way about WWII Germany. Lol

[Larmie Fahrendorff]

"Running" to survive

Although this story was an interesting one, I became frustrated because the main character spent almost the entirety of the book running away from, or failing every "life's test" he was confronted with. That proved discouraging.

[Mary R. Barta]

Was bit confusing flipping from one generation to another. And not giving more explanation until very end.

Interesting reading. But didn't like going from diary to real life that made it hard to follow the different families at times.

[Mary Vogelsong]

A German boy is forced into combat as the outcome of the war becomes more desperate.

[Bonnye Reed]

TheFussyLibrarian