Mutti's War

by M.J. Brett

Mutti's War is the story of Regina Wolff, a rather delicate young German mother who is forced to smuggle her three small boys out of East Prussia when the Russians surround it in 1944. Though the story takes place during the years of WWII. Regina could just as easily have walked off the six-o-clock news, Wherever there's a war, it's the warrior about whom stories are written. But it's the woman left behind who must find strength to protect and reunite her family when the battle are over. Regina begins as a privileged, but politically naive young woman who trusts her adored husband to make all decisions for the family, in the custom of Europe in the 1930's and 40's. But in 1944, Regina must defy Nazi authority and subject herself and her children to a dangerous trek across war-torn Europe in her attempt to survive and find her missing husband. Alone, Regina must achieve political and emotional awakening and learn to make life and death decisions, in spite of their painful consequences.

Genres: Book Club, Historical, Historical Fiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My father was born in Königsberg, Germany in 1923. His family left for the U.S. before WWII, but he had many relatives that lived through the era described in this book. They were among the thousands who escaped before the worst of the firestorms. I was able to meet some of them and hear snippets of their stories. This book covers in much more depth the trauma and suffering of the residents of this once-great city in East Prussia and how they were forced to flee in terror from the Russians. For that reason I found the narrative fascinating, but I believe anyone who is interested in a different perspective on WWII would find this book worth reading. It is a very personal story within an historical time.

The actual writing was average and a good editor could have done much to eliminate the repetitious passages of insights into Regina's thoughts.

The story itself is dramatic and Regina grows as a character as she is challenged to take care of her 3 sons under incredibly difficult circumstances. I would encourage any reader to be a bit persistent in sticking with the first sections. I couldn't put it down towards the end when the hints and foreshadowings are revealed.

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this historical novel.
My father was born in Konigsberg. As I was reading, I thought several times, I wish I would have asked my Oma more questions about her experience and learn more from her perspective of what times were like. My Opa died when I was 6 yrs old. I was too young to really have the conversations with him.
Reading this during our country's change of administration, I noticed some parallels in how people see things differently in the way our leaders govern and what they stand for. How some believe everything is okay and others notice the shift in power and what they actually believe.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mutti's War was a fascinating read for me, knowing that it is based on real events, a real family, and a real journey. I learned so much about WWII from a different perspective. The main character, Ina/Mutti struck a familiar chord with me, and I discovered some things about myself in the process.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing may be a little rough in places, but the story makes up for it a million times over. Regina Wolff is one of the most incredible people I have ever heard of. Though just a mere housewife, desperate circumstances push her to fight for and protect her children through WWII (and beyond) at all costs and grow into a fiercely brave pioneer who understands love at a level far beyond giggles and butterflies. Best of all (and worst of all), her story is true.

[Kian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I struggled to understand her devotion to her husband, I did like Regina. I appreciate seeing the war from her perspective.

There is a lot of thought provoking material in Brett's recounting. A couple lines gave me chills. One instance was when Regina admitted, "she had once assumed Hitler was the great leader who would bring Germany to its rightful place in the world" (84). And speaking of Elli's devotion to Hitler, "He was a man of the people and he understands those who must work" (85). MAGA? "It seemed that at first no one had believed Hitler could gain so much power and later, no one could stop his abuse of that power" (108). "Being afraid to speak one's mind limited even casual conversation..." (113).

There were a handful of typos that I found myself wishing away. I don't want there to be typos or errors in books that I like. It's okay for them to be there in books I don't like, of course.

[Carol Stratton]

I would highly recommend this book. I was there- I felt like I was a part of it. She is an amazing story teller. I have such empathy for all who were involved in this true story. They went through more then most ever do in a life time and came out pretty well from what it sounds like.

I applaud the writer as well as all the members of this story. This should be made into a movie. IT should be viewed by all. We all need to appreciate the freedoms we have and honor those that work and worked yrs ago to have us keep our freedoms.

My Father was a medic in WWII and we lost him this past Oct. I am now researching what his life experience were in Germany and France back then thru various avenues I have found. He never wanted to talk about it all. I now, truly understand why.

My hat is off to you all... Thank you for sharing this story with the world.

Carol

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up in the library. The title seemed interesting, but it was disappointing. The story could be more interesting if told differently. The characters are too flat, not enough development. There was one scene that brought shivers to me. The author describes a trip by the main characters, Regina and her sons, to go to Czechslovokia to attend to Regina's wounded husband and the problems with the train on the way. It reminded me of my mom's stories from when she was the child going to Czechslovokia to reach her father in order to take care of him.

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read many WWII books, but this one was a little different. Mutti's War is a true story and maybe that made the ending easier to accept for me (though, a less than ideal ending was forshadowed many times). I enjoyed seeing the war perspective from the viewpoint of a loyal German, who got very confused as the war went on. There are so many stories of those who are left behind to raise their families and survivie the war, while the soldiers are off fighting, as Regina did. The book reminds us that wars change everyone in many, many ways.

[Virginia Franklyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book from a perspective you don't hear about that often, a German citizen during WWII. However, I know the book was based on a true story but the fact that the father was never held accountable for his war crimes left a sour taste in my mouth. Still, the main character was believable and her adventure was gripping.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a book club, and it was a little disappointing. It sounds like a good story--mother escaping approaching Russians in Germany in WWII with her three small sons--but I didn't like the characters or the writing. The writing was very simplistic and the characters were flat. The protagonist was simpering and too devoted to her scumbag husband for me to like her.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great look at history! Author is from Colorado Springs!

[Eileen Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really speaks to me and helped me understand a lot about myself, my parents and grandparent's generation. Lessons for a lifetime:
1) Change is inevitable. Accept it. Build upon it.
2) Everyone is different and does things their own way, usually the best they know how. Don't judge and don't take it personally. See #1
3) Family Secrets meant to protect you, do more harm than good. Communication & timing are key.
4) You can do hard things.
5) Enduring and overcoming adversity is meant to help you become stronger, more compassionate & forgiving.
6) There is a war between good & evil. Stay informed, but don't be naive. "Trust but verify" as Pres. Reagan said.
7) Protect & defend freedom while you're blessed have it.
8) Men & Women are equal, but have different roles in a family, that may change according to circumstances. All family members need a voice and to be prepared to be self reliant.

[Sophia Pilger · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Couldn’t tell you the exact day I started reading but I do remember when I finished )
There’s a good chunk in the beginning before actually getting into the plot, that is kinda slow and hard to follow. I’m the kind of person where if it’s slow, I lose interest and get distracted more easily. When the main character, Regina, has her flashbacks, it doesn’t skip to a new paragraph or put it into a different font, just right into it and there were times where I wasn’t following that it was a flashback so it confused me a little. But once I got to the juicy part I was hooked. The ending had me S H O O K to my core. Was NOT expecting that in the slightest. The ending made this entire book worth it

[Avid reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a local Co Springs author with good but not great writing. However, this true story is powerful, inspiring, and really gave me added insight into the thoughts of post-WWII Germans and their hidden shame. The author is related to the main characters, and I was able to meet her and hear this incredible story first hand.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Can see parallels to today plus learn so much about mindsets during war.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting story that shows what the German people endured during WWII. This courageous German woman sacrifices all to protect her children to escape from the Russian occupied portion of Prussia. Great book for those interested in history and in women's literature. Unfortunately, there is a dark side that reveals many SS and Gestapo officers escaped retribution for their crimes. The story is beautifully written with a twist at the end

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about a delicate young German mother who is forced to smuggle her three small boys our of East Prussia when the Russians surround it in 1944. It takes place in WW II during the Nazi rule. I highly recommend this book.

[Jana Fournier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great perspective of WWII history!

[Christi Griffel mancha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I sent it to friends in the mail to get them to read it. They agreed. It's a beautiful, poignant story from a perspective rarely accessed in America. I highly recommend it.

[Lynn M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting to read about a wife and mother's experience during WWII from within Germany. The ladies in my book group would like it.