What do you think?
Rate this book
The Other Hoffmann Sister
Shortlisted for The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year 2015, Ben Fergusson's critically acclaimed debut, The Spring of Kasper Meier, was the winner of the Betty Trask Prize 2015 and the HWA 2015 Debut Crown Award. The Other Hoffmann Sister is a gripping, evocative read about two sisters set in pre-WW1 Germany which will appeal to fans of The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry.
For Ingrid Hoffmann the story of her sister's disappearance began in their first weeks in Southwest Africa...
Ingrid Hoffmann has always felt responsible for her sister Margarete and when their family moves to German Southwest Africa in 1902, her anxieties only increase. The casual racism that pervades the German community, the strange relationship between her parents and Baron von Ketz, from whom they bought their land, and the tension with the local tribes all culminate in tragedy when Baron von Ketz is savagely murdered. Baroness von Ketz and their son, Emil, flee with the Hoffmanns as the Baron's attackers burn down the family's farm.
Both families return to Berlin and Ingrid's concerns about Margarete are assuaged when she and Emil von Ketz become engaged on the eve of the First World War. But Margarete disappears on her wedding night at the von Ketz's country house. The mystery of what happened to her sister haunts Ingrid, but as Europe descends into chaos, her hope of discovering the truth becomes ever more distant.
After the war, in the midst of the revolution that brings down the Kaiser and wipes out the aristocracy that her family married into, Ingrid returns to the von Ketzes' crumbling estate determined to find out what really happened to her sister.
For Ingrid Hoffmann the story of her sister's disappearance began in their first weeks in Southwest Africa...
Ingrid Hoffmann has always felt responsible for her sister Margarete and when their family moves to German Southwest Africa in 1902, her anxieties only increase. The casual racism that pervades the German community, the strange relationship between her parents and Baron von Ketz, from whom they bought their land, and the tension with the local tribes all culminate in tragedy when Baron von Ketz is savagely murdered. Baroness von Ketz and their son, Emil, flee with the Hoffmanns as the Baron's attackers burn down the family's farm.
Both families return to Berlin and Ingrid's concerns about Margarete are assuaged when she and Emil von Ketz become engaged on the eve of the First World War. But Margarete disappears on her wedding night at the von Ketz's country house. The mystery of what happened to her sister haunts Ingrid, but as Europe descends into chaos, her hope of discovering the truth becomes ever more distant.
After the war, in the midst of the revolution that brings down the Kaiser and wipes out the aristocracy that her family married into, Ingrid returns to the von Ketzes' crumbling estate determined to find out what really happened to her sister.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2017
20 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Ben Fergusson
11 books90 followersBen Fergusson is an award-winning writer and translator. He was born in Southampton in 1980 and grew up near Didcot in Oxfordshire. He studied English Literature at Warwick University and Modern Languages at Bristol University and has worked as an editor, translator and publisher in London and Berlin. He currently teaches creative writing in Berlin and is a doctoral researcher at the University of East Anglia.
Ben's debut novel, The Spring of Kasper Meier, won the 2015 Betty Trask Prize for an outstanding debut novel by a writer under 35 and the HWA Debut Crown 2015 for the best historical fiction debut of the year. It was also shortlisted for The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award and longlisted for the Authors' Club Best First Novel Award, while being selected for the Waterstone’s Book Club, WHSmith Fresh Talent and the BBC Radio 2 Book Club.
The second and third books in Ben's Berlin trilogy are The Other Hoffmann Sister, published in 2017, and An Honest Man, published in 2019, which was selected by The Sunday Times, the TLS and the Financial Times as one of the best books of the year. In 2022, he will publish his first book of non-fiction, Tales from the Fatherland, an exploration of same-sex parenthood.
Ben's short fiction has been twice longlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award and twice shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, and in 2020 he won the Seán O'Faoláin International Short Story Prize for his story 'A Navigable River'. He has translated numerous essays, poems and short stories from German for publishers internationally, including texts by Daniel Kehlmann, Alain Claude Sulzer, Byung-Chul Han and Antja Wagner and in 2020 won a Stephen Spender Prize for poetry in translation.
Ben's debut novel, The Spring of Kasper Meier, won the 2015 Betty Trask Prize for an outstanding debut novel by a writer under 35 and the HWA Debut Crown 2015 for the best historical fiction debut of the year. It was also shortlisted for The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award and longlisted for the Authors' Club Best First Novel Award, while being selected for the Waterstone’s Book Club, WHSmith Fresh Talent and the BBC Radio 2 Book Club.
The second and third books in Ben's Berlin trilogy are The Other Hoffmann Sister, published in 2017, and An Honest Man, published in 2019, which was selected by The Sunday Times, the TLS and the Financial Times as one of the best books of the year. In 2022, he will publish his first book of non-fiction, Tales from the Fatherland, an exploration of same-sex parenthood.
Ben's short fiction has been twice longlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award and twice shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, and in 2020 he won the Seán O'Faoláin International Short Story Prize for his story 'A Navigable River'. He has translated numerous essays, poems and short stories from German for publishers internationally, including texts by Daniel Kehlmann, Alain Claude Sulzer, Byung-Chul Han and Antja Wagner and in 2020 won a Stephen Spender Prize for poetry in translation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 5, 2017
This novel spans a number of years and different locations – taking the reader through 1902 to 1924 and from Africa to Germany. It begins with sisters, Margarete and Ingrid Hoffmann, whose parents buy a farm from the Baron von Ketz and move their children to German Southwest Africa. We hear of events through Ingrid’s point of view, as she copes with the boredom of living in the middle of nowhere – devouring her handful of books and enjoying lessons with the houseboy, Hans Ziegler.
There are ties between the characters in these early years that perpetuate through the novel. Margarete is sent to visit the Von Ketzes and it is gradually understood that she will be betrothed to their son, Emil. However, when there is an uprising of the local Herero people, Ingrid and her family flee. Ingrid spends much time concerned about Hans, who does not meet up with the family, as expected and, indeed, she spends much of this novel questioning events that remain unclear to her. When the family return to Germany, Margarete, who has always been critical of the expectations of her parents, and suffered emotional turmoil and mood swings, finally agrees to marry Emil. However, on the wedding night, and on the eve of the First World War, Margarete vanishes… Ingrid has spent much of her childhood caring for her sister and now her life seems torn apart. This novel follows her attempts to make sense of what happened; both in Africa and to her sister.
One of the reasons I wanted to read this novel because I loved Ben Fergusson’s debut book, “The Spring of Kasper Meier.” This is a very different book, but, although it is a much slower, and less obviously plot driven read, I found that I was very much drawn into it. I liked the character of Ingrid very much and sympathised with her realisation that she is surrounded by secrets. Ingrid’s great love is translating and she takes her work seriously. There are also a good supporting cast of characters; including Ingrid’s intellectual friend, Hannah Mandelbaum, Emil von Ketz and his friend, the Hungarian artist, Leo Horvath. There is also a sweeping historical backdrop – Colonial Africa, World War One and the political, and personal, upheaval afterwards. Having finished this, I think it is a novel worth persevering with, as it is a rewarding read.
There are ties between the characters in these early years that perpetuate through the novel. Margarete is sent to visit the Von Ketzes and it is gradually understood that she will be betrothed to their son, Emil. However, when there is an uprising of the local Herero people, Ingrid and her family flee. Ingrid spends much time concerned about Hans, who does not meet up with the family, as expected and, indeed, she spends much of this novel questioning events that remain unclear to her. When the family return to Germany, Margarete, who has always been critical of the expectations of her parents, and suffered emotional turmoil and mood swings, finally agrees to marry Emil. However, on the wedding night, and on the eve of the First World War, Margarete vanishes… Ingrid has spent much of her childhood caring for her sister and now her life seems torn apart. This novel follows her attempts to make sense of what happened; both in Africa and to her sister.
One of the reasons I wanted to read this novel because I loved Ben Fergusson’s debut book, “The Spring of Kasper Meier.” This is a very different book, but, although it is a much slower, and less obviously plot driven read, I found that I was very much drawn into it. I liked the character of Ingrid very much and sympathised with her realisation that she is surrounded by secrets. Ingrid’s great love is translating and she takes her work seriously. There are also a good supporting cast of characters; including Ingrid’s intellectual friend, Hannah Mandelbaum, Emil von Ketz and his friend, the Hungarian artist, Leo Horvath. There is also a sweeping historical backdrop – Colonial Africa, World War One and the political, and personal, upheaval afterwards. Having finished this, I think it is a novel worth persevering with, as it is a rewarding read.
December 24, 2017
This book felt like a real struggle. I usually enjoy slow, atmospheric stories that focus on character, rather than plot, developments, but this book is the literal definition of slow, and if I hadn’t been sent the book to review I would have given up by page 60. The setting is the early twentieth century and the story focuses on the disappearance of Ingrid’s sister on her wedding night (who takes a hell of a long time to disappear by the way), after which she is presumed dead. However, the mystery around her sister’s disappearance wasn’t enough to keep me engaged because I never cared about her sister in the first place. She was distinctly unlikeable and I couldn’t care less whether she was discovered in a monastery in Timbuktu or turned up at the bottom of the lake after all. None of the characters were very interesting in my opinion, and the main character, Ingrid, didn’t have much personality of her own, she was pretty much only defined in relation to her sister. Which was sort of the point of the book I guess, but it just didn’t make for a very engaging story for the reader. It doesn’t necessarily matter if the main character is unlikeable, but if I find them boring then the book is automatically going to be a struggle for me.
One of the reasons why I couldn’t really relate to any of the characters was due to the rate at which this book jumped from one time period to the next. I was hoping we could have spent longer in the African setting the book first opened in but soon we are back in Berlin, with one dull, interminable and repetitive conversation with von Ketz, and other uninspiring secondary characters, after another. The book would open in 1908, for instance, describe a couple of dinner parties and parlour conversations where nothing actually happens and then suddenly jump forward to 1911. So what was the point of 1908 at all then? This book would have been better spent focusing on fewer time periods, but for longer, so we could actually get to know Ingrid before she ages up again. Also, why were the war years skipped through entirely? Good plot material and the chance to raise the stakes of the story have been handed to you on a plate here, and you’re just going to ignore it? The book does deal with the aftermath of the First World War, but I think some chapters set during the war years in Berlin would have been a better use of space than about a dozen other chapters I can think of.
All in all, this book would have been a lot better had it been half the length, had more characters and just more plot. The original premise was good so had this only been 200 pages or so I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more. Sorry that I couldn’t give it a higher rating.
An advanced copy of this book was sent to me for review by Little Brown Publishers via Netgalley
One of the reasons why I couldn’t really relate to any of the characters was due to the rate at which this book jumped from one time period to the next. I was hoping we could have spent longer in the African setting the book first opened in but soon we are back in Berlin, with one dull, interminable and repetitive conversation with von Ketz, and other uninspiring secondary characters, after another. The book would open in 1908, for instance, describe a couple of dinner parties and parlour conversations where nothing actually happens and then suddenly jump forward to 1911. So what was the point of 1908 at all then? This book would have been better spent focusing on fewer time periods, but for longer, so we could actually get to know Ingrid before she ages up again. Also, why were the war years skipped through entirely? Good plot material and the chance to raise the stakes of the story have been handed to you on a plate here, and you’re just going to ignore it? The book does deal with the aftermath of the First World War, but I think some chapters set during the war years in Berlin would have been a better use of space than about a dozen other chapters I can think of.
All in all, this book would have been a lot better had it been half the length, had more characters and just more plot. The original premise was good so had this only been 200 pages or so I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more. Sorry that I couldn’t give it a higher rating.
An advanced copy of this book was sent to me for review by Little Brown Publishers via Netgalley
March 8, 2017
'Ingrid had believed that she had been about to discover the truth about a great conspiracy, but it was just a love story'
Set against the backdrop of Germans in what is now Namibia and then the First World War, this is a book with some historical research behind it, but which subordinates it all to a story which is, at heart, simply unbelievable. There are echoes of all kinds of other books here: Out of Africa and Story of an African Farm; All Quiet on the Western Front which gets name-checked at the end; even a bit of Agatha Christie as the long 'explanation' ('How clever of you. But why didn't you...?'... 'Is that why you...?'... 'How could you?'... 'You've worked it all out, you clever thing, I knew you would') which involves spectacular lies and complicated maneuverings plus murder and some Oscar-worthy acting abilities tries to make sense of everything that has gone before.
There are some important historical events here of uprisings in colonial Africa, genocide and issues of national identity - but they feel trivialised somewhat against the foreground of what turns out to be a rather silly story.
Review from an ARC from Amazon Vine
Set against the backdrop of Germans in what is now Namibia and then the First World War, this is a book with some historical research behind it, but which subordinates it all to a story which is, at heart, simply unbelievable. There are echoes of all kinds of other books here: Out of Africa and Story of an African Farm; All Quiet on the Western Front which gets name-checked at the end; even a bit of Agatha Christie as the long 'explanation' ('How clever of you. But why didn't you...?'... 'Is that why you...?'... 'How could you?'... 'You've worked it all out, you clever thing, I knew you would') which involves spectacular lies and complicated maneuverings plus murder and some Oscar-worthy acting abilities tries to make sense of everything that has gone before.
There are some important historical events here of uprisings in colonial Africa, genocide and issues of national identity - but they feel trivialised somewhat against the foreground of what turns out to be a rather silly story.
Review from an ARC from Amazon Vine
June 10, 2017
Although I enjoyed reading this on the whole, it didn’t quite hang together for me, and I didn’t relate to the characters. The story is original and absorbing enough, telling as it does of the Hoffman sisters, Ingrid and Margarete, whom we first meet in German South West Africa in 1902, where the father has taken them to make his fortune. Already there are secrets and lies and deceptions beyond the daily routine and these only increase after the family’s return to Berlin. Unfortunately it’s all a bit convoluted and unlikely, even melodramatic at times, with some unconvincing plot twists and although I was engaged enough to keep reading to find out what happens, I can’t say I really cared. I enjoyed the historical background, particularly the events in South West Africa, but the socialist uprisings in Berlin after WWI seemed somewhat extraneous to the narrative. So I’m a bit half-hearted all round and sadly this one was nowhere near as good as Fergusson’s earlier novel The Spring of Kaspar Meier.
May 4, 2017
The Hoffmann sisters, Ingrid and her older sibling, Margarete, are taken to German Southwest Africa in 1902, to live on land bought by their father from Baron von Ketz. The Baron, his wife and son, Emil live nearby and “give” their servants Nora and Hans to the Hoffmanns, to help them settle and to make their life more comfortable. It soon becomes clear that Margarete is not emotionally stable and that the hot, arid country does not suit her particularly well.
In some ways, Ingrid settles better. She has her books to read and is given language lessons by Hans. He is well educated and speaks German and French. Time is taken away from these lessons when he has to escort Margarete over to the von Ketz home every week. It is not totally clear to Ingrid why these trips are occurring.
The Hoffmanns eventually leave Africa in a hurried manner, after Baron von Ketz is murdered at the start of a Herero uprising. Hans and Nora are missing, and this is a source of anguish for Ingrid. This younger Hoffmann sister is full of questions about what has happened and what is to come. She loves her sister deeply and cares for her well-being and these feeling for her sister continue on their return to Germany. When Margarete becomes engaged to the young Baron von Ketz, Ingrid has some misgivings. On the wedding night, Margarete disappears and it is presumed that she is dead – drowned in the lake. The rest of the novel is about Ingrid’s search for knowledge of her sister’s disappearance and her reawakened desire to discover what happened to Hans.
A considerable amount of the story takes place in Berlin after the First World War, where Ingrid becomes tentatively involved with the revolution in the city. At times, her searches for the missing are set aside so that she can follow her passion for translating poetry from English and French into German. However, on return to the von Ketz country estate, the anguish of her loss re-emerges, along with her determination to discover the truth.
This was not a particularly easy novel to read, as the pace is variable. At times, the plot seems to come to a standstill, but then, with a new piece of information, or change of scene, it moves along again. Thinking about this, however, I feel now that this is a mirror of Ingrid’s feelings and actions. She was surrounded by unanswered questions and deception; at times, the confusion seemed to overwhelm her and she, herself, came to a standstill. Then, something was revealed to her and she could move on with her quests.
I am glad that I read this book. It gave much food for thought and I was interested in the sections on post war Berlin and the revolution. Much is written about the post war world, but I hadn’t read anything that looked at it through German eyes.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read “The Other Hoffmann Sister” in return for my honest review.
In some ways, Ingrid settles better. She has her books to read and is given language lessons by Hans. He is well educated and speaks German and French. Time is taken away from these lessons when he has to escort Margarete over to the von Ketz home every week. It is not totally clear to Ingrid why these trips are occurring.
The Hoffmanns eventually leave Africa in a hurried manner, after Baron von Ketz is murdered at the start of a Herero uprising. Hans and Nora are missing, and this is a source of anguish for Ingrid. This younger Hoffmann sister is full of questions about what has happened and what is to come. She loves her sister deeply and cares for her well-being and these feeling for her sister continue on their return to Germany. When Margarete becomes engaged to the young Baron von Ketz, Ingrid has some misgivings. On the wedding night, Margarete disappears and it is presumed that she is dead – drowned in the lake. The rest of the novel is about Ingrid’s search for knowledge of her sister’s disappearance and her reawakened desire to discover what happened to Hans.
A considerable amount of the story takes place in Berlin after the First World War, where Ingrid becomes tentatively involved with the revolution in the city. At times, her searches for the missing are set aside so that she can follow her passion for translating poetry from English and French into German. However, on return to the von Ketz country estate, the anguish of her loss re-emerges, along with her determination to discover the truth.
This was not a particularly easy novel to read, as the pace is variable. At times, the plot seems to come to a standstill, but then, with a new piece of information, or change of scene, it moves along again. Thinking about this, however, I feel now that this is a mirror of Ingrid’s feelings and actions. She was surrounded by unanswered questions and deception; at times, the confusion seemed to overwhelm her and she, herself, came to a standstill. Then, something was revealed to her and she could move on with her quests.
I am glad that I read this book. It gave much food for thought and I was interested in the sections on post war Berlin and the revolution. Much is written about the post war world, but I hadn’t read anything that looked at it through German eyes.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read “The Other Hoffmann Sister” in return for my honest review.
September 4, 2017
I enjoyed the premise of the book and the historical background, particularly the chapters set in German Southwest Africa. It was interesting to read a story set during World War I from a German perspective. The great mystery of the missing other sister didn't grab me as I found the characters quite bland and didn't build up any connection with them. A good idea of a story that fell short of the mark for me.
September 29, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for their advance copy in return for an honest review.
Ingrid Hoffmann's sister disappears on her wedding night and Ingrid is left bewildered by her sisters sudden disappearance.
Ingrid's story is set against a background from the tribal uprisings in German Southwest Africa to the Berlin before and after World War One.
Germany after the Great War is depicted well in the lack of young men, money and the effects of the women left behind. And Ingrid is quite a good character. She is intelligent and adaptable but she spends a lot of time tip toeing round. Her sister on the other hand is unbearable and it is almost a relief for the novel when Margarete goes missing. Ingrid however, is torn by her sister’s disappearance, and spends the rest of the novel finding answers.
The book is not an exhaustive investigation by Ingrid though. At times she appears to have no structure to her search, and she leaves many questions unanswered. The story in itself becomes lost in the book, and perhaps the book might have been better focused on Ingrid and getting on with her life as a single woman in post First World War Germany.
However, perhaps because there is a lot about the family that doesn't bring anything to the story. Or maybe if more of a plot I may have enjoyed it. Its not that I didn’t enjoy, I just found it a bit tedious.
The original premise sounded really good, and the cover is beautiful, however I felt that it focused to long on scenes that added nothing to the story.
Ingrid Hoffmann's sister disappears on her wedding night and Ingrid is left bewildered by her sisters sudden disappearance.
Ingrid's story is set against a background from the tribal uprisings in German Southwest Africa to the Berlin before and after World War One.
Germany after the Great War is depicted well in the lack of young men, money and the effects of the women left behind. And Ingrid is quite a good character. She is intelligent and adaptable but she spends a lot of time tip toeing round. Her sister on the other hand is unbearable and it is almost a relief for the novel when Margarete goes missing. Ingrid however, is torn by her sister’s disappearance, and spends the rest of the novel finding answers.
The book is not an exhaustive investigation by Ingrid though. At times she appears to have no structure to her search, and she leaves many questions unanswered. The story in itself becomes lost in the book, and perhaps the book might have been better focused on Ingrid and getting on with her life as a single woman in post First World War Germany.
However, perhaps because there is a lot about the family that doesn't bring anything to the story. Or maybe if more of a plot I may have enjoyed it. Its not that I didn’t enjoy, I just found it a bit tedious.
The original premise sounded really good, and the cover is beautiful, however I felt that it focused to long on scenes that added nothing to the story.
May 22, 2017
From the very beginning, we are told that the 'other' Hoffmann sister will disappear. Ingrid is the sturdy one, the sensible one, the one who pays attention to her studies. Her elder sibling Margarete is far more sensitive. For Ingrid, the seeds for Margarete's disappearance were sown when the family first decamped from Germany to South West Africa (modern day Namibia) in 1902. The Hoffmanns seek to make their fortune, having bought a large plot of land and a big house from the fading aristocrat Baron von Ketz. Of hazy origins themselves, Herr and Frau Hoffmann have grand plans for their daughters, lording it above their native servants and hoping for an engagement between highly-strung Margarete and von Ketz's son Emil. Fergusson manages to strike a highly effective balance between Ingrid's obliviousness and the tension within her environment - with a protagonist who does not think to ask the questions, or even notice when she is being lied to, how will she ever put the pieces together when disaster finally strikes?
The Other Hoffmann Sister is highly evocative, capturing the era of German imperialism when the aristocracy still had a value and before the devastation of the twentieth century. Ingrid's parents believe that they are buying into a world that will never change, that the German supremacy is unshakable. As the years pass by, we watch as their world crumbles but how their faith is never rattled. They are proud that Baroness von Ketz requests Margarete's company once a week, even though Ingrid longs to go too. Frau Hoffmann is briskly dismissive when Margarete's unwillingness to go seems to drive the young girl towards a breakdown. Their iron will will brook no opposition. The Herero uprising of 1904 claims the life of Baron von Ketz and chases the Hoffmanns plus Emil back to Germany. The years pass and Margarete finally does become engaged to Emil, fulfilling her parents of making their daughter a Baroness. For Ingrid, this surely means that she will no longer have to protect her sister, to keep half an eye on her at all times, that Margarete will have a happy ending. The reader knows better and so we are barely surprised when Margarete vanishes on the eve of her wedding day, presumed drowned in the lake.
Ingrid has spent so much of her time up until this point preoccupied with her own concerns - she frets over Margarete's tantrums and depressions when they mean that her sister misses out on hearing their book read, or when it disrupts her lessons, but there are other times when she is bafflingly incurious. Where Margarete has the beauty, Ingrid is to be the clever one of the family, so she is focussed on her lessons and devoted to the housekeeper's son Hans who teaches her. It is a strange thing to read a book in English about a German girl studying to learn English. Ingrid grows up with an ambition to be a translator, working hard on her collection of poems translated from English to German. This was an interesting linguistic exercise, with Fergusson creating copies of 'translated' English poems ever so delicately adjusted to lose their meaning. Ingrid reads but does not quite comprehend what she sees. As with her books, so with her life.
The icy ambition of the Hoffmann parents is revealed in their pride in having a Baroness daughter, despite the fact that she had apparently ended her own life mere hours after becoming one. With her family frantic to bury any suggestion of scandal and then Europe descending into chaos, Ingrid is blocked on all sides in her attempt to get an answer on what befell her sister. With friends assuring her that Margarete was never strong, that she should let her go, hopes for finding the truth seem destined to fade. However, when Germany finally admits defeat and Berlin falls into disarray following the revolution, Ingrid and her family flee back to the von Ketz estate for sanctuary and Ingrid tries again to discover what on earth became of the other Hoffmann sister.
With a reader primed from the book's opening lines to look for all clues, that Margarete is surely doomed, it is at times frustrating when Ingrid herself notices so little. There are so many junctures when one thinks that surely Ingrid would have asked more questions, but then we remember that the child Ingrid did not have our fore-knowledge. Fergusson is a very atmospheric writer, summoning up the sticky heat of South West Africa, with the two European girls poorly adapted for their new life. The chill of a German winter is summoned up when Ingrid starts her true investigation in the immediate aftermath of the war. However, while this was highly effective, I felt that Fergusson could have spent slightly less time on build-up and slightly more on the plot as at times the action drags a little while we are waiting for Margarete to finally vanish.
In terms of suspense though, I have to admit to have been completely caught up, with the final third definitely the strongest of the novel. I grew genuinely excited as the clues began to draw together in my mind, staying up far past my bedtime because I was desperate to get to the end - I can't remember the last time I did that. Still, even with the final truths revealed, I felt a kind of discontentment. Was it just the extent to which Ingrid had been ignorant, blind even, to what was going on around her? Or was it an actual weakness of the novel? The Other Hoffmann Sister is made of parts which are perhaps greater than the sum of its whole. It is highly descriptive, evokes the feelings and preoccupations of its time period, the characters are richly varied and the novel has an impressively Gothic central mystery. It's just that somehow it fails to quite satisfy - so much of the action has taken place offstage that when we are caught up, the events hold less weight than they should. Ingrid has been necessarily blank for so long, excluded from the family secrets, that she is a difficult protagonist to engage with. Despite its many promising qualities, The Other Hoffmann Sister is rather lacking in terms of its flow.
It may seem that I am being overly critical, but with so much about this novel that I found truly gripping, and the powerful way in which Fergusson is able to transport the reader from South West Africa to Berlin to the crumbling von Kertz estate, I do have a feeling that The Other Hoffman Sister is destined to be the sophomore attempt with Fergusson's career. He has already impressed with The Spring of Kasper Meier and with this book, he solidifies his reputation as a talented writer and I will look forward to what he writes next. I just don't think that The Other Hoffman Sister is destined to be a career highlight.
The Other Hoffmann Sister is highly evocative, capturing the era of German imperialism when the aristocracy still had a value and before the devastation of the twentieth century. Ingrid's parents believe that they are buying into a world that will never change, that the German supremacy is unshakable. As the years pass by, we watch as their world crumbles but how their faith is never rattled. They are proud that Baroness von Ketz requests Margarete's company once a week, even though Ingrid longs to go too. Frau Hoffmann is briskly dismissive when Margarete's unwillingness to go seems to drive the young girl towards a breakdown. Their iron will will brook no opposition. The Herero uprising of 1904 claims the life of Baron von Ketz and chases the Hoffmanns plus Emil back to Germany. The years pass and Margarete finally does become engaged to Emil, fulfilling her parents of making their daughter a Baroness. For Ingrid, this surely means that she will no longer have to protect her sister, to keep half an eye on her at all times, that Margarete will have a happy ending. The reader knows better and so we are barely surprised when Margarete vanishes on the eve of her wedding day, presumed drowned in the lake.
Ingrid has spent so much of her time up until this point preoccupied with her own concerns - she frets over Margarete's tantrums and depressions when they mean that her sister misses out on hearing their book read, or when it disrupts her lessons, but there are other times when she is bafflingly incurious. Where Margarete has the beauty, Ingrid is to be the clever one of the family, so she is focussed on her lessons and devoted to the housekeeper's son Hans who teaches her. It is a strange thing to read a book in English about a German girl studying to learn English. Ingrid grows up with an ambition to be a translator, working hard on her collection of poems translated from English to German. This was an interesting linguistic exercise, with Fergusson creating copies of 'translated' English poems ever so delicately adjusted to lose their meaning. Ingrid reads but does not quite comprehend what she sees. As with her books, so with her life.
The icy ambition of the Hoffmann parents is revealed in their pride in having a Baroness daughter, despite the fact that she had apparently ended her own life mere hours after becoming one. With her family frantic to bury any suggestion of scandal and then Europe descending into chaos, Ingrid is blocked on all sides in her attempt to get an answer on what befell her sister. With friends assuring her that Margarete was never strong, that she should let her go, hopes for finding the truth seem destined to fade. However, when Germany finally admits defeat and Berlin falls into disarray following the revolution, Ingrid and her family flee back to the von Ketz estate for sanctuary and Ingrid tries again to discover what on earth became of the other Hoffmann sister.
With a reader primed from the book's opening lines to look for all clues, that Margarete is surely doomed, it is at times frustrating when Ingrid herself notices so little. There are so many junctures when one thinks that surely Ingrid would have asked more questions, but then we remember that the child Ingrid did not have our fore-knowledge. Fergusson is a very atmospheric writer, summoning up the sticky heat of South West Africa, with the two European girls poorly adapted for their new life. The chill of a German winter is summoned up when Ingrid starts her true investigation in the immediate aftermath of the war. However, while this was highly effective, I felt that Fergusson could have spent slightly less time on build-up and slightly more on the plot as at times the action drags a little while we are waiting for Margarete to finally vanish.
In terms of suspense though, I have to admit to have been completely caught up, with the final third definitely the strongest of the novel. I grew genuinely excited as the clues began to draw together in my mind, staying up far past my bedtime because I was desperate to get to the end - I can't remember the last time I did that. Still, even with the final truths revealed, I felt a kind of discontentment. Was it just the extent to which Ingrid had been ignorant, blind even, to what was going on around her? Or was it an actual weakness of the novel? The Other Hoffmann Sister is made of parts which are perhaps greater than the sum of its whole. It is highly descriptive, evokes the feelings and preoccupations of its time period, the characters are richly varied and the novel has an impressively Gothic central mystery. It's just that somehow it fails to quite satisfy - so much of the action has taken place offstage that when we are caught up, the events hold less weight than they should. Ingrid has been necessarily blank for so long, excluded from the family secrets, that she is a difficult protagonist to engage with. Despite its many promising qualities, The Other Hoffmann Sister is rather lacking in terms of its flow.
It may seem that I am being overly critical, but with so much about this novel that I found truly gripping, and the powerful way in which Fergusson is able to transport the reader from South West Africa to Berlin to the crumbling von Kertz estate, I do have a feeling that The Other Hoffman Sister is destined to be the sophomore attempt with Fergusson's career. He has already impressed with The Spring of Kasper Meier and with this book, he solidifies his reputation as a talented writer and I will look forward to what he writes next. I just don't think that The Other Hoffman Sister is destined to be a career highlight.
June 13, 2019
Hedwig and Johannes Hoffmann will stop at nothing to raise their station in life, from humble beginnings to aristocracy and at risk of losing all their striving is even for - their daughters Ingrid and Margarete. Against a backdrop of violent German history in Southwest Africa and revolutionary Berlin of Luxemburg and Liebknecht, the girls grow up and uncover truths.
January 9, 2019
I agree with a lot of the other 3 star and less reviews on here.
My main criticism is I’m not really sure what the author was attempting with this book. Strangely enough, the mystery plot points seemed to get in the way of something that could have been much more interesting.
My main criticism is I’m not really sure what the author was attempting with this book. Strangely enough, the mystery plot points seemed to get in the way of something that could have been much more interesting.
May 14, 2017
Gripping and powerful
From the opening scene of two sisters sitting on the stairs in the hot darkness of an African night, watching their parents’ guests arrive at their farm in Okahandja, I was gripped with a sense of foreboding that builds as the story follows Ingrid Hoffmann and her older sister Margarete’s increasingly troubled experiences in their new homeland, culminating in a terrifying flight back to Berlin to escape a brutal uprising. But in Germany there is little to comfort Ingrid as Margarete’s behaviour becomes even more erratic, culminating in her disappearance on the day of her wedding to Baron von Ketz and Ingrid’s search for the truth.
There are many troubling themes at the heart of this superb novel but they are played out against a backdrop of wonders – the creaking heat of Africa, the elegance of Charlottenburg before the outbreak of the First World War, the crumbling grandeur of the von Ketzes’ estate and the hiss of a sleigh sliding over snow. Fergusson is a very sensory writer – smells assail your nostrils, sounds transport you, heat makes you gasp and cold makes you shudder. He creates such a tangible world that you feel you have walked the streets of Berlin and trekked through the forests of Buckow.
He is no less skilful at creating his characters – you can laugh at Herr Hoffmann’s social climbing (the scene of him standing in the rain, waiting for the elderly servant to reach him with an umbrella is wonderful), worry at Margarete’s increasing instability and bleed for Ingrid as she slowly discovers the truth and the depth of the betrayals that have plagued her young life. Ingrid is a very likeable heroine, loveable without being weak, admirable without being tedious – she is as loyal to her principals as she is to the memory of her sister; she is as industrious in her work as a translator as she is to unravelling the secrets of these two families linked by tragedy. And what secrets they turn out to be.
The Spring of Kasper Meier was an incredible debut – this novel is greater still. The plot spins you along and the resolution is both satisfying and heart breaking. I can’t wait for the third book in the Berlin series.
From the opening scene of two sisters sitting on the stairs in the hot darkness of an African night, watching their parents’ guests arrive at their farm in Okahandja, I was gripped with a sense of foreboding that builds as the story follows Ingrid Hoffmann and her older sister Margarete’s increasingly troubled experiences in their new homeland, culminating in a terrifying flight back to Berlin to escape a brutal uprising. But in Germany there is little to comfort Ingrid as Margarete’s behaviour becomes even more erratic, culminating in her disappearance on the day of her wedding to Baron von Ketz and Ingrid’s search for the truth.
There are many troubling themes at the heart of this superb novel but they are played out against a backdrop of wonders – the creaking heat of Africa, the elegance of Charlottenburg before the outbreak of the First World War, the crumbling grandeur of the von Ketzes’ estate and the hiss of a sleigh sliding over snow. Fergusson is a very sensory writer – smells assail your nostrils, sounds transport you, heat makes you gasp and cold makes you shudder. He creates such a tangible world that you feel you have walked the streets of Berlin and trekked through the forests of Buckow.
He is no less skilful at creating his characters – you can laugh at Herr Hoffmann’s social climbing (the scene of him standing in the rain, waiting for the elderly servant to reach him with an umbrella is wonderful), worry at Margarete’s increasing instability and bleed for Ingrid as she slowly discovers the truth and the depth of the betrayals that have plagued her young life. Ingrid is a very likeable heroine, loveable without being weak, admirable without being tedious – she is as loyal to her principals as she is to the memory of her sister; she is as industrious in her work as a translator as she is to unravelling the secrets of these two families linked by tragedy. And what secrets they turn out to be.
The Spring of Kasper Meier was an incredible debut – this novel is greater still. The plot spins you along and the resolution is both satisfying and heart breaking. I can’t wait for the third book in the Berlin series.
September 12, 2020
Beautifully written this novel by Ben Fergusson follows the fate of Ingrid Hoffmann and her family from German Southwest Africa to Germany during World War I. 12 year old Ingrid and her 13 year old sister, Margarethe, do everything together until Ingrid is made to learn French by their half-caste 16 year old houseboy, Hans, and Margarethe is sent to the neighbor's farm owned by Baron von Ketz to play piano taken there by the same Hans, a ride on horseback of over 2 hours.
Margarethe soon begins to show signs of mental instability and the piano lessons stop until she is better. Before long the natives begin the Uprising and Baron von Ketz is murdered. The Baroness and her son Emil meet up with the Hoffman family, Hans to meet up with them again before they depart Africa. He never shows up and they return to Germany on the eve of World War I without him. Ingrid and her family worry continuously about Margarethe until the war is over and she becomes engaged to Emil,the new Baron. She disappears on their wedding night and it is only 5 years later that Ingrid will solve the mystery of where Hans went and what happened to Margarethe.
I enjoyed this book, but as I got to the end some things began to disturb me: We never take part in the Uprising but are only told about it; we never take part in the War but are told about it; we never see soldiers but only after the war when crippled or miserable they return home; Ingrid tries to find out what really happened to Hans and does so by chance; she tries to find out what happened to Margarethe and does so by chance. Too many times conversations are ended by either Margarethe or Ingrid bursting into tears. Some of the things that happen which are spoilers don't make much sense. Still, I like the book because of the beautiful writing and I will now read Fergusson's next book.
Margarethe soon begins to show signs of mental instability and the piano lessons stop until she is better. Before long the natives begin the Uprising and Baron von Ketz is murdered. The Baroness and her son Emil meet up with the Hoffman family, Hans to meet up with them again before they depart Africa. He never shows up and they return to Germany on the eve of World War I without him. Ingrid and her family worry continuously about Margarethe until the war is over and she becomes engaged to Emil,the new Baron. She disappears on their wedding night and it is only 5 years later that Ingrid will solve the mystery of where Hans went and what happened to Margarethe.
I enjoyed this book, but as I got to the end some things began to disturb me: We never take part in the Uprising but are only told about it; we never take part in the War but are told about it; we never see soldiers but only after the war when crippled or miserable they return home; Ingrid tries to find out what really happened to Hans and does so by chance; she tries to find out what happened to Margarethe and does so by chance. Too many times conversations are ended by either Margarethe or Ingrid bursting into tears. Some of the things that happen which are spoilers don't make much sense. Still, I like the book because of the beautiful writing and I will now read Fergusson's next book.
September 28, 2019
Secrets, social climbing and their hurtful consequences are the theme of Ben Fergusson’s second novel. This character- and descriptive-rich story is set in the early twentieth century in Southwest Africa, then a German colony, and Germany itself.
The novel spans the lives of the eponymous sisters, Margarete and Ingrid, from childhood to their early twenties. It culminates in revolutionary Germany in 1919 when the chaos in the Hoffman family is reflected in the chaos in the country.
The consequences for Germany were irreversible just as they were for Ingrid when she learned the truth her family kept from her. But the people responsible for the misleading and worse elicit sympathy. Their motives were not malicious. The characters are well drawn and the narrative unfolds at a consistent but not fast pace.
Fergusson’s writing is engrossing. This is the third of his three novels I have read and I recommend the others, the first, The Spring of Kasper Meier and the third, A Handsome Man.
The novel spans the lives of the eponymous sisters, Margarete and Ingrid, from childhood to their early twenties. It culminates in revolutionary Germany in 1919 when the chaos in the Hoffman family is reflected in the chaos in the country.
The consequences for Germany were irreversible just as they were for Ingrid when she learned the truth her family kept from her. But the people responsible for the misleading and worse elicit sympathy. Their motives were not malicious. The characters are well drawn and the narrative unfolds at a consistent but not fast pace.
Fergusson’s writing is engrossing. This is the third of his three novels I have read and I recommend the others, the first, The Spring of Kasper Meier and the third, A Handsome Man.
August 10, 2025
A very slow burn, which almost pushed me to give up on it, where it not for Fergusson's flowing prose. I really struggled to find interest in either the MC or the story, which seemed to be going nowhere.
Thankfully, the narrative picks enough in the last quarter or so of the book to reward to reader's perseverance.
(From a narrative perspective this is the first book of a loose trilogy featuring a flat a Windscheidstraße 53, Berlin. This is followed by The Spring of Kasper Meier (though that was published first, and has since become the first book of a different series(!)), and An Honest Man.)
Thankfully, the narrative picks enough in the last quarter or so of the book to reward to reader's perseverance.
(From a narrative perspective this is the first book of a loose trilogy featuring a flat a Windscheidstraße 53, Berlin. This is followed by The Spring of Kasper Meier (though that was published first, and has since become the first book of a different series(!)), and An Honest Man.)
May 5, 2017
The two Hoffman sisters grew up in Germany, moved to South Africa with their parents in the early years of 20th century. They make friends wih their neighbour Baon von Ketz and his family. The hoffmans make their money and due to stuggles in their new homeland and the death of Baron von Ketz they flee back to Germany with Baroness von Ketz and her son. Margarete gets engaged to Emil von Ketz. Ingris starts her own life translating poetry and they get caught up in the first world war. Margarete vanishes on the night of her wedding, never seen again. Ingrids life is taken up with working and trying to find out what happened to her sister. I feel as though Margarete is a bit blind sometimes as to what is going on....
January 8, 2018
A really interesting book set in German controlled Namibia and then in Berlin. It centres around the Hoffman family who are trying to raise both their status and their wealth which becomes inextricably tied with the aristocratic Von Ketz family.
This book was fascinating although some of the events covered made it difficult to read since it deals with both an uprising in Africa and a revolution in 1918 within Germany. Indicative of its time, some of the attitudes towards women and staff are abhorrent but not gratuitously described. The lines between heroes and villains here are very much blurred and I wonder if perhaps we all have a little of both within us.
Themes include family, power, secrets, control, love, freedom and rebellion - plenty to get your teeth into.
This book was fascinating although some of the events covered made it difficult to read since it deals with both an uprising in Africa and a revolution in 1918 within Germany. Indicative of its time, some of the attitudes towards women and staff are abhorrent but not gratuitously described. The lines between heroes and villains here are very much blurred and I wonder if perhaps we all have a little of both within us.
Themes include family, power, secrets, control, love, freedom and rebellion - plenty to get your teeth into.
December 9, 2020
This was a book club selection and as it was recommended to fans of The Essex Serpent, I hadn’t expected to enjoy it. However, I found it fascinating. The first chapters set in German South West Africa (now Namibia) opened a whole new era of history for me and I had to look it up on Wikipedia. The bulk of the story is set in Germany, giving a new perspective on WW1 and its aftermath. The historical detail is never laboured though.
I had more or less guessed the essential mystery behind Margarete’s disappearance from the outset and I thought Ingrid was much too slow realising at least some of what had happened. The end is rather drawn out as a result.
I fear for Ingrid’s Jewish friends as time unfolds for them. I wonder if there will be a sequel to cover that? I will read it if there is.
I had more or less guessed the essential mystery behind Margarete’s disappearance from the outset and I thought Ingrid was much too slow realising at least some of what had happened. The end is rather drawn out as a result.
I fear for Ingrid’s Jewish friends as time unfolds for them. I wonder if there will be a sequel to cover that? I will read it if there is.
January 9, 2022
The first book started in 2022, and what a perfect start to my reading year: The Other Hoffman Sister is a good example of what I enjoy most about novels: the ability to transport you to a time and place you’ve never been to but can imagine with perfect clarity. This is because of a skilled and talented writer leading you by the hand, opening up your senses to the smells, sights and sounds of another era.
Not many male authors write convincingly from the female point of view but Ben Fergusson’s creation of Ingrid Hoffman is not only believable but absorbing. This plus an exceptional plot (I was gripped from the first few pages) makes this a glorious read.
Thank you to my local library for having this as their ‘book of the month’ otherwise it may never have come my way!
Not many male authors write convincingly from the female point of view but Ben Fergusson’s creation of Ingrid Hoffman is not only believable but absorbing. This plus an exceptional plot (I was gripped from the first few pages) makes this a glorious read.
Thank you to my local library for having this as their ‘book of the month’ otherwise it may never have come my way!
April 22, 2019
I found the first part of this book set in colonial German Southwest Africa a slow difficult read. The two sisters Margarette and Ingrid are so different but it’s hard to feel sympathy for their colonial lifestyle before the uprising.
By part 4 when the family had returned Berlin in 1914 and Margarette’s wedding I was hooked on the mystery.
The best part of the book were the descriptions of post WE1 Germany and the political upheaval which fascinates Ingrid and her translations.. a lot of careful research which builds atmosphere.
I enjoyed the story at the end of the mystery and felt Ingrid’s betrayal and disappointment of her parents and sister.
By part 4 when the family had returned Berlin in 1914 and Margarette’s wedding I was hooked on the mystery.
The best part of the book were the descriptions of post WE1 Germany and the political upheaval which fascinates Ingrid and her translations.. a lot of careful research which builds atmosphere.
I enjoyed the story at the end of the mystery and felt Ingrid’s betrayal and disappointment of her parents and sister.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2018
A lot of description which enables the reader to picture the scene. The references to German and places in Germany only significant to those who know the Country I assume they are authentic in which case there must have been a lot of research. Not sure which sister was supposed to be the "Other" it could have been either of them. A good story.
December 30, 2018
I enjoyed this book , however in the end discovered that I cared very little for the characters. What should have been an interesting story about a period in history that I knew little about(1902-1924) was skimmed over and not dealt with in a realistic way. I also thought that the plot did not hang together and was at times obscure. A pleasant read but not a great one.
April 4, 2018
not what I expected... it took a long time to get exciting... glad I have read this but just as glad to finish it. I had read amazing reviews, and was looking forward to this but I was quite disappointed... it just wasn't for me.
June 24, 2018
Interesting to read something set in Germany in the aftermath of ww1 and the demand for worker's and women's rights. I enjoyed his first novel again set in Berlin but after ww2. The story of this novel is quite complicated but I did enjoy it.
May 26, 2017
VERY ENJOYABLE READ - GIVES INSIGHT TO WHAT PEOPLE HAD TO DEAL WITH IN CHALLENGING TIMES.
February 14, 2019
good and atmospheric but too slow
April 21, 2019
Unfortunately I didn't finish this book as it seemed to drag on and on not going anywhere. Tried to battle through but to no avail!
July 29, 2019
Well to be honest, I thought this was dreadful. 80% of the book needn't be there. The most interesting bit was at the beginning when they are in Africa, and then the last few chapters at the end.
August 6, 2019
An interesting tale
April 7, 2020
Really enjoyed this book.
Wanted to know the end from the very start!
Wanted to know the end from the very start!
April 25, 2020
I found parts of this saga hard to read because of my frustration with the over thinking and feeling of the main character, but I did enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews