What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wartime Evacuees #1
The Wartime Nanny
The Nazis are everywhere now. We must leave Vienna. It might be that soon our letters won’t get out anymore. Can you help, dear sister? Please, ask for us. Send news, and quickly. Please. London, 1938. Sixteen-year-old Natalie Leeman takes the heart-breaking decision to leave her family behind in Vienna and travel to England to join her cousin Leah in service. Natalie is placed with a wealthy suburban family, the Caplins, as a nanny to their energetic six-year-old. At first, Natalie is delighted by the huge house and beautiful gardens, but things aren’t as perfect as they seem . While Natalie dotes on their child, she is increasingly wary of Mr Caplin, whose gruff manor and fascist politics scare her. And then there are those still waiting at home – Mama and her two sisters, as well as a blossoming romance with her English tutor that had only just begun. But when Vienna falls under Nazi rule, Natalie begins to fear for her family , especially her vivacious, tomboy little sister Libby. Then rumours of a possible escape route from mainland Europe called the kindertransport begin to swirl – can Natalie help her family escape the Nazis before it’s too late? A heartbreaking wartime novel – emotional and unforgettable . Perfect for fans of The Alice Network , The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Before We Were Yours. What readers are saying about The Wartime Nanny : ‘ I am in pieces! There are many books about the Holocaust, but I have never read a book from this perspective… There are some incredibly poignant scenes (I cried!) and also moments which caused me to suck in my breath because of parallels between that period and the present day… I have loved all of Lizzie Page's books, but this might be my favourite.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘ Absolutely loved it , of course! Another beautifully written and profoundly moving novel by Lizzie Page . I can’t wait to see what she writes next!’ Sunday Times bestselling author Jill Mansell, 5 stars ‘An absolutely brilliant read that I devoured in one sitting . If like me you love war time sagas then this book is for you.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Lizzie Page has done a brilliant job of writing a unique historical fiction story, and it’s emotional, heartbreaking, and poignant and I gave it five stars.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘What a unique story, told from a different perspective, I truly enjoyed every page of this book, fantastic storyline and characters . I will be recommending this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘If you read and enjoy family wartime sagas you will love this book . Lizzie Page writes such wonderful, moving stories with great characters .’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Love Lizzie Page books and this once exceeds. If you enjoy family saga and wartime you will love this. A page-turner, very emotional in places .’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘ I loved this book . I loved the characters… I was captured from the beginning and read the book in two days . I had a hard time putting it down. The ending was perfect . I would definitely recommend this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
322 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2020
1137 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
About the author
Lizzie Page
15 books194 followersHello and thank you for stopping by.
I love reading ALL the books, and I've always loved reading the adventures of women in the past so it seemed natural to me to write historical fiction.
I live with my family by the sea in South East England. And with my dog. How did I forget my dog? I enjoy traveling and lived in Japan for several years. I've had lots of different jobs from waitressing and teaching to admin and bingo-calling - but being a writer is my absolute favourite.
I hope my novels help shine a light on the achievements, love and relationships of twentieth-century women, and that the books are entertaining and moving.
I'd love to hear what you think - feel free to send me a message on twitter @LizziePagewrite or on FB or leave a review here.
Happy reading,
Love Lizzie xx
I love reading ALL the books, and I've always loved reading the adventures of women in the past so it seemed natural to me to write historical fiction.
I live with my family by the sea in South East England. And with my dog. How did I forget my dog? I enjoy traveling and lived in Japan for several years. I've had lots of different jobs from waitressing and teaching to admin and bingo-calling - but being a writer is my absolute favourite.
I hope my novels help shine a light on the achievements, love and relationships of twentieth-century women, and that the books are entertaining and moving.
I'd love to hear what you think - feel free to send me a message on twitter @LizziePagewrite or on FB or leave a review here.
Happy reading,
Love Lizzie xx
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 13, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Lizzie Page for my copy of: The Wartime Nanny.
Natalie Leeman is only sixteen when she arrives in London in 1936, her mother Dora made the difficult choice to send her to England and stay behind with her two other daughters in Vienna. Natalie isn’t completely alone her cousin Leah is working in England, they have organized for Natalie to work as a nanny and her employers the Caplin’s need someone to look after six year old Hugo. Nat really enjoys looking after Hugo, they have fun together, her relationship with Hugo keeps her going when she’s home sick and she’s not as lonely.
In 1938, the German army march into Austria, people naively believed life in Vienna wouldn’t change and some thought it might actually be better of course we know it was the start of the Nazi’s invading countries and wanting to take control. While reading The Wartime Nanny you really understand how difficult it was for Jewish people living in England when WW II began in 1939, how concerned they were for their families living in Europe, they had no idea what was going on and they heard horrible rumors.
Natalie begins to visit the labor relief agency, she and other Jewish people line up for hours to try and find a way to get their family members to England. They fill out never ending forms, speak to any official who will listen and finally Natalie hears about the kinder-transport it might be her only way of getting her little sister Libby to England and she’s tries desperately to get her sister on the list.
You also read about an older Natalie wanting to find Hugo, she asks her daughter to help and she needs to find closure and see him for one last time. I really enjoyed reading The Wartime Nanny, Lizzie Page has done a brilliant job of writing a unique historical fiction story, and it’s emotional, heartbreaking and poignant. I have shared my review on Goodreads, Australian Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, NetGalley, Twitter and my blog. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Natalie Leeman is only sixteen when she arrives in London in 1936, her mother Dora made the difficult choice to send her to England and stay behind with her two other daughters in Vienna. Natalie isn’t completely alone her cousin Leah is working in England, they have organized for Natalie to work as a nanny and her employers the Caplin’s need someone to look after six year old Hugo. Nat really enjoys looking after Hugo, they have fun together, her relationship with Hugo keeps her going when she’s home sick and she’s not as lonely.
In 1938, the German army march into Austria, people naively believed life in Vienna wouldn’t change and some thought it might actually be better of course we know it was the start of the Nazi’s invading countries and wanting to take control. While reading The Wartime Nanny you really understand how difficult it was for Jewish people living in England when WW II began in 1939, how concerned they were for their families living in Europe, they had no idea what was going on and they heard horrible rumors.
Natalie begins to visit the labor relief agency, she and other Jewish people line up for hours to try and find a way to get their family members to England. They fill out never ending forms, speak to any official who will listen and finally Natalie hears about the kinder-transport it might be her only way of getting her little sister Libby to England and she’s tries desperately to get her sister on the list.
You also read about an older Natalie wanting to find Hugo, she asks her daughter to help and she needs to find closure and see him for one last time. I really enjoyed reading The Wartime Nanny, Lizzie Page has done a brilliant job of writing a unique historical fiction story, and it’s emotional, heartbreaking and poignant. I have shared my review on Goodreads, Australian Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, NetGalley, Twitter and my blog. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
September 5, 2020
Natalie was just sixteen when she moved from Austria to London to become a Nanny and translator. When Hitler invaded Austria, her family who are Jewish, were now in danger. The family Natalie works for are wealthy. She's hoping they will help her bring her family to London
It was dangerous times, especially for the Jews during WWII in Austria. It's a beautifully written story that in parts is heartbreaking. Tge guilt that the young people carried about with them for escaping Austria was immense. They are horrified by the events happening to their family members. The storyline is intriguing and filled with believable characters. The story follows Natalie's life. This is a must read for fans of wartime historical fiction.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #LizziePage for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was dangerous times, especially for the Jews during WWII in Austria. It's a beautifully written story that in parts is heartbreaking. Tge guilt that the young people carried about with them for escaping Austria was immense. They are horrified by the events happening to their family members. The storyline is intriguing and filled with believable characters. The story follows Natalie's life. This is a must read for fans of wartime historical fiction.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #LizziePage for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2020
4.5 Stars: With all the WWII books I have read, I am continually surprised when an original or different storyline comes about. Lizzie Page has taken a time and situation and written a very interesting and engrossing story. Natalie Leeman is only sixteen when she arrives in London in 1936. Her mother has sent her to England to work as a nanny and improve her English. Her mother and two sisters remain behind in Vienna. She also said good-bye to her English tutor and boyfriend, Rudi Strobl. Her only friend in England is her cousin Leah, who works as a domestic in another house not too far from where Natalie will be working. Natalie has a job with the Caplins, as a nanny to their six year old son Hugo. Natalie comes to love Hugo, spending time with him, teaching him languages and having fun, it helps with her homesickness. By 1939, Natalie is frantic to get her family out of Austria, but unfortunately, so is everyone else, and she is unable to find a guarantor. While continuing her quest to get her family to England, she meets a young German man who she becomes close to. As it turns out, all does not go well with her job and when a bad situation arises, she leaves the Caplins and goes to stay with her cousin. This is Natalie's story.
I loved Natalie's character. She was extremely brave, smart and adaptable. She was loving and with her family so far away, she poured her love out onto Hugo, which he lapped up, getting no affection from his parents. Natalie was loyal and kept secrets for her employer, Mrs. Caplin. Mrs. Caplin was one of the characters that I didn't like. She was so phony and only worried about herself. Hugo was a dear. He was a little boy that just wanted to have fun, but also to have someone care about him. My heart broke for this lonely little boy.
As I read this story, I learned a lot about this time. I did not realize that so many Jewish Austrians and Germans fled to England in the mid 1930s to work as domestics. Those women were the lucky ones as they survived the atrocities of the war and were allowed to remain in the country after the war. These women and men felt helpless and like failures when they could not save their families. There was also some anti-semitism in England, so it was also hard on them to make a living if they lost their positions. This was a well-written and plotted story. I was fascinated by the story and cared what happened to the relatable and believable characters. If you are a fan of historical fiction, pick this one up. You might learn about a time you were not aware of, as well as reading an enjoyable story. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
I loved Natalie's character. She was extremely brave, smart and adaptable. She was loving and with her family so far away, she poured her love out onto Hugo, which he lapped up, getting no affection from his parents. Natalie was loyal and kept secrets for her employer, Mrs. Caplin. Mrs. Caplin was one of the characters that I didn't like. She was so phony and only worried about herself. Hugo was a dear. He was a little boy that just wanted to have fun, but also to have someone care about him. My heart broke for this lonely little boy.
As I read this story, I learned a lot about this time. I did not realize that so many Jewish Austrians and Germans fled to England in the mid 1930s to work as domestics. Those women were the lucky ones as they survived the atrocities of the war and were allowed to remain in the country after the war. These women and men felt helpless and like failures when they could not save their families. There was also some anti-semitism in England, so it was also hard on them to make a living if they lost their positions. This was a well-written and plotted story. I was fascinated by the story and cared what happened to the relatable and believable characters. If you are a fan of historical fiction, pick this one up. You might learn about a time you were not aware of, as well as reading an enjoyable story. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
July 30, 2020
the story about Natalie Leeman in the year 1936 she leaves Vienna at sixteen years old for a better life in London. Met by Mrs Beverley Sanderson she takes her first steps into a different and dirtier City to what she is use to. Mrs Sanderson is a lecturer at university and takes Natalie to meet her new employee Mrs Caroline Caplin in the magnificent house Larkworthy. working as a domestic and looking after the son Hugo who thinks he now to old for a stupid nanny, and Natalie disagrees he has now got a clever nanny and from that moment on she adores him. with the situation with the jews in Austria her cousin Leah tells her she is safer in London, and now Natalie has a task of getting her mum and sisters out of there to but that is going to be a lot difficult than it makes out. I found this book a breath of fresh air, she is a strong willed girl, and everyone she meets along her journey all tend to love her .such a delight to read, that will leave a lump in your throat in some chapters, I love this authors work that pulls you into the story. another outstanding read that is a pleasure to read. loved it all.
August 13, 2020
Wartime Nanny is about a 16-year-old Natalie who leaves her family in Austria to work as a domestic help in a wealthy British family when the world is about to witness Hitler's cruelty.
Natalie was from a Jewish family who barely spoke English, thus it was hard for her to adjust in London, where her sister already worked.
Natalie was happy to take care of Hugo, who was ignored by his parents but she constantly worried about her family back in Austria where the nazis were taking over. She soon brings her family to England too.
This story was heartbreaking and well written. For someone who loves anything World War 2 Historical Fiction, this book was an amazing read.
Thank you so much Bookoture and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Natalie was from a Jewish family who barely spoke English, thus it was hard for her to adjust in London, where her sister already worked.
Natalie was happy to take care of Hugo, who was ignored by his parents but she constantly worried about her family back in Austria where the nazis were taking over. She soon brings her family to England too.
This story was heartbreaking and well written. For someone who loves anything World War 2 Historical Fiction, this book was an amazing read.
Thank you so much Bookoture and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2020
An excellent read.
Lizzie Page has done it again with another excellent and very moving story.
In 1936, Natalie is sent from Austria to London where she works as a nanny to 6 year old Hugo.
In 2012, an aging Natalie longs for a final reunion with her beloved boy.
This is a very emotional read of the plight of the Jewish people prior to and during World War II.
Brilliantly written and researched; I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Lizzie Page has done it again with another excellent and very moving story.
In 1936, Natalie is sent from Austria to London where she works as a nanny to 6 year old Hugo.
In 2012, an aging Natalie longs for a final reunion with her beloved boy.
This is a very emotional read of the plight of the Jewish people prior to and during World War II.
Brilliantly written and researched; I cannot recommend it highly enough.
February 19, 2021
“…a darkness had gnawed at her, lapped at her edges constantly, its tide never went out.”
I love how Lizzie Page can suck me right inside her characters. Natalie is a delight. So naïve at the start of the story, pre-Second World War: not at all understanding of the dangerous situation for Jews in Austria.
In the opening chapter, we are introduced to her when she is an elderly lady and desperately searching for a certain Hugo Caplin. Immediately I wanted to know why. Whoosh, I was drawn in.
“Hindsight is a wonderful thing,’ Natalie said. But she was thinking, it isn’t, really no, it isn’t.’” That is what I love – this way Page has of pulling me right inside Natalie’s head. Her voice seems effortless and that is a sure sign of excellent craftsmanship.
Despite the deadly serious message in this story, there is so much humour too. A genius contradiction. Seventeen-year-old Austrian Natalie (whose “mouth always ran away with her” and who has “biblical eyebrows” and “frizzy hair”) is armed with a little handbook to help her understand the eccentricities of the British and she comes out with some wonderful, slightly off-kilter expressions at times. They made me laugh out loud. “I need to practise my English like a hole in my head” she tells Mrs Sanderson (the lovely organiser of the German Jewish aid agency). Later in the book: “One lunchtime they were eating toad-in-the-hole, which disappointingly had nothing to do with The Wind in the Willows…”
Leah is another wonderful character. She has adapted to English life and runs a café. (“Leah was pickling sauerkraut… Leah’s philosophy was “when in doubt, cook’”. Lizzie says that she “had submerged herself in English life, She had disappeared into it like an egg in a cake”. She’s older and fully aware of the danger from which Lizzie has been plucked, she tries to guide Lizzie to understand this. “This isn’t a game, Natalie. This is the Third Reich and they are coming for our people.” Lizzie ends up in Larksworthy, helping with the housework. “… she took the stick with the feathers at the end and proceeded to wag it around all shelves and tables, This was dusting…” but her main task is to care for a little boy. This is the Hugo Caplin hinted at in the opening chapter. He is neglected by his awful, actress mother who has a nasty lover, and a kindly but ineffectual father.
A special bond forms between Nanny and child. After all, Lizzie is not far from being a child herself. “She invented a crazy rain dance and they galloped all around the nursery, hollering and shouting until they were exhausted.” Nat, as Hugo calls her, is begged not to leave by the little boy. Ad she whispers back, ‘Never’… It put a big smile on his face.” This relationship really pulled at my heartstrings. As did Natalie’s own “yearnings of young love”. That is all I am going to say. Read the book to find out more!
The situation worsens all the time Lizzie is trying to catch up with the realisation that her family is no longer safe in Vienna and all the while, she is supposed to try to secure a job in England for her sister, Libby, and is desperate for her Mama to come too. But nothing is straightforward and everything tangles up (“Everything was slip-sliding out of control. She didn’t even know she had control until they lost it.”). My heart was in my mouth to find out what happened. The book is an emotional page-turner.
Read this special book. Page has her own voice. She researches extensively and presents us with real characters in whom we invest. She shares with us a glimpse of life that went on years ago – a deep glimpse – and, frighteningly, one that could all too easily happen again.
I love how Lizzie Page can suck me right inside her characters. Natalie is a delight. So naïve at the start of the story, pre-Second World War: not at all understanding of the dangerous situation for Jews in Austria.
In the opening chapter, we are introduced to her when she is an elderly lady and desperately searching for a certain Hugo Caplin. Immediately I wanted to know why. Whoosh, I was drawn in.
“Hindsight is a wonderful thing,’ Natalie said. But she was thinking, it isn’t, really no, it isn’t.’” That is what I love – this way Page has of pulling me right inside Natalie’s head. Her voice seems effortless and that is a sure sign of excellent craftsmanship.
Despite the deadly serious message in this story, there is so much humour too. A genius contradiction. Seventeen-year-old Austrian Natalie (whose “mouth always ran away with her” and who has “biblical eyebrows” and “frizzy hair”) is armed with a little handbook to help her understand the eccentricities of the British and she comes out with some wonderful, slightly off-kilter expressions at times. They made me laugh out loud. “I need to practise my English like a hole in my head” she tells Mrs Sanderson (the lovely organiser of the German Jewish aid agency). Later in the book: “One lunchtime they were eating toad-in-the-hole, which disappointingly had nothing to do with The Wind in the Willows…”
Leah is another wonderful character. She has adapted to English life and runs a café. (“Leah was pickling sauerkraut… Leah’s philosophy was “when in doubt, cook’”. Lizzie says that she “had submerged herself in English life, She had disappeared into it like an egg in a cake”. She’s older and fully aware of the danger from which Lizzie has been plucked, she tries to guide Lizzie to understand this. “This isn’t a game, Natalie. This is the Third Reich and they are coming for our people.” Lizzie ends up in Larksworthy, helping with the housework. “… she took the stick with the feathers at the end and proceeded to wag it around all shelves and tables, This was dusting…” but her main task is to care for a little boy. This is the Hugo Caplin hinted at in the opening chapter. He is neglected by his awful, actress mother who has a nasty lover, and a kindly but ineffectual father.
A special bond forms between Nanny and child. After all, Lizzie is not far from being a child herself. “She invented a crazy rain dance and they galloped all around the nursery, hollering and shouting until they were exhausted.” Nat, as Hugo calls her, is begged not to leave by the little boy. Ad she whispers back, ‘Never’… It put a big smile on his face.” This relationship really pulled at my heartstrings. As did Natalie’s own “yearnings of young love”. That is all I am going to say. Read the book to find out more!
The situation worsens all the time Lizzie is trying to catch up with the realisation that her family is no longer safe in Vienna and all the while, she is supposed to try to secure a job in England for her sister, Libby, and is desperate for her Mama to come too. But nothing is straightforward and everything tangles up (“Everything was slip-sliding out of control. She didn’t even know she had control until they lost it.”). My heart was in my mouth to find out what happened. The book is an emotional page-turner.
Read this special book. Page has her own voice. She researches extensively and presents us with real characters in whom we invest. She shares with us a glimpse of life that went on years ago – a deep glimpse – and, frighteningly, one that could all too easily happen again.
August 9, 2020
It is 1936 in Austria and things are heating up politically when Dora Leeman decides to send her almost 16-year-old daughter, Natalie, to England to work as a domestic for a wealthy family, the Caplins. Natalie is met by Mrs. Sanderson who is her cousin Leah's boss. Natalie is taken to the Caplin's estate where she will be a nanny to young Hugo who she immediately bonds with. Mrs, Caplin, Carolyn, is a wannabe actress and Mr. Caplin is either working at home all the time or away working. Natalie and Hugh form a strong bond as his parents pay little attention to him. Over the next 3 years, besides being busy with Hugo, Natalie is also working trying to get her remaining family members out of Austria. I enjoyed all the drama of the various characters in this book very much but I felt there were a few loose ends that were not quite tied up in the end, Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very interesting book.
August 31, 2020
This was a very interesting story about a young girl, Natalie, who leaves her home country of Austria to flee for her safety in the time of world war II.
The challenges are many for Natalie as she adjusts to being a pariah in England. It is difficult for her to know who she can depend on during this tumultuous time.
I really enjoyed the characters of Natalie, Hugo and Erich!
Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
The challenges are many for Natalie as she adjusts to being a pariah in England. It is difficult for her to know who she can depend on during this tumultuous time.
I really enjoyed the characters of Natalie, Hugo and Erich!
Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
November 19, 2020
Wow! What a story!! I found it hard to put down this book. The story of Natalie and her journey of leaving her country to become a nanny. What everyone went through during war time in Europe. Definitely recommend!!
August 14, 2020
I’m not really sure why I had such a hard time reading this book. The premise of the story was a strong one. But, it just seemed to ramble on and on until I found myself nodding off.
The story is about 17 year old Natalie moving from Austria to London to become a nanny to a young boy and eventually she became a translator.
As things become more and more dangerous for her family in Austria, Natalie has to grow up fast.
The story is about 17 year old Natalie moving from Austria to London to become a nanny to a young boy and eventually she became a translator.
As things become more and more dangerous for her family in Austria, Natalie has to grow up fast.
October 13, 2020
Natalie Leeman left her home & family in Vienna to move to London to be a Nanny & eventually train to be an translator. Many in Austria can see what is going on in Germany & worry how the rise of Adolf Hitler will affect them, particularly the Jewish community. She is sent to the Caplin family. Her first impression of Mr Caplin is not good. the beautiful vivacious Caroline Caplin is like no-one she has ever met & she instantly bonds with Hugo. As she explores pre-war London & spends time with her cousin Leah the storm clouds are gathering. Leah has been begging Natalie to get her family out of Vienna since she arrived. Once Austria is in German hands it becomes even more important. The public views of Germans & of Jews is becoming more hostile. This is not a time to be an Austrian Jewess anywhere in Europe.
This was an unusual slant on World War 2, seen from an unusual perspective. As always Lizzie Page captures the age & gives the reader an interesting cast of characters. It was an interesting read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
This was an unusual slant on World War 2, seen from an unusual perspective. As always Lizzie Page captures the age & gives the reader an interesting cast of characters. It was an interesting read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
September 13, 2020
It’s 2012 and Natalie has tried to find Hugo Caplin several times, now she is in a Jewish care home and she feels she is coming to the end of her life. She is not well and has not gone long left. So starts off the new book from Lizzie Page, The Wartime Nanny and the short prologue was enough to have my interest piqued. Who is Natalie and why does she wanted to find this man named Hugo? I found this book to be very character driven so if you are expecting lots of information about the war and lots of mystery eventually connecting the past to the present than you won’t find it here.
Instead there is an in-depth exploration of how a choice made by a family to send their daughter away will have long lasting repercussions. The story is not action packed by any means instead there is a slow build up to a finale that will leave you heartbroken when some things are revealed but there is also some little glimmers of hope, acceptance and resolution at the end. This was an enjoyable read and I came to understand and appreciate the story more when I realised that things would evolve at a steady pace rather than have action and subplots strewn throughout every chapter.
We are taken back in time to 1936, Natalie Leeman is newly arrived in Manchester from Vienna. She is employed by the Caplin family as a nanny to their young son Hugo. Right from the beginning Natalie to me was like a fish out of water and completely out of her routine and comfort zone. On reflection what other way could she have been having left everything she had known and her family behind in order to venture to a new country. Her father had died in recent years so she leaves behind her mother and an older sister Rachel, who is now married, and a younger sister Libby.
Natalie pines for her family and little does she realise that in the long term it will be better that she has this new job. What we now know as the rise of Hitler and discrimination of Jews and which ultimately led to World War Two, well the stirrings of these are being felt in Europe, and Natalie’s family being Jewish are prime targets. But when we first meet Natalie she is not aware of any of this. In fact, I think for the majority of this story she very much remained an innocent. At certain points I wanted to shake her because I felt she became complacent and almost immune to the dangers her family were experiencing. I thought she needed a push in the right direction to try and do more but then on the other hand she was very helpless as she was in a different country.
In 1936 life for Jews in Austria was not good with discrimination coming to the fore and deprivation and unemployment rife. Natalie viewed this new opportunity to work with the Caplin family as a way of working on her translator skills and to get some new life experiences. I enjoyed reading of the detail of her daily life with the family and it was evident that a very special bond was being built between herself and Hugo. She became like a surrogate mother to him as his own mother Carol seemed to be absent. I couldn’t warm to the character of Carol at all, she seemed lost in her own little life as if she alone solely existed in it and also she was trying to get roles in the acting world and it was as if her son and husband didn’t exist. Carol had her eye on other men and what Natalie discovers disturbs her. To be honest the entire Caplin family apart from Hugo, I found to be super creepy. They made me feel uneasy so I can only imagine how Natalie felt living with them. The other servants who worked for the family became friends with Natalie and if it wasn’t for her cousin Leah working for another family she would have been very much alone, distraught and without vision or aim.
I don’t think Natalie was the strongest of people in terms of her ability to get out there and do things on her own. She needed to be urged to take matters into her own hands and despite constant pressure from Leah that things were further taking a turn for the worst in Austria, I just thought Natalie did too little too late until eventually she had no other choice but to put some sort of plan into action. The letters that feature every now and again throughout the story brought home the real dangers Natalie’s family were experiencing in Austria and they were heart-breaking to read. Natalie slowly starts to realise that she was one of the lucky ones that in fact she has escaped from Austria and that her mother sent her away to work because she could sense what was coming down the line. Natalie comes to understand that her mother made a huge sacrifice for her and that Natalie wasn’t forgotten or abandoned. Natalie feels that her boyfriend Rudi has forgotten all about her as he never writes anymore but this aspect of the story was actually brilliantly written and I loved how cleverly it came together towards the end.
When Natalie finally realises the seriousness of the situation that has befallen her family, I thought bravo she will finally get her act together and try and do something to help them. She visits the labour relief agency but is unsuccessful but she keeps persisting. Asking the Caplins for help with a visa was again met with a negative response. I think no matter what the Caplins had been asked to do they would not have put themselves out for anybody. So at the turning point in the book finally I saw a glimmer of strength in Natalie. It was like the wool had come down from her eyes and she was determined her family would be safe and she would get them out of Austria. Would the Kindertransport be the answer to her prayers?
The Wartime Nanny was an interesting read and Lizzie Page has again opened my eyes to an aspect of the war that I would never even have considered before as in what happened to those people from European countries living in England pre-war? How did they cope with knowing their family members were caught up in so much danger and persecution? The not being able to help or not getting news must have been awful and Lizzie Page highlighted this very well. Some parts of the story fell flat for me and not much seemed to happen at all, rather days Natalie spent with Hugo were just recounted, but then I thought towards the end things really picked up a gear and I wanted nothing but the best and positive outcome for Natalie and her family. Whether that occurs or not you will have to read and find out for yourself.
Instead there is an in-depth exploration of how a choice made by a family to send their daughter away will have long lasting repercussions. The story is not action packed by any means instead there is a slow build up to a finale that will leave you heartbroken when some things are revealed but there is also some little glimmers of hope, acceptance and resolution at the end. This was an enjoyable read and I came to understand and appreciate the story more when I realised that things would evolve at a steady pace rather than have action and subplots strewn throughout every chapter.
We are taken back in time to 1936, Natalie Leeman is newly arrived in Manchester from Vienna. She is employed by the Caplin family as a nanny to their young son Hugo. Right from the beginning Natalie to me was like a fish out of water and completely out of her routine and comfort zone. On reflection what other way could she have been having left everything she had known and her family behind in order to venture to a new country. Her father had died in recent years so she leaves behind her mother and an older sister Rachel, who is now married, and a younger sister Libby.
Natalie pines for her family and little does she realise that in the long term it will be better that she has this new job. What we now know as the rise of Hitler and discrimination of Jews and which ultimately led to World War Two, well the stirrings of these are being felt in Europe, and Natalie’s family being Jewish are prime targets. But when we first meet Natalie she is not aware of any of this. In fact, I think for the majority of this story she very much remained an innocent. At certain points I wanted to shake her because I felt she became complacent and almost immune to the dangers her family were experiencing. I thought she needed a push in the right direction to try and do more but then on the other hand she was very helpless as she was in a different country.
In 1936 life for Jews in Austria was not good with discrimination coming to the fore and deprivation and unemployment rife. Natalie viewed this new opportunity to work with the Caplin family as a way of working on her translator skills and to get some new life experiences. I enjoyed reading of the detail of her daily life with the family and it was evident that a very special bond was being built between herself and Hugo. She became like a surrogate mother to him as his own mother Carol seemed to be absent. I couldn’t warm to the character of Carol at all, she seemed lost in her own little life as if she alone solely existed in it and also she was trying to get roles in the acting world and it was as if her son and husband didn’t exist. Carol had her eye on other men and what Natalie discovers disturbs her. To be honest the entire Caplin family apart from Hugo, I found to be super creepy. They made me feel uneasy so I can only imagine how Natalie felt living with them. The other servants who worked for the family became friends with Natalie and if it wasn’t for her cousin Leah working for another family she would have been very much alone, distraught and without vision or aim.
I don’t think Natalie was the strongest of people in terms of her ability to get out there and do things on her own. She needed to be urged to take matters into her own hands and despite constant pressure from Leah that things were further taking a turn for the worst in Austria, I just thought Natalie did too little too late until eventually she had no other choice but to put some sort of plan into action. The letters that feature every now and again throughout the story brought home the real dangers Natalie’s family were experiencing in Austria and they were heart-breaking to read. Natalie slowly starts to realise that she was one of the lucky ones that in fact she has escaped from Austria and that her mother sent her away to work because she could sense what was coming down the line. Natalie comes to understand that her mother made a huge sacrifice for her and that Natalie wasn’t forgotten or abandoned. Natalie feels that her boyfriend Rudi has forgotten all about her as he never writes anymore but this aspect of the story was actually brilliantly written and I loved how cleverly it came together towards the end.
When Natalie finally realises the seriousness of the situation that has befallen her family, I thought bravo she will finally get her act together and try and do something to help them. She visits the labour relief agency but is unsuccessful but she keeps persisting. Asking the Caplins for help with a visa was again met with a negative response. I think no matter what the Caplins had been asked to do they would not have put themselves out for anybody. So at the turning point in the book finally I saw a glimmer of strength in Natalie. It was like the wool had come down from her eyes and she was determined her family would be safe and she would get them out of Austria. Would the Kindertransport be the answer to her prayers?
The Wartime Nanny was an interesting read and Lizzie Page has again opened my eyes to an aspect of the war that I would never even have considered before as in what happened to those people from European countries living in England pre-war? How did they cope with knowing their family members were caught up in so much danger and persecution? The not being able to help or not getting news must have been awful and Lizzie Page highlighted this very well. Some parts of the story fell flat for me and not much seemed to happen at all, rather days Natalie spent with Hugo were just recounted, but then I thought towards the end things really picked up a gear and I wanted nothing but the best and positive outcome for Natalie and her family. Whether that occurs or not you will have to read and find out for yourself.
September 14, 2020
The prologue to this book had me absolutely hooked; it’s 2012, Natalie is clearly an elderly woman, waiting out her days in a Jewish Nursing Home in Essex. Her last desire, after a few failed attempts, is to track down and speak with Hugo Caplin.
Who is Hugo? Why is Natalie so desperate to meet him? Hooked. Utterly.
The story then unfolds, told from Natalie’s point of view, starting in 1936 when, at the age of just 16, she leaves her beloved Vienna to experience life in England. Her dreams of being a translator spurring her on to learn the language and take on the job of nanny for a welfare family, looking after their son, Hugo.
As the story unfolds it’s clear that Natalie and Hugo have a strong bond, and I found myself gripped to discover what had happened that meant they lost contact/no longer had a relationship, and she was so desperate to fix before it was too late. Along the way, we also discover the troubles Natalie’s family are experiencing with the rise of the Nazis and the precarious position of Jews across Europe.
I adored Natalie, and found her to be a wonderful character. She was ridiculously naïve, but I can well believe this would have been the way for so many young girls at the time. Sheltered from many things, it would have been hard for them to predict the drastic and dark turn that would befall them. It’s easy today; we all have the benefit of 20/20 vision with hindsight. I did find myself wanting to scream at her for not getting what was happening, not out of anger – just willing her to “get it”, and act accordingly. It’s true, I felt invested – always a wonderful sign!
The other characters are interesting, and help us better understanding Natalie through her interactions with them. However, I did struggle with some of the more meandering elements that I’m not really sure went anywhere or served much purpose. Purely a personal thing though; nothing was ruined, I can at times just be an impatient reader!
The thing that I think worked best for me is that this did not harp on about the historical facts. If you’re big on your historical element of the fiction then this may not be the book for you, but it was perfect for me, as someone who does not want to get bogged down in it all. I wanted to read, and I found that the weight of the history didn’t get in the way of that – which is brilliant.
My only real disappointment was that the conclusion felt a little flat to me. We had spent the entire book building up to this big climax – the reveal as to what had happened, and why they had gone so many years apart just didn’t make sense to me on any level. I couldn’t see it happening, but that’s the beauty of fiction I suppose. I was also surprised by how unemotional the whole thing made me feel (I can’t read anything like the Tattooist of Auschwitz without ugly crying, but this left me a bit cold). I think, for me, part of the problem was that the majority of the characters we were exposed to back home were only through letters and some small recollections – I didn’t ever feel like I knew anyone other than Natalie and Hugo, not really. So, I didn’t feel as invested as I could have.
Who is Hugo? Why is Natalie so desperate to meet him? Hooked. Utterly.
The story then unfolds, told from Natalie’s point of view, starting in 1936 when, at the age of just 16, she leaves her beloved Vienna to experience life in England. Her dreams of being a translator spurring her on to learn the language and take on the job of nanny for a welfare family, looking after their son, Hugo.
As the story unfolds it’s clear that Natalie and Hugo have a strong bond, and I found myself gripped to discover what had happened that meant they lost contact/no longer had a relationship, and she was so desperate to fix before it was too late. Along the way, we also discover the troubles Natalie’s family are experiencing with the rise of the Nazis and the precarious position of Jews across Europe.
I adored Natalie, and found her to be a wonderful character. She was ridiculously naïve, but I can well believe this would have been the way for so many young girls at the time. Sheltered from many things, it would have been hard for them to predict the drastic and dark turn that would befall them. It’s easy today; we all have the benefit of 20/20 vision with hindsight. I did find myself wanting to scream at her for not getting what was happening, not out of anger – just willing her to “get it”, and act accordingly. It’s true, I felt invested – always a wonderful sign!
The other characters are interesting, and help us better understanding Natalie through her interactions with them. However, I did struggle with some of the more meandering elements that I’m not really sure went anywhere or served much purpose. Purely a personal thing though; nothing was ruined, I can at times just be an impatient reader!
The thing that I think worked best for me is that this did not harp on about the historical facts. If you’re big on your historical element of the fiction then this may not be the book for you, but it was perfect for me, as someone who does not want to get bogged down in it all. I wanted to read, and I found that the weight of the history didn’t get in the way of that – which is brilliant.
My only real disappointment was that the conclusion felt a little flat to me. We had spent the entire book building up to this big climax – the reveal as to what had happened, and why they had gone so many years apart just didn’t make sense to me on any level. I couldn’t see it happening, but that’s the beauty of fiction I suppose. I was also surprised by how unemotional the whole thing made me feel (I can’t read anything like the Tattooist of Auschwitz without ugly crying, but this left me a bit cold). I think, for me, part of the problem was that the majority of the characters we were exposed to back home were only through letters and some small recollections – I didn’t ever feel like I knew anyone other than Natalie and Hugo, not really. So, I didn’t feel as invested as I could have.
September 8, 2020
Yes, I know, another wartime book. What can I say? I love this genre.
The story begins in 1936 when 16 year-old Natalie Leeman gets a job as a nanny in England with the Caplin family. She leaves her mother and sisters behind in Austria and travels by train alone where she is met by the wonderful Mrs Sanderson who has arranged the position for her. Natalie's cousin, Leah, left Austria some time earlier and is working for Mrs Sanderson. Leah is actually a driving force behind getting Natalie - and later, her family - out of Austria to safety.
Natalie enjoys her job, particularly looking after young Hugo, but she is also, naively, somewhat enamoured with Mrs Caplin, who she sees as elegant, beautiful, and - to her detriment - a friend.
As life for Natalie's family worsens, she finally comes round to agreeing with Leah that they need to leave. (For a while she was unwilling to accept the dangers her Jewish family faced, and they too were reluctant to admit they were vulnerable.) When letters from home change into appeals for help, Natalie arranges for her mother and younger sister to join her (with the help of Mrs Sanderson). Unfortunately, plans go awry when her newly-married elder sister falls pregnant and her mother changes her mind about leaving Austria.
Later, that mistake will cost the family dearly as their situation deteriorates further. By now, Natalie is not alone in seeking an escape for her family. The immigration and visa office is swamped by requests and the possibility of meeting the requirements decreases by the day. It is at the immigration that she first meets Erich who is also trying to secure visas for his much larger family.
As the story develops, the atrocities become more widely known and fears escalate. But Natalie keeps going; she even turns to Mrs Caplin for help, convinced her beloved benefactor will do all she can to help. Sadly, she is disappointed to find that not only is Mrs Caplin a vapid mother to Hugo, but she is also in love with a man who seems to support Hitler and whom she daren't cross, not even for Natalie. As a result, by the time war actually breaks out, Natalie is no longer a nanny for Hugo, but instead working with Leah in a local cafe.
The story moves forward to present day and we learn what happened to Natalie and her family, as well as Leah and Hugo. Admittedly, it's a slow-burner to start but picks up pace in the last third before skipping ahead to modern times.
There are a couple of points that niggled me: How does she meet up with Erich again after their first one-off encounter? Coincidence? There is no mention of a planned meeting? Also, isn't the title somewhat misleading as she isn't even a nanny during the war years? Then again, maybe I'm too pedantic when it comes to history (It's true, I am ;) frequently!) It also bugs me when a book is described as "unputdownable" - I know it''s a marketing ploy, but it's hyperbole at best. Okay, rant over!
I liked Natalie as a character and she grew up a lot during those early years in England. Her childish nature sees her relate wonderfully with Hugo, almost as if she were the mother he deserved rather than the awful Mrs Caplin. Her fears for her family and friends in Austria are heart-wrenching at times, as are the events that befall them. The author has a great talent for really giving her characters personality, her descriptions are so vivid, often humorous, and always memorable. Natalie, Leah & Mrs Sanderson were my stand-out characters, diamonds in the rough all of them, beautifully drawn and with hidden depths.
An enjoyable read, (not unputdownable though) but nonetheless a good story with memorable characters, plenty of heartfelt emotions, and proof of the goodness of most people during troubled times.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #LizziePage for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'll be sure to look out for more by this author.
The story begins in 1936 when 16 year-old Natalie Leeman gets a job as a nanny in England with the Caplin family. She leaves her mother and sisters behind in Austria and travels by train alone where she is met by the wonderful Mrs Sanderson who has arranged the position for her. Natalie's cousin, Leah, left Austria some time earlier and is working for Mrs Sanderson. Leah is actually a driving force behind getting Natalie - and later, her family - out of Austria to safety.
Natalie enjoys her job, particularly looking after young Hugo, but she is also, naively, somewhat enamoured with Mrs Caplin, who she sees as elegant, beautiful, and - to her detriment - a friend.
As life for Natalie's family worsens, she finally comes round to agreeing with Leah that they need to leave. (For a while she was unwilling to accept the dangers her Jewish family faced, and they too were reluctant to admit they were vulnerable.) When letters from home change into appeals for help, Natalie arranges for her mother and younger sister to join her (with the help of Mrs Sanderson). Unfortunately, plans go awry when her newly-married elder sister falls pregnant and her mother changes her mind about leaving Austria.
Later, that mistake will cost the family dearly as their situation deteriorates further. By now, Natalie is not alone in seeking an escape for her family. The immigration and visa office is swamped by requests and the possibility of meeting the requirements decreases by the day. It is at the immigration that she first meets Erich who is also trying to secure visas for his much larger family.
As the story develops, the atrocities become more widely known and fears escalate. But Natalie keeps going; she even turns to Mrs Caplin for help, convinced her beloved benefactor will do all she can to help. Sadly, she is disappointed to find that not only is Mrs Caplin a vapid mother to Hugo, but she is also in love with a man who seems to support Hitler and whom she daren't cross, not even for Natalie. As a result, by the time war actually breaks out, Natalie is no longer a nanny for Hugo, but instead working with Leah in a local cafe.
The story moves forward to present day and we learn what happened to Natalie and her family, as well as Leah and Hugo. Admittedly, it's a slow-burner to start but picks up pace in the last third before skipping ahead to modern times.
There are a couple of points that niggled me: How does she meet up with Erich again after their first one-off encounter? Coincidence? There is no mention of a planned meeting? Also, isn't the title somewhat misleading as she isn't even a nanny during the war years? Then again, maybe I'm too pedantic when it comes to history (It's true, I am ;) frequently!) It also bugs me when a book is described as "unputdownable" - I know it''s a marketing ploy, but it's hyperbole at best. Okay, rant over!
I liked Natalie as a character and she grew up a lot during those early years in England. Her childish nature sees her relate wonderfully with Hugo, almost as if she were the mother he deserved rather than the awful Mrs Caplin. Her fears for her family and friends in Austria are heart-wrenching at times, as are the events that befall them. The author has a great talent for really giving her characters personality, her descriptions are so vivid, often humorous, and always memorable. Natalie, Leah & Mrs Sanderson were my stand-out characters, diamonds in the rough all of them, beautifully drawn and with hidden depths.
An enjoyable read, (not unputdownable though) but nonetheless a good story with memorable characters, plenty of heartfelt emotions, and proof of the goodness of most people during troubled times.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #LizziePage for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'll be sure to look out for more by this author.
August 22, 2021
I'm a huge fan of Lizzie Page's gorgeous historical stories and I'm kicking myself because I've had The Wartime Nanny sat on my shelves for far too long. I completely adored this wonderful tale.
The nanny in question is Natalie Leeman. Aged 16 she travels from her home in Vienna to England to take up a position as a nanny to a young boy named Hugo. From the outset I loved Natalie and her endeavours to fit into English life. She knows that the weather is a safe subject and that there are several different ways to describe rain. It's really hard to imagine how hard it must have been to leave her family at such a young age. Her mama is still in Austria along with her two sisters, Rachel and Libby, and Rachel's husband, Leo. The year is 1936 and already the Nazi Party are on the rise. The Leeman family are Jewish and although the reader and many around Natalie know that she 'got out' at the right time, Natalie doesn't realise just how fragile the situation there is.
My heart was breaking for Natalie and her family all the way through this book. She tries so hard to get them to safety in England. I won't give anything away about whether she succeeds or not but it really left me feeling on a knife-edge and with tears brimming in my eyes many times. Yet, despite all of this, there's a lovely wry humour to be found in this book, often through Natalie's observances of the English, their phrases and behaviour. There is warmth in the writing and characters I really cared about.
This is a story that pays tribute to the 20,000 Jewish women who came from Germany and Austria to Britain to work as domestic servants between 1933 and 1939. I was thoroughly entranced by this moving and emotional story of domestic life in the run up to WWII.
The nanny in question is Natalie Leeman. Aged 16 she travels from her home in Vienna to England to take up a position as a nanny to a young boy named Hugo. From the outset I loved Natalie and her endeavours to fit into English life. She knows that the weather is a safe subject and that there are several different ways to describe rain. It's really hard to imagine how hard it must have been to leave her family at such a young age. Her mama is still in Austria along with her two sisters, Rachel and Libby, and Rachel's husband, Leo. The year is 1936 and already the Nazi Party are on the rise. The Leeman family are Jewish and although the reader and many around Natalie know that she 'got out' at the right time, Natalie doesn't realise just how fragile the situation there is.
My heart was breaking for Natalie and her family all the way through this book. She tries so hard to get them to safety in England. I won't give anything away about whether she succeeds or not but it really left me feeling on a knife-edge and with tears brimming in my eyes many times. Yet, despite all of this, there's a lovely wry humour to be found in this book, often through Natalie's observances of the English, their phrases and behaviour. There is warmth in the writing and characters I really cared about.
This is a story that pays tribute to the 20,000 Jewish women who came from Germany and Austria to Britain to work as domestic servants between 1933 and 1939. I was thoroughly entranced by this moving and emotional story of domestic life in the run up to WWII.
September 7, 2020
As the title implies, the main character in this book is a Jewish teen, Natalie, who leaves Austria to be a nanny in England, starting in 1936. She wants to improve her English and possibly become a professional translator. The novel mainly covers the years from 1936-1939, in both Vienna and London. Because of the time and place, we in 2020 know the outcome of history, so there is a sense of dread as we are reading. Of course the characters in the book don’t have the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, but some, like Natalie’s cousin Leah, who is also working in England, have a more clear-eyed view than Natalie does. She’s a rather naive girl and it shows in many of her interactions with the English people that she comes into contact with along the way. She often misunderstands situations, but we can’t be sure if that’s because she’s a bit naive or because she’s from another culture/country.
There are plenty of light-hearted moments in this novel. I really enjoyed Natalie’s reactions to some of the oddities of the English she encounters. One example is her reaction to some of the unusual food names, like “bubble and squeak.” The other staff in the home of the Caplins, where she works with a little boy named Hugo, are delightful and are well-drawn as individuals, not “types.”
The author highlights the difficulties Natalie endures when trying to navigate the English bureaucracy while trying to get visas for the rest of her family to leave Austria. She also highlights how pervasive anti-semitism was in England.
Recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a chance to read this book. All opinions are my own.
There are plenty of light-hearted moments in this novel. I really enjoyed Natalie’s reactions to some of the oddities of the English she encounters. One example is her reaction to some of the unusual food names, like “bubble and squeak.” The other staff in the home of the Caplins, where she works with a little boy named Hugo, are delightful and are well-drawn as individuals, not “types.”
The author highlights the difficulties Natalie endures when trying to navigate the English bureaucracy while trying to get visas for the rest of her family to leave Austria. She also highlights how pervasive anti-semitism was in England.
Recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a chance to read this book. All opinions are my own.
September 7, 2020
The Wartime Nanny by Lizzie Page takes place in London during World War II. At the age of 16 Natalie Leeman travels to London from Vienna to become a nanny for the the Caplin family's son, Hugo. She leaves her mother and 2 sisters, as well as her love Rudi, behind. Her cousin Leah works as cook in another household and together they work to get a job and place in the household for Natalie's mother and youngest sister. Her oldest sister's pregnancy keeps her family from coming to London and then it seems too late. Their worst fears come to reality when Hitler and the Nazis take over Vienna and life for their Jewish family becomes the nightmare Jewish people across Europe are facing.
Natalie tries everything she can think of to be able to get visas for her family, while worrying about the antii-Semitism she sees in London. She meets Erich, who is also working on trying to secure visas for his family and it takes a toll. In spite of all of the barriers she and other hopeful people face Natalie does not give up the hope that she will be able to save her family. Missing the bus and being late to pick Hugo up from school after a visit to the visa office leads to a change that will lead her on a lifelong hunt for him.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. The Wartime Nanny was another book I could not put down and pushed back some chores so I could find out what happened next. Natalie is a character I truly enjoyed. She was strong, outspoken and ended up with her foot in her mouth on a few occasions. It is rare to find a character in a book who I would truly want to be friends with but Natalie is that character for me.
Natalie tries everything she can think of to be able to get visas for her family, while worrying about the antii-Semitism she sees in London. She meets Erich, who is also working on trying to secure visas for his family and it takes a toll. In spite of all of the barriers she and other hopeful people face Natalie does not give up the hope that she will be able to save her family. Missing the bus and being late to pick Hugo up from school after a visit to the visa office leads to a change that will lead her on a lifelong hunt for him.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. The Wartime Nanny was another book I could not put down and pushed back some chores so I could find out what happened next. Natalie is a character I truly enjoyed. She was strong, outspoken and ended up with her foot in her mouth on a few occasions. It is rare to find a character in a book who I would truly want to be friends with but Natalie is that character for me.
November 28, 2020
Natalie is just 16 when she leaves Austria to travel to England to work as a nanny and to become more proficient with speaking English. She has taken lessons from a young man, a neighbor, Rudi. Her cousin, Leah is already working as a domestic at a nearby home. While Natalie and Leah have never been close, she often seeks her company as she is so homesick. Leah frequently tells her, she will never be able to return to Austria.
When Natalie arrives in England, she is taken to a beautiful home where she meets a 6 year old boy Hugo. His parents pay little attention to him, his mother Caroline is an actress but has few roles offered to her, however it is obvious, she has many admirers. His father is rarely seen but when he does appear, he works mainly in his home office. Natalie falls in love with little Hugo and spends her time making his life a wonderful experience. Natalie is Jewish and when the Nazi's start cracking down on the Jews back in her home country, she becomes nervous. Her mother appeals to her to try to get her and Natalie's little sister out.
Natalie does whatever she can but she is not the only one with Jewish family in Europe who are trying to escape. She meets a young man one day when she is in the long queue who is also trying to get his family to England with no success. Natalie finds the courage to ask her employer, Caroline but isn't completely convinced she has followed through on her promises.
It's an interesting book as I had no idea how many Jewish people moved to England prior to WWII and then when the situation changed in their home country with the Nazi's how they struggled to save their family as well.
When Natalie arrives in England, she is taken to a beautiful home where she meets a 6 year old boy Hugo. His parents pay little attention to him, his mother Caroline is an actress but has few roles offered to her, however it is obvious, she has many admirers. His father is rarely seen but when he does appear, he works mainly in his home office. Natalie falls in love with little Hugo and spends her time making his life a wonderful experience. Natalie is Jewish and when the Nazi's start cracking down on the Jews back in her home country, she becomes nervous. Her mother appeals to her to try to get her and Natalie's little sister out.
Natalie does whatever she can but she is not the only one with Jewish family in Europe who are trying to escape. She meets a young man one day when she is in the long queue who is also trying to get his family to England with no success. Natalie finds the courage to ask her employer, Caroline but isn't completely convinced she has followed through on her promises.
It's an interesting book as I had no idea how many Jewish people moved to England prior to WWII and then when the situation changed in their home country with the Nazi's how they struggled to save their family as well.
September 12, 2020
We follow young Natalie as she travels from Austria to London and watch her grow from a teenager into a young woman. As a naive young girl she tries to make the best of her situation, enjoying her role as her nanny to young Hugo, yet longing for Vienna, her family and the boy she loved.
In many ways this is a coming of age story too as Natalie learns not to take everything and everyone at face value. She’s reluctant to believe that the Nazis will be as cruel as people seem to believe. She learns the hard way that they are cruel beyond imagination and that anti-Semitism is rife even in London. Her interactions with Hugo’s father and mother are based on her very shallow perceptions and once again she is challenged when she realizes that neither of them are what they seemed to be. Her judgement of Erich too leads to pain. She had the same experience her cousin, Leah, and Molly, the maid.
I like the development of characters in this novel and how people can grow positively even in the darkest of circumstances. The change in not just Natalie, but her cousin Leah too is remarkable. How love and attention can make people glow is evidenced in Hugo’s behaviour when Natalie is around.
Despite all the darkness of the situation in the world and in Natalie’s world especially, the book has humour too as she struggles with the nuances of the English language.
For me, what really tugged at my heartstrings was how hard Natalie tried to keep the promise to her mother to be ‘good’.
When the cover of a book says that it is unputdownable, you begin to wonder if that’s really true. Then you read it and discover that it is a fact! Will be looking out for more books from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a chance to read this book. All opinions are my own.
In many ways this is a coming of age story too as Natalie learns not to take everything and everyone at face value. She’s reluctant to believe that the Nazis will be as cruel as people seem to believe. She learns the hard way that they are cruel beyond imagination and that anti-Semitism is rife even in London. Her interactions with Hugo’s father and mother are based on her very shallow perceptions and once again she is challenged when she realizes that neither of them are what they seemed to be. Her judgement of Erich too leads to pain. She had the same experience her cousin, Leah, and Molly, the maid.
I like the development of characters in this novel and how people can grow positively even in the darkest of circumstances. The change in not just Natalie, but her cousin Leah too is remarkable. How love and attention can make people glow is evidenced in Hugo’s behaviour when Natalie is around.
Despite all the darkness of the situation in the world and in Natalie’s world especially, the book has humour too as she struggles with the nuances of the English language.
For me, what really tugged at my heartstrings was how hard Natalie tried to keep the promise to her mother to be ‘good’.
When the cover of a book says that it is unputdownable, you begin to wonder if that’s really true. Then you read it and discover that it is a fact! Will be looking out for more books from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a chance to read this book. All opinions are my own.
September 11, 2020
The Wartime Nanny by Lizzie Page is a novel based on events that occurred during Workd War II. The main character, Natalie, is a Jewish girl from Vienna who moves to England to be a nanny. Natalie does this to improve her English skills and hopes to one day be a translator. Her family stays behind in Vienna. As the plot progresses one get to know the characters on a very personal level. The main character is a very caring and loving individual who has strong connections to the family she has left behind in Vienna. Natalie becomes an excellent nanny to a boy named Hugo who she loves dearly. As time goes on the Nazis in Germany begin to infiltrate Vienna and the life of her Jewish family becomes unbearable. Natalie tries so very hard to find a way to get her family to England and out of the horrible conditions in Vienna. As the story continues Natalie continues her job as a nanny in a family that spends very little time with their son, Hugo. Natalie appears to be the only person who really loves him. Natalie also makes romantic connections while in England with another Jewish man who is also trying to get his family into England. This novel is very realistic and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thank you to the author Lizzie Page, the publisher Bookouture, and netgalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 8, 2022
Very superficial and fluffy, there wasn't one moving or poignant moment in this rambling read. Felt like a romcom, with Natalie's constant waffing between various love interests, interspersed with frantic letters from her family in Austria, pleading for help. There was no raw emotion, or grief or fear...almost felt offensive to set this story in such a horrific period in history and just skim the surface. Sure Natalie was only 16 when she moved to England and 18 or 19 when the Nazi horrors peaked, but Anne Frank was even younger...true emotion can be conveyed without being over the top or melodramatic.
Natalie didn't seem to have any depth of feeling...all her responses were surfacey and fleeting...her anxiety for her family...her dilemma over the men in her life...her attempts to help her family...
Terrible tragedies like Erich's suicide and Rachel and Hannah being killed in Auschwitz were narrated with about as much feeling as giving a weather report.
Very disappointing and overrated. I wish writers would leave the Holocaust alone if they are unable to convey true, authentic feeling. Just using the holocaust as a prop and letting a fluffy story play out with the horrors of Hitler, third Reich, Kristelnatch, concentration camps, etc as a backdrop is an insult to the millions who lost their lives.
Natalie didn't seem to have any depth of feeling...all her responses were surfacey and fleeting...her anxiety for her family...her dilemma over the men in her life...her attempts to help her family...
Terrible tragedies like Erich's suicide and Rachel and Hannah being killed in Auschwitz were narrated with about as much feeling as giving a weather report.
Very disappointing and overrated. I wish writers would leave the Holocaust alone if they are unable to convey true, authentic feeling. Just using the holocaust as a prop and letting a fluffy story play out with the horrors of Hitler, third Reich, Kristelnatch, concentration camps, etc as a backdrop is an insult to the millions who lost their lives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2020
4.5 stars - Loved the story and the characters, especially Natalie - the main character and Hugo. The story begins when Natalie was 16 and leaves Austria to work as a nanny for a rich couple. It doesn't take her long to love her charge - a young boy named Hugo who was largely ignored by his mother and father. Natalie is a natural as a nanny - indulging Hugos desire for games, sports, and just about everything. She becomes the center of his universe and he loves her. Natalie likes her job a lot (well, except for the cleaning part!) but she is increasingly worried about her mother and her two sisters who remained in Austria while Hitler comes to power in Germany and then Austria and other countries. Natalie realizes that she should have acted sooner in getting her relatives out and by the time she begins actively seeking assistance there are so many Jews from Austria, Germany and the other countries, that she is only partially successful. The story - heartbreaking at times traces Natalie through her life - her feelings of guilt, falling in love, raising a family and hoping to reunite with her beloved Hugo at the end of her life.
August 10, 2020
A Jewish Girl in England
This story is about Natalie, an Austrian Jewish girl that left Austria to become a Nanny in England. Her cousin Leah was already working in England and urged Natalie and her family to leave Austria before Hitler took over. Natalie came to England, her family stayed in Austria.
Although the story is about The character Natalie it is also about those that left before Hitler and those that stayed behind.
It is about the burden the young people that managed to leave Austria felt to somehow get their families out. The steps they went to, and the failure they felt when they were unable to find help for their families. These young people lived with survivor’s guilt and some would take their lives.
The story tells of the anti semantic people in England. Those that pretended to be friends but we're not.
How they felt at times being called Nazi's because they spoke German and their struggle to be English to fit it.
They are horrified over the events happening to family and friends in Austria and unable to do anything to help them.
The lives they lived, their thoughts and feelings, and those they lived them with. The ones they would never see again and those that survived.
I loved this book. I loved the characters Natalie, Leah, Alfie, Clifford, Molly, Libby, Erich, Rudi and not to forget Hugo. They were such wonderful realistic characters.
I was captured from the beginning and read the book in two days. I had a hard time putting it down. The ending was perfect. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to Lizzie Page, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story is about Natalie, an Austrian Jewish girl that left Austria to become a Nanny in England. Her cousin Leah was already working in England and urged Natalie and her family to leave Austria before Hitler took over. Natalie came to England, her family stayed in Austria.
Although the story is about The character Natalie it is also about those that left before Hitler and those that stayed behind.
It is about the burden the young people that managed to leave Austria felt to somehow get their families out. The steps they went to, and the failure they felt when they were unable to find help for their families. These young people lived with survivor’s guilt and some would take their lives.
The story tells of the anti semantic people in England. Those that pretended to be friends but we're not.
How they felt at times being called Nazi's because they spoke German and their struggle to be English to fit it.
They are horrified over the events happening to family and friends in Austria and unable to do anything to help them.
The lives they lived, their thoughts and feelings, and those they lived them with. The ones they would never see again and those that survived.
I loved this book. I loved the characters Natalie, Leah, Alfie, Clifford, Molly, Libby, Erich, Rudi and not to forget Hugo. They were such wonderful realistic characters.
I was captured from the beginning and read the book in two days. I had a hard time putting it down. The ending was perfect. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to Lizzie Page, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2020
Today I'm sharing my review for this historical fiction novel by Lizzie Page, a new author to me. Thank you to Bookouture for a digital review copy via NetGalley and for inviting me to join the blog tour.
As regular readers of my blog know, I do enjoy reading books set during the first half of last century, a period I studied at school. I enjoyed The Wartime Nanny, a story following the life of Natalie, a young Austrian girl of Jewish descent, who moved to England to be a nanny to Hugo.
The story is primarily about Natalie's relationships, those with her Austrian family and friends, her new employers (the Caplin family), the other staff employed by the Caplin's and her cousin Leah, who has already moved to England. Natalie has to battle homesickness, prejudice and the misunderstandings that can arise when English isn't your first language. As Natalie settles in, she starts to see that the situation in Austria is worsening for her family, and tries to help them flee the persecution of the Nazi's. The story examines one of those questions I remember asking years ago when studying history - why didn't more people leave Austria earlier?
Alongside all this Natalie has to deal with her employers, a couple who appear to have nothing in common, apart from their child Hugo. There are lots of twists and turns in this thought provoking, well written story and I will be looking to read more books by Lizzie Page in the future.
As regular readers of my blog know, I do enjoy reading books set during the first half of last century, a period I studied at school. I enjoyed The Wartime Nanny, a story following the life of Natalie, a young Austrian girl of Jewish descent, who moved to England to be a nanny to Hugo.
The story is primarily about Natalie's relationships, those with her Austrian family and friends, her new employers (the Caplin family), the other staff employed by the Caplin's and her cousin Leah, who has already moved to England. Natalie has to battle homesickness, prejudice and the misunderstandings that can arise when English isn't your first language. As Natalie settles in, she starts to see that the situation in Austria is worsening for her family, and tries to help them flee the persecution of the Nazi's. The story examines one of those questions I remember asking years ago when studying history - why didn't more people leave Austria earlier?
Alongside all this Natalie has to deal with her employers, a couple who appear to have nothing in common, apart from their child Hugo. There are lots of twists and turns in this thought provoking, well written story and I will be looking to read more books by Lizzie Page in the future.
December 19, 2020
The Wartime Nanny by Lizzie Page was a good novel about those in service during WWII in England. Natalie’s cousin Leah asks her to come to England and join her in service. Natalie reluctantly leaves her mother and two sisters back in Vienna.
Natalie is placed with a wealthy family to be the nanny to their six-year-old. She loves the child, but is scared of the father, who is involved in fascist politics and has a very rough manner.
Vienna falls to the Nazis and Natalie fears for her family left behind, especially her little sister Libby. She is desperate to get her family out and when she hears about the kindertransport, she is hopeful that she can at least bring Libby to England.
I thought this novel was well written and I have always enjoyed books by Lizzie Page. I would recommend this to anyone who loves the history of the people during WW II.
I received a Kindle copy of this novel from NetGalley.com in return for my honest review of the book. You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-BR. Reviews of other books can be found at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.
Natalie is placed with a wealthy family to be the nanny to their six-year-old. She loves the child, but is scared of the father, who is involved in fascist politics and has a very rough manner.
Vienna falls to the Nazis and Natalie fears for her family left behind, especially her little sister Libby. She is desperate to get her family out and when she hears about the kindertransport, she is hopeful that she can at least bring Libby to England.
I thought this novel was well written and I have always enjoyed books by Lizzie Page. I would recommend this to anyone who loves the history of the people during WW II.
I received a Kindle copy of this novel from NetGalley.com in return for my honest review of the book. You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-BR. Reviews of other books can be found at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.
September 12, 2020
This book starts with an elderly Natalie asking her daughter to find a person for her, and we get an inkling that this person is very important to her past. From there, we are taken back to 1936, when Natalie arrives in England (from Austria) as a nanny (hence the title). I liked how Natalie tried to fit in with the other servants in the Caplin household and how they eventually came to understand each other. I did feel like the Caplin family was sort of a collective enigma. It wasn’t until later in the book that it became apparent as to why they seemed disjointed. The author excels at unique settings and backgrounds; in this case, anti-Semitism in the face of a rising refugee crisis is dealt with honestly, if not always subtly. I did feel that the ending wrapped up rather quickly, and for that reason (plus a few missteps), I give it 3.5 stars. But I still enjoyed it and would recommend it for the unusual perspectives. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital ARC of the book.
September 27, 2021
My second novel by the author, and oh! did I love it! The delightful Natalie makes the reader smile a lot, prepare nonetheless a couple of tissues!
The Wartime Nanny, by Lizzy Page.
Natalie is made to leave Austria at 16 to work as
a nanny in England, to escape the steady uprising of the Nazis in 1936. She will try to find ways to get her family out as well....
Natalie is a delightful young woman, still very naïve as to life generally speaking, and to what really goes on in Austria. Her reflections are witty and I laughed a lot! She matures throughout the novel, and so do her reflections.... What I particularly enjoyed in this novel (apart from Natalie herself) is the cleverly way the author has dealt with the unbelievably cruel acts perpetrated by the Nazis. Shown through the eyes and words of a naïve woman who cannot believe in the unbelievable, the horrors become even more incredible, unacceptable. (No graphic violent scenes). The plot is realistically conceived; the story reflects many lives of the time, and the characters are convincing. A great, great read!
The Wartime Nanny, by Lizzy Page.
Natalie is made to leave Austria at 16 to work as
a nanny in England, to escape the steady uprising of the Nazis in 1936. She will try to find ways to get her family out as well....
Natalie is a delightful young woman, still very naïve as to life generally speaking, and to what really goes on in Austria. Her reflections are witty and I laughed a lot! She matures throughout the novel, and so do her reflections.... What I particularly enjoyed in this novel (apart from Natalie herself) is the cleverly way the author has dealt with the unbelievably cruel acts perpetrated by the Nazis. Shown through the eyes and words of a naïve woman who cannot believe in the unbelievable, the horrors become even more incredible, unacceptable. (No graphic violent scenes). The plot is realistically conceived; the story reflects many lives of the time, and the characters are convincing. A great, great read!
August 25, 2020
This book centres around Natalie who travels to London from Vienna in 1936 to become a nanny to six year old Hugo Caplin. Natalie leaves behind her mother and two sisters and her friend Rudi, and misses them and the familiarity of home.
Natalie enjoys looking after Hugo which helps with her homesickness but with the advancement of the German army into Austria, Natalie has the added worry of her families safety. This book made me think of how difficult it was for Jews in World War 2 , even the ones who escaped from invaded countries had the added burden of not knowing what had happened to their loved ones and feeling guilty that they had escaped the terrors that others had not.
Natalies story is beautifully written, taking the reader on a journey to wartime Britain, it pulled at my heartstrings, educated me and left me marvelling at the perfect ending.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this beautiful book.
,
Natalie enjoys looking after Hugo which helps with her homesickness but with the advancement of the German army into Austria, Natalie has the added worry of her families safety. This book made me think of how difficult it was for Jews in World War 2 , even the ones who escaped from invaded countries had the added burden of not knowing what had happened to their loved ones and feeling guilty that they had escaped the terrors that others had not.
Natalies story is beautifully written, taking the reader on a journey to wartime Britain, it pulled at my heartstrings, educated me and left me marvelling at the perfect ending.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this beautiful book.
,
September 5, 2020
I am in pieces!
There are many books about the Holocaust, but I have never read a book from this perspective. Natalie is a young Austrian who travels to England in 1938, leaving her family behind her. As the war looms, and Vienna falls under Nazi rule, time is running out for her family to escape.
I loved Natalie’s character from the first chapter and her earnest attempts to get to grips with English etiquette bring a gentle humour akin to that in Dear Mrs Bird. As the novel moves on to 1939, it get darker and I found myself racing through to see what would happen to Natalie in London and her family in Vienna. There are some incredibly poignant scenes (I cried!) and also moments which caused me to suck in my breath because of parallels between that period and the present day.
I absolutely loved it,
There are many books about the Holocaust, but I have never read a book from this perspective. Natalie is a young Austrian who travels to England in 1938, leaving her family behind her. As the war looms, and Vienna falls under Nazi rule, time is running out for her family to escape.
I loved Natalie’s character from the first chapter and her earnest attempts to get to grips with English etiquette bring a gentle humour akin to that in Dear Mrs Bird. As the novel moves on to 1939, it get darker and I found myself racing through to see what would happen to Natalie in London and her family in Vienna. There are some incredibly poignant scenes (I cried!) and also moments which caused me to suck in my breath because of parallels between that period and the present day.
I absolutely loved it,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews