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The Girls in the Attic
*Running Time => 11hrs.*
The best-selling author of 'The Designer' presents a sweeping story of blind faith, family allegiance and how love makes one man question everything he thought he knew.
Max Wolff is a committed soldier of the Reich. So when he is sent home wounded, only to discover that his mother is sheltering two young Jewish women in their home, he is outraged.
His mother's act of mercy is a gross betrayal of everything Max stands for. He has dedicated his life to Nazism, fighting to atone for the shame of his anti-Hitler father's imprisonment. It's his duty to turn the sisters over to the Gestapo. But he hesitates, and the longer Max fails to do his duty, the harder it becomes.
When Allied bombers fill the skies of Germany. Max is forced to abandon all dogma and face the brutality of war in order to defend precious lives. But what will it cost him?
©2021 by Marius Gabriel. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
The best-selling author of 'The Designer' presents a sweeping story of blind faith, family allegiance and how love makes one man question everything he thought he knew.
Max Wolff is a committed soldier of the Reich. So when he is sent home wounded, only to discover that his mother is sheltering two young Jewish women in their home, he is outraged.
His mother's act of mercy is a gross betrayal of everything Max stands for. He has dedicated his life to Nazism, fighting to atone for the shame of his anti-Hitler father's imprisonment. It's his duty to turn the sisters over to the Gestapo. But he hesitates, and the longer Max fails to do his duty, the harder it becomes.
When Allied bombers fill the skies of Germany. Max is forced to abandon all dogma and face the brutality of war in order to defend precious lives. But what will it cost him?
©2021 by Marius Gabriel. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 1, 2021
4224 people are currently reading
11115 people want to read
About the author
Marius Gabriel
41 books559 followersMarius Gabriel is an international thriller and mystery writer.
Under the pseudonym Madeleine Ker, he wrote over 30 romance novels in the 1980s.
As Marius Gabriel he has written several mystery best-sellers, some of them historical novels.
He has three grown-up children and currently lives in Cairo and London. He is 59.
Under the pseudonym Madeleine Ker, he wrote over 30 romance novels in the 1980s.
As Marius Gabriel he has written several mystery best-sellers, some of them historical novels.
He has three grown-up children and currently lives in Cairo and London. He is 59.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 920 reviews
May 2, 2021
I love historical fiction,especially those around WWII, one of my favourite topics.
When I saw this book available as one of the “first reads” (Amazon) choices for this month (May 2021) I read the synopsis and was absolutely interested, so I immediately downloaded it and gave it a priority status.
The first 20% was terrific and got me hooked. From there on it changed direction and became predictable and cheesy.
The writing is not bad and there are some good dialogues, but as I have read so many books about WWII and the Holocaust, I expected a lot more. I was fooled by its concept.
I think that this book will please the younger or romantic generation.
It wasn’t for me.
When I saw this book available as one of the “first reads” (Amazon) choices for this month (May 2021) I read the synopsis and was absolutely interested, so I immediately downloaded it and gave it a priority status.
The first 20% was terrific and got me hooked. From there on it changed direction and became predictable and cheesy.
The writing is not bad and there are some good dialogues, but as I have read so many books about WWII and the Holocaust, I expected a lot more. I was fooled by its concept.
I think that this book will please the younger or romantic generation.
It wasn’t for me.
May 4, 2021
I throughly enjoyed this book it was sad and happy and harrowing all in one. It was set in during WW2 and it was a love story. I did guess some of it but it was a good read anyway. A good Prime first read this month.
January 22, 2022
Мариус Габриел разказва една история за време, в което " целия свят се разпадаше на парчета и никой [...] не можеше да го спаси. "
И отново го прави по въздействащ, чувствен и интригуващ начин. Мариус Габриел е познавач на човешката душевност и психика. Умее да дълбае в нея и да изважда неподправени емоции, да изгражда живи картини.
Историята на " Момичетата на тавана" показва ясно как убежденията на човек, в чиято глава са набивали с години фанатични твърдения, може да рухне, когато погледа му се проясни и види действителността от друга перспектива, с нови очи, очите на обективната реалност, а не на онази измамната. Точно това се случва с Макс, който дълги години носи в себе си яростта, обвинението, позора, обидата от "предателството" от страна на своя баща, само защото той, воден от вярата си, е поругал нацистките безумия и се е изправил срещу Райха. Нещо, което е коствало не само неговия живот, но и отхвърлянето и обречеността на неговото семейство. Макс- синът на "предателя", понася върху плещите си толкова унижения, че избира да бъде част от Хитлеровото стадо, отколкото презрян отстъпник. И дотолкова започва да вярва в правотата на арийството , че то става негово най- важно верую, което защитава на фронта. До един момент...момент, в който животът му се преобръща из основи и вижда, че всичко е едно безумие, и че действителността бива пометена от месомелачката на нацизма. Всички са жертва, включително и той. Жертва на илюзорни идеали, които нямат място в един нов свят.
Често чета книги, които се развиват на фона на Втората световна война, не защото тази тема ми е любима, а за да си припомням в какво може да се превърне човек, който посади в сърцето си семето на омразата и му позволи то да порасне. Няма да крия, че душата ми искрено се бунтува срещу всяка форма на фанатично насилие( физическо или психическо), било то срещу раса, религия или каквато и да било различност по отношение на убеждения, принадлежност, външен облик и личен избор.
Мариус Габриел майсторски е изрисувал цветен спектър от емоции и е показал изкривеното лице на една уродлива идеология.
====
" Понякога е по- лесно човек да се откаже от нещо, което обича, отколкото да опитва да се чувства задоволен с малки части от него" - стр. 171
И отново го прави по въздействащ, чувствен и интригуващ начин. Мариус Габриел е познавач на човешката душевност и психика. Умее да дълбае в нея и да изважда неподправени емоции, да изгражда живи картини.
Историята на " Момичетата на тавана" показва ясно как убежденията на човек, в чиято глава са набивали с години фанатични твърдения, може да рухне, когато погледа му се проясни и види действителността от друга перспектива, с нови очи, очите на обективната реалност, а не на онази измамната. Точно това се случва с Макс, който дълги години носи в себе си яростта, обвинението, позора, обидата от "предателството" от страна на своя баща, само защото той, воден от вярата си, е поругал нацистките безумия и се е изправил срещу Райха. Нещо, което е коствало не само неговия живот, но и отхвърлянето и обречеността на неговото семейство. Макс- синът на "предателя", понася върху плещите си толкова унижения, че избира да бъде част от Хитлеровото стадо, отколкото презрян отстъпник. И дотолкова започва да вярва в правотата на арийството , че то става негово най- важно верую, което защитава на фронта. До един момент...момент, в който животът му се преобръща из основи и вижда, че всичко е едно безумие, и че действителността бива пометена от месомелачката на нацизма. Всички са жертва, включително и той. Жертва на илюзорни идеали, които нямат място в един нов свят.
Често чета книги, които се развиват на фона на Втората световна война, не защото тази тема ми е любима, а за да си припомням в какво може да се превърне човек, който посади в сърцето си семето на омразата и му позволи то да порасне. Няма да крия, че душата ми искрено се бунтува срещу всяка форма на фанатично насилие( физическо или психическо), било то срещу раса, религия или каквато и да било различност по отношение на убеждения, принадлежност, външен облик и личен избор.
Мариус Габриел майсторски е изрисувал цветен спектър от емоции и е показал изкривеното лице на една уродлива идеология.
====
" Понякога е по- лесно човек да се откаже от нещо, което обича, отколкото да опитва да се чувства задоволен с малки части от него" - стр. 171
January 4, 2022
Трябваше да се сетя, че Мариус Габриел ще ми стовари като чук по главата драма, която напълно липсва в каквито и да е коледни и YA четива. Но пък аз никога не съм чела нито едното, нито другото - по времето, когато с книгите се опознавахме, тези пазарни ниши (защото “жанр” е незаслужено определение) просто още не съществуваха, а и появата им винаги ме е озадачавала.
Началото е малко подвеждащо с младите си герои и аз измамно се отпуснах. През 1944 г. старши лейтенант Максимилиан Волф се завръща от Източния фронт в двумесечен отпуск поради тежко раняване, за да открие в родната си къща две укрити от майка му еврейски момичета - столични госпожици. Макс е на 23 г., но вече е с 5 годишен стаж във Вермахта, танковите дивизии на Руския фронт и решимост да служи вярно на Райха, дори само за да измие позора, че е син на починал в затвора суров протестантски пастор, твърд религиозен критик на хитлеризма. Всичко това малко по малко отива по дяволите, когато той и своенравно арогантната Лола Розенщайн започват да се опознават и да се карат на всяка дума. Следва кошмарна одисея в една разкъсвана от предсмъртни гърчове хитлерова Германия, където нацистите вилнеят като за последно, обикновените германци по-често са привърженици на теорията за световния еврейски заговор, а съюзническите бомбардировки причиняват неописуеми разрушения, нямащи нищо общо с военни обекти. Габриел не гали с перце никого, а той забърква солидно количество герои. Никак не порозовява и историческия период - напротив, представя го с цялата му жестокост и в дребните детайли.
Макс проглежда и се помирява със себе си, а Лола пораства, но и се втвърдява до точка отвъд всяко пречупване. Тя ми беше по-малко симпатичната от двамата, с вечната си убеденост, че е права за всичко. В самия край дори ми стана леко антипатична с умишлено наложена амнезия и безчувственост. И двамата извървяват тежък път един към друг, и към оценката си за лудия свят, в който живеят. Този път, както конкретно е описан, съвсем не е невероятен. Макар шансовете, разбира се, реално да са много малки.
Има лека нереалистичност в скоростта на трансформацията на героите, но единствено епилогът не ми хареса. И господин Габриел се е поддал на онзи тип досадно морализаторстване, което малко намирисва на политкоректност. Но страниците там са няколко, и не е чак толкова зле. Книгата със сигурност няма да е в листата за филмиране от Холивуд, нито ще е в списъка с безбройните нови вариации на тема втора световна война, които с безгрижно безхаберие и превзето пърхане плахо кръжат около една все така тежка, болезнена и все още неподлежаща на розово романизиране страница от историята.
И да, в книгата има романтика, определено, даже това е основният сюжет. Просто тя е в относително суров вид - без много общо с урбанистичния, консуматорски и леко инфантилен поглед на луксозната градската среда от 21-век в западното полукълбо. Но времената са си били такива. Миналото е различна страна. И тя не е нашата, не е днешната, и не е точно въображаемата.
⭐️4,5 звезди⭐️
Началото е малко подвеждащо с младите си герои и аз измамно се отпуснах. През 1944 г. старши лейтенант Максимилиан Волф се завръща от Източния фронт в двумесечен отпуск поради тежко раняване, за да открие в родната си къща две укрити от майка му еврейски момичета - столични госпожици. Макс е на 23 г., но вече е с 5 годишен стаж във Вермахта, танковите дивизии на Руския фронт и решимост да служи вярно на Райха, дори само за да измие позора, че е син на починал в затвора суров протестантски пастор, твърд религиозен критик на хитлеризма. Всичко това малко по малко отива по дяволите, когато той и своенравно арогантната Лола Розенщайн започват да се опознават и да се карат на всяка дума. Следва кошмарна одисея в една разкъсвана от предсмъртни гърчове хитлерова Германия, където нацистите вилнеят като за последно, обикновените германци по-често са привърженици на теорията за световния еврейски заговор, а съюзническите бомбардировки причиняват неописуеми разрушения, нямащи нищо общо с военни обекти. Габриел не гали с перце никого, а той забърква солидно количество герои. Никак не порозовява и историческия период - напротив, представя го с цялата му жестокост и в дребните детайли.
Макс проглежда и се помирява със себе си, а Лола пораства, но и се втвърдява до точка отвъд всяко пречупване. Тя ми беше по-малко симпатичната от двамата, с вечната си убеденост, че е права за всичко. В самия край дори ми стана леко антипатична с умишлено наложена амнезия и безчувственост. И двамата извървяват тежък път един към друг, и към оценката си за лудия свят, в който живеят. Този път, както конкретно е описан, съвсем не е невероятен. Макар шансовете, разбира се, реално да са много малки.
Има лека нереалистичност в скоростта на трансформацията на героите, но единствено епилогът не ми хареса. И господин Габриел се е поддал на онзи тип досадно морализаторстване, което малко намирисва на политкоректност. Но страниците там са няколко, и не е чак толкова зле. Книгата със сигурност няма да е в листата за филмиране от Холивуд, нито ще е в списъка с безбройните нови вариации на тема втора световна война, които с безгрижно безхаберие и превзето пърхане плахо кръжат около една все така тежка, болезнена и все още неподлежаща на розово романизиране страница от историята.
И да, в книгата има романтика, определено, даже това е основният сюжет. Просто тя е в относително суров вид - без много общо с урбанистичния, консуматорски и леко инфантилен поглед на луксозната градската среда от 21-век в западното полукълбо. Но времената са си били такива. Миналото е различна страна. И тя не е нашата, не е днешната, и не е точно въображаемата.
⭐️4,5 звезди⭐️
May 1, 2021
Could Have Been Excellent
This could have been an excellent novel, telling the story of a Nazi soldier who was firm in his beliefs about his leader and country... until he wasn't. Unfortunately, the book is rife with errors of grammar, punctuation, and usage; particularly irksome was the rampant improper use of commas and the lack of understanding about compound verb phrases. (The author is British, but most grammar and punctuation rules are the same between US and UK English variants.) These issues were surprising; the book is put out by a legitimate publisher who would have had the book professionally copyedited and proofread. Perhaps those language professionals were swayed by others to overlook the many errors as the author's writing style. However, grievous language errors are not a writing style... or at least they should not be. I found myself more looking for the next error than reading the book for the story. I also found the writing style flabby, with a lot of passive sentence structures and writing no-nos like false subjects (variants of “there is”) and impersonal passive expressions (sentences with “it” when that word does not refer to a specific, previously used noun) that obscure the subject. If things like this don't bother you, you might enjoy the book better than I did.
This could have been an excellent novel, telling the story of a Nazi soldier who was firm in his beliefs about his leader and country... until he wasn't. Unfortunately, the book is rife with errors of grammar, punctuation, and usage; particularly irksome was the rampant improper use of commas and the lack of understanding about compound verb phrases. (The author is British, but most grammar and punctuation rules are the same between US and UK English variants.) These issues were surprising; the book is put out by a legitimate publisher who would have had the book professionally copyedited and proofread. Perhaps those language professionals were swayed by others to overlook the many errors as the author's writing style. However, grievous language errors are not a writing style... or at least they should not be. I found myself more looking for the next error than reading the book for the story. I also found the writing style flabby, with a lot of passive sentence structures and writing no-nos like false subjects (variants of “there is”) and impersonal passive expressions (sentences with “it” when that word does not refer to a specific, previously used noun) that obscure the subject. If things like this don't bother you, you might enjoy the book better than I did.
November 20, 2022
Прекрасен роман! Един от многото, посветени на Втората световна война, но се откроява, защото я разглежда от слабо познат ъгъл. Сюжетът сблъсква укриваща се от Гестапо еврейка и надъхан германски войник, прибрал се в дома си след раняване. И авторът проследява как недоверието между тези две изстрадали души се стопява, как грижливо изгражданите илюзии и стереотипи отмират, как от опустошението прораства нещо живо и истинско. Роман, който показва как палачът може да се окаже жертва. Който кара читателя да прозре трагедията на всички онези хора, съществували съвсем не само в Райха, които пропагандната машина на държавите им е моделирала като глина, създала им е изкуствени идоли, принуждавала ги е да унищожават душите си, да жертват живота си за фалшиви идеали. Какво се случва с един такъв човек, когато прогледне и осъзнае какво е сторил? Фон на вътрешната драма на героите са епичните исторически събития, така добре обрисувани. Но онези, останали слабо осветени досега. Как се е живяло в Германия през Втората световна? Как са се чувствали обикновените германци, притиснати между Гестапо, сеещите смърт бомбардировачи на съюзниците и нахлулите и жадуващите мъст съветски воиници? Как би се чувствала една еврейска девойка с живот съсипан от нацистите, която вижда как чаканите от нея с нетърпение освободители бомбардират цивилни и превръщат в пепел любимите ѝ градове? За деянията на Вермахта в съветските степи също се споменава. Това е роман, който бяга от евтините стереотипи и разкрива трагедията в Европа от края на войната в цялата ѝ комплексност. Възхитена съм от проучванията, които е извършил авторът, от естествения начин, по който ги е вплел в историята, от психологизма, с който е разкрил героите си, от отказа си от стереотипи. Горещо препоръчвам!
May 31, 2021
WWII historical fiction that does not take place in a Concentration Camp. We find ourselves at the lose of the war in Germany. A story about how humans can change if we truly get to know one another. The dialogue between Max and Lola was simplistic in the first 25% of the novel but improved as we progressed further into the story. Enjoyed this fresh look at a part of the war not typically covered in historical fiction.
June 6, 2021
The main reasons you’ll want to read this fantastic historical fiction book are (1) that it has an engaging plot, (2) amazing character development and (3) it’s full of thought-provoking insights into human nature.
A German officer with two Iron Crosses and a panzer division under his control is on leave after surgery and comes home to discover that his mother is hiding two Jewesses in the attic. You will love Max Wolff’s evolution from a true Nazi hero to a disillusioned German now sympathetic to fellow Germans of Jewish heritage. It made me happy to discover an author who chose to show us his complex and interesting characters, rather than tell us about them. It’s rare for an author to allow his readers to weave character’s actions and attitudes together with historical facts presented and come to their own conclusions. For this very fact, I’m inspired to read more by this author. His vivid descriptions allow readers to become part of the story. I love learning about history by feeling I’m part of the story rather than reading huge info dumps in conversation between characters.
I have read many WW2 books and never learned about Veronal. If you aren’t familiar with it, you’ll learn about this window of escape for many Jews.
It’s not often books are written from the perspective of a German soldier. You’ll read about how many of the Germans were “deluded by a strident call to patriotism” and, in retrospect, felt they’d “become the weapon of an evil government with fearsome ambitions.”
“Don’t you think your beloved Fatherland is a very strange place if helping other human beings has become a crime?”
“How can a Christian pray for a Jew?”
“That’s my deepest fear. That the war will end, and we will still be prisoners of what they did to us. until the day we also die.”
This unique read is worth your time and will be one I’ll reach for again and again. It’s heart wrenching and emotional, yet tension filled and unpredictable. I’m in awe of the resourcefulness and resilience of those caught up in a country at war.
I was gifted this copy by Marius Gabriel, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
A German officer with two Iron Crosses and a panzer division under his control is on leave after surgery and comes home to discover that his mother is hiding two Jewesses in the attic. You will love Max Wolff’s evolution from a true Nazi hero to a disillusioned German now sympathetic to fellow Germans of Jewish heritage. It made me happy to discover an author who chose to show us his complex and interesting characters, rather than tell us about them. It’s rare for an author to allow his readers to weave character’s actions and attitudes together with historical facts presented and come to their own conclusions. For this very fact, I’m inspired to read more by this author. His vivid descriptions allow readers to become part of the story. I love learning about history by feeling I’m part of the story rather than reading huge info dumps in conversation between characters.
I have read many WW2 books and never learned about Veronal. If you aren’t familiar with it, you’ll learn about this window of escape for many Jews.
It’s not often books are written from the perspective of a German soldier. You’ll read about how many of the Germans were “deluded by a strident call to patriotism” and, in retrospect, felt they’d “become the weapon of an evil government with fearsome ambitions.”
“Don’t you think your beloved Fatherland is a very strange place if helping other human beings has become a crime?”
“How can a Christian pray for a Jew?”
“That’s my deepest fear. That the war will end, and we will still be prisoners of what they did to us. until the day we also die.”
This unique read is worth your time and will be one I’ll reach for again and again. It’s heart wrenching and emotional, yet tension filled and unpredictable. I’m in awe of the resourcefulness and resilience of those caught up in a country at war.
I was gifted this copy by Marius Gabriel, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
January 20, 2022
A nazi redeeming themselves by falling in love with the Jewish girl his mother is hiding from the regime that wants to kill her? And we're supposed to feel for the Nazi's change of heart?
Uh yeah, hell no.
Utter trash.
Edit: every time this gets liked or bumps up my feed for some reason I get angry at the whole concept of this book all over again. Can I give negative stars? Because this deserves negative stars.
Uh yeah, hell no.
Utter trash.
Edit: every time this gets liked or bumps up my feed for some reason I get angry at the whole concept of this book all over again. Can I give negative stars? Because this deserves negative stars.
May 22, 2022
На фона на толкова много книги за ВСВ ,тази някак бледнее.Не, не е лоша в никакъв случай.Имаше си и добрите моменти,просто може би не ми въздейства така, както са го правили други на същата тематика.
December 22, 2021
"Момичетата на тавана" от Мариус Габриел е исторически роман за войната, който ни отвежда в Германия през 1944г. Изправя един срещу друг еврейско момиче и военен от немската армия (не казвам нацист умишлено). Макар и трудно, двамата постепенно разбират, че не са си врагове и че хората не подлежат на общ знаменател. Всъщност се наблягаше много на идеята колко много краде и отнема войната, независимо дали си на страната на печелившия, или губещия.
В исторически план се коментираха действията на Хитлер и поддръжниците му, които отказваха да се признаят за победени, използваха пропагандата и манипулацията, за да прикриват истината, но се говореше също за нанесения ответен удар от Съюзническите сили и хилядите убити цивилни, които са станали жертва на амбициите на големите. Имаше и романтична нишка, която с удоволствие проследих. Като усещане книгата ми напомняше на "Славея" от Кристин Хана - предполагам заради силата на духа, която главната героиня притежаваше, но имайте предвид, че като сюжет е по-различна.
В исторически план се коментираха действията на Хитлер и поддръжниците му, които отказваха да се признаят за победени, използваха пропагандата и манипулацията, за да прикриват истината, но се говореше също за нанесения ответен удар от Съюзническите сили и хилядите убити цивилни, които са станали жертва на амбициите на големите. Имаше и романтична нишка, която с удоволствие проследих. Като усещане книгата ми напомняше на "Славея" от Кристин Хана - предполагам заради силата на духа, която главната героиня притежаваше, но имайте предвид, че като сюжет е по-различна.
December 28, 2021
Безапалационно 5 звезди! Прекрасен исторически - любовен роман! Силата му идва от стила на автора, както и от факта, че от масата книги тук действието не се развива в лагер на смъртта, а извън него и обхваща края на ВСВ , разпадането на Третия Райх . Много реалистична картина на въздушните атаки от руснаци и америкаци, прекрасна история на Макс и Лора, тяхната трансформация от началото до края на книгата - нещо, което също ме впечатли изключително много. Още споделям във видео-ревюто ми : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBZoE... .
Това за мен е разкошна книга, която заслужава вниманието ви,една от най-добрите , които прочетох тази гоина и като тема за ВСВ.
Горещо препоръчвам!
Това за мен е разкошна книга, която заслужава вниманието ви,една от най-добрите , които прочетох тази гоина и като тема за ВСВ.
Горещо препоръчвам!
March 10, 2022
Absolute and utter trash. Anyone who puts a Nazi and a Jew in a romance together AND calls it The Girls in the Attic can ABSOLUTELY go to hell. What in the goyishe shit is this??? This should never be published as it's complete and utter antisemitism.
What is this compulsion/obsession with writing stories about Nazis and Jews falling in love?!?! It's so disgusting and offensive. There's no romance between someone who wants to wipe out the other person's existence. Jesus fucking christ.
What is this compulsion/obsession with writing stories about Nazis and Jews falling in love?!?! It's so disgusting and offensive. There's no romance between someone who wants to wipe out the other person's existence. Jesus fucking christ.
February 6, 2022
Една книга за ВСВ в популярния напоследък поджанр "чиклит за ВСВ". Романтична драма за любовта между офицер от Вермахта и еврейско девойче, което майка му крие на тавана. В повече ми дойдоха описанията на разрушения и смърт.
July 30, 2022
I’m not sure if I’m going to write a review or not about this book… I lost so much time just being angry and crying all the time. The moment the author killed the hero, yes he killed the hero is the time this book went to hell. I ended this book feeling terrible… this was my first book by the author and it will be the last that’s how angry I am. The ending OMG!, after all, what Lola went through. the ending was not what the heroine deserved.
Lola in my world you got what you deserve Max and a better ending not what the author gave you.
Lola in my world you got what you deserve Max and a better ending not what the author gave you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2021
This book was a different from other WWII books I’ve read because you read about the hardships on the German people during WWII. I liked that aspect of this book.
Max Wolff is a committed soldier of the Reich. So when he is sent home wounded, only to discover that his mother is sheltering two young Jewish women in their home, he is outraged.
His mother’s act of mercy is a gross betrayal of everything Max stands for. He has dedicated his life to Nazism, fighting to atone for the shame of his anti-Hitler father’s imprisonment. It’s his duty to turn the sisters over to the Gestapo. But he hesitates, and the longer Max fails to do his duty, the harder it becomes.
Max Wolff is a committed soldier of the Reich. So when he is sent home wounded, only to discover that his mother is sheltering two young Jewish women in their home, he is outraged.
His mother’s act of mercy is a gross betrayal of everything Max stands for. He has dedicated his life to Nazism, fighting to atone for the shame of his anti-Hitler father’s imprisonment. It’s his duty to turn the sisters over to the Gestapo. But he hesitates, and the longer Max fails to do his duty, the harder it becomes.
June 5, 2021
This was so powerful, raw and so real.
The book was engaging from the very beginning, i was hooked immediately, and felt so close to the characters that i felt actual pain as they suffered throughout the book.
The author is a real mastermind, he succeeded in describing the scenes of destruction and pain so vividly that you would almost feel squeamish of how much you felt what was written.
The character development was immaculate, even during their hardships and despair, Lola and Max went through a lot to grow up as human beings and they showed me how love is more powerful than politics and race.
I really enjoyed it.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review via netgalley and the publisher*
The book was engaging from the very beginning, i was hooked immediately, and felt so close to the characters that i felt actual pain as they suffered throughout the book.
The author is a real mastermind, he succeeded in describing the scenes of destruction and pain so vividly that you would almost feel squeamish of how much you felt what was written.
The character development was immaculate, even during their hardships and despair, Lola and Max went through a lot to grow up as human beings and they showed me how love is more powerful than politics and race.
I really enjoyed it.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review via netgalley and the publisher*
August 26, 2022
Max Wolff is a Nazi soldier home on medical leave during WWII. Imagine his anger and chagrin when he discovers that his mother Magda is harboring two Jewish young ladies, Heidi and Lola, in the attic.
He knows he must turn them into the Gestapo, but the longer he waits, the harder it becomes.
Lola ends up being the main character. She is a very outspoken young lady and she does forge a bond with Max.
From an excellent review found on https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
Author Gabriel maintains pace and tension throughout the book with the risk of discovery and the brutal events taking place around them. Tension builds when they do what they must to survive with the incessant Allied bombing, then the advancing Russian army. The reader sees what the characters see of an empty, destroyed Cologne during a snowstorm. “The streets of bombed-out buildings had a special silence: they absorbed every sound without an echo. The empty windows did not reflect, the doorways were empty. The only sound was the wind that moaned through the ruins.” This is one of Marius Gabriel’s best, and a stand-out WWII novel.
Another Allied bombing event, Düren, portrays a tragic scene of death and destruction.
Highly recommend this unique WWII chronicle.
5 stars
He knows he must turn them into the Gestapo, but the longer he waits, the harder it becomes.
Lola ends up being the main character. She is a very outspoken young lady and she does forge a bond with Max.
From an excellent review found on https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
Author Gabriel maintains pace and tension throughout the book with the risk of discovery and the brutal events taking place around them. Tension builds when they do what they must to survive with the incessant Allied bombing, then the advancing Russian army. The reader sees what the characters see of an empty, destroyed Cologne during a snowstorm. “The streets of bombed-out buildings had a special silence: they absorbed every sound without an echo. The empty windows did not reflect, the doorways were empty. The only sound was the wind that moaned through the ruins.” This is one of Marius Gabriel’s best, and a stand-out WWII novel.
Another Allied bombing event, Düren, portrays a tragic scene of death and destruction.
Highly recommend this unique WWII chronicle.
5 stars
May 16, 2021
Nice fairy tale about a Nazi and a Jew finding true love together. But as the story is constructed, it is totally unrealistic.
Panzer Lieutenant Max Wolff, a dyed-in-the-wool Nazi, returns home from the Russian front to find his mother harboring two young Jewish women in their attic. Wolff is even more firm in his belief in Hitler and the Third Reich to counter the liberal preachings of his disgraced father. Not to say it didn’t happen, but Wolff would never sully his race by taking up with an Untermensch Jewess. The younger of the two sisters, Lola, is an impertinent spoiled brat who constantly endangers the family with her willful disregard about the cautions of remaining hidden. Not only does she repeatedly call Max a dummkopf (blockhead), but she insults the family’s Christian religion. This is the thanks the Wolffs get for risking their lives by hiding Jews.
Yet whether it was the intimate living arrangement or hormones, Max slowly questions his beliefs in the Third Reich and about Lola. He does not fall for the more circumspect older sister, Heidi, but for the firebrand Lola. And Lola, somewhat reluctantly, changes her mind that not all Germans are monsters.
Once you can suspend your belief in the absurdity of the situation, the storyline turns into a decent historical novel about the privations inside Germany during the war and the Germans’ cruelty to even their own Aryans.
Panzer Lieutenant Max Wolff, a dyed-in-the-wool Nazi, returns home from the Russian front to find his mother harboring two young Jewish women in their attic. Wolff is even more firm in his belief in Hitler and the Third Reich to counter the liberal preachings of his disgraced father. Not to say it didn’t happen, but Wolff would never sully his race by taking up with an Untermensch Jewess. The younger of the two sisters, Lola, is an impertinent spoiled brat who constantly endangers the family with her willful disregard about the cautions of remaining hidden. Not only does she repeatedly call Max a dummkopf (blockhead), but she insults the family’s Christian religion. This is the thanks the Wolffs get for risking their lives by hiding Jews.
Yet whether it was the intimate living arrangement or hormones, Max slowly questions his beliefs in the Third Reich and about Lola. He does not fall for the more circumspect older sister, Heidi, but for the firebrand Lola. And Lola, somewhat reluctantly, changes her mind that not all Germans are monsters.
Once you can suspend your belief in the absurdity of the situation, the storyline turns into a decent historical novel about the privations inside Germany during the war and the Germans’ cruelty to even their own Aryans.
May 7, 2021
2.5 stars for me. Some parts were great, other parts were cringeworthy. The dialogue in the beginning with max and lola were unbearable to read. Just didn't flow or feel very natural. Then it seems the author hit a groove and their awkward character interactions ended.
The book was a quick start then slowed, and I almost wanted to give up on the book, and then things really picked up. And I had to finish the book.
Overall I am pleased to have stuck with it. Not the best nor the worst ww2 book. Interesting concept for a story.
The book was a quick start then slowed, and I almost wanted to give up on the book, and then things really picked up. And I had to finish the book.
Overall I am pleased to have stuck with it. Not the best nor the worst ww2 book. Interesting concept for a story.
January 27, 2023
Emanuela - per RFS
.
Heidi e Lola, due sorelle ebree, vivono nascoste nella soffitta di una perfetta casa ariana la cui proprietaria è la moglie di un pastore oppositore di Hitler e la madre di un nazista pilota di carri armati.
La loro vita apparentemente tranquilla è sconvolta dal ritorno dal fronte di quest’ultimo, gravemente ferito in battaglia e amareggiato dagli esiti della guerra.
Scoperta la presenza delle due ragazze Max, che ha faticosamente tentato di recuperare il disonore gettato dalla ribellione di suo padre militando nelle fila dell’esercito hitleriano, è profondamente deciso a denunciarle, mentre sua madre cerca di convincerlo a desistere.
Tra Lola e Max inizia un rapporto strano e nello stesso tempo straordinario, che li porterà a conoscere le reciproche ragioni. I due troveranno il modo di incontrarsi a metà strada, comprendendo la falsità dietro all’ideologia nazista e aprendo una voragine nella coscienza dell’uomo. Max realizzerà infatti di essere solo una pedina nella macchina hitleriana e che a nulla sono servite le sue gesta militari: il marchio dell’infamia e del tradimento non scomparirà mai.
Da questo all’innamoramento il passo è breve, ma gli orrori della guerra non possono che travolgere questa coppia sfortunata e chi gli è accanto.
La disfatta di Hitler sarà la salvezza per Lola, che grazie a un Max che da aguzzino si trasformerà in vittima e salvatore, consentirà alla sua amata di avere un futuro.
Un punto di vista interessante dell’autrice sul fatto che il popolo tedesco fu anch’esso vittima della follia nazista.
Nella storia di Max e Lola leggiamo tanta voglia di riscatto e di giustizia.
Molto interessante.
.
Heidi e Lola, due sorelle ebree, vivono nascoste nella soffitta di una perfetta casa ariana la cui proprietaria è la moglie di un pastore oppositore di Hitler e la madre di un nazista pilota di carri armati.
La loro vita apparentemente tranquilla è sconvolta dal ritorno dal fronte di quest’ultimo, gravemente ferito in battaglia e amareggiato dagli esiti della guerra.
Scoperta la presenza delle due ragazze Max, che ha faticosamente tentato di recuperare il disonore gettato dalla ribellione di suo padre militando nelle fila dell’esercito hitleriano, è profondamente deciso a denunciarle, mentre sua madre cerca di convincerlo a desistere.
Tra Lola e Max inizia un rapporto strano e nello stesso tempo straordinario, che li porterà a conoscere le reciproche ragioni. I due troveranno il modo di incontrarsi a metà strada, comprendendo la falsità dietro all’ideologia nazista e aprendo una voragine nella coscienza dell’uomo. Max realizzerà infatti di essere solo una pedina nella macchina hitleriana e che a nulla sono servite le sue gesta militari: il marchio dell’infamia e del tradimento non scomparirà mai.
Da questo all’innamoramento il passo è breve, ma gli orrori della guerra non possono che travolgere questa coppia sfortunata e chi gli è accanto.
La disfatta di Hitler sarà la salvezza per Lola, che grazie a un Max che da aguzzino si trasformerà in vittima e salvatore, consentirà alla sua amata di avere un futuro.
Un punto di vista interessante dell’autrice sul fatto che il popolo tedesco fu anch’esso vittima della follia nazista.
Nella storia di Max e Lola leggiamo tanta voglia di riscatto e di giustizia.
Molto interessante.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2021
It's not a good day for me when I dislike a book this much, but this one was a very bad book for me.
In the beginning I was super intrigued and was super excited to like it, the writing style was enjoyable, and the reading experience very fun.
About 35% in I was done with this book, I started skimming through the paragraphs and sighing so much. I was predicting almost everything that ended up happening, and I was not liking the whole reading process of it.
Unfortunately, if you're a fan of historical fiction, and WWII, this would seem bland, and not fun, so I don't recommend it at all.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book.
In the beginning I was super intrigued and was super excited to like it, the writing style was enjoyable, and the reading experience very fun.
About 35% in I was done with this book, I started skimming through the paragraphs and sighing so much. I was predicting almost everything that ended up happening, and I was not liking the whole reading process of it.
Unfortunately, if you're a fan of historical fiction, and WWII, this would seem bland, and not fun, so I don't recommend it at all.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book.
December 23, 2021
“I think you’re wrong. I think most are monsters. A few are sane. I hate all men. All of them.”
“I wish I still had my spectacles. This page looks as though a spider swam in the ink-pot and then crawled across the paper.”
“‘Really, it’s like being married.’ Heidi commented ironically. ‘Without the inconvenience of conjugal relations.”
“Something had begun to dawn on him—that it was a simple thing to hate and despise people as a group—say, Jews—when you didn’t know any; and quite another to maintain that contempt when you were confronted by a living, breathing human being.”
“Where men burn books, they will also in the end burn men.” - Heinrich Heine
“To understand the past, you need to speak the language of the past. And the language of the past is a lost language.”
“I wish I still had my spectacles. This page looks as though a spider swam in the ink-pot and then crawled across the paper.”
“‘Really, it’s like being married.’ Heidi commented ironically. ‘Without the inconvenience of conjugal relations.”
“Something had begun to dawn on him—that it was a simple thing to hate and despise people as a group—say, Jews—when you didn’t know any; and quite another to maintain that contempt when you were confronted by a living, breathing human being.”
“Where men burn books, they will also in the end burn men.” - Heinrich Heine
“To understand the past, you need to speak the language of the past. And the language of the past is a lost language.”
September 1, 2023
A wonderfully vivid and emotive world war two novel, set in the days as Germany edges towards defeat as the allies near closer to victory.
Max is an injured soldier, returning home to his mother to find she has been secretly housing two young Jewish women. The author is adept at capturing the essence of the environment in which they have been hiding, along with the wider towns and cities.
This was the first book I've read by this author, and I was impressed at how the story progressed and the characters developed as they navigated such dangerous times. As someone who reads rather a lot of fiction set in wartime, this is definitely one of the better ones I've had the pleasure to read. I look forward to trying more of his work.
Max is an injured soldier, returning home to his mother to find she has been secretly housing two young Jewish women. The author is adept at capturing the essence of the environment in which they have been hiding, along with the wider towns and cities.
This was the first book I've read by this author, and I was impressed at how the story progressed and the characters developed as they navigated such dangerous times. As someone who reads rather a lot of fiction set in wartime, this is definitely one of the better ones I've had the pleasure to read. I look forward to trying more of his work.
June 20, 2021
The Girls in the Attic
This is a fabulous book!
A real page turner!! I couldn’t stop reading. It’s wonderfully written. There’s so much in this book. I loved all of it. Crying my eyes out near the end and a heavy heart through much of it. Man’s inhumanity to man is a horrible thing that continues through the centuries. There are many moments to smile and cheer and hope in the book. Life needs to be appreciated and loved ones held dear as life is very fragile. There’s no room for haughtiness, pride and unforgiveness.
The author researched so many areas and painted an amazing picture of the tragedy and destruction of war. He is an excellent writer. I loved this book.
pamarella
PRCS
This is a fabulous book!
A real page turner!! I couldn’t stop reading. It’s wonderfully written. There’s so much in this book. I loved all of it. Crying my eyes out near the end and a heavy heart through much of it. Man’s inhumanity to man is a horrible thing that continues through the centuries. There are many moments to smile and cheer and hope in the book. Life needs to be appreciated and loved ones held dear as life is very fragile. There’s no room for haughtiness, pride and unforgiveness.
The author researched so many areas and painted an amazing picture of the tragedy and destruction of war. He is an excellent writer. I loved this book.
pamarella
PRCS
October 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this - it surprised me.
I found that having finished it, I'm googling for research about why/how Hitler came into power and why he hated the Jewish population so much.
I haven't read many books written with a German soldier's perspective, and I found this enlightening, and I liked the character arc of Max as his idealism changed and he began to question his thinking on all matters.
It didn't spare the horror of war in any way. I actually forgot chapter 1 and was complete engrossed in the retelling of Lola's life as a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazi's, so much so that when we got to the end and the retelling returned to Lola's daughter, I really had to think: what the? Who's this.
Really good. Give it a go if you haven't read it yet (but gore/graphic warning).
I found that having finished it, I'm googling for research about why/how Hitler came into power and why he hated the Jewish population so much.
I haven't read many books written with a German soldier's perspective, and I found this enlightening, and I liked the character arc of Max as his idealism changed and he began to question his thinking on all matters.
It didn't spare the horror of war in any way. I actually forgot chapter 1 and was complete engrossed in the retelling of Lola's life as a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazi's, so much so that when we got to the end and the retelling returned to Lola's daughter, I really had to think: what the? Who's this.
Really good. Give it a go if you haven't read it yet (but gore/graphic warning).
December 26, 2023
Yet another story about WWII, but one with a different outlook.
July 26, 2021
Overall, this book was fairly easy to get through. The writing style was smooth, and the plot moved quickly enough that I wanted to keep finding out what happened next.
When I saw this book, I thought that I was going to absolutely love it. I enjoying reading historical fiction that takes place during World war two, and I thought that the plotline of the book really set up for a unique story about humanity and survival. Overall, I thought this was done well. Max's inner struggle as he got to know Lola and her sister was a powerful example of the way that the German's were brainwashed into believing the Jews were evil when many of them had never talked to a Jew before.
However, this story did not seem realistic at all to me. I know that there are true stories of Jewish women falling in love with German men during the war. I know that some women hid their identity and were with Nazi men to try to survive the war. Nothing is black and white, and World War two is not an exception. That being said, I feel like the love story between Max and Lola was unrealistic. I feel that it is also impossible that they were not caught considering all of the close calls that they had. Max's home being searched, being caught and arrested and then being bombed seconds later, and even Lola surviving in the end.
I think that overall the story is beautiful, and I fell in love with many of the characters. I was captivated by the book, and know that overall this story is fiction and does not have to be realistic. However, out of the many books that I have read about World war two, this one was not among my favorites.
When I saw this book, I thought that I was going to absolutely love it. I enjoying reading historical fiction that takes place during World war two, and I thought that the plotline of the book really set up for a unique story about humanity and survival. Overall, I thought this was done well. Max's inner struggle as he got to know Lola and her sister was a powerful example of the way that the German's were brainwashed into believing the Jews were evil when many of them had never talked to a Jew before.
However, this story did not seem realistic at all to me. I know that there are true stories of Jewish women falling in love with German men during the war. I know that some women hid their identity and were with Nazi men to try to survive the war. Nothing is black and white, and World War two is not an exception. That being said, I feel like the love story between Max and Lola was unrealistic. I feel that it is also impossible that they were not caught considering all of the close calls that they had. Max's home being searched, being caught and arrested and then being bombed seconds later, and even Lola surviving in the end.
I think that overall the story is beautiful, and I fell in love with many of the characters. I was captivated by the book, and know that overall this story is fiction and does not have to be realistic. However, out of the many books that I have read about World war two, this one was not among my favorites.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2021
A beautifully written story finding, and losing love, family and friendships during a brutal and savage war. The story starts and ends with elderly Lola, teliing her story to her eldest daughter, a story that includes how Maggie, the daughter came to be. As the story starts, we meet Max, a young Nazi Panzer commander, who is home on leave after being injured. Max, to his disgust, disvovers his widowed mother is hiding 2 Jewish girls in her attic. We discover that Max's deceased father was a preacher, who regularly denounced Hitler and the actions of the Nazis. The story is told so well and the characters so real, it is difficult not to see them in your mind's eye, and to feel for them. While the story may be far from historically accurate, it is alive and the human spirit soars.
February 16, 2025
Great perspective at the end of chapter 7:
"He understood a lot more now. He also understood that he, like millions of other Germans, had been deluded by a strident call to patriotism, and had become the weapon of an evil government with fearsome ambitions. He’d believed in Hitler’s ranting. He’d believed the potent, endless propaganda spewed out by Dr Goebbels. It had blinded him to the truth. It had been persuasive, but it had been a sham, a lie. And now Germany faced a reckoning for the terrible things it had done. The Thousand Year Reich, which had lasted eleven years so far, was not going to give in without a bloodbath."
Marius Gabriel, The Girls in the Attic
"He understood a lot more now. He also understood that he, like millions of other Germans, had been deluded by a strident call to patriotism, and had become the weapon of an evil government with fearsome ambitions. He’d believed in Hitler’s ranting. He’d believed the potent, endless propaganda spewed out by Dr Goebbels. It had blinded him to the truth. It had been persuasive, but it had been a sham, a lie. And now Germany faced a reckoning for the terrible things it had done. The Thousand Year Reich, which had lasted eleven years so far, was not going to give in without a bloodbath."
Marius Gabriel, The Girls in the Attic
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