Weil du mich liebst

by Eliza Graham, Elfriede Peschel (Übersetzer)

February 1945. Europe is in ruins and the Red Army is searing its way across Germany's eastern marches, revenging itself upon a petrified population. The war is over, but for some the fight for survival is only just beginning.

Alix, the aristocratic daughter of a German resistance fighter, is alone and desperate to flee before the Reds come. But when a ferocious snowstorm descends she must return to the shelter of her abandoned ancestral home. There, she is shocked to find her childhood sweetheart Gregor. As old passions are rekindled, a couple break into the house to hide—the man, dressed in Gestapo uniform, is a stranger, but his companion is altogether more familiar. By morning, the blizzard has died down but the Reds are back. The woman and her Nazi escort are dead, and Gregor has vanished. Alone and terrified, Alix runs for her life, and embarks upon an extraordinary and heartbreaking journey. It will take 60 years and the fall of another empire—Communism—before the riddles of that fateful night can be deciphered. Restitution is a memorable novel about love and betrayal, hatred and heroism—a reminder that, even in the worst of times, the most courageous acts of kindness are possible.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Eliza Graham is an Oxfordshire-based UK author whose adult novels reflect her fascination with how historical events affect families..

Reviews

[Selina B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 Sterne

[Safa Jarrar · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's ok, that's what I can say about this book, I did not feel that it was worth to read, I mean there are better books..but in some moments I wanted to go on reading to know what happened ..One thing about this book is that it reminded me with how much I hate war and car accidents!!

[Jule · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected a slightly bit more of the book, but it was still entertaining and moving.

[Alusha NotYourBusiness · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish it, thought it got quiet boring after some time...

[Teresa Bower · Rating 4 out of 5]

I immediately became engrossed in this book. It had a very interesting story line and I liked the weaving together of the current time and the events of the past. If I had to offer any criticism I thought that the ending was a little contrived but on the whole I thought it was well written and a good read.

[vanessa carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storytelling

Loved this book and loved the characters. Although I found it difficult to get going (though that may well be due to the covid situation, my state of mind and ability to focus), I'm so glad I stuck with it. Highly recommend.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just read the sample.

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vorhersehbar, dachte ich, aber trotzdem wollte ich wissen wie es weitergeht. Dann war aber alles ganz anders.

[Lance Greenfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linking time and people

This book is based on the truth of what was happening in southern England in the build up to the Allied invasion of France in the Second World War. It also plays on the connections between those times and the early 21st century. These connections are built on the characters who have grown from the children of the earlier period to complex adults, who have harboured their personal secrets through all of those decades.

The opening chapter commences with the discovery of the skeleton of a GI who lost his life before the invasion started. But the mystery around how he died and who, if anyone, witnessed his untimely death, is something which is explored as the chapters switch back and forth between the time zones. The couple who discover the bones on the beach have their own problems, and their stress adds to the mounting tension that links the characters who have survived the fifty-something years since those horrible events.

The threads, as you would expect, all come together in the end, but I found that as I read a chapter in one time zone, I couldn't wait to get back to the last, where I knew I would find myself in the next. Confused? You won't be if you take the trouble to pick up this book and read it. It is fairly easy to follow, I promise you, and it was a pleasure to read. I shall definitely be first in line for Eliza Graham's next book. I can't wait!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut novel by Eliza Graham is a story that is so well plotted and shifts between the present and the war-time past. The stories are narrated by Minna in the present, who is ridden with guilt about her recent bereavement and trying so hard to make her marriage to Tom work and Felix (short for Felicity), telling the story of her childhood spent living in the village.

The different narratives and times work very well together - explaining the story of what happened in the cottage that Minna is renting and that Felix lived in as a child. During the first chapter, Minna and Tom discover the skeleton on the beach - this paves the way for the associated story of the tragedy of the American GI and also for the story of Minna's own tragedy.

This is a really well written story - the characters are likeable and believeable, there is mystery and sadness throughout the book and the story of the past slowly emerges. The ending is maybe a little too well tied up, but didnt spoil my overall enjoyment of the book.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the body of an American soldier, who died 60 years ago, is found on the beach of a small village by Minna and Tom, it makes a good story for the newspapers. Felix, who used to live in the village, hears about Lew Campbell's body and decides to re-visit the area after being evacuated from there during the war.
After a chance meeting between Minna (who is mourning the loss of her son) and Felix the two women become friends and confide in each other.
Over time we learn of how Felix knew Lew and Minna becomes obsessed with the story and wants to know what happened to him.....how much does Felix know?
I really liked both the main characters and I was hoping they both could find happiness.
For them both it is a healing process and they need to find closure.
Eliza Graham's debut novel is an engaging story, the writing is pacy, it's never boring and, just like Minna, I was always wanting to find out more of Felix's story.
This is a wonderful story of loss, guilt and how it affects many lives.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was my book group read for this month and is the first one I have read so quickly in months. The characters are fairly well developed in the context of the storyline, and very likeable but the background wasn't really touched. I got into it very easily and once in I didn't want to put it down. The plot was fairly simple to work out and the 'twist' not in the least bit unexpected but it kept me hooked all the way through. All in all a nice easy and entertaining 'page turner'. I will certainly look out for more books by this author now.

I have returned to these comments now we have discussed it and amended them a little. Whilst I stand by which of what I previously said I have reviewed my thoughts on the character development as now I think about it do I changed my comments accordingly.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, Graham’s debut novel, slips effortlessly between past and present as the story of how the skeleton of Lew Campbell came to be found on a beach some sixty years after his death, together with Minna and Tom’s tale of how they have become alienated from one another. As the story unfolds, things start to change for Minna and Tom, and ghosts are laid to rest for both Minna and Felix.

This book is my choice for our next Bookworms meet next week, and I don’t think my co-members will be disappointed with this one!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book for all. Excellent read.

[John Herbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again I'm the wet blanket amongst all these startlingly good reviews.
Yes, I know it's Eliza Graham's first book.
Yes, I know I should cut her some slack.
But ooooh it's so long and drawn out, this tiny tale where the whole plot could have been written on a matchbox!

A couple going through bad times stumble upon a skeleton in the sand.
Old lady in the village gradually, painfully, releases bit by tiny bit of what happened all those years ago during the war.

Each blow by blow is almost re-lived second by second, and at times I struggled to continue.
But deep down, if I'm honest with myself, I wish I could write one-hundredth as good as the author, which I can't.
So....give it a go....and most likely, like everyone else, you'll totally disagree with everything I've said.
Enjoy.