The English German Girl
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Review
'Here is a new young voice in British fiction - entertaining, provocative and original. Jake Wallis Simons will surely prove a name to remember' - Beryl Bainbridge, The Independent
'Fascinating and moving' - Monica Ali
'A powerful evocation of a bygone era' - Sir Martin Gilbert
'This well-researched and very moving novel is dedicated to the children of the Kindertransport and is a fine tribute to their bravery' - The Times
'Absolutely compelling' - Sarah Crown, The Guardian
'A film waiting to happen although so vivid is Jake Wallis Simons' description and attention to detail I feel I've seen it already. If you only read one novel this year make it this one' - Lovereading --Sir Martin Gilbert
'Fascinating and moving' --Monica Ali
'A powerful evocation of a bygone era' --Sir Martin Gilbert
'Fascinating and moving' --Monica Ali
'A powerful evocation of a bygone era' --Sir Martin Gilbert
An ambitious, courageous book. --Jewish Chronicle
'A powerful evocation of a bygone era' --Sir Martin Gilbert
'Fascinating and moving' - Monica Ali
'A powerful evocation of a bygone era' - Sir Martin Gilbert
'This well-researched and very moving novel is dedicated to the children of the Kindertransport and is a fine tribute to their bravery' - The Times
'Absolutely compelling' - Sarah Crown, The Guardian
'A film waiting to happen although so vivid is Jake Wallis Simons' description and attention to detail I feel I've seen it already. If you only read one novel this year make it this one' - Lovereading --Sir Martin Gilbert
'Fascinating and moving' --Monica Ali
'A powerful evocation of a bygone era' --Sir Martin Gilbert
'Fascinating and moving' --Monica Ali
'A powerful evocation of a bygone era' --Sir Martin Gilbert
An ambitious, courageous book. --Jewish Chronicle
'A powerful evocation of a bygone era' --Sir Martin Gilbert
Product Description
'Rosa must carry her suitcase herself. She heaves it up, walks through the doorway, looks back one final time: Papa and Mama are standing arm in arm, they are waving, but their masks have fallen away, they look hopeless, and that is the worst thing of all; Rosa turns her back and they are gone.'
The Klein family is slowly but surely losing everything they hold dear or ever took for granted as Hitler's anti-Jewish laws take hold in 1930s Berlin. In desperation, fifteen-year-old Rosa is put on a Kindertransport train out of Germany, to begin a new life in England. In a foreign country, barely able to make herself understood, she struggles to find a way to rescue her parents. Overtaken by the war, however, they gradually lose touch. Now Rosa must face the prospect of not only being unable to fulfil her vow to save her family but also of an unknown future, quite alone.
One of Britain's most compelling and original new voices, Jake Wallis Simons blends meticulous research with powerful storytelling in an epic journey from heartbreak to hope
The Klein family is slowly but surely losing everything they hold dear or ever took for granted as Hitler's anti-Jewish laws take hold in 1930s Berlin. In desperation, fifteen-year-old Rosa is put on a Kindertransport train out of Germany, to begin a new life in England. In a foreign country, barely able to make herself understood, she struggles to find a way to rescue her parents. Overtaken by the war, however, they gradually lose touch. Now Rosa must face the prospect of not only being unable to fulfil her vow to save her family but also of an unknown future, quite alone.
One of Britain's most compelling and original new voices, Jake Wallis Simons blends meticulous research with powerful storytelling in an epic journey from heartbreak to hope
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is the story of the kindertransport seen through the eyes on an affluent Jewish family from Berlin. It follows a 15 year old girl as she goes to England and experiences not only the trauma of relocation but also the agony of "not knowing".
I read this book very fast indeed and was gripped to the air of tension, the brilliant descriptions of pre war Berlin, the air of menace that faced Jews in every day life and the way that old friendships and allegiances crumbled. The second half set in London, explored the (now adult) character as she becomes a Nurse, and tries to face up to what has happened immediately post war. I was stunned by her conclusion towards the end and loved the "real life" follow up the author added.
I really recommend this book - it would also make a stimulating book group read as there are so many themes to consider.
I read this book very fast indeed and was gripped to the air of tension, the brilliant descriptions of pre war Berlin, the air of menace that faced Jews in every day life and the way that old friendships and allegiances crumbled. The second half set in London, explored the (now adult) character as she becomes a Nurse, and tries to face up to what has happened immediately post war. I was stunned by her conclusion towards the end and loved the "real life" follow up the author added.
I really recommend this book - it would also make a stimulating book group read as there are so many themes to consider.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I'd highly recommend this book. It's one of those books that you can't put down and it's easy to get lost in the world. As a book based on a Jewish family in World War II Germany, the author carefully entwines fiction with historical fact. The effect is very moving and brings history to life through the story of this Jewish girl's escape. A very beautiful read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
For about the first 2/3rd of the book, I felt the author did not put a foot wrong. This was an absorbing, and beautifully written novel based on the Kindertransport, where Jewish children, with great difficulty, were weaved through impossible bureaucracy to safety, before England and Germany went to war, after the invasion of Poland. Simons writes most beautifully; he has a real flair for the surprising image 'ravens of guilt', without becoming self-consciously literary. He is excellent at the nuances of character, can evoke time and place brilliantly and precisely, and the narrative is good - for most of the time.
The evocation of the slowly gathering forces of fascism, and the inability to believe that the seriousness of its threats were real, were carefully and realistically handled, in this story of an upper-middle class, Jewish intelligentsia family, in Berlin. The feeling of despair and dislocation of the central character, Rosa, once she arrives in the UK as part of a Kindertransport group, is also beautifully and believably handled.
However (can't say too much, in order to avoid spoilers) I felt that once the novel moves from the Norwich setting, and indeed the reason for that move, the story itself became more formulaic, and Simons began using coincidence upon coincidence in order to get a nice tidy 'wrap'. The complexity and reality of his characters deserved a less predictable outcome, a greater ambiguity. Life has a habit of being untidy, unfinished. More could also have been made of the fact that German nationals - even escaped Jewish German nationals, were often suspected of being spies, and thus faced an even more desperate time as asylum seekers. This is certainly hinted at, but could have steeped a little more clearly into Rosa's daily consciousness.
I felt some red-pencil work would have benefited the book, and prevented a bit of the rather drawn out sequence in the blackout, on the streets, whilst bombs were falling. The ending was always obvious, and its length unnecessarily contrived.
Simons, despite a faltering towards the end of the book, is certainly one to watch.
The evocation of the slowly gathering forces of fascism, and the inability to believe that the seriousness of its threats were real, were carefully and realistically handled, in this story of an upper-middle class, Jewish intelligentsia family, in Berlin. The feeling of despair and dislocation of the central character, Rosa, once she arrives in the UK as part of a Kindertransport group, is also beautifully and believably handled.
However (can't say too much, in order to avoid spoilers) I felt that once the novel moves from the Norwich setting, and indeed the reason for that move, the story itself became more formulaic, and Simons began using coincidence upon coincidence in order to get a nice tidy 'wrap'. The complexity and reality of his characters deserved a less predictable outcome, a greater ambiguity. Life has a habit of being untidy, unfinished. More could also have been made of the fact that German nationals - even escaped Jewish German nationals, were often suspected of being spies, and thus faced an even more desperate time as asylum seekers. This is certainly hinted at, but could have steeped a little more clearly into Rosa's daily consciousness.
I felt some red-pencil work would have benefited the book, and prevented a bit of the rather drawn out sequence in the blackout, on the streets, whilst bombs were falling. The ending was always obvious, and its length unnecessarily contrived.
Simons, despite a faltering towards the end of the book, is certainly one to watch.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
English German Girl
Not my usual sort of book and I reaaly thoroughly enjoyed this book and its subject matter, despite being well known event. Moving but not descending into emotional slush. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Kimbo
Enjoyed every minute of it
I came across this Kindle book on offer during the sale at Amazon over Christmas. It had an excellent rating and the synopsis sounded interesting. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Adam Cooper
Moving Evocation of a Stormy Era
A beautifully written story of World War II and the Kindertransport. Rosa Klein spends her early years happy and prosperous in Berlin. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kate Hopkins
Very good read
This was a very well-written, thought-provoking book bringing a new aspect of the suffering of the Jewish people before and during the Holocaust, the break-up of families and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Bubeck
Super
A really good read telling the struggle of German Jewry from the perspective of a young German girl. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Katy89
A German Girl in England
Jake Wallis Simons' second novel 'The English German Girl' tells the story of the Klein family: Otto, Inga and their three children, Heinrich, Rosa and Hedi who are German Jews... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Susie B
The English German Girl
I couldn't put this book down, and felt to learn so much about the life of the Jewish refugees living in England during the 2nd World War. Read more
Published 4 months ago by janet
Poor comparison
I don't know why I bought this book so I should not be surprised at my disappointment. I guess I was persuaded by other good reviews it has received. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Timmm
the english german girl
loved the book, couldn't put it down. haven't read anything for ages and the book really appealed, definately worth a read. even read it in the night when i couldn't sleep.
Published 10 months ago by nessielou
Brilliant!
One of the best books I've read in years. The machinations of the Holocaust; whilst omnipresent throughout the book - especially the first half - were not forced upon the reader in... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. S. R. Miller
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