Collection
Publication
MIRA (2016), Edition: Original, 384 pages
Description
In her luminous and groundbreaking debut, New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff shows the unimaginable sacrifices one woman must make in a time of war Nineteen-year-old Emma Bau has been married only three weeks when Nazi tanks thunder into her native Poland. Within days Emma's husband, Jacob, is forced to disappear underground, leaving her imprisoned within the city's decrepit Jewish ghetto. But then, in the dead of night, the resistance smuggles her out. Taken to Krakow to live with Jacob's Catholic aunt, Krysia, Emma takes on a new identity as Anna Lipowski, a gentile. Emma's already precarious situation is complicated by her introduction to Kommandant Richwalder, a high-ranking Nazi official who hires her to work as his assistant. Urged by the resistance to use her position to access details of the Nazi occupation, Emma must compromise her safety-and her marriage vows-in order to help Jacob's cause. As the atrocities of war intensify, so does Emma's relationship with the Kommandant, building to a climax that will risk not only her double life, but also the lives of those she loves.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member JGoto
Despite the subject matter, The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff has the feel of a novel written for young adults. It lacks the plot nuances and complex characters expected in a well-written book for adults. However, the story is fairly engaging. Newlywed Emma Blau is a young Polish Jew whose life
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undergoes a drastic change when the Nazis occupy Poland. Her husband goes off to fight with the Resistance and the reader follows Emma as she goes first to the Ghetto with her parents and the escapes to live under a false identity as a Gentile. She becomes involved in the Resistance movement and begins to work for a prominant Nazi official. In order to obtain information for the Resistance she becomes his lover, and to her own horror finds that she is attracted to him both physically and emotionally. The premise for the novel is very good - I wish that the execution were more sophisticated. Show Less
LibraryThing member catrn
I would not normally choose a Harlequin Romance instead prefering Historical Fiction that stays very close to the historical record. I did not know Mira was a Harlequin inprint so I was drawn to this rather unique love story without reservations about the quality of the research. I am so glad I
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chose it. The story centers on Emma a young Jewish woman whose husband has gone to fight with the jewish resistance. Emma does her part for the resistance by changing herself into Anna a young catholic widow. She catches the eye of the leading Nazi commander Kommandant Richwalder and soon is working for him and spying for the resistance. As The kommandants affections for Anna increase Emma begins to become torn. Living a lie with one man while loving yet betraying another. This novel explores Emma's precarious position, well defining the danger Emma faces. We feel her fears yet we also feel her emotions and can understand how she is torn by them. The historical detail is well researched. The authors extensive stay in Poland shows in her understanding of the people and their actions during the war. All in all a very pleasant read. I know I will get and read the follow-up! Show Less
LibraryThing member kiwifortyniner
Emma has been married to Jacob for only a short time when the Nazis invade Poland. Jacob, a member of the resistance is forced to flee and Emma is imprisoned for a time in the ghetto until members of the resistance smuggle her out one night and give her a new place to live and a new identity as
This was a book I could not put down. I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen t Emma and the Kommandant.
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Anna. She meets the Kommandant at a party at the house and he invites her to work for him as his assistant and that is when things become more difficult for her. She has to put her own life in danger, as she uses her position to gain information for the resistance. Even her marriage vows to Jacob are compromised as her relationship with the Kommandant intensifies and she struggles with her feelings and what is the right thing to do. This was a book I could not put down. I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen t Emma and the Kommandant.
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LibraryThing member khuggard
Only after I finished this book and read the reviews, did I realize that The Kommandant's Girl was published by a Harlequin imprint. Now its shortcomings make much more sense. This could have been a rich historical novel with fictional events bringing real ones to life. Unfortunately it fell short
I would have liked to know more about the Polish resistance movement. Ideally information would have been woven into the plot, but even a historical afterward would have been a nice touch. As far as the plot goes, I felt that it relied too much on coincidence and convenience, with major plot points advancing just because someone happened to be in the right place at the right time. I also would have liked to have a little bit more exploration into Anna's conflicted feelings about her relationship with the Kommandant. Although this is touched on briefly, I didn't feel like it was explored to the degree it could have been.
I'm not saying that this book is bad or unreadable, it's just not nearly as good as it could have been. I don't feel like I wasted my time by reading it, but based on the strength of the writing, I won't be seeking out any of Jenoff's other works.
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of the mark. This book had all of the ingredients for a great novel: Interesting historical setting (Krakow Poland at the onset of WWII), fascinating plot (Polish Resistance Movement), and intriguing characters (especially the Catholic Krysia). It even has romance and espionage (Anna, a covert Jew, works and has a romance with the enemy in order to obtain information). I just felt like the author didn't make the best use of all of the wonderful material at her fingertips.I would have liked to know more about the Polish resistance movement. Ideally information would have been woven into the plot, but even a historical afterward would have been a nice touch. As far as the plot goes, I felt that it relied too much on coincidence and convenience, with major plot points advancing just because someone happened to be in the right place at the right time. I also would have liked to have a little bit more exploration into Anna's conflicted feelings about her relationship with the Kommandant. Although this is touched on briefly, I didn't feel like it was explored to the degree it could have been.
I'm not saying that this book is bad or unreadable, it's just not nearly as good as it could have been. I don't feel like I wasted my time by reading it, but based on the strength of the writing, I won't be seeking out any of Jenoff's other works.
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LibraryThing member MrsHillReads
This is an amazing book! It's one that I stayed up late to finish. The choices that Emma/Anna had to make were difficult and heart-breaking. This is a love story, a war story, and a story about how we live when we have to make choices that make us uncomfortable. It also puts a different face on a
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German leader as he struggles to deal with the choices he must make. Show Less
LibraryThing member 4kids4us
This was a book I couldn't put down and didn't want to end. The choices that Emma/Anna had to face were powerful. I felt conflicted about her relationship with the German Kommandant - the attraction they both felt for each other was powerful but forced her to choose b/w her vow to her husband and
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her vow to the underground movement. I wanted her to be with the Kommandant, but I didn't want her to be. He was a Nazi! As more is learned about his character, it made me feel sorry for him as well. There were some unbelievable parts toward the end of the book that I felt were a little ridiculous. I was surprised by the ending but appreciated that it kind of leaves you hanging. Of course, I subsequently found out that there is a sequel to the book. You find out what happens to Emma/Anna but the sequel is about one of the other characters from The Kommandant's Girl. I didn't like it as much as it was more contrived and predictable. Show Less
LibraryThing member sensitivemuse
I went into this book skeptical and was almost right about it. There were times where it was pretty cheesy. There were eye rolling moments, especially when you find out specific information about the Kommadant (about his past) and also what happens to Emma towards the end of the book. Nevertheless
There were good parts I have to admit. Emma went through some very close call moments in order to gather information needed for the resistance. Although it seemed as if it wasn't enough and when asked to get "closer" to the Kommadant, it felt as if they shunned her for it. It was rather mind boggling, as they were asking for her to do so in the first place but, well I suppose if seen cavorting with the enemy, what else were you supposed to think? Some parts of there book just were a little too convenient and you second guess as to how realistic this would be. I wish there was more to it, it just seemed to be lacking in overall substance and depth.
I couldn't really get close or really like Emma in the first place. I saw her as somewhat silly and naive. I wasn't sure if she agreed to do this job because she actually had feelings for the Kommandant or if she was thinking of helping out in the first place. It was hard to say. She just seemed so flaky that way. Throughout the book she moans about her conflicting loyalties between the two men she loves, although I am sure it's difficult, it got annoying after a while. Surely survival would be more on the mind instead of wondering what two men will think once the truth is out. The characters in this novel just seemed flat and not well rounded out. They were two dimensional. The only exception I would say would be Krysia (who also is my favorite) I liked her strength and courage throughout the entire novel.
However I'd have to say, I liked the ending. It was very ambiguous and things were left open. Although the situation did look bleak and hard I can't help to wonder now what's going to happen to these characters. I know there is a sequel to this book however with the way it is written I am a little hesitant as to whether I will pick it up or not. I'd like it in more detail, more realism, and more depth into the story.
Overall, not really a book I would recommend to those who love reading WWII themes. It's too bad as it falls short, but had the potential to be a dramatic novel. With so much information out there on the subject, research and detail should have been noted and incorporated into the novel and it would have improved it drastically. Romance lovers may like this novel instead.
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I trudged along the novel, waiting to see if there was any particular part of action, or something exciting about to happen. I actually finished this novel because I was stubborn enough to read it from cover to cover. I'd have to say I was mildly dissapointed. There were good parts I have to admit. Emma went through some very close call moments in order to gather information needed for the resistance. Although it seemed as if it wasn't enough and when asked to get "closer" to the Kommadant, it felt as if they shunned her for it. It was rather mind boggling, as they were asking for her to do so in the first place but, well I suppose if seen cavorting with the enemy, what else were you supposed to think? Some parts of there book just were a little too convenient and you second guess as to how realistic this would be. I wish there was more to it, it just seemed to be lacking in overall substance and depth.
I couldn't really get close or really like Emma in the first place. I saw her as somewhat silly and naive. I wasn't sure if she agreed to do this job because she actually had feelings for the Kommandant or if she was thinking of helping out in the first place. It was hard to say. She just seemed so flaky that way. Throughout the book she moans about her conflicting loyalties between the two men she loves, although I am sure it's difficult, it got annoying after a while. Surely survival would be more on the mind instead of wondering what two men will think once the truth is out. The characters in this novel just seemed flat and not well rounded out. They were two dimensional. The only exception I would say would be Krysia (who also is my favorite) I liked her strength and courage throughout the entire novel.
However I'd have to say, I liked the ending. It was very ambiguous and things were left open. Although the situation did look bleak and hard I can't help to wonder now what's going to happen to these characters. I know there is a sequel to this book however with the way it is written I am a little hesitant as to whether I will pick it up or not. I'd like it in more detail, more realism, and more depth into the story.
Overall, not really a book I would recommend to those who love reading WWII themes. It's too bad as it falls short, but had the potential to be a dramatic novel. With so much information out there on the subject, research and detail should have been noted and incorporated into the novel and it would have improved it drastically. Romance lovers may like this novel instead.
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LibraryThing member mmillet
I liked this book. It really captivates your interest from the start with believable characters and a mostly realistic plot. Fairly sad, but nicely written.
LibraryThing member abigail.ann
I wasn't sure about this book at first, but I soon found myself gripped by the emotional rollercoaster of the main character. The book became almost impossible to put down. I began wishing that I didn't have to get up in the morning so that I could stay in bed and read just one more chapter. The
Not one for WW2 buffs, but a book for those who wish to explore character's emotions and the idea of romance in a complex situation.
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characters were complex, so much that sometimes they were hard to understand, but this is part of what made this book so attractive for me.Not one for WW2 buffs, but a book for those who wish to explore character's emotions and the idea of romance in a complex situation.
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LibraryThing member kayleighdee
I bought this from the second-hand bookshop quite a while ago – I couldn’t tell you when precisely. As I have a tendency to buy a dozen books at a time, it’ has sat on my bookshelf for a while. I picked it up by chance as I left to go to Vincentia for Christmas, the only book I took with me
Set in Poland, The Kommandant’s Girl is the story of Emma Bau, a young Jewish girl in Kraków who has just married her love, Jacob, when World War II breaks out. Three weeks into their marriage, Jacob disappears in the middle of the night to join the Jewish resistance. Lost and with no other choice, Emma packs and leaves to stay with her parents, only to find them imprisoned in the Podgorze ghetto. What follows is a tale of her struggle to survive – first her own escape from the ghetto, and later her search for a safe place to live and work – all under the noses of the Nazi officials who now occupy the city.
Having completed her Master’s in history at Cambridge, coupled with her work as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army in America, Jenoff’s The Kommandant’s Girl is unquestionably strong in its locational descriptions and historical knowledge. As I studied World War II in school I can appreciate the complexities of writing a novel on this subject. What’s lacking however is Jenoff’s ability to construct narrative prose. At times her writing is flat and dull, her characters weak – throughout the duration of the book we are introduced to a number of characters involved in the resistance movement, but Jenoff seems unable to communicate the desperate and precarious nature of their existance, and as such I struggled to empathise with what they were trying to achieve. Even Emma, taking on the identity of a Polish girl who works for a top-ranking Nazi official in the middle of the Kraków Nazi headquarters, seems quite apathetic at times at the threat of being discovered. The novel only picks up pace in the last three chapters, which I finished with gusto (I would tell you more but that’s called giving the game away).
If you’re interested in war-time novels with a strong pinch of romance, you may enjoy The Kommandant’s Girl. Alternatively, if Jenoff get a new structural editor who teaches her the age-old writing phrase “show, don’t tell”, and decides to rewrite The Kommandant’s Girl with this mantra in mind, I will be the first in line to re-read it and provide you all with a new review. But until that time, I think I’ll be taking this one back to the shop.
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in a suitcase consisting purely of bikinis, snorkelling equipment and sunscreen. As it rained the entire time we were there, I had no choice but to read it.Set in Poland, The Kommandant’s Girl is the story of Emma Bau, a young Jewish girl in Kraków who has just married her love, Jacob, when World War II breaks out. Three weeks into their marriage, Jacob disappears in the middle of the night to join the Jewish resistance. Lost and with no other choice, Emma packs and leaves to stay with her parents, only to find them imprisoned in the Podgorze ghetto. What follows is a tale of her struggle to survive – first her own escape from the ghetto, and later her search for a safe place to live and work – all under the noses of the Nazi officials who now occupy the city.
Having completed her Master’s in history at Cambridge, coupled with her work as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army in America, Jenoff’s The Kommandant’s Girl is unquestionably strong in its locational descriptions and historical knowledge. As I studied World War II in school I can appreciate the complexities of writing a novel on this subject. What’s lacking however is Jenoff’s ability to construct narrative prose. At times her writing is flat and dull, her characters weak – throughout the duration of the book we are introduced to a number of characters involved in the resistance movement, but Jenoff seems unable to communicate the desperate and precarious nature of their existance, and as such I struggled to empathise with what they were trying to achieve. Even Emma, taking on the identity of a Polish girl who works for a top-ranking Nazi official in the middle of the Kraków Nazi headquarters, seems quite apathetic at times at the threat of being discovered. The novel only picks up pace in the last three chapters, which I finished with gusto (I would tell you more but that’s called giving the game away).
If you’re interested in war-time novels with a strong pinch of romance, you may enjoy The Kommandant’s Girl. Alternatively, if Jenoff get a new structural editor who teaches her the age-old writing phrase “show, don’t tell”, and decides to rewrite The Kommandant’s Girl with this mantra in mind, I will be the first in line to re-read it and provide you all with a new review. But until that time, I think I’ll be taking this one back to the shop.
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LibraryThing member Roisin600
An interesting book about Poland during ww2. Lots of historical facts about what happened after the invasion of Poland in 1939.
It tells you what the experience of living under Nazi rule in Poland was like from 1939 to 1945. And explains what it felt like to try to defy the Nazis, during this time.
It tells you what the experience of living under Nazi rule in Poland was like from 1939 to 1945. And explains what it felt like to try to defy the Nazis, during this time.
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A beautifully written book. Show Less
LibraryThing member ljpower
This was a good first effort and I think Pam Jennoff will only improve with future works. She provided us with engaging characters who tried to show us a very difficult time in history. In this particular novel, she provided us with a page turner that was very enjoyable. She portrayed the struggle
I will be looking for future works from this author.
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that the Jews in Krakow experienced as they retaliated against the Nazi invasion. Their uprisings were courageous and necessary and they suffered for it. The choices that these people made in desperate times cannot be truly judged by those who did not experience them; not only for the victims of the war but also for the perpetrators. Decisions were made in a moment...and it was only afterward that it was possible to analyze if it was right or wrong. The ability to live with those decisions would have been very difficult. I will be looking for future works from this author.
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LibraryThing member Emilything
I tore through this novel with lightening speed. Overall I thought this was a very good read. I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in historical fiction and stories of World War II. Pam Jenoff grasps the reader's heart and attention and doesn't let go until the last page of the book. There
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is an abundance of historical details that show Jenoff's extensive historical knowledge. The characters are entertaing and dramatic but at the same time very human. I definitely look forward to more work from this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member JanaRose1
Emma is a young Jewish bride with the Nazi’s invade Poland during WWII. Her husband Jacob, is a resistance fighter and quickly goes underground to help the Jewish resistance. With the help of the underground, Emma escapes the ghetto and moves in with Jacob’s Catholic Aunt. Emma assumes the name
Well written, the author explores the ins and outs of life during WWII. Her characters are well developed and the plot moves smoothly. Overall this was a quick read, one that was an interesting look into the Jewish resistance and struggles of everyday life.
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of Anna and becomes the personal assistance to a highly ranked German Kommandant. The Kommandant falls in love with Anna, and they embark on a tenuous relationship so that Emma can obtain information for the underground.Well written, the author explores the ins and outs of life during WWII. Her characters are well developed and the plot moves smoothly. Overall this was a quick read, one that was an interesting look into the Jewish resistance and struggles of everyday life.
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LibraryThing member bookwormteri
Good not great. I really disliked the ending. I also really dislike myself for liking the Nazi (Georg or Herr Kommandant) better than just about every other character in the book. Very sad, but not a super heavy read.
LibraryThing member crazy4reading
It took me awhile to get into this book. I really enjoyed the other book I read by Pam Jenoff. The Kommandant's Girl just didn't catch me like her other book.
I found the main female character annoying at times. I felt she was a little to self absorbed. I understand it was during the time of war and
Emma/Anne is the main female character. Her husband fights for the resistance even though he is not Jewish. She spends some time in a camp but then her husband has the resistance get her out and giver her a new identity. Once she has this new identity she is always on pins and needles. The resistance has her getting passes and keeping an eye out for stuff crossing the Kommandant's desk.
The Kommandant is smitten with Anne. Anne is asked by the resistance to get close to him. She doesn't realize what they are asking at first but she agrees without thinking it through. I just felt she was very nieve in life.
I found the main female character annoying at times. I felt she was a little to self absorbed. I understand it was during the time of war and
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she was not safe being a Jew but I just felt she was so worried about everything all the time. When ever someone would call her and it sounded demanding she assumed that her cover was blown and she would be sent off to one of the camps.Emma/Anne is the main female character. Her husband fights for the resistance even though he is not Jewish. She spends some time in a camp but then her husband has the resistance get her out and giver her a new identity. Once she has this new identity she is always on pins and needles. The resistance has her getting passes and keeping an eye out for stuff crossing the Kommandant's desk.
The Kommandant is smitten with Anne. Anne is asked by the resistance to get close to him. She doesn't realize what they are asking at first but she agrees without thinking it through. I just felt she was very nieve in life.
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LibraryThing member artikaur
Pam Jenoff really makes the central character, Emma/Anna, come to life. When I was reading certain passages in the book, I really felt like I could understand Emma's conflicting emotions. Towards the end of the book, I felt the ending was a bit overly-dramatic, but still somewhat believable.
Overall, this was a a really good read, for those of you that are in to historical fiction/romance set in WWII.
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Overall, this was a a really good read, for those of you that are in to historical fiction/romance set in WWII.
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LibraryThing member shejake
I liked this book. The main character Emma grew stronger throughout story and was a sympathetic character.
LibraryThing member SteveLindahl
The Kommandant's Girl is a World War II novel set in Poland. The main character, Emma, is a jew who hides in plain sight by switching her name to Anna and taking on the identity of a gentile. Her husband, an active member of the resistance has arranged this opportunity to keep her safe and to
But Emma/Anna is soon offered an opportunity to work for the local Nazi Kommandant. Working with her enemy will be dangerous, yet the opportunity is too good to pass. She might be able to use her new position to collect important information. This chance is even more important because her parents are living and suffering in the Jewish ghetto.
It soon becomes clear that Emma's boss is attracted to her. This presents a much greater opportunity for the resistance and a difficult choice for Emma. Should she allow her relationship with the Kommandant to move from business to romance? If she betrays her husband, she might discover something that would help the cause and perhaps even save his life. Yet, would Emma's infidelity be more than Jacob would willingly sacrifice? And what about her own feelings? It didn't help that Emma was drawn to the Kommandant, despite his role in the Nazi atrocities.
The strength of Pam Jenoff's novel lies in Emma's dilemma. Under normal circumstances, her values would lead her toward a quiet life of love and devotion to her husband. But the circumstances in war time Poland were far from normal.
Emma makes some decisions as the novel runs its course that are so stupid they lack credibility, but overall her character is well drawn and interesting. Her major decisions are dangerous, difficult and emotional, yet understandable. I love novels that keep me thinking after I've read them. The Kommandant's Girl is one of those.
Steve Lindahl – author of Motherless Soul, White Horse Regressions, Hopatcong Vision Quest, and Under a Warped Cross.
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protect the young son of a prominent Rabbi who also poses as a gentile.But Emma/Anna is soon offered an opportunity to work for the local Nazi Kommandant. Working with her enemy will be dangerous, yet the opportunity is too good to pass. She might be able to use her new position to collect important information. This chance is even more important because her parents are living and suffering in the Jewish ghetto.
It soon becomes clear that Emma's boss is attracted to her. This presents a much greater opportunity for the resistance and a difficult choice for Emma. Should she allow her relationship with the Kommandant to move from business to romance? If she betrays her husband, she might discover something that would help the cause and perhaps even save his life. Yet, would Emma's infidelity be more than Jacob would willingly sacrifice? And what about her own feelings? It didn't help that Emma was drawn to the Kommandant, despite his role in the Nazi atrocities.
The strength of Pam Jenoff's novel lies in Emma's dilemma. Under normal circumstances, her values would lead her toward a quiet life of love and devotion to her husband. But the circumstances in war time Poland were far from normal.
Emma makes some decisions as the novel runs its course that are so stupid they lack credibility, but overall her character is well drawn and interesting. Her major decisions are dangerous, difficult and emotional, yet understandable. I love novels that keep me thinking after I've read them. The Kommandant's Girl is one of those.
Steve Lindahl – author of Motherless Soul, White Horse Regressions, Hopatcong Vision Quest, and Under a Warped Cross.
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LibraryThing member Whisper1
Set in WWII when Hitler's days were waning, Emma married her love, and shortly after, he left her to work with a group of resistance fighters who tried to undermine Hitler's accomplishments.
Changing her name while living with a very poised, wealthy woman who also is Jewish and works with resistance
Emma acquires a job as a secretary to one of Hitler's higher assistants. Both the Kommandant, and 19 year of Emma fall in love with each other. The writing is superb and keeps the reader on edge.
Four Stars
Changing her name while living with a very poised, wealthy woman who also is Jewish and works with resistance
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fighters, both women walk a dangerous path in trying to hide their identities while attempting to assist the resisters.Emma acquires a job as a secretary to one of Hitler's higher assistants. Both the Kommandant, and 19 year of Emma fall in love with each other. The writing is superb and keeps the reader on edge.
Four Stars
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LibraryThing member booklovers2
4 stars because I am a sucker for WWII Love stories. This is my 2nd Pam Jenoff - I read the Prequel and really enjoyed it but was somewhat disappointed that more characters from that book had little place in this one, except Krysia, who I wasn't expecting to be one of the main characters. I am not
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sure that you NEED to read [The Ambassadors's Daughter] but it does give some interesting background to some of the main characters. The main jist of this book is the relationship of a young jewish bride (Emma)with high ranking Nazi Kommandant Richwalder. Of course, he doesn't know she is jewish and the relationship that develops is promoted by members of the Resistance who work with her husband. The book setting is in Krakow, Poland during the Nazi invasion. Emma's husband (Jacob)takes off after a few weeks of marriage to work with the Resistance, her parents end up imprisoned in the ghetto and she is living life as a non-jewish Polish girl with Jacob's Aunt who is leading a double life herself. This is a quick read - sometimes I feel that the writing is geared to a young adult reader. Surprisingly, the story moseys along until the last 20 pages of the book which totally explodes. In a sense I feel like the speed of the story ramped up to end the book. I will read the next in the series [The Diplomat's Wife] because I am interested in who the main character of that book will be! Bottom line--- quick easy read and interesting plot. Show Less
LibraryThing member bwhitner
This was a good book. Emma was a strong woman character. Everything she endured. I don't know that I would have made the same decisions she made in her life. I honestly don't know what I would have done. There were so many times in the book where I thought, oh this isn't going to end well, and to
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my surprise it worked out the way it was supposed to. I wish there was more on the ending. The book could have been longer. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sarah_Gruwell
I had really high hopes for this book. It had a fascinating story premise, and I've heard good things about Pam Jenoff. And while there are things in the book that did reach those expectations, there were times I was left with a feeling of disappointment and ultimate emptiness.
To start with, the
The characters, on the other hand, were a mixed bag. My favorite was the Kommadant. He was a well rounded individual who seemed to be trying his best to walk the tightrope of survival in Nazi Germany. There were aspects of the Reich's treatment of Jews that made him pause and just contemplate; yet, that didn't stop him from carrying out his orders and implementing Nazi racial policies. There was also a very sweet and tender side when he was with "Anna".
Emma... I could take or leave her. She seems like a nice girl caught up in horrific events. I felt for her during her search for an identity when she had to juggle "Anna" and "Emma" so many times. She's truly devoted to getting what the Resistance needs from the Kommandant and keeping her loved ones alive. And yet, there are times she does the most stupid of actions. Going against sound advice and running hither and yon in the hopes for a glimpse of this face or to trade words with that person. I think, at times, I felt she had not a lick of sense in her entire body. I felt like slapping her more than once, let me tell ya. It's a wonder she stayed alive...
The emotions in this novel are very crisp, vivid, and seem to leap off the page. I think I fell in love with the Kommandant a bit too, just like Emma. I cried over Emma's losses, family members, friends, and her sense of self. The overall environment and setting of the novel leads to a high emotional connect, but I think Jenoff was able to take even that up a notch and make us live the characters, not just read them. It's one of the main reasons I kept reading.
My biggest disappointment was how vague the author left the historic timeline. The actual events were historically accurate as far as I could tell. Yet, I never could really tell whether I was in 1939, 1940, or 1942. That lack of an accurate timeline made me feel like things were happening too fast or slow. You'd have vague phrases like "last year" or "three years ago" and they'd all be intermixed so you never really knew where you stood, historically. And while that might be a minor criticism for some people, I like to know where I stand historically in my historical fiction. All I could tell you was that this took place during WWII in Poland, and that's a lot of years to play with!
This book is a hard one to rate for me. I found the story itself and the emotions it contained very enjoyable and riveting. Some of the characters I connected with and enjoyed; others, were a little blah to me, interesting a bit but overall... meh... The lack of a definitive historical setting threw me more than once and inspired a huge urge to throw my Kindle against the wall in frustration. But I love my Kindle, so I resisted the temptation. In the end, I can say I did enjoy the book overall. I will definitely want to check some other works by Pam Jenoff 'cause she can tell a great story. But this one? Definitely wouldn't start reading her stuff with this one.
To start with, the
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overall story was engrossing. I was sucked into Emma's struggle as a spy in German headquarters in Krakow and the ultimate struggle for survival of Krakow's Jews. The whole spy thing kept me on the edge of my seat more than once, wondering if Emma/Anna was going to be caught this time or be arrested that time. Jenoff really knows how to tell a great story with a suspense that never quit and a very moving and gripping overall theme of survival, comradeship, and family ties.The characters, on the other hand, were a mixed bag. My favorite was the Kommadant. He was a well rounded individual who seemed to be trying his best to walk the tightrope of survival in Nazi Germany. There were aspects of the Reich's treatment of Jews that made him pause and just contemplate; yet, that didn't stop him from carrying out his orders and implementing Nazi racial policies. There was also a very sweet and tender side when he was with "Anna".
Emma... I could take or leave her. She seems like a nice girl caught up in horrific events. I felt for her during her search for an identity when she had to juggle "Anna" and "Emma" so many times. She's truly devoted to getting what the Resistance needs from the Kommandant and keeping her loved ones alive. And yet, there are times she does the most stupid of actions. Going against sound advice and running hither and yon in the hopes for a glimpse of this face or to trade words with that person. I think, at times, I felt she had not a lick of sense in her entire body. I felt like slapping her more than once, let me tell ya. It's a wonder she stayed alive...
The emotions in this novel are very crisp, vivid, and seem to leap off the page. I think I fell in love with the Kommandant a bit too, just like Emma. I cried over Emma's losses, family members, friends, and her sense of self. The overall environment and setting of the novel leads to a high emotional connect, but I think Jenoff was able to take even that up a notch and make us live the characters, not just read them. It's one of the main reasons I kept reading.
My biggest disappointment was how vague the author left the historic timeline. The actual events were historically accurate as far as I could tell. Yet, I never could really tell whether I was in 1939, 1940, or 1942. That lack of an accurate timeline made me feel like things were happening too fast or slow. You'd have vague phrases like "last year" or "three years ago" and they'd all be intermixed so you never really knew where you stood, historically. And while that might be a minor criticism for some people, I like to know where I stand historically in my historical fiction. All I could tell you was that this took place during WWII in Poland, and that's a lot of years to play with!
This book is a hard one to rate for me. I found the story itself and the emotions it contained very enjoyable and riveting. Some of the characters I connected with and enjoyed; others, were a little blah to me, interesting a bit but overall... meh... The lack of a definitive historical setting threw me more than once and inspired a huge urge to throw my Kindle against the wall in frustration. But I love my Kindle, so I resisted the temptation. In the end, I can say I did enjoy the book overall. I will definitely want to check some other works by Pam Jenoff 'cause she can tell a great story. But this one? Definitely wouldn't start reading her stuff with this one.
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LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
Emma is a young Jewish woman living through the German invasion of Poland. Her family is split up and her parents are forced into the Jewish ghetto. Her newlywed husband has to leave her in order to join the Underground to help fight the resistance cause. She soon finds herself imprisoned in the
I found this novel to be riveting. Not only does it portray Jewish life in Krakow before and during the Holocaust, but it also deals with survivor guilt. Written in a first person narrative, Emma/Anna tells her story. She is a flawed character, quite sympathetic and well developed, as are many of the novels other characters. However, she becomes strong and resilient as the plot progresses. The emotional growth she experiences, moving from a sheltered Jewish girl to a more worldly professional woman, working for both a Nazi Kommandant and also for the resistance, is part of what makes this book so special. As for Kommandant Richwalder, he frequently comes across as a sympathetic figure, and the reader, just like Anna, must continually bear in mind that the man is a Nazi, who perpetrates the worst of war crimes. The Kommandant considers himself a gentleman, a man of music, art and culture. In his twisted way of thinking, service to the Reich is something noble and patriotic, and the Jewish question is an ugliness to be tolerated from afar.
I really enjoyed this book. It's apparently the second of a trilogy and can provide a spoiler to the first book, The Ambassador's Daughter. I read that one immediately following this book and felt it was not as interesting. I don't believe they need to be read in order and usually I'm a “read in order” purist. I'm not sure when I'll get around to reading the third book, The Diplomat's Wife, but I do intend to do it sometime in the future. I've never read a book by Pam Jenoff but I'll definitely put her on my TBR list.
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ghetto with her parents. Eventually an opportunity arises where she can leave the ghetto and pose as a Polish gentile. She hesitates to leave her family, but decides that she can help more being on the outside. She goes to stay with her husband's aunt where she poses as Anna, a gentile relative. Soon she meets Kommandant Georg Richwalder and finds herself in enemy territory working as the Kommandant's assistant. She dreads that she has to surround herself with the people she hates, but she does what she has to in order to survive and make sure her family is taken care of.I found this novel to be riveting. Not only does it portray Jewish life in Krakow before and during the Holocaust, but it also deals with survivor guilt. Written in a first person narrative, Emma/Anna tells her story. She is a flawed character, quite sympathetic and well developed, as are many of the novels other characters. However, she becomes strong and resilient as the plot progresses. The emotional growth she experiences, moving from a sheltered Jewish girl to a more worldly professional woman, working for both a Nazi Kommandant and also for the resistance, is part of what makes this book so special. As for Kommandant Richwalder, he frequently comes across as a sympathetic figure, and the reader, just like Anna, must continually bear in mind that the man is a Nazi, who perpetrates the worst of war crimes. The Kommandant considers himself a gentleman, a man of music, art and culture. In his twisted way of thinking, service to the Reich is something noble and patriotic, and the Jewish question is an ugliness to be tolerated from afar.
I really enjoyed this book. It's apparently the second of a trilogy and can provide a spoiler to the first book, The Ambassador's Daughter. I read that one immediately following this book and felt it was not as interesting. I don't believe they need to be read in order and usually I'm a “read in order” purist. I'm not sure when I'll get around to reading the third book, The Diplomat's Wife, but I do intend to do it sometime in the future. I've never read a book by Pam Jenoff but I'll definitely put her on my TBR list.
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LibraryThing member Smcgovern
Loved this book, couldn't put it down, nazi officer and office help
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2001
Physical description
384 p.; 7.96 inches
DDC/MDS
| 813.6 |
ISBN
0778320588 / 9780778320586
Similar in this library
Pages
384