A Woman Of War by Mandy Robotham is an unforgettable tale of courage, betraya; and love in the most unlikely of places, perfect for readers of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Kate Furnivall.
The Blurb
Germany, 1944. Taken from the camps to serve the Fuhrer himself, Anke Hoff is assigned as midwife to one of Hitler’s inner circle. If she refuses, her family will die.
Torn between her duty as a caregiver and her hatred for the Nazi regime, Anke is swept into a life unlike anything she’s ever known – and she discovers that many of those at the Berghof are just as trapped as she is. And soon, she’s falling for a man who will make her world more complicated still…
Before long, the couple face an impossible choice – and the consequences could be deadly. Can their forbidden love survive the horrors of war? And, more importantly, will they?
My Review
Ok, firstly, before I get onto my thoughts, there is something that I just want to mention. Due to the nature of this book, references are made throughout to death, torture and murders. They are spoken about in a matter of fact way and aren’t as gruesome as in other books. Despite this, they can still be heart-breaking to read so bare this in mind.
If you have read any of my other reviews on this blog, you will know that I enjoy historical fiction books set during the second world war. Usually though I will pick books that are set in Britain during that time. Not because I don’t want to read about life in Germany. This is because there just aren’t as many books set in civilian Germany at that time.
A new perspective?
Knowledge that I’ve picked up over the years told me that this was going to be a harrowing book. I know it would show the full of harsh realities of the Nazi regime. What you can’t tell from the blurb is that the character Anke is sent to a labour camp in reaction to crimes against the Reich. It gives a different perspective on life in a camp rather than it being centred around Jews in a concentration camp. Doing it this way, Mandy Robotham is able to show the different levels of cruelty and neglect each group faced.
The book starts off in Germany 1944 but soon flicks back and forth to Berlin 1942. It slowly starts to build up an idea of how Anke and her family found themselves imprisoned. It also allows the reader to see inside Anke’s mind and build a connection with her.
Stand out themes in A Woman Of War
One theme that really connects the whole story together is that you can make friends in the most unlikely situations. When Anke is taken from the labour camp and placed right in the centre of the Nazi regime, she needs to learn who to trust. Its not an easy thing to work out, especially during wartime.
The unlikely theme of romance really heats up from the middle of the book and you feel like its a Romeo and Juliet classic. As the reader, all you can do is watch that love blossom and hope for an ending full of happiness.
The right ending?
The book is brought to a close in the last chapter. It is set in Berlin in 1990, just as the wall is falling. You then realise that what you have been reading is someone’s mind going back over that difficult period as they look towards a new era for Berlin. It is also during that time that you find out what happened to most of the characters that are mentioned in the book. Some characters lead lives exactly how you had wished. However, this book really shows the true meaning of war, because for some of the characters, they never see the end of the war. You will definitely need your tissues for that small but poignant chapter.
Final Thoughts
I won’t lie and say that at times I didn’t like what I was reading. However, whilst the author stated that it is a work of fiction, I know that similar events would have taken place in labour camps in Germany and beyond. The fact that these events were able to affect so many people is heart-breaking. Having said that, it is a really powerful book and one that I would say is a must-read. I just couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to know how the story unfolded. The plot of this book is one that will stay with me for years to come.
Other posts you might enjoy:
My Chronicle Book Box – A Book Lovers Dream
The Kelly Diane Report 
Sounds like an interesting read! I’ll have to check it out. Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
What a wonderful read. Reading your review makes me want to read this book. I’ll add this to my TBR. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
I haven’t heard of this book before. This isn’t usually what I would pick to read, but it sounds like an interesting story! Thank you for sharing your great review.
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
LikeLike
Books and stories like these always move me; it sound like this one would do the same, especially as it explores the fact that war doesn’t end when the fighting stops. Thanks for this review!
LikeLike
Honestly, I have not heard about this book until now but does sound like an impacful read – thanks for sharing your views on this book
LikeLike
This sounds like such an interesting and educational book! I haven’t heard of this book before but I’m defiantly going to give it a buy and read myself. Thank you so much for sharing such an in-depth review, it really helps. Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
LikeLike
A really interesting review of a historical book which sounds emotional.
LikeLike
Great review! I love books set during the Second World War and this one sounds really unique. I love the focus on friendship and romance in even the most unlikely circumstances! Thanks for sharing x
LikeLike
I tend to avoid books that are a bit too real – I am a sensitive soul and I would be sobbing through the pages. But this one sounds like a great read, and I am adding it to my TBR (still need to pick a book for March, so this might make it sooner rather than later!)
LikeLike
I haven’t heard of this book before but it sounds like an emotional read x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
LikeLike
This isn’t a genre I usually read but it does sound like such a thought provoking read. x
LikeLike
This is far from my typical genre but it sounds really interesting, especially because she’s a midwife to Hitler’s inner circle. I can imagine this is a difficult read at times, despite it being fiction.
LikeLike
Sounds interesting!
LikeLike
This sounds like a bit of an intense read! I don’t know if I would be able to handle the content in it, but it does sound like something that would provide a lot of insight and I’m sure someone who really enjoys historical fiction could dive into this with ease!
LikeLike
I definitely need to add this to my reading list. It sounds like a very gripping but intense read.
LikeLike
I loved how this was written and as you say, it is matter of fact but without being too gruesome x
LikeLike
I really enjoyed The Tattooist of Auschwitz so I think I’d like this. I love that it ends in 1990 and it’s someone going back, it sounds like a great read.
LikeLike
What an incredible story. I really like your review, you have made me consider placing this on my Recommended Reading List. I have always liked reading historical fiction, as I find it is a way of having an opportunity to understand in depth the situations some people actually went through. Thank you for sharing this!
LikeLike
This book sounds like something I’d like to read. Thank you for taking the time to write such an in-depth review. I’ve added it to my reading list.
LikeLike
It’s startling to learn about Germany in 1944. Anke Hoff is appointed as a midwife to one of Hitler’s closest circle after being taken from the camps to serve the Fuhrer personally. Her family will perish if she refuses.
LikeLike