| Title | : | The Berlin Girl |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0008418632 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780008418632 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 400 |
| Publication | : | First published October 29, 2020 |
Berlin, 1938: It’s the height of summer, and Germany is on the brink of war. When fledgling reporter Georgie Young is posted to Berlin, alongside fellow Londoner Max Spender, she knows they are entering the eye of the storm.
Arriving to a city swathed in red flags and crawling with Nazis, Georgie feels helpless, witnessing innocent people being torn from their homes. As tensions rise, she realises she and Max have to act – even if it means putting their lives on the line.
But when she digs deeper, Georgie begins to uncover the unspeakable truth about Hitler’s Germany – and the pair are pulled into a world darker than she could ever have imagined…
The Berlin Girl Reviews
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3.5 stars.
An entertaining and adventurous journey in prewar Berlin.
Georgie is at the start of her investigative journalist career. She is sent to Berlin to uncover the truth about about who Hitler is and how people feel in prewar Berlin about this new rising leader.
I loved Georgie! She was an endearing and brave character who I loved rooting for. It was interesting to experience her shocking discoveries of how powerful and horrific the Nazi party truly was at a time when everyone was uncertain of what Hitlers leadership would actually amount to.
The first half of the novel was much stronger than the second half. Georgie’s journey took some extreme and unrealistic turns that took away from my enjoyment. I think the author tried to include too many examples of heroic behaviour within one character. However, I do appreciate learning about different avenues the Resistance used.
Overall, this was an entertaining read that I enjoyed escaping into. I recommend for readers who are looking for a less gritty, lighter WWII novel.
Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for sending me a physical ARC to read and review! Expected date of publication is December 8th. -
A naïve Georgie Young, newly arrived in Berlin from London in 1938, reporter for the Chronicle, joined her colleagues from papers around the world as they reported news from Germany that many wouldn’t believe. Hitler’s wrath was escalating, the Nazis and SS were in full view as well as the Stormtroopers keeping watch on the streets. To Georgie’s horror, Jews were in the line of fire, with her friend and driver Rubin Amsel and his family in dreadful danger. Along with colleague Max Spender, also from London and the rest of the press pack, they always had each other’s backs, staying together, keeping each other safe. But when one of their good friends, a reporter from the US, was kicked out of Germany because of his honest words, Georgie knew war was getting closer, their time was running short – and something needed to be done.
As she and Max put their lives on the line, the tensions escalated, and the race was on. Would these two people, whose only job was reporting the world news, escape the danger of a Germany that was now at war? The Nazis were a smug and determined race and wouldn’t take being bettered by mere reporters…
The Berlin Girl is my first by Mandy Robotham and it won’t be my last! What an excellent historical rendition from a completely different perspective than I’ve read before. On the spot reporters – well written characters – telling of the lead up to the declaration of war, where both charm and rage showed on the changing faces of the fanatics, with the fate of the Jews and other “undesirables” always in the nonchalant hands of Hitler and his Reich. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review. -
I enjoyed this book very much. Historical fiction is not my scene, I had to read this for a book club, and I am glad I did. It was a beautiful mesh of fact and fiction. The characters were lovable, engaging, and I was rooting for their safety all the way.
Georgie Young and Max Spender were reporters sent to Berlin when Hitler was cooking up a storm in Europe, and everyone was on their toes, not sure how much damage his brimstone storm was going to bring. Georgie had to make some difficult choices, risking her life and career to report the truth and save lives.
The Berlin Girl was an eye-opener and a reminder of how dangerous the jobs of war correspondents are, bringing to light the ugly truths from the dark corners of the world. It was a great history lesson for me, and I enjoyed it very much. 5 Stars. -
Berlin, 1938: Georgie Young arrives in Berlin with fellow British journalist Max Spender and she’s not sure what to make of him? She’s been to Germany before, two years ago for the Olympic Games, she notices how much Berlin has changed, the oppressive atmosphere and tension in the beautiful city. The Third Reich’s propaganda was everywhere; Nazi flags are flying, pictures of Hitler and the intimidating sound of Jackboots marching around the city.
Rubin, Sara, Leon and Ester Amsel are German citizens; they live in Berlin and are Jewish. Georgie employees Rubin as her driver, he's very grateful for the job and he’s hopeful that she might also be able to help his family? Suddenly the situation in Berlin escalates and Georgie witnesses firsthand the night of the broken glass, the destruction of Jewish businesses, property, synagogues and people being badly hurt.
She and her fellow press pack are working from hotel Adlon, when one of their own a fellow journalist Paul Adamson goes missing; he’s been following a story and was he onto something sinister? Georgie begins to uncover the unspeakable truth about Hitler’s Germany; anyone classed as undesirable was taken away and placed in a facility or they disappeared. It’s also pretty obvious Germany was involved in heavy industry, needed to make and stockpile weapons, tanks and it’s a clear breach of the worldwide conventions that were put in place after Germany was defeated in the First World War.
The Berlin Girl is a story about life in Germany leading up to WW II, how evil Hitler and the Nazi party were, the horrible plans and ideals they began to enforce. Georgie Young the main character and heroine of the story hated the terrible injustice towards Jewish people, she had a strong conscious and she wanted to make a difference despite Germany being on the brink of starting another war.
I have read The German Midwife and The Secret Messenger by Mandy Robotham and I enjoyed them both. But oh my goodness Mandy has really gone to another level with The Berlin Girl; I absolutely devoured it, one of the best books I have read this year and five stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/ -
TITLE: THE BERLIN GIRL
AUTHOR: Many Robotham
SERIES: Standalone
RELEASE DATE: December 8, 2020
GENRE: Historical Fiction
THEMES & TROPES: WW II
RATING: 5 STARS
CLIFFHANGER: No
READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOG
WW II fiction and stories about the war's unsung heroes have become my favorites. The gripping tales how people like you and me put their lives on the line to help those persecuted by Hitler and his followers are so inspiring.
In THE BERLIN GIRL we meet young, courageous journalist Georgina Young who writes under George Young because sexism. Being sent to Berlin as a correspondent in pre-war times is her biggest accomplishment so far. While in Nazi-Germany we watch her grow, from the bright-eyed, fresh-faced, talented, spunky young woman, in love with Berlin and its people to a brave young woman who loses her naivety and gains some cynicism when she witnesses the Kristallnacht and the beginnings of the large-scale anti-Jewish pogroms and escalating violence.In a nondescript town, in the middle of a largely unseen land, away from the world’s gaze, she’d witnessed an atrocity. In how many more places had it already happened, and would do so again?
But she's a survivor so she learns the game of deception and uses it to her own advantage. She also learns a painful lesson that there isn't a good Nazi. She also gains a ragtag group of journalist from around the world as friends. One in particular, a man she didn't get along with, becomes her closest confidante.
Mandy Robotham perfectly captures the danger people were in when they resisted the propaganda. It was people like Georgie and her friends who we have to thank for that we don't live in a permanent Nazi-Germany. I loved to see a completely different point of view of the war from a journalist's perspective. It gives you an idea how fast reporters could lose their lives if they dug too deeply into the perfidious secrets and horrific, detailed plans Hitler and his cronies cooked up. How fast they had to leave the country f they wrote about the persecution, the injustice, the utter devastation Nazi-Germany brought.They both stared into their drinks, at the disappointment of facing a stark reality and the limitations of their job. A profession that might not change the world after all.
World War II books never get old. The dichotomy between the complete disdain and disregard for life on one side and the heroic acts of people on the other keeps fascinating me. And in a time where there are only few contemporary witnesses are left these books become even more important and poignant. THE BERLIN GIRL has a little bit of everything - suspense, action, lots of friendship and a little bit of romance. I'm definitely going to read more by this author.Do we relish war? No. Do we fear it? Maybe. Can we win it? The verdict here is uncertain.
The conviction, however, is that we can only go forward, to push back a tyranny that is purely and simply wrong, that bullies can never to be allowed to triumph. If truth be told, we are certain only that the enemy we face is one worthy of our efforts, and that the time is ripe for us as allied nations to stand tall and fight for freedom.
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The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham. (2020).
Berlin, 1938. Germany is on the brink of war. When fledgling reporter Georgie is posted to Berlin alongside fellow Londoner Max Spender, she knows they are entering the eye of the storm. Arriving to a city covered in red flags and crawling with Nazis, Georgie feels helpless. As tensions rise, she realises she and Max have to act even if it means putting their lives on the line. But when she digs deeper, Georgie begins to uncover the unspeakable truth about Hitler's Germany - and the pair are pulled into a world darker than she could ever have imagined...
What I really enjoyed about this novel was the fact that it only concentrated on Berlin in the year before World War II; this felt like a much different time and location viewpoint to the other historical war fiction novels I've read. It is harrowing to know the horrific events that are to come, so reading along you are filled with tension knowing that war is inevitable. The main character, Georgie, is a likeable lead; she's an independent and intelligent young woman who has been thrown in the deep end of journalism. One of the things that stood out to me in relation to this book is that there while there are allusions to romance, there is no significant romance storyline which is unusual in a historical war fiction with a female lead (I point this out as I know some readers particularly appreciate minimal or no romance).
Overall I found this to be a well-written and interesting story that I think any reader who enjoys historical war fiction would appreciate. -
This was a book that I struggled to get in to. It was one of those reads where I was constantly interrupted and this definitely did not help me with my concentration. However, once I was settled into the narrative, I found it really interesting and enjoyable.
Despite having read several books set in the Second World War, this is the first book I have read that is set in Berlin, in the eighteen months before war begins. This was an usual twist for me because it is so unique from my other readings. It certainly made it more interesting and reinforced my interest in the period.
The horrors that take place as a result of Nazi Germany are well-documented. This setting added a fresher perspective and a new slant to stories I have read. Meeting Georgie, a female journalist who has constantly been put down as a result of her gender, I felt admiration towards her struggle and also pride because she was sent out to Berlin as a foreign correspondent.
Landing in Berlin with another correspondent, Max, the two journalists soon establish themselves with other global reporters. Over the course of the story, the tension subtly increases as Hitler’s plans become more evident. I loved how Robotham gradually shifted the pressure in the book and the symbolism of the red flags became more dominant as the start of the war draws closer.
It was difficult not to read this without a sense of dread. Hindsight and knowing more than Georgie played a significant role in this. Her relationship with a German officer was particularly uncomfortable for me, particularly as the danger towards Georgie increased. The risks that she undertakes for a story and also to protect her friends really demonstrated her strength and represented the challenges that women and journalists of that time had faced.
The writer not only details Georgie’s challenges, but also from the Jewish perspective, enlightening readers of their restrictions and fears. I found this added another depth to the narrative and increased the tension that runs through the pages. On the other hand, I would liked to have seen more detail on Georgie’s French flatmates, especially as so much is implied about their identities. It was refreshing that the story was not dominated by romance and a love interest, because it forced me to focus on the significant political changes that were occurring in Berlin.
This was a really interesting book and very different to stories I have read recently. I think this is a novel I am going to have to re-visit to get a true appreciation of Robotham’s narrative. However, because this is based on fact makes the story more poignant and the danger more palpable.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. -
Review to come.
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The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham follows the Life of journalist Georgie young who is sent as a foreign correspondent to cover life in Berlin Germany in the 1930’s at the brink of WW2. She is joined by Max Spender also from London. She is surrounded by Nazi’s and spies. She is there to tell the world of what’s really happening there and what the Jews are put through. Even helping one of them with his family to escape the atrocities of war.
Thank you, Avon books, for a copy of The Berlin Girl. I have read the authors two previous books and loved them too. This is a bit different to her other books. It is told with a different perspective. But still has a engaging suspenseful and realistic account of what happened in the 1930’s before the war broke out. Sometimes shocking in parts how evil the Nazi’s were. Five stars from me. -
This ARC of The Berlin Girl was provided by Avon and publisher Harper Collins via Netgalley for my honest opinion and review of this uncorrected proof copy.
The author has created a fabulous read of intrigue, murder and suspense at the onset of World War II, Germany.
The Summer Media Ball and young Chronicle journalist Georgie sits at the bar in a borrowed dress and poorly fitting shoes nursing a Martini when a smug voice behind her says "sitting this one out"? Georgie does a grimace and replies that her shoes are causing her some problems and so dancing is not an option. A benign condescending questioning by the young man continues until Georgie hits him with the fact that she is working with one of Fleet Street's most prominent foreign journalists to which the young man tries to outdo her and throws in a little male chauvinism for luck. Little do the both know at this stage that in a very short time they will be plunged together into the intrigue and danger of the Nazi war machine, Hitler and the mass hysteria of the populace of Germany.
It is also the beginning of the brutalisation of Jewish citizens which takes on a personal involvement, Georgie's previous contact, Rubin Amsel who will again become a driver for her in Berlin. Rubin and his wife Sara are in a desperate state, the Gestapo have started to remove the "imperfects". The couple are caring for Sara's brother, Elias who through an accident is disabled. The only way is to create a room in the ceiling although in the end this proves to be futile.
Georgie's position as a journalist is pretty unique for the times but she has already done the hard yards and combined with her German language knowledge has been assigned to the Foreign Press Corps gig in Berlin. Arriving at the airport Georgie is dismayed to run into the same young man from the Media Ball who alerts her to the fact that he is waiting for a fellow journalist, George Young from the Chronicle that he has to pair up with. Standing tall and with courage she lets him know that in actual fact she is George (ie/ina) Young. A little tit-for-tat conversation happens, Georgie silencing Max Spender with her German language skills.
Arriving in Germany and into Berlin, Georgie views a completely different city to the one of her previous posting, the Olympics. The gloss has gone replaced with the full sway of Nazi propaganda. Max and her leave the taxi at Hotel Adlon where many of the fellow foreign journalists are holding up the bar. Both enquire about their individual contacts that are supposed to partner them only to be informed that each have their own extreme personal issues for which Georgie and Max have no choice but to accept that they are on their own. Paul Adamson makes a brief appearance for Georgie but it's obvious that he is preoccupied and leaves her to her own devices. Further into the read Paul Adamson is killed and it seems that his death is due to his investigations he was working on.
Bruno Bauer manages the Foreign Press Corps with daily briefings and propaganda. Georgie puts forward an idea that she wishes to pursue and after some reluctance this is granted and for which Rubin is grateful to become her driver particularly now that many occupations are prohibited for Jews to practice, his financial situation for him and his family is dire.
Colourfully evolving, the read has many dimensions, beyond the copious amounts of strudel, booze and smoking, Georgie's extraordinary new flatmates, her fellow journalists that she bonds well with and the sometimes obnoxious behaviour of Max along with the support of Sam from the British Embassy Georgie finds her feet and with the help of a spy delves into some of the secrets of Nazi operations. The German war machine is moving quickly while those in each respective reporter's country seem to be oblivious to unfolding events, everyone is on tenterhooks. Georgie becomes aware immediately of the cruelty to Jews and she observes the Kristallnacht. Her involvement with German officer, Kasper Vortsch, puts her into extreme danger when he discovers the truth about her. Elias is taken away, nobody knows where he is.
With the situation rapidly declining Rubin and Sara reluctantly approach Georgie to assist them to have their children travel to England. The only way is through Sam but the Embassy is already besieged by desperate people trying to leave Germany. It takes some time but eventually the children travel to England.
Max is arrested by the Gestapo and it's only by accident that Georgie discovers his passport and realises that Max is not going to be deported but that the Gestapo have other plans for him. She puts her own plan of action into place and with some good acting skills Max and her with the Gestapo hot on their heels make their escape from Germany and fly to Paris. -
It is 1938 and two British journalists are sent to Germany to report on life in Berlin. Georgie Young (who writes under the name George) and Max Spender join a close-knit group of foreign press correspondents. Together they see first-hand what a threat Hitler is and how the nation is being swept up by lies and propaganda being presented by the Nazis under the guise of national pride. Georgie is anxious to present an accurate depiction of what is going on but needs to be careful with her words. She hires Rubin Amsel as her driver. He is a former reporter who can no longer work at his trade because he is Jewish. Rubin realizes that he and his family are no longer safe in Berlin and reluctantly turns to Georgie for help.
The Berlin Girl follows the days and months leading up to the official start of WWII as life quickly changes in Berlin. The book depicts the Nazi’s hatred of the Jews and others they have deemed as undesirable. The horror of Kristallnacht is well detailed. And while this horrible event is reported on, the world still refuses to believe what is truly taking place even with the foreign press working to communicate what seems unbelievable. As Berlin becomes more dangerous with war looming, Georgie risks her life to get information from a young Nazi officer who is courting her. There is sufficient suspense to keep you engaged.
I enjoyed reading about how the foreign press banded together during such a trying time in history. While the horrible actions of the Nazis were presented, the book has a lighter feel than many other books that detail this period. Therefore, The Berlin Girl might especially appeal to those who shy away from the more graphic, disturbing stories within this genre. People need to read about this period in history so if this book provides more accessibility, that’s great.
Rated 3.75 stars.
Review posted on
MicheleReader.com. -
I’ve been remiss in reading historical fiction this year – and I don’t know why because I enjoy it so much. Need to correct this slip in 2021.
The Berlin Girl is a stunning story that focuses on a young female journalist’s courage and strength during the tumultuous forewarnings leading up to the beginning of World War II while in Berlin.
WWII fiction connects us with a disappearing generation. It is a way to remember and honor those who faced the atrocities of war. This powerfully engaging and heartbreaking story is full of intrigue and held my attention from start to finish.
A new-to-me-author, Robotham did not disappoint. -
Another excellent novel from Mandy Robotham and having read her previous two novels and loved both of them it was no surprises to me to find that this one also lived up to all expectations and I think it’s actually my favourite so far. What I love about this book is that the author seems to have an uncanny ability to draw you into the story with her brilliant portrayal of the characters and with her obvious amount of research she has done it really sets the scene for a thrilling read in a terrible and frightening time.
The main character of Georgie Young a war correspondent in what is very much a man’s world and we follow her story as she gets more and more involved in a pre war Berlin getting closer and closer to war and the horrific events of Kristallnacht it makes for a harrowing read at times but also it shows hope and determination to survive, it’s also a wonderful story with lots of interesting historical facts.
So another winner from Mandy Robotham and one I can highly recommend.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. -
Berlin, 1938: Germany is gearing up for war. Georgie Young a reporter from England is posted to Berlin, alongside fellow Londoner Max Spender, she knows they are entering the eye of the storm.
Arriving to a city swathed in red flags and crawling with Nazis, Georgie feels helpless, witnessing innocent people being torn from their homes. As tensions rise, she realizes she and Max have to act – even if it means putting their lives on the line.
But when she digs deeper, Georgie begins to uncover the unspeakable truth about Hitler’s Germany – and the pair are pulled into a world darker than she could ever have imagined. -
The ARC of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #TheBerlinGirl #NetGalley.
I enjoyed this book much more than I anticipated I would. Earlier in the year I read A Woman of War by Robotham and while I liked it, I wasn’t enthralled by it. This novel however, swept me off my feet. Within the first chapter I was already desperate to know what was next for our main character, Georgie. Who, might I add, was likeable and a resilient figure to spearhead this novel. Her reasoning and actions made sense to me and I found myself growing attached to more and more as the story progressed.
The pacing of this book was fast, almost a little too fast at times. Several subplots were unfolding in the background, all of them coming to a dramatic head towards the climax of the novel. Robotham does a good job of reminding both us as readers and the characters of our humanity, just when we fell swept up in the politics of Nazi Germany, we’re grounded by a scene in which we realise that there are real people caught up in these actions. The final few chapters were an absolute whirlwind, my heart was jumping as I read the pages in desperate hopes of finding out what was going to happen. The adrenaline of reading this book was perhaps my favourite aspect, it’s been a while since a historical fiction has gotten my heart beating quite like this book did.
The only reason I’ve marked this as a four star read and not a five is the ending. Whilst I was eager to find out how it would end, it all seemed to fall into place too perfectly. There was no real conflict after the final plot point, no final twist to leave me thinking. Although, I am aware that this is a personal preference and to some this might be the perfect ending. Regardless of my thoughts on the ending, I tore through this book and I eagerly await Robotham’s next work. -
This is a well-written, entertaining, historical fiction novel set in Berlin just prior to WWII, from the perspective of the journalists covering the tragedy as it unfolds. It has intrigue, suspense, a heart-wrenching subject matter, heartbreak, likable, engaging characters, a strong and capable female protagonist, a heart-warming romance, and a happily ever after ending.
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The bestselling author of The German Midwife returns with a novel of war, love, sacrifice, secrets, ambition and truth. The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham is a heart stopping tale, full of intrigue, knife edge tension and heart-stopping love. My first taste of the work of Mandy Robotham was a gratifying experience.
Opening on the brink of the Second World War in the year 1938, The Berlin Girl introduces Georgie Young, a rookie reporter with big ambitions. When Georgie is sent to Berlin, she is acquainted with Max Spender, a fellow Brit and together they face the challenges of pre war Germany. Georgie and Max watch on in horror as the Nazi Party gains momentum. With terrible acts of inhumanity becoming commonplace, Georgie and Max are compelled to take action, which means they have to place themselves in danger to help the innocent. When Georgie’s reporting efforts expose an awful reality, this couple’s lives become very complicated and their survival depends on the risks they are prepared to take for the greater good. The Berlin Girl is a compelling tale of risk, sacrifice, action and high stakes.
We are definitely spoilt for choice in the historical fiction category with the sheer range of novels set during the Second World War on offer, which is good news for keen eyed readers of this sub-genre, such as myself. I have been meaning to get to Mandy Robotham for some time now and I was fortunate enough to be sent a review copy of the author’s latest release, The Berlin Girl. Despite the heart wrenching subject matter, I was absorbed in this one from the onset. I would happily recommend The Berlin Girl to all historical fiction readers, based on my appreciation of this new tale from Mandy Robotham.
As a historical fiction writer, it is important to know your time period and location. I was immediately struck by Mandy Robotham’s clear grasp of the pre-World war II era. Germany just prior to the outbreak of the life changing Second World War was presented in a candid and authentic manner. With many books set during the conflict and after, it was a welcome change to read a book focused on the before moments of this significant world event. Robotham does a good job of exposing the early influence and fanaticism for the Nazi Party. We see just how seducing the promises, viewpoints, opinions and practices were of this war machine. So many ordinary citizens fell under the spell of hope that Hitler’s Nazi party offered. Robotham manages to express this aspect well within the pages of The Berlin Girl.
Much of The Berlin Girl is focused on the central female protagonist, Georgie Young. Georgie was an inspiring and resourceful character. I genuinely enjoyed getting to know Georgie as Robotham’s story progressed. It was great to see a female lead cast as strong, ethical, enterprising and selfless. Robotham pairs her lead well with Max, another unforgettable character, who managed to win me over more than a few times. Together this dynamic duo manage to achieve a great deal, while putting their lives on the line more than a few times. Tied to this solid characterisation is a tension filled plot containing plenty of drama, high emotion, intrigue, dark truths, heart stopping moments and a touch of love. With this balance of content, The Berlin Girl managed to completely capture me from cover to cover.
The Berlin Girl offers an opportunity to take a safe step back in time and experience life in pre war Germany, a time of overwhelming change and revolutionary action. With danger, conspiracy, unease, courage and action defining The Berlin Girl, a historically intriguing novel awaits interested readers. -
Many thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher Avon Books UK for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book #TheBerlinGirl by #MandyRobotham. The views expressed in this review are mine and mine alone.
Being a fan of WW2 era novels I was delighted to have the chance to read another book by author Mandy Robotham. As usual, the cover art really caught my eye and let me know the era in which the story was set. The book begins in 1938 in the lead up to war and Georgie Young, a reporter who has been earning respect as a female in a time when most reporters were men has been assigned to work in Berlin. She’s excited about going and somewhat prepared because she has spent time in Berlin before. Sent off to travel with Max Spender, a reporter for another paper, she faces her first challenge when he makes it clear that he was expecting her to be a George of the male persuasion. Georgie won’t let that stop her though and quickly makes it clear that her skills are what brought her there and her ability to speak German will be crucial.
There are some books that when you start reading you are slowly drawn in and meander your way through the pages. This book is not one of them. I was riveted from the get go, and finished reading the book in relatively short order. The author appears to have done an excellent job researching the time period and as war drew closer in the story she laid out how life was changing for Berliner’s and how difficult it was to stay on the good side of those in power without compromising her own beliefs and values. She hired a driver that she had known on her last visit during the Olympics. He was a Jewish man and her hiring him and providing work made the difference between food and starvation. Although reporters were there from many different agencies, there was a real sense of camaraderie among them that I highly doubt would be present among news agencies of 2020.
I loved how the different characters of the story were developed and the ambivalence that was sometimes felt for those in opposition. At one point Georgie dates a German soldier and surprises herself by having fun and liking him. Meantime her relationship with Max Spender develops past the initial antagonism until they become very close friends.
This book has its share of action and moments where, as a reader I found myself holding my breath hoping things would turn out for the best. As the war begins, life becomes harder and so does the job of reporting what is happening without offending censors on either side of the ocean. Some news is considered too horrific to share.
This was a fascinating book about a strong woman in difficult times and a city facing existential change that has marked it forever. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to those who enjoy historical novels of this time period. It will be available to order as an e-book October 29th, 2020. -
Loved"The German Midwife" and enjoyed "The Secret Messenger," so I was excited to read this book. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into it. I didn't find the story very interesting and it seemed to drag on without anything really happening. It wasn't until I was 70% through the book when things picked up and then the story is over. I didn't love the characters. For Georgie being such a smart woman, she was pretty clueless about Kasper or she chose to ignore the Nazi part. She hated Hitler and everything that was happening in Germany, but kept going out with him. With her last few dates with him, Georgie is lucky nothing happened to her. Would have loved to learn more about Margot, Frida and Simone. Simone pretty much disappeared from the story and no one questioned it or were worried. Not sure about Max and Georgie's relationship at the end, especially when they are hiding in the back of the truck. Throughout most of the book they don't get along.
Give the book a try, it just wasn't for me. Look forward to reading more books by the author because I did enjoy her previous books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. -
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Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I did a review on this on
my blog that will be up a week before publication date (December 8, 2020). I will update with a direct link when it goes live.
For now, here is a preview of my review
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The Berlin Girl reveals the life of Georgina “Georgie” Young as she navigates her life as a journalist amidst the Nazi occupation in Berlin during World War II.
Georgie Young and fellow Londoner, Max Spendor are two journalists that are posted in Berlin in the middle of World War II, surrounded by the highest of... -
Is this one of the best books I’ve ever read? Quite possibly, YES! I listened to it on audio yesterday and just couldn’t press pause to go to sleep so I was up until 3am absolutely entranced by it! I’ve always liked history and historical fiction but this was just the most perfect blend of fact and fiction and now I want to read this author’s other books. I think she’ll join my auto-read list. I haven’t had a book hangover in a very long time and I’m feeling it now, so you know it was good. Such a fantastic read!
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Such a believable story! A great array of characters, funny, emotional, thrilling.
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Reviewed from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Avon Books UK via Netgalley for an honest review
Book: The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham
Published: 29 October 2020
Genre: General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
My Rating: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
This is the third book by Mandy Robotham that I have read and it’s fantastic!
Georgina (Georgie) Young is a woman in a man’s world, determined to show everyone that she can do it too. We are taken to Berlin, Germany, in 1938 where Georgie is a reporter sent to Berlin to report under the name George Young for the London based newspaper, the Chronicle. She is part of the foreign press and needs to report about the events happening in Berlin, news about the Führer, Adolf Hitler. What he does, what he plans and anything about the Reich. When Georgie arrives in Berlin, the streets are decorated with Nazi insignia and an ombre feeling of domination vibrated through the air.
Before going to Berlin Georgie sits at a bar in the London Ritz feeling awkward and willing the Summer Media Ball to be over. A glamorous event for correspondents, reporters, photographers and editors. While watching everyone enjoying themselves, a man comes up to Georgie and starts making small talk. She later finds out he is a reporter for the Telegraph. After a dismissal she puts the man out of her mind, never to see him again. Or so she thought.
After a few weeks, Georgie finds herself on a plane to Berlin, alongside the reporter from the Telegraph known as Max Spender. They were assigned to Berlin, together. Having a rocky start from the get-go, Georgie and Max’s relationship as fellow reporters are moulded by the horrendous events and scenes they witness. Soon realising that the Berlin she visited in 1936 to report about the Olympics has been replaced by a city filled with Nazi propaganda, fear and a hatred for Jews. Both Georgie and Max report to their different newspapers, but as they convene with the press pack at the Adlon, they soon discover the dark and sinister ongoing’s in Berlin. When the names of Joseph Goebbels, Heinrich Himmler, Rudolf Hess, Frederik Graf and Adolf Hitler are mentioned, a storm is coming.
With the sudden and mysterious death of a fellow reporter, Paul Adamson, and rumours about a camp (Sachsenhausen) where Jews were taken, proving to be true, Georgie and Max team up together to help a Jewish family, Rubin and Sara Amsel with their 2 children to escape the claws of the Nazis.
What I liked about the book was that the story has a good flow to it. The author has the ability to let the trauma, sadness and pain jump off the pages and straight into the reader’s heart. It’s not the feeling of ‘I feel what the character is feeling’. It is more than that. The author sits us down in the living room of Rubin and Sara Amsel when Georgie and Max arrive there to support them after they had to send their 2 children to England for safety. The author sits us down with Georgie, Max and Rubin when he reads the devastating letters from his brother-in-law Elias, that is held in the camp Sachsenhausen.
My favourite character is the main character, Georgie Young. She doesn’t give up in a time of crisis and pain, even when being emotionally overwhelmed at times. Instead, she uses it to fuel the fire inside of her to seek justice for the people that are treated unfairly. The characters felt real and believable. This book had me on the edge of my seat and kept me guessing.
Overall the book was fantastic, but I felt the ending happened too quickly. From 1946 to 1994 in just a few pages. But aside from that, I enjoyed the story and can’t wait for Mandy Robotham’s next work. She makes historical fiction enjoyable and never disappoints. This piece of historical fiction made me realise that that which causes us pain can be used to achieve goodness, even in the long run.
I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys historical fiction.
If you’ve enjoyed The Tattooist of Auschwitz or Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris, you will certainly love this book!
Add The Berlin Girl to your Goodreads list.
Other books by Mandy Robotham
The German Midwife
The Secret Messenger
Thank you to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.
This review is also posted on my blog:
https://willowscornerbook.wordpress.c... -
THE BERLIN GIRL
BY MANDY ROBOTHAM
"THE BERLIN GIRL" by Mandy Robotham focuses on Hitler's prewar Germany and he is already spreading his message of antisemitic propaganda against the Jewish people and people whom he deems as undesirables because they have been injured and have a disability.
This is a story about the journalist's from as far as America and the New York Times but mostly center's around a female reporter from Great Britain named Georgina and her budding relationship with her fellow comrade Max Spender. When the two first meet in the Ritz Georgie gets the first impression that Max is a snob but the two become close as they are trying to help one specific family called the Amsel's whom are Jewish.
Georgie hires Rubin Amsel as a driver as because of his only crime is one he can not help because it is his ethnic heritage. Rubin and his fragile wife Sara are hiding her brother upstairs in their attic because he was physically injured and deemed obsolete by the Nazi's.
As I was reading this I couldn't stop thinking about how many people were fooled by someone so cruel as Hitler is who does nothing but spread hate. Also how powerless the Jewish people were to leave Germany because other countries wouldn't accept them because they refused to recognize Hitler was arresting undesirables as he and his regime saw them.
Berlin is where as early as 1939 arrests were regularly carried out and Jewish people were ordered that they couldn't perform any longer in certain jobs like in Rubin's case he was stopped from working for Georgie as a driver. His brother-in-law was discovered by the Gestapo and was arrested and sent to a work camp out in the country called Sachsenhausen where living conditions were to match the horrible concentration camps that were not yet used.
In March of 1939, Hitler set his sights on invading the Lithuanian territory of Memel claiming it belonged to Germany and then as if by collecting properties on a Monopoly board turned its sights on Danzig, a tiny free state in the northern part of the Polish "corridor" sandwhiched between Germany and East Prussia. No one doubted the Fuhrer's greedy eye was focused on its thriving port and coastline into the Baltic rather than the freedom of German Danzigers. Two days later it became plain that the ongoing struggle over Danzig was a distraction; Germany and the USSR signed a pact, agreeing on how they would split the big prize: Poland.
Finally the world's politicians took notice and by the end of March, Britain and France made a verbal stance reassuring Poland they would support its right to defend independence though they stopped short of any details. The foreign press was incensed, and yet the sheer adrenaline drove them on, running from briefings to embassy statements trying at the same time to keep track on the increasing frustrations with the Reich, the world and humanity. No one in Berlin was safe beyond the long arm of the Gestapo.
Georgie and Max and Rod and all of the other foreign news agencies tried to help the Jewish people by trying to infiltrate the Nazi's secrets. Max and Georgie help the Amsel's but almost cost them their lives.
Thank you to Net Galley, Mandy Robotham and Harper 360--Avon for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Publication Date: December 08, 2020
#TheBerlinGirl #MandyRobotham #Harper360 #NetGalley -
Berlin, 1938: Germany is on the brink of war. When fledgling reporter Georgie Young is posted to Berlin alongside fellow Londoner Max Spender, she knows they are entering the eye of the storm. Arriving in a city swathed in red flags and crawling with Nazi, Georgie feels helpless witnessing innicent people being dragged from their homes. But when Georgie and Max dig deeper, they soon uncover the unspeakable truth about Hitler's Germany.
The story is set in the leadup to WWII in Berlin. Georgie Young is sent to Berlin asmpart of the Foreign Press Corp. She is accompanied by fellow journalist Max Spender. The story gets dark and intense the more the story progresses. Georgie is a strong and likable character. She alsomhad a strong bond with Max. This is a beautifully written story that pulled me in quickly and I didnt want to put it down. Thisnis a heartwrenching read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AvonBooksUK and the author #MandyRobtham for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. -
All my reviews can be found on my blog, He read, she read, at
http://vickieonmarco.blogspot.com
It seems there have been a lot of novels lately about Germany in the 30s and 40s. Coincidence, considering what is going on these days? Anyway, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read another one but was glad I did. It is an engaging read, with solid plot and well developed characters. Georgie is a strong, independent female character for her times and I particularly liked that the author took time at the end of the book to followup on her characters’ lives after the war years.
It is also a cautionary tale for our times. What happens when an authoritarian takes over…when venom and nationalism is spewed from the top….when treaties and agreements are ignored…when the persecuted are refused a refuge by “humanitarian” countries….how deluded and hypnotically devoted the populace can become when a “leader” is viewed as a messiah.
This was a rewarding read……. -
4 - 1/2*
Berlin 1938/39 Pre-WWII
Max and Georgiana (Georgie/George) arrive in Berlin on the same day in August 1938 having been posted by their respective British newspapers as Foreign Correspondents to Berlin.
Max and Georgie do not get off on the right foot as Max seems put out by the fact that Georgie is a girl…and really, should girls be considered serious reporters??
Never mind that Georgie’s German language is far superior to Max who is of course not about to admit any such thing.
As the story progresses the relationship between Max and Georgie made for an interesting dynamic especially as Georgie is determined to help a German Jewish family escape Berlin and she engages Max in her schemes.
While the book is written with a lighter touch it does not shy away from the insidious undercurrent of Berlin prior to the start of WWII.
I enjoyed all the main characters and some very interesting secondary characters as well. -
I did not finish this novel, so I cannot comment intelligently about it. However, I can say that the writing style seemed solid and I believe the effort to be historically accurate was definitely there. However, I was a bit turned off by the opening chapter, which was a scene picturing a Nazi officer and some (although light) unsavory events. I chose to shelve it at that point, as it wasn't what I was looking for. Perhaps in a different mood I would have liked it better. Yet the WWII category is chock full of options, so if it doesn't grab you right away, I recommend moving onto the next one. I can recommend several WWII books I loved.
A big thank you to Mandy Robotham, Avon publishing, and NetGalley for a free Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review. -
Excellent
