The School for German Brides

Fantastic book..from start to finish...tender, and insightful, and beautifully written. The story is built around two girls..heroines actually..(that comes later in the story), But their both young and are being groomed to become the "proper" German Wife. Hanna who is in her mid teens..is forced to go live with a rich aunt and uncle after her mothers death.Her Aunt and Uncle live in the lap of Luxury and only associate with German higher up officers. Hanna is forced into a matched relationship with a high ranking SS officer..who in the begining finds him amusing and kind of nice. As time goes on..Hanna is pretty much told that her very independent behavior will not be tolerated and is not proper for the future wife of an up and coming officer. Her friend kara, she met at the first day of studies..turns out to be a family friend of Hanna's aunt and uncle..and the young officer they are trying to match Hanna with..at one point was being introduced to Klara..as a match. Both girls hit it off great..until deeper in the story its obvious that Klara is being rejected for Hanna's . As time goes goes on Hanna is becoming less smitten with her officer as she sees in him..hatred, and prejudices, and an unsettling power he wants to have over her..from what she wears, to when she talks at functions.. to how she smiles...she is desperate to get away from him and trys fighting her engagement every step of the way. Mathilde Altman is a German -Jewish woman..who can pass for german..more than Jewish. Tilde's life is turned upside down at the start of the war..and finding out she's pregnant from her very Jewish husband has compound that even more as the Jackboots take to the streets and take Jewish people away. At one point in the story Hanna and Tilde life's cross paths..with Hanna riskng her life to save Hilde and her newborn baby. Not knowing what the future hold for them both..especially if they are caught. This is a heart tugging story with compassion and strength and daring bravery ! Excellant read, that fans who love Historical Fiction won't want to miss !! Absolutely loved it !! Great Story to the very last Word !!