About the Book:
In Silesia, Germany, in 1932, Antonia Nasiski is about to celebrate her 12th birthday. Hitler's Brownshirts are fighting Red Front Marxists in the streets, but all Antonia cares about is her birthday. However, the political unrest is a constant source of argument in her family. As Hitler takes control of Germany Antonia's family disintegrates. At twelve she's self-absorbed and unaware of the political upheaval.
Antonia tells her story through her diary.
By the end of her journey she's an adult who has somehow survived the most harrowing of experiences and emerged a strong and resourceful woman. Antonia shows how the German population gradually came to understand what a monster Hitler was but was helpless in the face of the Gestapo and SS.

My Review:
This is one of the best books I have read in a long while.
I became aware of Marianne Wheelaghan when I was in Kiribati last year, as she has written Food of Ghosts however due to my little idiosyncrasy that I read an author's books in the order they were written, regardless of whether their books link on to one another or not, I couldn't read that one until I had ticked off this book as its her first novel.
So rather unsuspectingly I picked this up yesterday in an aim to get it out the way so I could get to the book I actually wanted to read.....well it certainly got my attention quickly!
Now I haven't read very much about Nazi Germany, aside from probably Anne Frank's diary, which in a way this reminded me of. Its sort of a bulked out version of the same time, from the other side if you will, and gives you a very well rounded story of how horrific the circumstances were at that time. This is based on the author's mother's diaries, family's letters and some very intricate historical research. It is superb!
The narrative is compelling and all in all the book is very well underplayed... this just gripped me throughout.
Ok Marianne Wheelaghan, you've got my attention, lets see what else you've got up your sleeve!

Interesting article about the writing of this book (maybe only read this after reading the book)

Sending for the 2016 Southern Cross Book Exchange - May

I'm sure this will be appreciated for the 666 for 2016 - An Around the World Reading Challenge .....or maybe the 2017 one (I couldnt bare to separate her 3 books)!

These look great, a very impressive parcel

I like books about this period, but did not find this as satisfying as expected as I really enjoyed her South Pacific detective novel

Thanks for passing this on, I have it pencilled in to read for the 2017 666 challenge.

A much needed book about what happened during the war to the "average" person, not a solider or spy or anyone involved particularly much with the war. Merely a person who survived through it.

Based on a true story, much of the small happenings I'm sure are accurate. The endless drudge towards the end and mans inhumanity to man is hard to read. I am a little dubious that all of the events should have happened within one family (a family with children who were communists, nazi-supporters, nuns, homosexual, breeders for Germany, slave labour)...it seemed to try and cover every cruel aspect of the war through one family. But who am I to argue that it didn't happen.

If you aren't familiar with Bookcrossing, take a few minutes to check out this very cool site. Bookcrossers LOVE books, and more than anything, they love to read books and then set them free for other people to find and enjoy. I would love it if you would leave a journal entry -- you can say where you found the book or how you liked it when you read it.

Removed from the bookshelf and given to -tui- to read.

An enthralling if upsetting read about the problems about the war. A recommended read for all.

If you aren't familiar with Bookcrossing, take a few minutes to check out this very cool site. Bookcrossers LOVE books, and more than anything, they love to read books and then set them free for other people to find and enjoy. I would love it if you would leave a journal entry -- you can say where you found the book or how you liked it when you read it.