Set across 1942, the novel follows Friedrich. He arrives in Berlin from Switzerland. He has high hopes and dreams of becoming an artist but meets the captivating Kristin. As the model, she is adored and observed. But he is completely mesmerised by her and wants to get to know her further.
She becomes his guide, making him aware of the sights and sounds of the city; the best places to go and where to be safe. The war is an afterthought to them both.
He has rooms at the Grand Hotel and after spending a lot of time together, the two fall in love. He absolutely is smitten with her, confirming as much in his letters to his parents.
War come hurtling towards them and the city becomes much sadder and darker. Anyone who is deemed to be an enemy of the Reich is doomed to terror and horror.
Kristin disappears and he doesn’t know what to do with himself. When she returns, her hair has all been shaved off and she is battered and bruised. She reveals her true identity and explains what has happened to her. Worryingly, it is also who she knows that could cause her the most problems, rather than who she really is.
This novel gripped me. It showed the horrors of war and how we never really know what is going on. Throughly uncomfortable but a good read.
She becomes his guide, making him aware of the sights and sounds of the city; the best places to go and where to be safe. The war is an afterthought to them both.
He has rooms at the Grand Hotel and after spending a lot of time together, the two fall in love. He absolutely is smitten with her, confirming as much in his letters to his parents.
War come hurtling towards them and the city becomes much sadder and darker. Anyone who is deemed to be an enemy of the Reich is doomed to terror and horror.
Kristin disappears and he doesn’t know what to do with himself. When she returns, her hair has all been shaved off and she is battered and bruised. She reveals her true identity and explains what has happened to her. Worryingly, it is also who she knows that could cause her the most problems, rather than who she really is.
This novel gripped me. It showed the horrors of war and how we never really know what is going on. Throughly uncomfortable but a good read.