September, 2018

"The Dutch Wife" by Ellen Keith         

This book alternates between three points of view. Marijke and her husband are arrested as part of the Dutch resistance and sent to Nazi concentration camps. When Marijke is given the choice of becoming a prostitute, she says yes, knowing that she will be transported to the same camp as her husband. SS office Karl Muller arrives at camp and became enthralled with Marijke. The third point of view is Luciano, who is arrested in 1977 Buenos Aires during the Argentine War.         

Although Luciano's story doesn't quite seem to fit, it blended nicely with the WWII stories. The entire novel explores questions of right and wrong, love, hate, and resistance. Overall, it was well written and well paced. Highly recommended.

"The Escape Artists" by Neal Bascomb

During WWI numerous pilots and soldiers found themselves as prisoners of war. This book outlines the myriad of places that they were kept and their numerous attempts at escape. Although this was a very interesting book, I think it tried to present too many characters. It would have been better to focus on 4 or 5 characters, rather than telling fragments of dozens of men. Despite this criticism, I did enjoy this book and will recommend it to others.

"Auschwitz Lullaby" by Mario Escobar

When Helene's husband and five children are arrested by the SS for being Romani, she decides to accompany them to Auschwitz. Her husband is immediately separated, but Helene and her children are housed in the gypsy family camp. Helene, a trained nurse, works in the hospital overseen by Dr. Mengele. When Helene convinces Dr. Mengele to create a school/nursery for the children, she is chosen to oversee it.         

This book is based on a true story. I found Helene to be a courageous and extraordinary woman. The book was well written, engaging and held my attention. Overall, highly recommended.

"Betty Ford" by Lisa McCubbin         

This is a biography of Betty Ford - dancer, wife, mother, advocate, addict and survivor. It briefly outlines her childhood and then details her romance with Gerald Ford. Together, the two moved to D.C., where Ford served first in Congress and later in the White House. It tells how Betty began taking pills under doctor's guidance while drinking a cocktail or two at night. It also details the family's intervention and Betty's struggle with sobriety.         

What a character! I knew nothing about Betty Ford before picking up this book. I was inspired by her unflinching honesty and willingness to put first her cancer scare and then her addition on center stage. The book was will written and well paced. I found myself reading late into the night. 5 out of 5 stars.

"The Light Over London" by Julia Kelly

After beginning a job with an antiquities dealer, Cara Hargraves chances upon a diary written by Louise Keene. The diary begins during WWII. After meeting a soldier Paul, Louise joins the British Army and is drafted into an anti-aircraft gunner unit.        

 Like many books that alternate between timelines, I found the present timeline unnecessary and a bit boring. Cara's romance was extremely predictable and lackluster. Louise story and romance was far more interesting. Overall, not a bad book, but not something I would re-read.