Before reading this book, I had heard of the Lebensborn program but did not know much about it. Even though this book is fiction, it tells you a great deal about this horrific chapter in German history. Through the stories of three young women, you learn not only about …more their stay in one home but also the prevalent German attitudes toward race and particularly Jewish people. Somehow seeing these attitudes expressed by ordinary Germans festering and breeding violence makes it more real than reading about it in a history book.
The three women are all very different and the way they evolve throughout the book is insightful. I felt the end of the book was rushed and left many questions. I suspect the author is hoping the book will be successful and she is already planning a sequel or even a trilogy. I would not be surprised at this. Not an easy read but if you are interested in the German psyche in regard to race, this is the book for you as well as anyone interested in WWII history. (less)