Motherland: A Novel Kindle Edition

The children in this book were mostly innocent victims, as happens in all wars, though they were clearly indoctrinated into a hardened and militaristic culture. But I could find little empathy for the story's adults as they seemed either complicit and/or unconcerned with the suffering that Germany was inflicting on other nations and even on some of its own people. When a character in the story railed against the fire bombing of Dresden and its citizens, I could only think of the Nazi fire bombings of London and the Nazi plans to destroy Paris. Any empathy I had for the hunger of these Germans was over-shadowed by the knowledge of the intentional Nazi starvation of Holland. And the rough American interrogations paled against the Nazi history of extermination camps. I do understand that people (including some in this story) can get pulled into conflicts even against their will and best interests And, over all, it was an interesting look at German civilian life in the last year of WWII. But my lasting impression of this book is that it demonstrates how humans can ignore their evil deeds towards others and only acknowledge evil when it is turned against them.

I never thought much about those who had to live their lives under the Nazi regime and be on the outside edges of its cruelties. My eyes were opened to this family's suffering under the occupation of the Soviet and American liberation armies. You feel the hunger of the innocent children who really had nothing to do with the criminal acts being committed around them. A young mother's anguish over the fate of her husband and her step children, really tore at my heart and I gave in to unexpected sympathy. Instead of asking, "How much, and how long did you know," this novel pushes aside the standard assumptions. The author chooses to focus on what the individuals saw, felt, and feared. Surprising and remarkable piece of writing. Highly recommended.

I wished I had read the author's notes at the end first as I would have read it with different "eyes." She takes the story from notes found from a past relative. They story sometimes gets long on detail and bogs down. However, since I have a strong interest in how people survived one of the worst times in history, it was worth the read. It is more from the perspective of ordinary people just getting through each day, trying to feed and cloth their children and avoid being noticed. For the first time I can understand how some of these women may have been oblivious to the horrers around them, as they were just trying to survive also. I always try and think about what I would do, how brave I would be...and I have no answers. For those who are interested in WWII, I recommend it, but start with the author's notes to know what is true about this and her struggles to come to her perspective on it. I will always struggle with how did people not know, but may be a little less judgmental.

I recommend the book. I do not give five stars lightly, but this book deserved them.The setting was Germany during the waning years of the second world war, but the subject was about how people coped with the enemies in sundry fashions. Enemies included neighbors, the Nazis, the Americans, and the Russians. They lacked food, warmth, and shelter. More than these things, they lacked hope and someone to hold onto. I wrote a review on Goodreads that is better said than what I have written hear.Ghank you, Ms. Muller, for a good read.

This compelling story of everyday Germans at the close of WWII is based on the letters and story of the author's grandparents. Frank is a reconstructive surgeon drafted into the German army. He is a widower left with two young children and a baby who Marries Liesel, a young childcare worker in the exclusive spa where he works as a doctor before the war. Marrying Liesel to take care of his young children is more a duty than a love story but Liesl, who wants nothing more than to be a wife and mother, has come to love Frank and his children. The war has brought suffering and hardship with it and she has grown to hate and distrust the Nazi regime that had initially brought her hope. Frank at the front is more torn. Torn between his ambition and his growing dislike for the Nazis. When things get tougher and tougher and he grows more worried about home, he plans desertion and escape. At home Liesl is faced with growing food shortages, refugees taking over her home and a mysterious illness plaguing her middle son. The doctors have diagnosed lead poisoning and malnutrition, and threaten to send him to a notorious mental hospital where rumor has it, patients are exterminated. The Nazis horrors are visited on their "own people".Yes, this novel makes little mention of Germany's Jews. But at the end of the war these everyday Germans purport that they only believed the Jews were "relocated". At worst they are complicit with the regime at best they are indifferent or don't want to know. This novel speaks to the suffering they too came to know because of the Nazis. It is a fascinating and honest look into a perspective on the war not often discussed. You come to know and admire some characters like Liesl, some of them you are not so sure about.

Although this story gets off to a slow start, sticking with it is richly rewarded. A successful German surgeon, recently a widower, finds himself facing dual challenges of raising three young boys (one an infant) and going off to war. A hasty marriage presents a complex family picture for the young bride, an instant mother of three, responsible for the boys and their father, who are still in mourning. The problems that arise involve conflicting relationships with neighbors and refugee families and the challenges all of them face living under wartime hardships. The story highlights a truth often overlooked, that being the devastation that families in wartime suffer. If you like poignant, you will love this one.

When I began reading this story I had no idea it was a true story. Because my father fought in this war and was part of the Canadian troops that liberated Holland from this monster Hitler, I have read many books on this awful time in our history. So when I read a book that is based on a true story I wonder if we could have survived the way Liesl and Frank and all the others did during this time. I don't think many of us could have. Thank you Maria for sharing some of your family's history.

When we read about the Second World War, we often are not able to fathom the pain and destruction war is for all those who are affected. This book gives you that sensitivity and horror of the journey the oppressed and conquered had to endure. Very touching, and insiteful.

The characters in this story do not ever see the larger picture. The story lies in the small details and routines of everyday life and the effect on their intimate lives of specific events. Because the story is cobbled together from excerpts in a family diary, it lacks that final satisfaction of a proper denouement in the tradition of a literary story, leaving the reader with a "now what?" feeling. However, this lack does not take away from the story's power to elicit the reader's compassion for these people caught up in a situation much too big for them to comprehend properly or to affect meaningfully.

I have read many many books about the Second World War but not many about the ordinary German peoples struggle to survive. I enjoyed the book very much. As the years have past and horror of those times, it becomes a lesson for every country on this earth to be watchful of their leaders and what can happen when your trying to lead an ordinary life. Thank-you for the reminder.

Long, well written philosophical view into the lives of a young family and the suffering, deprivation and terror they experienced as proud,young Germans caught up in the horror that was Hitler's legacy.