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All My Love, Detrick

by Roberta Kagan (Goodreads Author)

4.52 of 5 stars 4.52 · rating details · 56 ratings · 20 reviews

Set during the Holocaust, "All My Love, Detrick" is a family saga. It follows the lives of two families, one German and the other Jewish. They are bound together in by a forbidden love that could destroy them all.

Paperback, Large Print, 612 pages

Published February 4th 2012 by self

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WWII Historic Fiction

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Jun 15, 2012 brandy oliver rated it 5 of 5 stars

I finished this book in just a few hours and couldn't turn away!
I adore this writer's style, and this sad and horrific part of history has always been such an awful thing to learn about, to watch, to read about, it is to me, one of the worst things in all of time.
Roberta Kagan is a brilliant author, of what I consider a soon to be classic! I would recommend this book to anybody and hope to read more from Roberta Kagan in the near future.
She seems to have a part of the characters in herself, i...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 17, 2013 Chantelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book and I think that the setting and the characters were realistic and the storyline developed nicely. I definitely cared about the characters and remained interested in their stories until the end. I'm not typically a big fan of romance-y stories but the romance, although central to the story, did not overtake the story about the world events going on at the time, which is key for me.

When I read the story, I was concerned about the number of editing errors, and was actually abl...more

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May 03, 2013 Kelli rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a serious book. It was free on my Kindle and of course I had to download it. It is with a heavy heart that I tell you this is one of the best ooks that I have ever read. I found myself cheering and crying at the same time in parts. I loved it even though I hated the fact that it was written about a time that has changed the face of the World. The horrors that were brought upon some of the kindest and gentlest people for no reason but the way they believed is unfathomable to me. Could I...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Paul rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a love story set in Nazi Germany.

Detrick is an Aryan, living in Berlin, who, for years, has worked in the bicycle repair shop of Jacob Abdenstern. Accompanying Jacob home one night, Detrick meets Leah, his daughter. There is an instant attraction between them. They have to keep their romance very quiet, because, in Nazi Germany, any public affection between an Aryan and a Jew is very illegal. Detrick is extremely uninterested in anything to do with the Nazi Party.

Karl, Leah's brother, is...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Ian Farrell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Source: amazon.com via Jo on Pinterest

My friends all know that I’m a historical fiction enthusiast who loves family sagas. A friend of mine recommended I read “All My Love Detrick” . As soon as she told me that it was the story of two families struggling to survive under the Nazi regime and WWII.

Roberta Kagan’s insight into the cultures of the families of a pair of star crossed lovers, involves you deeply into their lives. The Jewish Abensterns and the German Haswells are the families who never would have had any connection with each other, but now they do. Their connection is their children and the ill fated love for each other that they hold.

Roberta Kagan realistically portrays the Haswells. She doesn’t romanticize the poverty felt in Germany after WWI. She shows the pain of the Haswells who live a hand to mouth existence and describes how Hitler was able to turn the starving nation against the Jews by placing the blame on the Jewish merchant culture.

In the Abensterns and their friends, we watch the Jewish people advise each other to turn the other cheek and that this too shall pass. We all know what happened to the Jews who remained and for us, this window into their lives helps us see, a little, of how this could happen.

Watching this romance blossom, I knew that there would be no happy ending for these two beautiful young people. Flowers sometimes grow in junkyards, so too did the love of Detrick Haswell and Leah Abenstern. Under the best of circumstances it would have been difficult, but with the culture of hate and violence surrounding them, we, the reader, know that this is not meant to be.

I saw Detrick and Leah so vividly through Roberta Kagan’s characterizations that my heart broke for them while I was riveted to each page. Kagan has a way of bringing her subjects to life for us in a way only a very talented writer can.

Rarely do I read a book more than once, then I pass it on. “All My Love Detrick” will not leave my bookshelf because I know I will keep going back to it to reread different scenes that will drift through my mind from time to time.

I wholeheartedly recommend that you read this book, but you’re going to have to get your own copy, you can’t have mine. Get your copy here – http://amzn.to/P8G62C.(less)

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Oct 29, 2012 Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars

The first time I read the description of this book I knew I would love it. “All My Love, Detrick” is a family saga and I’ve always liked to follow the destinies of different families and see how the characters grow and become just as complex as any real person. But Roberta Kagan did more than that: she placed her story in Nazi Germany, where two completely different families are trying to survive under Hitler’s regime. The Abdensterns are Jewish and the Haswells are German. And guess what binds...more The first time I read the description of this book I knew I would love it. “All My Love, Detrick” is a family saga and I’ve always liked to follow the destinies of different families and see how the characters grow and become just as complex as any real person. But Roberta Kagan did more than that: she placed her story in Nazi Germany, where two completely different families are trying to survive under Hitler’s regime. The Abdensterns are Jewish and the Haswells are German. And guess what binds them? Yes, that’s right: a forbidden love.

I had great expectations from this book and I must say that Roberta Kagan did a great job at building strong, believable characters and paint a very realistic picture of the times of the World War II. This is a powerful story about true friendship, family, pain, loss and, more importantly, about love; that kind of love that can survive a war and even death. “All My Love, Detrick” is one of the few books that haunted me long before I had finished it. In fact, I couldn’t stop thinking about Detrick and Leah and I had to go back a couple of times and re-read some of my favorite parts. And even though the ending broke my heart, I know I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Among other things, with this book Roberta Kagan proves that a good, inspiring novel doesn’t necessarily need a happy ending. Yes, as a reader, you want to see how the characters you love achieve everything they want and become free to live the life they had struggled for, but we have to remember that in real life it doesn’t always happen like this.

Before reading the book, I already knew some things about Nazi Germany, so I was completely pulled into the story, especially because Roberta Kagan is a great writer who knows how to use her talent to make her words stick in the reader’s mind. I was emotionally involved in these two families’ destinies and was right there with the characters, anticipating their next moves. I found myself having contradictory feelings, for there were times when I felt so happy for Detrick and Leah, simply because they had found each other and were so in love, and sometimes I couldn’t help feeling afraid for them.

“All My Love, Detrick” is a book you can’t let go after you’ve finished it. I have already recommended it to some of my closest friends and I’m sure they will love it. Roberta Kagan stays true to this horrible part of our history and this is a big plus for any historical novel.

If you want to read an amazing historical novel and fall in love with some unique characters, you can find “All My Love, Detrick” at http://amzn.to/P8G62C
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Jul 04, 2012 Jackie Paulson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reading-challenge-for-jackie, done-reading-in-2012

All My Love, Detrick by Roberta Kagan
The author gave me a free unedited copy of this wonderful book. I recently watched a documentary: (Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State). This book does follow the dates and times of the concentration camp and all the history behind the Nazi’s and Hitler. If you enjoy the movie or documentary you will love this book. The best part of the book is the Love story between Detrick and Leah.
I think the story should have been broken down into smaller increments as this...more All My Love, Detrick by Roberta Kagan
The author gave me a free unedited copy of this wonderful book. I recently watched a documentary: (Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State). This book does follow the dates and times of the concentration camp and all the history behind the Nazi’s and Hitler. If you enjoy the movie or documentary you will love this book. The best part of the book is the Love story between Detrick and Leah.
I think the story should have been broken down into smaller increments as this book was very long to read. The story is set in Nazi occupied Europe. It follows the lives of two families, one Jewish and one German. They are brought together by a forbidden kind of love.
Facts:
Prologue: Berlin, Germany in 1923
Detrick: Born 1st
Helga: Born 2nd
Father: Hans
Mother: Inga
After Germany lost the war, Hans could not find work. He becomes depressed and drinks a lot at a local tavern. (I have a feeling many did do just that after the war).
-Inga bought Detrick a new (used Bike), they were not so rich for his 7th Birthday. He begs to take it out for a ride and gets into an accident and he is too embarrassed and humiliated to go through town to get home. So he takes the (long) way home and stops at a shop. While there Jacob Abdenstern befriends Detrick. The two kids work out a deal to fix the bike in exchange for work services since Jacob and his father will not exchange money.
Chapter 1-Detrick works for Jews.
Konrad Klausen is best friends with Detrick as they grew up together. Konrad is not Jewish. Konrad tries to convince Detrick to attend a rally in the center of town to hear “the speaker Adolph Hitler.”
Chapter 2- Detrick has a dream to win the Olympics. The reason is to make lots of money to help his mother for all she does for him. He observed his father’s abuse to his mother and the drinking abuse. This was very hard on him as a boy.
Chapter 3-Karl Abdenstern “Being a Jew in Germany Singled Karl out as a n enemy of the state and each passing day he felt the hatred pointed firmly in his direction, coming from the eyes of gentile classmates. The rise in anti-Semitism poisoned the lives of Jews.”
Chapter 4-Leah Abdenstern (Karl’s her brother) is best friends with Dorothy Silver. Leah loved to read, listen to classic music and plays piano. Dorothy Silver loved to sing jazz, and dance swing.
Chapter 6- Dorothy Silver and her family move to Chicago for better work conditions and pay. Then the story keeps unfolding where I could not put down this book.
The ending will surprise you and shock you as the reality of what is happening at the time of the war.
Please hit LIKE and I hope you pick up this wonderful history written book with love written by the author.
© 2012 Jackie Paulson
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Sep 01, 2012 Kellee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: review, favorites

I am writing this as I try to stop the water from actually dripping down my face. I don't care if my eyes are watery in public, but I really don't want to be full out crying.

It's been a long time since a book has moved me the way this one has. I don't think I've ever actually cried during a book, but this one made me do that, multiple times. I whole-heartily loved this book. I know my words can't do justice to how much this story means to me, so read what I have to say and then amplify it by a...more I am writing this as I try to stop the water from actually dripping down my face. I don't care if my eyes are watery in public, but I really don't want to be full out crying.

It's been a long time since a book has moved me the way this one has. I don't think I've ever actually cried during a book, but this one made me do that, multiple times. I whole-heartily loved this book. I know my words can't do justice to how much this story means to me, so read what I have to say and then amplify it by a thousand and you'll kind of know how I feel. I want to thank Roberta Kagan for writing this beautiful story and for being such a wonderful person, she knows why. I honestly can't explain how much I loved this book, I love it with all of my heart. (Spoiler Alert) If you've read any of my reviews, you know that I'm one of those people who has to have that classic happy ending to be fully satisfied with a book, and I've often taken stars off just for a book not having that, but I've abandoned all the things that I thought I needed from books because All My Love, Detrick can't be held to those standards. And while the ending isn't the ideal happy ending you are rooting for, it still made me feel complete and inevitably happy.

All My Love, Detrick is such a beautifully written story of family, friendship, loyalty, loss and most importantly love in such an ugly time of hatred, segregation, desperation, and murder during Hitler's reign. It follows the lives of many characters and you fall in love with each of their stories. My favorite, of course, was the love story between Detrick and Leah. As heartbreaking as the situation of the world around them was, their love was so pure and all-consuming that you got swept up in it with them. The things they were put through and the challenges they had to face, were things no one should ever have had to deal with, and the saddest part of it all is that this really happened to people during these times. I think that's part of what makes this book so captivating is that you know that there were real people like Detrick and Leah, as well as all of the other characters, that really went through all of that. Roberta Kagan does an amazing job of pulling you into that time and making you feel as though you were standing right there with them. This book haunted me. When I wasn't reading it, I was consumed by thoughts of reading it. I couldn't wait to get back into this amazing story and find out what happened to the characters I had come to love so much. The best part is that you do get an ending for all of them. Whether its happy or sad, you aren't left wondering what happened to anyone.

Do yourself a favor and get a copy of All My Love, Detrick. It is a hauntingly beautiful story that will grip your heart and stay with you forever.(less)

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Mar 16, 2012 Roberta Kagan rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author)

Shelves: romance-holocaust-jewish-german

When I was a child my mother had a black suitcase in the basement. She forbid me to look inside. When I was alone one afternoon I rushed to open the valise. Inside I found pictures and letters. The letters were written in a foreign language. Later I would learn that they were in German. I would also come to learn that my mother's entire extended family had perished under the Nazi Regimen and that these few items were all she had left of them. She had tried to shelter me, but it was not shelterin...more

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Jun 14, 2013 Tracy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I got this book free from Amazon. It had been recommended to me so was not expecting it to be awful, but for a free book, it was remarkably good. Detrick was really likeable, the storyline was never going to make for easy reading, but the book was well written from a slightly different perspective to other books I have read on the same subject. I would recommend it.

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Apr 20, 2012 ~reader~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is a big one! At 700 pages it takes a while to get through but it is worth every minute. The story is set during WW2. It has a very Romeo and Juliet feel to it. The main characters are from opposite sides of the conflict and struggle to be together. I highly recommend this book to anyone who roots for the underdog. Just amazing.

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Jun 19, 2012 Suasn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Easy to read, interesting historical background (Nazi Germany) and a great love story. The edition provided for the Kindle had quite a few grammatical errors and misuse of vocabulary. Irritating, but didnt detract from the story line.

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May 10, 2013 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An easy read, and one I couldn't put down, especially since I love reading about this time period. The writing is simple, but somehow it works. The story itself is beautiful, yet sad, and I definitely became emotionally invested in the characters. A wonderful book, overall.

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Feb 26, 2013 Kaitlin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Loved the book, however there are a lot of characters to follow. The author really onyl sums up the story of the main characters and not all the secondary characters leaving you wanting to know WHAT THE HECK HAPPENS TO THEM!?!

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Apr 08, 2013 Bee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Such a beautifully well written . Three words to describe Detrick : Beauty, Generosity and selflessness :)

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Feb 09, 2013 Deb rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Deb by: Author

Shelves: giveaway-entry, 2012, historical-fiction, fiction, first-read, wig, read-in-2013

This book jumps from character to character and place to place, and time to time. It was really interesting and easy to follow. It was a page-turner as well, it drew you into the characters lives and loves. They were fascinating and had a lot of depth to them. There are bits of history thrown in so you understand what the characters are facing during their lives at the time. I cannot even imagine what it was like to have to live through such a terrifying existence. It is such a beautiful love st...more

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Jun 18, 2012 Kevin rated it 5 of 5 stars

I ma truly enjoying the read!it is going very well. I will have the audiobook finished soon!

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Feb 26, 2013 Annemarie marked it as to-read

Shelves: free, historical-drama, my-ebooks

FREE On AMAZON!

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Jan 14, 2013 Joanna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

This is one of the books that you don`t want to end. This book was really awesome ! Beautiful heart breaking story.Wow ! If you like World War II books ,than you definitely have to get this one !

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Jan 19, 2013 Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: mature teens to adults

Shelves: europe, historical, holocaust, kindle, ww-ii, romance

A beautifully crafted story set in Germany during the holocust about a Jewish and a gentile family that are irrevocably entwined. A forbidden romance, hiding jewish people, it is all there in this beautifully crafted and readable story. Looking forward to more by this author.

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Jun 16, 2013 Lynsey marked it as to-read

Jun 14, 2013 Chandra marked it as to-read

Shelves: kindle-freebies

Jun 13, 2013 Tali is currently reading it

Shelves: 50-books-2013

Jun 12, 2013 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars

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Jun 09, 2013 Douglas Tipken rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jun 05, 2013 Angel marked it as to-read

Shelves: 300s

May 26, 2013 Britny rated it 4 of 5 stars

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About Roberta Kagan

I am so honored and grateful that you have taken an interest in my work.

Please find me on FaceBook.

http://www.facebook.com/Rkagan4

Also check out my interviews:

http://indieauthoranonymous.com/2012/...

http://www.drunkenspacepenguin.blogsp...

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