What do you think?
The Day the Flowers Died
Inspired by a dream, the emotional story demanded to be written...with late night War World II research, a saturation of old Germany footage from youtube, including footage on the President, Hitler, and old German and swing music, this novel was finally born.
A historical fiction set in Munich, Germany in the early 1930’s before the outbreak of War World II. Eli Levin and Rebecca Baum fall passionately in love and while their differences should have separated them, they instead forged a passionate bond that would change their lives forever.
A historical fiction set in Munich, Germany in the early 1930’s before the outbreak of War World II. Eli Levin and Rebecca Baum fall passionately in love and while their differences should have separated them, they instead forged a passionate bond that would change their lives forever.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2009
About the author
Ami Blackwelder
74 books376 followersM.Black is the author of ELECTRIC WORLD, EXOTIQA WORLD, SIM WORLD, GRAPH WORLD, QUANTUM STATE and more. She writes Dystopian Thrillers and can be found at http://MBlackDystopianThrillers.blogs...
Ami Blackwelder write Paranormal stories with a side of apocalypse. Elves, angels, vampires, zombies, mermaids, shifters. Found here: http://amiblackwelder.blogspot.com
Rebecca May is her pen name for The Day the Flowers Died, a World War II romanc.e
Ami Blackwelder write Paranormal stories with a side of apocalypse. Elves, angels, vampires, zombies, mermaids, shifters. Found here: http://amiblackwelder.blogspot.com
Rebecca May is her pen name for The Day the Flowers Died, a World War II romanc.e
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 23, 2010
The excerpt from a review on the front cover of this novel says: "This is truly a love story". It is. It is one of the best, if not THE best love story I've ever read. The way the writer describes the couple's feelings; the way they interact; it's all so beautiful. The writer uses colour throughout the novel to describe scenes. She describes everything from the clothes the characters are wearing to the colour of the sky, to the flowers that Rebecca (one of the two main characters) loves so much. In some books I have read, it can become tiresome when an author describes everything -- but not in this book. The writing is so expertly and seemingly effortlessly scripted so that the reader can 'see' what is being described. An amazing talent.
Yes, there are a few typos and some editorial issues, odd use of words here and there, but on the whole the prose flowed well.
I was hooked on this book which is the story of Eli, a young Jewish lawyer, who falls in love with Rebecca, a German girl, who -- trying to escape the confines of her strict upbringing -- has moved to an apartment in Munich. Eli lives upstairs from Rebecca and falls in love with her. He gradually finds the courage to talk to her. We follow the love affair from the beginning, and by the end of the book I really felt as if I knew these two people.
The book is set in Nazi Germany before the Second World War, and the author has done a good job in weaving together the history and the love story, showing how the changes in the country had a direct effect on the couple's relationship and their lives.
As Hitler's power takes hold in Germany, Eli and Rebecca have to face up to the prejudice around them and the concerns of their families about their forbidden relationship.
'The Day The Flowers Died' is so much more than just a love story. It is a tale very relevant to the world we live in today, showing the destructive effects of prejudice and hatred on innocent people.
This book made me cry at the end.
A must read, for everyone.
Yes, there are a few typos and some editorial issues, odd use of words here and there, but on the whole the prose flowed well.
I was hooked on this book which is the story of Eli, a young Jewish lawyer, who falls in love with Rebecca, a German girl, who -- trying to escape the confines of her strict upbringing -- has moved to an apartment in Munich. Eli lives upstairs from Rebecca and falls in love with her. He gradually finds the courage to talk to her. We follow the love affair from the beginning, and by the end of the book I really felt as if I knew these two people.
The book is set in Nazi Germany before the Second World War, and the author has done a good job in weaving together the history and the love story, showing how the changes in the country had a direct effect on the couple's relationship and their lives.
As Hitler's power takes hold in Germany, Eli and Rebecca have to face up to the prejudice around them and the concerns of their families about their forbidden relationship.
'The Day The Flowers Died' is so much more than just a love story. It is a tale very relevant to the world we live in today, showing the destructive effects of prejudice and hatred on innocent people.
This book made me cry at the end.
A must read, for everyone.
December 9, 2016
MY THOUGHTS
I see there have been some negative reviews of this book. Perhaps it does need some more editing but I looked beyond that and looked to the plot and the story being told. The setting is between WWI and WWII. A romance between a Catholic Woman and a Jewish man, Rebecca and Eli. The author wove the story around some historical facts. The author evidently did her homework on the historical facts. I found them to be accurate. The author gives the reader the feeling that they are there in that period of history.
The love story, which it is, will pull at your heart strings. It touched a lot of emotions. I do wish the author had minimized the descriptions. They were a bit over done for me. It causes you to stop and think about the real story you were reading. Even so, the story was enjoyable and showed the reader that even though the times were hard and at times really awful, good was still there. It still existed. It wasn't burned out. The author didn't sugar coat the historical facts of the time. The time period was hard, people were mad and unsettled. People lived with fear. Life wasn't easy and many lives were lost during the time period. Two wars took a lot of life, not just soldiers, but the hearts and souls of those left behind. It was a touch time and I 'm glad the author didn't try to cover that up.
If you like history, romance in a story that has the hard cold facts in it, then grab a copy of this book and think about the title.
THE DAY THE FLOWERS DIED!
What does that mean to you?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and voluntarily decided to review it.
I see there have been some negative reviews of this book. Perhaps it does need some more editing but I looked beyond that and looked to the plot and the story being told. The setting is between WWI and WWII. A romance between a Catholic Woman and a Jewish man, Rebecca and Eli. The author wove the story around some historical facts. The author evidently did her homework on the historical facts. I found them to be accurate. The author gives the reader the feeling that they are there in that period of history.
The love story, which it is, will pull at your heart strings. It touched a lot of emotions. I do wish the author had minimized the descriptions. They were a bit over done for me. It causes you to stop and think about the real story you were reading. Even so, the story was enjoyable and showed the reader that even though the times were hard and at times really awful, good was still there. It still existed. It wasn't burned out. The author didn't sugar coat the historical facts of the time. The time period was hard, people were mad and unsettled. People lived with fear. Life wasn't easy and many lives were lost during the time period. Two wars took a lot of life, not just soldiers, but the hearts and souls of those left behind. It was a touch time and I 'm glad the author didn't try to cover that up.
If you like history, romance in a story that has the hard cold facts in it, then grab a copy of this book and think about the title.
THE DAY THE FLOWERS DIED!
What does that mean to you?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and voluntarily decided to review it.
May 13, 2025
The book I’m reading is called “The Day the Flowers Died” by Rebecca May. The story is fictional and focuses on the early 1930s before World War Two in Munich, Germany. The story was truly enjoyable to me. A romance novel like this one was something I loved. I like how the author can immerse you in the story and keep you captivated throughout the book. It also shows how the Nazis didn't only kill people but destroyed apart from their families. The present day world is experiencing the destructive effects of prejudice and hatred on innocent people, as evidenced by this. Eli Levin is a lawyer and a Jew, and Rebecca Baum is an American Catholic who graduated from nursing school. They fell passionately in love, but their parents didn't approve of their relationship at the time. What happened in the end you can decide.
January 31, 2012
I held my breath the entire time I was reading The Day The Flowers Died . Now finished , it has left me breathless ! It is total perfection .
What started as an innocent relationship between Eli , a Jewish lawyer and Rebecca , a Catholic gal at the on-set of Hitler's terror in Nazi Germany becomes an amazing love story . Probably the best and most amazing love story I have ever read .
What started as an innocent relationship between Eli , a Jewish lawyer and Rebecca , a Catholic gal at the on-set of Hitler's terror in Nazi Germany becomes an amazing love story . Probably the best and most amazing love story I have ever read .
January 8, 2012
When I downloaded the free copy of Blackwelder's The Day the Flowers Died , I was in no way prepared for the book I got. Yes, like many free downloads, it is in need of some good editing. There are times when the descriptions go on forever, and at times the narration or dialog feels stilted. However, Blackwelder's story is so powerful that is rises above these problems. I find myself, a month later, still thinking about the story, about the characters, as if they were people who truly lived - perhaps in my family, or a friend's family.
I studied Political Geography and German, and my husband's emphasis for his History degree was WWII. Between the books from his senior level classes and my German-Jewish writers class, I felt that I had a pretty decent handle on the events leading up to the Holocaust. I've been to numerous museums, both in the US and Germany, read memoirs and spoken to Holocaust survivors, so I thought that I had an (albeit sheltered and incomplete) empathy if not understanding of some of the emotional aspects of living in Germany during those years. But nothing has ever quite impacted me on an emotional level in the same way as Eli and Rebecca's story.
Throughout my reading I found myself stopping and looking things up in books such as Hitler's Thirty Days to Power: January 1933 or The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, only to find that Blackwelder's history was achingly accurate. Things that I had intellectually understood now resonated on an emotional level. I had seen and understood the horror of the ghettos, but not the suffocating fear and uncertainty of the middle class street suddenly devoid of children, the park without strollers. I think it is easier to separate ourselves from things that are extremely horrible, absolutely outside the bounds of our experience. However, we have all felt the odd chill of an unusually quiet street, a silent park, an empty building. To imagine the streets of Munich thus, and to see it so through Eli and Rebecca's experience - the added fear, shame, confusion - left me deeply unsettled. They became real to me, and, despite knowing the few possible outcomes for them, I couldn't help but wish that I could unknown history for a little while. Or that Blackwelder might fudge the historical accuracy, but she does not, nor should she.
I don't think this book will be for everyone, nor do I think it is perfectly constructed. However, I think that Ami Blackwelder brought history to life for me in a way that, though I may not have liked, I certainly needed. I feel privileged to have know Eli and Rebecca, and find that, though they were fictional, they were also real.
I studied Political Geography and German, and my husband's emphasis for his History degree was WWII. Between the books from his senior level classes and my German-Jewish writers class, I felt that I had a pretty decent handle on the events leading up to the Holocaust. I've been to numerous museums, both in the US and Germany, read memoirs and spoken to Holocaust survivors, so I thought that I had an (albeit sheltered and incomplete) empathy if not understanding of some of the emotional aspects of living in Germany during those years. But nothing has ever quite impacted me on an emotional level in the same way as Eli and Rebecca's story.
Throughout my reading I found myself stopping and looking things up in books such as Hitler's Thirty Days to Power: January 1933 or The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, only to find that Blackwelder's history was achingly accurate. Things that I had intellectually understood now resonated on an emotional level. I had seen and understood the horror of the ghettos, but not the suffocating fear and uncertainty of the middle class street suddenly devoid of children, the park without strollers. I think it is easier to separate ourselves from things that are extremely horrible, absolutely outside the bounds of our experience. However, we have all felt the odd chill of an unusually quiet street, a silent park, an empty building. To imagine the streets of Munich thus, and to see it so through Eli and Rebecca's experience - the added fear, shame, confusion - left me deeply unsettled. They became real to me, and, despite knowing the few possible outcomes for them, I couldn't help but wish that I could unknown history for a little while. Or that Blackwelder might fudge the historical accuracy, but she does not, nor should she.
I don't think this book will be for everyone, nor do I think it is perfectly constructed. However, I think that Ami Blackwelder brought history to life for me in a way that, though I may not have liked, I certainly needed. I feel privileged to have know Eli and Rebecca, and find that, though they were fictional, they were also real.
December 6, 2009
1930 Munich. Two Lovers. Different Worlds. a Crumbling Country.
Family opposition and social prejudice are just two of the hurddles Eli Levin and Rebbeca Baum have to overcome and when the Nazi party comes to power and identity means persecution or freedom, difficult choies have to be made and the two lives are changed forever...find out what happens in this gripping love stroy for adults (sexual scenes and historical references).
Reader Reviews:
You have something very special here. You have created a world that you can not have known personally, but which is completely believable, and that is what all writers aim to do, but only the really good ones achieve as well as you have -Philip Carlton
This is simply so adorable and sweet at the moment, although I am sure it will not continue that way. The prologue shows the strength of their loving union and the first chapter deals well with their introduction. I love the minute character descriptions - the blue silk tie, missing button, the contrasts of manicured hands and slightly dirty fingernails, but overall, the almost awkward interaction between them as they so obviously are attracted to one another. -Kendall Craig
REVIEW FROM BOOKTASTE:
Lovers in a turbulent Europe.
Ami Blackwelder paints with words. Her special talent is creating scene and atmosphere populated by credible characters. The Day The Flowers Died is a love story, gently narrated, that recreates prewar Germany during the 1930s, and the German government’s menacing swing to the Nazis. The girl’s sweetheart is Jewish, her parents point out the brutal dangers, but innocent ecstasy ignores the politics and the racial hatred that are sweeping the nation.
As fascist ideology becomes law, the lovers encounter the harsh reality of life and death. Released as an ebook, this novel has quickly gained an unusually large number of downloads. Can there be a trend (much welcomed) away from vampires and back to realistic human passion?
This author’s books vary in genre and can be sampled here. Happy reading! Posted by Cathy, 9 December 2009.
Family opposition and social prejudice are just two of the hurddles Eli Levin and Rebbeca Baum have to overcome and when the Nazi party comes to power and identity means persecution or freedom, difficult choies have to be made and the two lives are changed forever...find out what happens in this gripping love stroy for adults (sexual scenes and historical references).
Reader Reviews:
You have something very special here. You have created a world that you can not have known personally, but which is completely believable, and that is what all writers aim to do, but only the really good ones achieve as well as you have -Philip Carlton
This is simply so adorable and sweet at the moment, although I am sure it will not continue that way. The prologue shows the strength of their loving union and the first chapter deals well with their introduction. I love the minute character descriptions - the blue silk tie, missing button, the contrasts of manicured hands and slightly dirty fingernails, but overall, the almost awkward interaction between them as they so obviously are attracted to one another. -Kendall Craig
REVIEW FROM BOOKTASTE:
Lovers in a turbulent Europe.
Ami Blackwelder paints with words. Her special talent is creating scene and atmosphere populated by credible characters. The Day The Flowers Died is a love story, gently narrated, that recreates prewar Germany during the 1930s, and the German government’s menacing swing to the Nazis. The girl’s sweetheart is Jewish, her parents point out the brutal dangers, but innocent ecstasy ignores the politics and the racial hatred that are sweeping the nation.
As fascist ideology becomes law, the lovers encounter the harsh reality of life and death. Released as an ebook, this novel has quickly gained an unusually large number of downloads. Can there be a trend (much welcomed) away from vampires and back to realistic human passion?
This author’s books vary in genre and can be sampled here. Happy reading! Posted by Cathy, 9 December 2009.
December 21, 2011
It’s not all the time that a certain book can bring me to tears. Trust me; I’m somewhat a tough lady, according to myself that is. But this book made me cry for a few minutes. My eyes couldn’t hold my tears as they came flooding down my cheeks. Not that I should stop myself or anything because that would be hard.
Ami Blackwelder wrote a beautiful historical romance novel in the face of The Day the Flowers Died. It was set during the time in which Hitler, the German dictator, had risen to power. I have watched movies and read articles about the inhumane treatment of the Nazis to the Jews. And every time, every time that I see or read it, it’s like it stabs me in the heart. It still pains me that such thing happened in the history of humanity.
And then here comes this book. I felt like while reading this, I was in the 30’s at a German city called Munich. This book provided me a glimpse to this city that had drastically changed in such a short period of time. Eli, the protagonist of the story, is a Jew who was born in Germany. The way he felt about his country when Hitler had started Nazi blows, it really makes me so sad. The way this book was written was tender and slowly and heartfelt. I felt compassion and sympathy to every Jew from that time. They seemed like the unluckiest Jews ever, which is very saddening.
But who wouldn’t really be touched by this love story. I mean I couldn’t go on without spoiling but really it is touching. The last part made me feel like I was in a rollercoaster which is about to go down from the peak. I was anticipating something to happen and well something did happen and it was just really probably icing on the cake.
I think it’s really beautiful and heart touching. I’d want people to read this too.
Check out more reviews here: http://wefancybooks.blogspot.com/2011...
Ami Blackwelder wrote a beautiful historical romance novel in the face of The Day the Flowers Died. It was set during the time in which Hitler, the German dictator, had risen to power. I have watched movies and read articles about the inhumane treatment of the Nazis to the Jews. And every time, every time that I see or read it, it’s like it stabs me in the heart. It still pains me that such thing happened in the history of humanity.
And then here comes this book. I felt like while reading this, I was in the 30’s at a German city called Munich. This book provided me a glimpse to this city that had drastically changed in such a short period of time. Eli, the protagonist of the story, is a Jew who was born in Germany. The way he felt about his country when Hitler had started Nazi blows, it really makes me so sad. The way this book was written was tender and slowly and heartfelt. I felt compassion and sympathy to every Jew from that time. They seemed like the unluckiest Jews ever, which is very saddening.
But who wouldn’t really be touched by this love story. I mean I couldn’t go on without spoiling but really it is touching. The last part made me feel like I was in a rollercoaster which is about to go down from the peak. I was anticipating something to happen and well something did happen and it was just really probably icing on the cake.
I think it’s really beautiful and heart touching. I’d want people to read this too.
Check out more reviews here: http://wefancybooks.blogspot.com/2011...
April 17, 2010
The Day the Flowers Died is not only the story of how two people fall in love, it’s also a photo of a horrible time in past history. There are many books out about holocaust survivors, or Nazis, or things like that. This book is the story of two ordinary people who fall in love: Rebecca, who is from an affluent Catholic German family, and Eli, a Jewish lawyer. The story begins a short time before Hitler comes to power, and as you watch the two main characters fall in love, you also see the changes in the German people around them. A typical romance at the start, the book turns to pure adventure as Hitler comes into power and shows how prejudice, discrimination and hatred slowly take over Germany. You see the story from the perspective of two common lovers, and how the Nazi party destroyed the country that they grew up in and loved. Rebecca at one point even enduring being shunned by her own parents because of her love for Eli.
Though I wasn’t especially crazy about the end, the story is well told. Not everything in life has a happy ending. I would eagerly recommend this book for anyone who loves a well told romance!
Though I wasn’t especially crazy about the end, the story is well told. Not everything in life has a happy ending. I would eagerly recommend this book for anyone who loves a well told romance!
April 9, 2010
This is a story that spans two years during a time when Germany was under turmoil and the Nazi party was coming to power. It is the story about two lovers, a Catholic woman and a Jewish man. It’s a story about their struggles in these fraught times. I won’t summarize the plot, as Ami Blackwelder has done so, very well, in the description.
Ami Blackwelder recounts the issues of this couple in a poignant, thought-provoking manner. The story has a slow pace which allows the reader to absorb the atmosphere of the lives (including the religious traditions) of the main characters, Eli and Rebecca. I would recommend this book to those interested in historical romance (no explicit scenes) from this era.
Ami Blackwelder recounts the issues of this couple in a poignant, thought-provoking manner. The story has a slow pace which allows the reader to absorb the atmosphere of the lives (including the religious traditions) of the main characters, Eli and Rebecca. I would recommend this book to those interested in historical romance (no explicit scenes) from this era.
April 21, 2012
The best love story ever.
July 19, 2020
1.5 stars so I rounded up. I've definitely read worse self-pub books, but just because there are worse doesn't mean that others aren't bad. "The Day the Flowers Died" is peppered with amateur mistakes, but the most notable, and most off-setting, is head-hopping. This book tells the love story of a Jew with the personality of a sea cucumber and his spoiled brat of a Catholic (in Germany?) love interest. Up until the halfway point, we're only going in circles with the relationship. Break-up because mommy doesn't want us together. Get back together because screw the parents. Etc. It's all very juvenile. Real danger and stakes don't present themselves until long beyond the halfway point. There's just too much relationship building between two unlikable and obtuse people with no real threat of them being safely together until way too far into the story. If it's a sappy love story you're looking for, pass on this one. It's just not satisfying because the characters are annoying and the stakes are low. Would not recommend.
September 28, 2017
Not the ending
This book was one I took a while to finish but always came back to. It didn't end the way I expected.
This book was one I took a while to finish but always came back to. It didn't end the way I expected.
not-finished
January 25, 2024I could not finish this book, so will not rate it.
The writing was very hard read.
The writing was very hard read.
August 24, 2010
Praise for The Day the Flowers Died:
‘This is truly a love story. I love the way they meet and everything else. They are two people not from differing worlds but upbringing. This is a situation that is very close to my heart. Your descriptions are brilliant and in my opinion for a book of this genre perfect. This is a sensitive subject for some even now but you deal with it perfectly.’ -Ron S
‘I will say that I liked your use of color. Not only does it set the scene in the opening chapter, but you keep it as an on-going theme.’ -B. J. Winters
‘You have something very special here. You have created a world that you cannot have known personally, but which is completely believable, and that is what all writers aim to do, but only the really good ones achieve as well as you have.’ -Philip Carlton
‘This is simply so adorable and sweet at the moment, although I am sure it will not continue that way. The prologue shows the strength of their loving union and the first chapter deals well with their introduction. I love the minute character descriptions - the blue silk tie, missing button, the contrasts of manicured hands and slightly dirty fingernails, but overall, the almost awkward interaction between them as they so obviously are attracted to one another.’ -Kendall Craig
‘The gentle love story is told with realism for the time and with the caution of ethnic difference. That's not referred to very often and this shows where Germany was before the Nazi powers were in control. It feels well-researched. The flow of the story is very readable and the particulars and setting give it much atmosphere. You’ve captured the social ambiance preceding a wrenching time. This promises much more’. –Katherine
Book Taste Review:
Lovers in a turbulent Europe:
Ami Blackwelder paints with words. Her special talent is creating scene and atmosphere populated by credible characters. The Day the Flowers Died is a love story, gently narrated, that recreates prewar Germany during the 1930s, and the German government’s menacing swing to the Nazis. The girl’s sweetheart is Jewish, her parents point out the brutal dangers, but innocent ecstasy ignores the politics and the racial hatred that are sweeping the nation.
As fascist ideology becomes law, the lovers encounter the harsh reality of life and death. Released as an E-book, this novel has quickly gained an unusually large number of downloads. Can there be a trend (much welcomed) away from vampires and back to realistic human passion? This author’s books vary in genre. Happy reading! Posted by Cathy, 9 December 2009.
‘This is truly a love story. I love the way they meet and everything else. They are two people not from differing worlds but upbringing. This is a situation that is very close to my heart. Your descriptions are brilliant and in my opinion for a book of this genre perfect. This is a sensitive subject for some even now but you deal with it perfectly.’ -Ron S
‘I will say that I liked your use of color. Not only does it set the scene in the opening chapter, but you keep it as an on-going theme.’ -B. J. Winters
‘You have something very special here. You have created a world that you cannot have known personally, but which is completely believable, and that is what all writers aim to do, but only the really good ones achieve as well as you have.’ -Philip Carlton
‘This is simply so adorable and sweet at the moment, although I am sure it will not continue that way. The prologue shows the strength of their loving union and the first chapter deals well with their introduction. I love the minute character descriptions - the blue silk tie, missing button, the contrasts of manicured hands and slightly dirty fingernails, but overall, the almost awkward interaction between them as they so obviously are attracted to one another.’ -Kendall Craig
‘The gentle love story is told with realism for the time and with the caution of ethnic difference. That's not referred to very often and this shows where Germany was before the Nazi powers were in control. It feels well-researched. The flow of the story is very readable and the particulars and setting give it much atmosphere. You’ve captured the social ambiance preceding a wrenching time. This promises much more’. –Katherine
Book Taste Review:
Lovers in a turbulent Europe:
Ami Blackwelder paints with words. Her special talent is creating scene and atmosphere populated by credible characters. The Day the Flowers Died is a love story, gently narrated, that recreates prewar Germany during the 1930s, and the German government’s menacing swing to the Nazis. The girl’s sweetheart is Jewish, her parents point out the brutal dangers, but innocent ecstasy ignores the politics and the racial hatred that are sweeping the nation.
As fascist ideology becomes law, the lovers encounter the harsh reality of life and death. Released as an E-book, this novel has quickly gained an unusually large number of downloads. Can there be a trend (much welcomed) away from vampires and back to realistic human passion? This author’s books vary in genre. Happy reading! Posted by Cathy, 9 December 2009.
Read
October 20, 2012Rebecca is a lovely, independent German woman determined to create a life of her own apart from her wealthy, domineering parents. She is attending nursing school in Munich and paying her own living expenses. Everything seems to be going according to plan, until she meets Eli that is.
Eli is sweet and charming. He is a lawyer, comes from a good family, and treats Rebecca as she should be treated. The only problem is that Eli is Jewish, and they are living in the Germany of the 1930s.
As Eli and Rebecca’s relationship progresses so does Hitler’s influence over the country. Rebecca and Eli fear for their friends, themselves, and each other as the Nazis slowly take control of the country and persecute the Jewish citizens of Germany.
But the Nazis aren’t the only ones who oppose Rebecca and Eli’s love for one another. Eli’s family refuses to accept Rebecca into their lives unless she converts to Judaism, and Rebecca’s family threatens to disown her unless she breaks things off with Eli. Will their love be able to survive the opposition they face? More importantly, will they?
Blackwelder does a great job staying true to historic detail. She combines fiction with historical fact and gives readers the opportunity to see the world from the perspective of a Jewish family trying to survive the horrors of the holocaust.
It is a daunting task to try to balance historic accuracy with captivating fiction. And in this case, I felt like the fiction suffered a bit. While there was a lot of fascinating detail and information I had never read before, the story felt forced.
There was a lot of telling in the writing and not nearly enough showing. I wasn’t able to really lose myself in the story or genuinely care about the characters, because I felt that I wasn’t able to become intimate with them. While I read what their emotions were, I wasn’t able to feel the character’s emotions along with them.
Despite that, I did enjoy reading this take on a World War II romance. And while I wouldn’t recommend it to those looking for a fictional novel that will sweep them up and keep them captivated, I would recommend it to history buffs and those interested in reading more about the second world war.
Eli is sweet and charming. He is a lawyer, comes from a good family, and treats Rebecca as she should be treated. The only problem is that Eli is Jewish, and they are living in the Germany of the 1930s.
As Eli and Rebecca’s relationship progresses so does Hitler’s influence over the country. Rebecca and Eli fear for their friends, themselves, and each other as the Nazis slowly take control of the country and persecute the Jewish citizens of Germany.
But the Nazis aren’t the only ones who oppose Rebecca and Eli’s love for one another. Eli’s family refuses to accept Rebecca into their lives unless she converts to Judaism, and Rebecca’s family threatens to disown her unless she breaks things off with Eli. Will their love be able to survive the opposition they face? More importantly, will they?
Blackwelder does a great job staying true to historic detail. She combines fiction with historical fact and gives readers the opportunity to see the world from the perspective of a Jewish family trying to survive the horrors of the holocaust.
It is a daunting task to try to balance historic accuracy with captivating fiction. And in this case, I felt like the fiction suffered a bit. While there was a lot of fascinating detail and information I had never read before, the story felt forced.
There was a lot of telling in the writing and not nearly enough showing. I wasn’t able to really lose myself in the story or genuinely care about the characters, because I felt that I wasn’t able to become intimate with them. While I read what their emotions were, I wasn’t able to feel the character’s emotions along with them.
Despite that, I did enjoy reading this take on a World War II romance. And while I wouldn’t recommend it to those looking for a fictional novel that will sweep them up and keep them captivated, I would recommend it to history buffs and those interested in reading more about the second world war.
April 21, 2011
The Day the Flowers Died is a historical romance set in the years between WWI and WWII, telling the love story of Rebecca and Eli, a Catholic woman and a Jewish man. The story line itself was a good one, with painstaking attention paid to creating the work of fiction around historical reality. Dates and events were historically accurate, using real events as the framework for the story. That blend of truth and fiction definately lent to the historical feel of the novel and allows the reader to feel present in the time of the story. It was definately a love story, heart wrenching at times, and the story was full of all of the angst, fear and uncertainty of the time and allowed it to become more than words on the page. That being said, the extreme amount of descriptive passages sometimes became unwieldy. There were times that I became so bogged down in the descriptions of mundane things that I lost track of the story being told at the moment, causing me have to reread passages while skipping the descriptions just to regain the gist. At times it felt like the humanity and emotion of the story was stilted by the abundance of minute details. I think that really took away from what was a truly beautiful and touching love story.
Despite that, I enjoyed the characters within the story. Rebecca and Eli were the symbols of the good that still existed during that horrible time in history. Their friends and family were indicative of the varying viewpoints that tore families and friends apart. They were very well-developed and very accurate for the time period of the novel.
I think that what I liked most about the book was the historical accuracy I mentioned at the beginning of this review. It wasn't a fluffy take on the time period, but full of the anger, fear and unrest that existed. The ending of the book was in keeping with the historical accuracy of the rest of the novel, although I can't expand upon that without giving a spoiler, but it was the perfect conclusion to the novel!
Despite that, I enjoyed the characters within the story. Rebecca and Eli were the symbols of the good that still existed during that horrible time in history. Their friends and family were indicative of the varying viewpoints that tore families and friends apart. They were very well-developed and very accurate for the time period of the novel.
I think that what I liked most about the book was the historical accuracy I mentioned at the beginning of this review. It wasn't a fluffy take on the time period, but full of the anger, fear and unrest that existed. The ending of the book was in keeping with the historical accuracy of the rest of the novel, although I can't expand upon that without giving a spoiler, but it was the perfect conclusion to the novel!
November 20, 2010
I got this free from Amazon. Really rated it a 3.5
The first time I saw this book I wanted to read it. I love this cover. Plus, the title is super intriguing.
What I liked about this book was the historical add ins. In high school history class, I'm certain, we all don't learn about what the precursors were to the Holocaust. I found these details to be very interesting. I found, as I read, that the feelings the Jews were having at the time aren't so different to how some people today might feel in some environments. Which is why I appreciate this book. I feel that Blackwelder told me how they felt but in a way that made sense and I am sure was very close to the truth, if not actually so.
The inclusion of the politics of the time also added to the tension in the book. I kept wondering what was going to happen to the characters and how things were going to turn out. I wasn't as attached to the characters as well as I would have liked but all were likable and I found I cared about what was going to happen. In fact, I was wondering why they kept staying in Germany when so many were leaving.
I also liked how the author organized her book. The difference between this book and most is that there was very little dialogue. When the characters were talking to each other, their interactions were good but there was very little of this. In fact, Blackwelder wrote her book with mostly paragraphs of information. I'm not sure of the term the book was written in but I found it different from any other book I've read. This factor wasn't necessarily bad, but I can see why others might not like this style. In stead of characters talking, or things setting up for the reader to find out, the author just told you about it.
Overall, this book was different from what I normally read but not all together bad. Again, I appreciated the historical information of the book.
The first time I saw this book I wanted to read it. I love this cover. Plus, the title is super intriguing.
What I liked about this book was the historical add ins. In high school history class, I'm certain, we all don't learn about what the precursors were to the Holocaust. I found these details to be very interesting. I found, as I read, that the feelings the Jews were having at the time aren't so different to how some people today might feel in some environments. Which is why I appreciate this book. I feel that Blackwelder told me how they felt but in a way that made sense and I am sure was very close to the truth, if not actually so.
The inclusion of the politics of the time also added to the tension in the book. I kept wondering what was going to happen to the characters and how things were going to turn out. I wasn't as attached to the characters as well as I would have liked but all were likable and I found I cared about what was going to happen. In fact, I was wondering why they kept staying in Germany when so many were leaving.
I also liked how the author organized her book. The difference between this book and most is that there was very little dialogue. When the characters were talking to each other, their interactions were good but there was very little of this. In fact, Blackwelder wrote her book with mostly paragraphs of information. I'm not sure of the term the book was written in but I found it different from any other book I've read. This factor wasn't necessarily bad, but I can see why others might not like this style. In stead of characters talking, or things setting up for the reader to find out, the author just told you about it.
Overall, this book was different from what I normally read but not all together bad. Again, I appreciated the historical information of the book.
September 9, 2010
I had high hopes for this book. The cover is stunning, the title beautiful and I have a weak spot for WWII-based stories.
The first thing that threw me was this: "An Historical Novel".
That was written more than once. I don't get it. Is it intentional?
I started reading the book and getting to know Rebecca and Eli. Perhaps it's because I'm taking an English Comp class, and this weeks subject is Observation, but I noticed that every little thing had something describing it. Rebecca sitting down on a "white" couch, every article of clothing described by color, every outfit change detailed. It was so stilted in the description that I couldn't enjoy the pictures being created and felt uncomfortable by reading them.
But the real breaking point for me was when Rebecca and Eli have a picnic on Valentine's Day... and then go swimming in a nearby lake. Now, granted, I've never been to Germany, but I do have friends who live in Germany and there is not a single one of them who would be caught dead going swimming in a lake in February. I think the author may have lost track of the time in the book because she also described the sky as being the "spring" sky, and February is not generally called spring, here or there.
I'm chalking this book up to being another sappy, sad, average WWII story with some bad editing. Disappointing, I wanted to love this one.
The first thing that threw me was this: "An Historical Novel".
That was written more than once. I don't get it. Is it intentional?
I started reading the book and getting to know Rebecca and Eli. Perhaps it's because I'm taking an English Comp class, and this weeks subject is Observation, but I noticed that every little thing had something describing it. Rebecca sitting down on a "white" couch, every article of clothing described by color, every outfit change detailed. It was so stilted in the description that I couldn't enjoy the pictures being created and felt uncomfortable by reading them.
But the real breaking point for me was when Rebecca and Eli have a picnic on Valentine's Day... and then go swimming in a nearby lake. Now, granted, I've never been to Germany, but I do have friends who live in Germany and there is not a single one of them who would be caught dead going swimming in a lake in February. I think the author may have lost track of the time in the book because she also described the sky as being the "spring" sky, and February is not generally called spring, here or there.
I'm chalking this book up to being another sappy, sad, average WWII story with some bad editing. Disappointing, I wanted to love this one.
January 17, 2012
I quite enjoyed this book, it cleverly managed to discuss very emotive historical events without over dramatising. Based in the time of political unrest prior to Hitler taking power in Germany the main plot was the strength of the love between a young couple.
Eli is a jewish lawyer who falls in love with Rebecca a young catholic woman. In spite of the trials of prejudice, violence, social and familial challenges, the relationship between Eli and Rebecca thrives. As the Nazi party develops more of a foothold in Germany, Munich becomes a dangerous place for any Jew, let alone one maried to a german girl.
It paid lip service to some of the less discussed challenges of Hitlers reign, such as the enforced sterilisation of specific groups that did not meet the vision of aryan perfection. It also mentioned the disappearences of people but it seemed to minimise some of the hardships that were experienced. In doing this it did avoid over dramatising events and losing the plot,;but at the same time the story seemed a bit 'idealistic' in spite of the tragic ending. It still remained an enjoyable read and I shall be looking out for other books from this author.
Eli is a jewish lawyer who falls in love with Rebecca a young catholic woman. In spite of the trials of prejudice, violence, social and familial challenges, the relationship between Eli and Rebecca thrives. As the Nazi party develops more of a foothold in Germany, Munich becomes a dangerous place for any Jew, let alone one maried to a german girl.
It paid lip service to some of the less discussed challenges of Hitlers reign, such as the enforced sterilisation of specific groups that did not meet the vision of aryan perfection. It also mentioned the disappearences of people but it seemed to minimise some of the hardships that were experienced. In doing this it did avoid over dramatising events and losing the plot,;but at the same time the story seemed a bit 'idealistic' in spite of the tragic ending. It still remained an enjoyable read and I shall be looking out for other books from this author.
November 25, 2012
Even from the beginning, it was obvious to me how much research had been put in to this book and the way the story is told. You don't need to have read the comments at the beginning in order to discover this. The book also isn't the typical story of life in the camps and the focus isn't entirely on a couple torn apart by the events in a Nazi occupied area. The book is about the couple, that is true, but the focus is more on the change of mindset of the average citizen. Power is shifting in the government, people are starting to talk and believe what they hear. Prejudice is growing and that changes things.
I also found the descriptions as moving as the events themselves and they continued evenly throughout the story, adding to what was being spoken, thought, or described. Because the quality of writing was just so beautiful and the story was overwhelmingly touching, I found that this was a difficult book to put down. Will the family survive? Will the couple find acceptance from their families? The end is heartbreaking, but keeps true to life as it was. This is a must read.
I also found the descriptions as moving as the events themselves and they continued evenly throughout the story, adding to what was being spoken, thought, or described. Because the quality of writing was just so beautiful and the story was overwhelmingly touching, I found that this was a difficult book to put down. Will the family survive? Will the couple find acceptance from their families? The end is heartbreaking, but keeps true to life as it was. This is a must read.
December 14, 2010
I wanted to like this book - I really did. It sounded like a wonderful love story from the description. And it was, but I could not get past the writing. The author tended to get bogged down in the minutiae of everyday life. I would get so sidetracked by the dirt on Rebecca's gloves or the the layout of her apartment that I lost track of the story. The dialogue was well written and I think I would have enjoyed this book more if there was more dialogue between the characters and less descrip...moreI wanted to like this book - I really did. It sounded like a wonderful love story from the description. And it was, but I could not get past the writing. The author tended to get bogged down in the minutiae of everyday life. I would get so sidetracked by the dirt on Rebecca's gloves or the the layout of her apartment that I lost track of the story. The dialogue was well written and I think I would have enjoyed this book more if there was more dialogue between the characters and less description of small detail
October 7, 2011
Received this book through a goodreads giveaway
Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It is refreshing for a love story to have real world problems instead of some random vampire-themed issues. With that being said, I would have liked for there to have been a bit more history infused within the book. While we all know the evils of the Nazis and the unjust prejudices of that era, reminding the reader where that was coming from would have enforced some of those feelings. Particularly when Rebecca and Eli are constantly getting disapproving looks. I liked the use of colors throughout but thought sometimes there was too much focus on who was wearing what, particularly when it did not add to the plot.
Could also do with a good spell-check/grammar edit (pg 191 "No Jews aloud." --> "Allowed" is what I presume was meant).
Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It is refreshing for a love story to have real world problems instead of some random vampire-themed issues. With that being said, I would have liked for there to have been a bit more history infused within the book. While we all know the evils of the Nazis and the unjust prejudices of that era, reminding the reader where that was coming from would have enforced some of those feelings. Particularly when Rebecca and Eli are constantly getting disapproving looks. I liked the use of colors throughout but thought sometimes there was too much focus on who was wearing what, particularly when it did not add to the plot.
Could also do with a good spell-check/grammar edit (pg 191 "No Jews aloud." --> "Allowed" is what I presume was meant).
January 14, 2012
For me, this novel was slow moving, which knocked it down to 3 stars instead of 4.
However, the plot idea, while not unique, was powerful. The ending left me in tears, and I felt it was unexpected. I appreciate when a novel can do that. You think it is heading one way, and it actually takes you on a completely different journey.
Forbidden love between a Jew and non-Jew is not new. Sacrifice for those we love is also not new. But who says new equals power? Despite the typical ideas,slow moving plot, and at some points overwhelming description, this novel had a powerful ending that I will not forget.
The relationship between the two characters was well crafted in the dialogue, and I appreciated that I felt their love in ways many romance novels fail to do, but it was just so bogged down by mundane details that it didn't stand out enough.
However, the plot idea, while not unique, was powerful. The ending left me in tears, and I felt it was unexpected. I appreciate when a novel can do that. You think it is heading one way, and it actually takes you on a completely different journey.
Forbidden love between a Jew and non-Jew is not new. Sacrifice for those we love is also not new. But who says new equals power? Despite the typical ideas,slow moving plot, and at some points overwhelming description, this novel had a powerful ending that I will not forget.
The relationship between the two characters was well crafted in the dialogue, and I appreciated that I felt their love in ways many romance novels fail to do, but it was just so bogged down by mundane details that it didn't stand out enough.
February 2, 2014
Title: The Day the Flowers Died
Author: Rebecca May
Published: Eloquent Enraptures Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"The Day the Flowers Died" by Rebecca May was a well written, historical and romantic story that was simply old beautifully. This story was about a romance that lasted till the very end even though there was a war going on that would in the end separate this beautiful couple. When I started reading this novel I never thought it would be so well told but this author did a wonderful job in her presentation given to the readers. I was only left wondering if there would be a part two but oh well I was left saying once again that this was one wonderful historical romantic read that I would definitively recommend.
Author: Rebecca May
Published: Eloquent Enraptures Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"The Day the Flowers Died" by Rebecca May was a well written, historical and romantic story that was simply old beautifully. This story was about a romance that lasted till the very end even though there was a war going on that would in the end separate this beautiful couple. When I started reading this novel I never thought it would be so well told but this author did a wonderful job in her presentation given to the readers. I was only left wondering if there would be a part two but oh well I was left saying once again that this was one wonderful historical romantic read that I would definitively recommend.
January 18, 2012
This book was really hard for me to get through, I felt like I had to force myself to read it at times. I did enjoy the history part of it and reading about the changes Germany went through as Hitler came into power. The examples of how the Jews were treated during this horrible time are also appreciated because you see it from a personal stand point. But the love story was brutal for me. I feel like the beginning and middle follows your typical "forbidden" love story. And I agree with some of the earlier reviews where the description of the characters dress or the day, or her hair is way to detailed and hard to get past.
June 4, 2012
Must admit I was surprised at how this novel gripped me and couldn't put it down. The story of Eli and Rebecca was true love at its most during a horrific political period in Europe and I think the author captured problems for individuals at the time and not just the issues they encountered at a national level.
I did enjoy the story and will read more by this author however I feel stories such as these we have read before, we have seen the films and she should spend her talent on more original stories.
I did enjoy the story and will read more by this author however I feel stories such as these we have read before, we have seen the films and she should spend her talent on more original stories.
May 1, 2013
I've always had a soft spot for romance between people who shouldn't fall in love. Some of the scenes were amazing, while others felt very underwritten. All in all though I absolutely loved it, a great story which departs from the current popular trashy vampire/mummy porn that seems to have flooded the market. If you are looking for an easy, historically accurate and detailed Romance look no further.
June 27, 2016
This was a well-written, interesting, true to the period book. Set in Germany just before World War II, it follows a young woman and a young man as they meet and fall in love. However, her parents are German and he is Jewish... This book intricately details the main characters, the setting, the time period, and what is happening in Germany during a 2 year period as Hitler rises to power. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2011
I can not with this book. I don't know why, I read another book by the author and I really enjoyed, but with this, I can not go beyond a few pages, I can not get into the story. I don't like, does not attract me ... It's the third time I try, so I decided to leave, perhaps to someone else, but this time it not worked.
February 4, 2012
Get the hankie ready this one was a tera jerker for me. The story is well told the plot unfolds and takers the reader, (me) into anther world and antoher time.
Very good read, I could not put the book down a must read.
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