From the Bookshelf of KAXE/KBXE What We're Reading…

Those Who Save Us

Jenna Blum

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Feb 26, 2017 Amanda up North rated it did not like it

Shelves: historical-fiction, states-minnesota, germany

I did not anticipate that this historical fiction novel based on the Holocaust with a small child in front of a bakery on its cover would contain so much disturbing graphic sexual content.
This accounts for a hefty portion of the book, and my reaction to it. It should come with a warning.
I feel that the topic of the Holocaust and all that surrounds it is graphic and intense enough; anything written about those who suffered it is going to be duly gut wrenching. This went beyond that into somethi I did not anticipate that this historical fiction novel based on the Holocaust with a small child in front of a bakery on its cover would contain so much disturbing graphic sexual content.
This accounts for a hefty portion of the book, and my reaction to it. It should come with a warning.
I feel that the topic of the Holocaust and all that surrounds it is graphic and intense enough; anything written about those who suffered it is going to be duly gut wrenching. This went beyond that into something else entirely.
It should be known that this is a book about a young German woman who becomes the mistress of a high ranking Nazi SS officer, twisted, graphically detailed things he does to her.. and that the author really seemed to like writing about it? It may also be a book about the things a young woman did to save herself and her child.. but the writing detail is much more focused on the former. Throughout the entire book, the author seems obsessed with all things physical - bodily functions, fluids, parts, and physical encounters. I felt she pushed the line too far in her graphic scenes. It felt wrong. I began to really dislike her imagination.
Not only was the physical over-emphasized in poor taste, but emotionally the writing was lacking.

Still, I was compelled to keep reading and finish the book. The setting, plot, and even the title explores complex themes. The wartime and holocaust accounts of the German & Jewish characters, as well as Rainer's later account, are impactful. Brutal, but the kind of material that I feel is necessary to understanding glimpses into this part of history. The author offers strong historical representation. But the other parts of the story, the ones that weren't written by history, the ones she had to fill in on her own, are dotted with red flags of improbability. Sloppy anachronisms. Relationships were poorly developed. The story was largely about Anna's sacrifice and the things she did to save her daughter.. yet no emotional tone, bond or connection was ever established between the two of them. The interaction was all with men. The mother's love was missing in the writing (as was emotion for Max.) While the disturbing bedroom details were overly abundant, these other essential elements lacked throughout.

I think that this book averages high reviews because it piggy backs on the topic of the holocaust. I personally don't respect how the author handled her use of the topic.

My dislike for so much of the content outweighs the good there may be in this book. Disturbingly explicit. ...more

Like · see review