The German House

by Annette Hess, Elisabeth Lauffer (Translation)

Set against the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials of 1963, Annette Hess’s international bestseller is a harrowing yet ultimately uplifting coming-of-age story about a young female translator—caught between societal and familial expectations and her unique ability to speak truth to power—as she fights to expose the dark truths of her nation’s past.

If everything your family told you was a lie, how far would you go to uncover the truth?

For twenty-four-year-old Eva Bruhns, World War II is a foggy childhood memory. At the war’s end, Frankfurt was a smoldering ruin, severely damaged by the Allied bombings. But that was two decades ago. Now it is 1963, and the city’s streets, once cratered are smooth and paved. Shiny new stores replace scorched rubble. Eager for her wealthy suitor, Jürgen Schoormann, to propose, Eva dreams of starting a new life away from her parents and sister. But Eva’s plans are turned upside down when a fiery investigator, David Miller, hires her as a translator for a war crimes trial.

As she becomes more deeply involved in the Frankfurt Trials, Eva begins to question her family’s silence on the war and her future. Why do her parents refuse to talk about what happened? What are they hiding? Does she really love Jürgen and will she be happy as a housewife? Though it means going against the wishes of her family and her lover, Eva, propelled by her own conscience , joins a team of fiery prosecutors determined to bring the Nazis to justice—a decision that will help change the present and the past of her nation.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Germany, World War II, Audiobook, Holocaust

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 2018

About the author

Annette Hess grew up in Hanover and currently lives in Lower Saxony. She initially studied painting and interior design, and later scenic writing. She worked as a freelance journalist and assistant director, before launching a successful career as a screenwriter. Her critically-acclaimed and popular television series Weissensee, Ku'damm 56 and Ku'damm 59 are credited with revitalizing German TV. She has received numerous awards from the Grimme Prize to the Frankfurt Prize to the German Television Prize. The German House is her first novel.

Reviews

[El Librero de Valentina · Rating 1 out of 5]

No me gustó ¡NADA!
Una historia que daba para más y se quedo sin profundizar, lenta y aburrida.
Sentí que en este libro no pasó nada qué valiera la pena rescatar y es la primera vez que castigo tanto un libro que tiene como tema importante, más no principal, la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

[Lindsay L · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. An important part of history.

Eva is a translator working at the Frankfurt Auschwitz trials in 1963. Eva feels connected to the stories that she translates in court. These horrific stories and their victims keep her awake at night. She cannot shake the images in her mind of the countless wartime atrocities she hears about and translates on a daily basis.

This novel sheds light on some of the criminal aftermath of WWII. Years after Auschwitz was liberated, ex-Nazi officers face criminal charges for the wartime acts of brutality they inflicted on innocent prisoners. Many parts were sickening to listen to, as with any book focused on the devastation endured at Auschwitz.

While this book outlines an important time in history that we must never forget, it didn’t hold any new information that I hadn’t already known. I have read plenty of WWII novels and this didn’t offer me anything unique or memorable.

I had a problem connecting with the story mainly because I didn’t care for any of the characters. I had no investment in any aspect of the plot. I found the writing quite choppy and the pace very slow to the point that I was bored at several points. The story was predictable and lacklustre and although it covered heavy and devastating topics, I didn’t feel an emotional connection. I wonder if some of the novel’s power was lost in the translation as this was originally written in German.

Thank you to Edelweiss for my review copy!

Audio rating: 2 stars. The narrator did not work well for me. When I started the audiobook, I thought her accent may enhance the storyline but it didn’t.

Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan!

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @harperviabooks for the gifted copy.

The German House is a thoughtful post World War II/post Holocaust novel, set during the Auschwitz Trials of 1963. Eva Bruhns is a young translator who learns about her country, and her family’s, role in the horrors of the Holocaust through her assistance in the trials.

It’s a fascinating and eye-opening glimpse into this time period and how a country can attempt to rebuild itself and its reputation in the world after something like the Holocaust. The German House also offers great insight into the trials and how Nazis were held accountable.

Many of my reviews can also be found on instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dies ist ein wichtiges und notwendiges Buch, und ich wundere mich, dass das Thema nicht schon längst aufgegriffen wurde. Aus heutiger Sicht ist es schier unvorstellbar, wie unwissend die erste Nachkriegsgeneration war hinsichtlich der deutschen Kriegsverbrechen und des Massenmordes an Juden, Sinti und Roma und Hunderttausender Osteuropäer. Andererseits, konnte ich den Zeitraum des sogenannten 3. Reiches je offen mit meinen Eltern (die Generation von Eva und Annegret) oder mit meinen Großeltern diskutieren? Die einen sperren sich der Diskussion bzw. betonen, dass sie als Vertriebene auch gelitten haben, und die anderen wollten von den Verfolgungen nichts mitbekommen haben bzw. sich ihnen nicht haben widersetzen können. Ich wünschte meine Eltern würden das Buch lesen bzw. hören, mache mir aber wenig Hoffnung, dass dies geschieht.

[Dem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever, thought provoking and disturbing best describe this debut novel by Annette Hess.
I had this book sitting in my TBR pile for over a year and finally decided to read it. While I struggled with my rating on this one, going between 3 and 4 stars, I have settled on 4 stars as I enjoyed picking up this book every evening and settling down with the characters.

The story centres around the 1960s Frankfurt Trials, The Frankfurt Trial involved former members of the SS who had worked at Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp. Eva Bruhn lives in west Germany with her parents and siblings, she is in a relationship with Jurgen and lifes is moving along in the right direction. She works for an agency as a translator and finds herself translating for some of the witnesses and victims of the atrocities and translates from Polish to German at the Hamburg Trials. Eva soon leans she has been living a sheltered life.

I really enjoyed this book as I found myself caught up in many of the situations. There was a lot going on in the story and I thought all of the characters were convincingly portrayed. The trials while make for difficult reading were heart-breaking, but did give the reader an insight into what took place and the grief involved. This is one of those stories where the writer leaves you with questions and while I know many readers find this annoying, I actually enjoy books where all the storylines are not neatly tired up in a pretty little bow and a little is left to the readers imagination.

This is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea but I really enjoyed this book, its clever and different and I am so happy I have a copy for my real life bookshelf.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

When I first saw this historical fiction book was about the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials of 1963 I knew I had to read it. Even though I have read many historical fiction and nonfiction books about World War 2, I don't often read books that explore the postwar years. The aftermath of the war is something I'm thankful the author deemed worthy of writing about as this was a fascinating read for me.

It's 1963 and Eva Bruhns is twenty-four years old and living with her family in Frankfurt. Given her young age during World War 2, she really doesn't have many memories of that time period. She is working as a translator and is hoping her wealthy boyfriend, Jürgen Schoormann, will soon propose marriage. A man named David Miller wants to hire Eva as a translator for an upcoming war crimes trial, and that doesn't sit too well with Jürgen. Eva is horrified at what she learns at the trial and it weighs heavily on her mind.

Eva is the main character and heart of the story but you do get the opportunity to get into the minds of the other characters as well. Near the beginning of the book, it was slightly jarring when you would be following one character and then without any warning it just bounced to a different character. This was something I adapted to fairly quickly, however I could see how the disjointed transitions might drive other readers nuts.

I felt like there were two parts to the story. You have the trial which goes into detail about the atrocities of the war, and specifically what took place at the Auschwitz concentration camp. But the other compelling part of the story was Eva. I don't want to get into specifics about the plot and get into spoiler territory but I thought the author did a good job showing the attitudes and mindsets of the people in Germany during that time period. I lived in Germany for a few years not that long ago and actually lived not too far from Frankfurt. And I'll admit that might be part of the reason I was so into this story as in my mind I kept thinking about the differences between that time period and now. One of the more interesting things I learned while living there was it is mandatory for Germany students to learn about the Holocaust in school and many are required to tour a concentration camp or visit a museum so they can learn about the horrible things that occurred so it may never happen again.

The only small criticism I have of the book is in my opinion Annegret's storyline wasn't entirely necessary. I would though be willing to change my mind if I ever found out the author's reasons for including it. Some more context would probably help.

Highly recommend reading especially if you are a frequent reader of World War 2 historical fiction.

Thank you to the publisher and BookishFirst for sending me an advance reader's copy! I was under no obligation to post a review here and all views expressed are my honest opinion.

[Justo Martiañez · Rating 1 out of 5]

1/5 estrellas...y gracias.

Perdonadme pero es que últimamente el tema de las casas: La casa alemana, La casa holandesa, no ha calado nada en mi.
Pocas veces me he encontrado un libro avalado con tan buenas críticas, o con tan buen marketing, que me haya defraudado tanto.
Partiendo de una premisa interesante como es el planteamiento del tema del holocausto, enfocado desde el punto de vista alemán, más concretamente del pueblo llano alemán, que en gran medida permaneció ignorante voluntaria o involuntariamente de lo que estaba pasando con el pueblo judío, incluso cuando ya habían pasado años del final de la guerra, nos encontramos con una novela plana, con unos personajes sosos y tremendamente aburridos, perdonadme por favor, pero en algunos momentos parece que les falta un hervor. No sé, igual ha sido un problema de traducción, pero no hay por donde cogerlo.
No puedo recomendarlo.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an historical fiction book which explores the Frankfurt trials, the controversial trails held in Frankfurt two decades after the holocaust which set out to convict the SS men who held senior positions at Auschwitz. This book is written by a german lady, I read the translation in english.

As with many translations this book is dry but very quickly I was drawn into the streets of Frankfurt surrounded by germans who didn't want to even acknowledge the trials that were taking place to hearing the survivors recounting their stories to be torn apart by the defense.

This book sent me down many internet rabbit holes, googling various matters raised in the book and I felt like the author really captured the feelings of the people in this account from the articles I stumbled upon.

This is a coming of age story centred around Eva, a german who is translating the accounts of polish survivors in court.

I haven't read much about the after years of the holocaust and I feel more informed having read this.

As with all books of this nature it's a hard read, having now read the last few pages im left feeling incredibly sad. Its human nature to twist events in our minds to make them more comfortable to live with but how the SS of the selection teams (the men who decided who would work in the camps and who would be sent straight to the gas chambers) could defend their positions that they choose to save lives equally as much as terminate them is just beyond me.

As with many books, documentaries, memoirs of any horrendous act I am left feeling disappointed with humans and what we are capable of.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankfurt in 1963 has been rebuilt and optimism is prevalent throughout German society. When a young woman, with only vague memories of the war, takes on a job as translator for the Auschwitz trials she is appalled to learn that the average German in uninterested in dredging up the past. Those uninterested include her parents and wealthy boyfriend who are against her involvement in the trials. What she learns throughout the process changes her life forever. Without the complicity and support of Hitler by ordinary Germans, the horror of the holocaust never would have occurred. Although it is slow to start, this is another fascinating take on the aftermath of WWII from the viewpoint of a young German woman who hears firsthand the suffering her countrymen inflicted.

[Stacey B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this a 3.5 -4.0* rating.
Because this book is translated into English, I felt some of the things lacking were due to translation.
The story has other running side plots which come together far before the ending; one of which we see is a young romance beginning in it's early stages. I can't say this one is budding. Actually the guy is a bit off. Why do some women ignore red flags?
It is 1963...
In Frankfurt, Eva Bruhn, (really?) a twenty-ish non jewish girl is hired as a translator/interpreter by a law firm which happens to be representing survivors from WW2 against twelve Nazi's who sit on trial for war crimes.
Eva, totally confused as to the purpose of this trial is thinking... What do they mean- war crime?
Before the trial begins, Eva is inside the courtroom where she hears the accused laughing and telling jokes in their confined area behind her.
As the trial starts to move along, Eva is translating information given by the witnesses who keep referring to a place called Auschwitz.
It didn't take long for her to piece together what she is hearing- is real; that these witnesses lived in that place "Auschwitz", that these witnesses are being asked to recount stories of what it was like to live there. Why do they all seem to be similar?.
Becoming emotionally paralyzed, Eva sets in motion a plan to ask as many questions of anyone who will engage in conversation during the courtroom breaks.
While the lawyers and others are confused by her ignorance, Eva recognizes they are right, understanding now the witnesses sitting across from her are survivors from WW2.
The judge in the case decides during the middle of the trial they must all go to Poland in order to validate testimonies given from both sides. Eva's now fiancee tells her not to go, but she needs her job ,and at this point she is better versed on the subject of the Holocaust.
Eva's inner voice tells her she must go back one more time, alone.
She makes contact with a man she met from her first trip, but unaware he is a survivor.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book takes an interesting angle on the Holocaust and, especially, the complicity of 'ordinary' Germans but I found it a disappointing read. Focalised via a young translator called Eva in the 1960s, it seeks to engage with the question of past guilt - but I found the whole thing unsophisticated. Eva feels like a character in a YA book: she knows practically nothing about the war, she's not even a very good translator, and she's shocked and horrified when she learns about Auschwitz. This might work if the reader is, somehow, similarly innocent but for me, as an informed adult, it's just irritating watching Eva uncover her own national history with the requisite hand-wringing.

I also found the writing, possibly translation, clunky so that the prose can lack flow. And there's a whole soap opera around Eva's family and wealthy boyfriend that feels like padding.

A complex idea but treated rather simplistically, I'm afraid. Maybe better for YA readers.

Thanks to 4th Estate for an ARC via NetGalley.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eva is navigating life as young adult while trying to balance newfound independence. Accepting a new job translating at a trial, she is torn between her career and her boyfriend, Jurgen, who wants her to be a stay at home wife. Eva then learns that her own family does not agree with her involvement as a translator in the trial either. Translating for the Polish victims of the Holocaust, Eva is met with stories of horror and bravery. But as the trial progresses, she can’t help but feel there are secrets her family is hiding.

This is a book that grows on you as you read. Having said that, it took time to get to know the characters. They felt out of reach at first, and it was hard to get to know them for almost the entire first half of the book. The beginning was slow to start, and it wasn’t until around 40-50% of the book that I felt like I was getting into it. This was primarily because the plot was slow to develop, and the characters were distant. It takes a while to get used to the writing style as there are no chapters and it skips around a lot.

The story presents a lot of tough questions to the reader. It tests the waters of human nature speculating the condemnation of one alone for the killing of millions.
I would have liked to have heard from other characters perspectives more. Specifically, Walther Schoomann, Sissi, and David Miller. In the end, I felt left with unanswered questions about some of the characters.

The courtroom drama and the trial were my favorite part. Halfway through, I could not put the book down. The last few pages of “Part 3” were very powerful and moving. I recommend this to lovers of courtroom dramas. Many thanks to Edelweiss and HarperVia for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Suzanne Leopold (Suzy Approved Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1963 in Frankfurt, Germany, Eva Bruhns is a bright, 24-year-old woman eager for her future to start while living with her parents, sister, and little brother. The destruction of World War II is in the past now that the city, including her parents’ restaurant, is rebuilt. Eva helps her parents at their restaurant, The German House, in between her work as a Polish translator and dates with her suitor, the wealthy son of a businessman, Jürgen Schoormann. However, Eva’s neatly planned future becomes muddled when investigator David Miller hires her as a translator for a war crimes trial.

As Eva struggles with her family’s and suitor’s expectations, she becomes increasingly invested in the Frankfurt Trials against SS officers at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Her new job brings past horrors to the forefront as Eva confronts the truth of her nation’s and her own past. The vague memories of her childhood bring Eva closer to the trial as it progresses. She must make a choice to uncover the atrocities in the past or to become the woman and the wife she is expected to be.

Annette Hess’ The German House is a story which shows the atrocities committed by the Nazis through the eyes of a young German woman who must reconcile her own identity with the actions of her nation. This novel deals with the difficulty of speaking the truth and the complex relationships between a maturing woman and her family.

[Esil · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

The German House is a novel about an important topic. I think I liked the topic a bit more than the execution. The story is set in Germany in the 1960s, and focuses on the the war criminal trials of some Nazis as seen through a handful of fictional characters. The primary focus is Eva, who is in her early 20s and works as a translator during the trials. Despite having grown up in Germany right after the war, she learns about what the Nazis did and her own family’s role during the war from the trials. This is an important topic and the author does a good job of showing the fractious relations between Germans trying to reinvent themselves in the shadow of their dark past. What worked a bit less for me is that at times there was almost a farcical tone to the story. As an example, Eva’s family and boyfriend felt like they had exaggerated personalities and their reactions to events seemed overly grandiose. This doesn’t mean that I didn’t like The German House, but I might have liked it more if it had been more straight up in tone. Having said that, the translation from the German was very good. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

[Kerrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vergangenheitsbewältigung is a German term describing the “struggle to overcome the negatives of the past” or “working through the past”. The word has become key in the study of post-1945 German literature, society, and culture. In true German form, vergangenheitsbewältigung has 25 letters. But perhaps its extreme length shows the importance of the processes needed for a society to move forward from it’s criminal, violent past. Vergangenheitsbewältigung is based upon philosopher George Santayana’s observation that “those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it”. (Source: Wikipedia)

Annette Hess’s novel The German House focuses on the concept of vergangenheitsbewältigung as seen through the eyes of those involved with the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials of 1963. The main character, Eva Bruhns, is hired by the Frankfurt prosecution team to translate what the Polish witnesses are saying. Eva’s family and her wealthy boyfriend, Jürgen Schoormann, do not want her to participate in the trials. However, Eva feels her role as a translator is important in that she is able to provide a voice for the witnesses. Eva’s parents are the owners of a Frankfurt restaurant called The German House. The family has always been very close. However, as the trial goes on, Eva realizes that her parents are possibly hiding something from her about their own wartime activities. Eva’s relationship with Jürgen also suffers, but she keeps her resolve to be helpful and independent.

On a personal note, I have never visited Poland or Auschwitz, but I have toured Dachau in Germany. It was gut-wrenching to walk through the “showers” and to see the furnaces where the bodies were burned. I am thankful the German government has preserved this camp so that the atrocities will not be forgotten.

The novel has been translated into English by Elisabeth Lauffer and will be published on December 3, 2019, by HarperVia a new division of HarperCollins Publishers which is focused on acquiring international titles for World English publication. I would like to thank HarperVia and Bookishfirst for my Advanced Reader copy in exchange for this unbiased review. 4 Stars. Book Club recommended.

Please check out my book reviews and recipes, too at www.booksandrecipes.com

[Joana’s World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um livro para todos os amantes de histórias que estejam relacionadas com a Segunda Guerra Mundial.

Eva é uma jovem tradutora que acaba por fazer um trabalho com um investigador para ser tradutora de um julgamento dos responsáveis pelo campo de concentração de Auschwitz.

Ao mesmo tempo que Eva acompanha os terrores que este trabalho traz, vai-se recordando de algumas memórias de infância que fazem um ponte com os relatos ouvidos no julgamento. Será que há algo mais para além dessas recordações?

Neste livro acompanhamos o crescimento de Eva através da sua vida pessoal, mas também a luta pela descoberta do que significam aquelas memórias tenebrosas.

Conseguimos acompanhar também as duas versões da história, do que de facto aconteceu, de qual foi a papel da família de Eva nestes acontecimentos e porque que o seu noivo rejeita qualquer evento que esteja relacionado com o seu passado.

Porque, de facto, todas estas histórias encontram-se interligadas num livro intenso e poderoso de cortar a respiração.

Qual será a reação de Eva a ser confrontada com os horrores de Auschwitz e com a história da sua própria família?

[Vaso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Η Εύα Μπρουνς, ζει στη Φρανκφούρτη του 1963 με την οικογένειά της. Όταν όμως προσλαμβάνεται ως διερμηνέας σε μια δίκη κατά των εγκληματιών του πολέμου, νιώθει τον κόσμο γύρω της να γκρεμίζεται.

Η Δεύτερη Δική του Άουσβιτς όπως έμεινε γνωστή, τη φέρνει αντιμέτωπη με τους δικούς της μιας κι αντιτίθενται στην συμμετοχή της, προσπαθώντας να υποβαθμίσουν τα γεγονότα.

Τα βιβλία που έχουν γραφτεί για το ΒΠΠ είναι πολλά και η αγάπη μου για τα ιστορικά μυθιστορήματα είναι δεδομένη. 

Η Διερμηνέας δεν είναι άλλο ένα ιστορικό μυθιστόρημα για το ΒΠΠ. Είναι ένα βιβλίο για τους Γερμανούς μετά το τέλος του πολέμου. Αυτούς που δεν θέλουν να θυμούνται. Αυτούς που θέλουν να ξεχάσουν. Αυτούς που αρνούνται να αναγνωρίσουν και να μιλήσουν για τις φρικαλεότητες που διαπράχθηκαν.

Αλλά και για αυτούς που ζητούν απονομή δικαιοσύνης. Αυτούς που έστω και καθυστερημένα παύουν να εθελοτυφλουν..

Που ζητούν συγνώμη εκ μέρους των ανθρώπων που ενώ μπορούσαν να αντιταχθούν, δεν το έκαναν..

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 🌟
Ein Jahrhundertprozess, der Deutschland veränderte.

Im Vordergrund dieses Buches sollte ein wichtiger Teil der deutschen Geschichte stehen. Hier hätte es auch großes Potential gegeben. Dies wurde jedoch nicht ausgeschöpft. Es wird nur an der Oberfläche gekratzt und Klischees werden bedient. Der Hauptschauplatz wird irgendwie zur Nebensache.

Im Vordergrund steht eher die Emanzipation- und Liebesgeschichte von Eva sowie die Sorgen und Nöte ihrer Familie.

Mich hat es gestört, wie wenig auf sensible oder schwierige Themen eingegangen wurde und vormals wichtige Figuren aus der Geschichte geschrieben wurden.

Z.B. ihre Schwester Annegret, die auf einer Säuglingsstation arbeitet und nachweislich an einem Münchhausen Syndrom leidet, bei dem sogar ein Kjnd stirbt, entgeht ihrer Strafe, indem sie einfach den ungeliebten Arzt heiratet. Mit ihm macht sie dann, anscheinend geheilt, eine Kinderarztpraxis auf.

A. Hess machte bisher in Serien und diese Geschichte funktioniert damit bestimmt auch. Als Buch jedoch, fand ich es ganz unterhaltsam, mehr aber auch leider nicht.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if you felt that your parents were hiding something from you? You suspect there is something that happened in the past that causes them shame or distress because when you ask questions, they get upset. They change the subject.

The German House by Annette Hess, translated from German by Elisabeth Lauffer, focuses on Eva Bruhn, a young German woman who works as a Polish translator. Her family owns a popular Frankfurt restaurant, The German House. When Eva is called upon to translate at the trial of accused Nazi war criminals, her eyes are opened to the terrible atrocities of her country’s recent past, which occurred when she was quite young. She attempts to talk about the witnesses’ testimonies when she rejoins her parents at home in the evenings, but they refuse to listen.

Her boyfriend Jürgen Schoorman, son of a wealthy businessman, seems only to pretend to be interested in hearing her accounts of her day’s work. In fact, he does not want his future wife working at all.

Yet, she persists. The twenty-four-year-old Eva seems to be on a mission to do her part to ensure that the survivors of Auschwitz make their voices and their stories heard in court. But what of her family? What do they know? Eventually, Eva comes to recall vague memories, but is there any “there” there?

She loves her parents and little brother Stephan. There seems to be a sibling rivalry between Eva and her older sister Annegret, who, let’s face it, is not a very nice person. Her relationship with Jürgen runs hot and cold. It is 1963, and Eva longs to be an independent woman in so many ways. Jürgen is much more traditional; can they figure out a way to make their relationship last?

Life surrounding the Bruhn family encompasses post-war German society as a whole, reeling from the revelations of the horrors of the Holocaust, struggling to rebuild lives, economic well being, government, international standing, infrastructure, and self-respect.

If you are looking for a fast-paced, exciting read, you won’t find it in The German House . The author has carefully developed her characters and plot, and while it does take patience, her timing is just right.

3.5 rounded to 4 stars

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eva Bruhns is working as a translator from Polish to German at the 1963 Frankfurt Auschwitz trial. She apparently knows nothing about what the Germans did during the war, and she isn’t curious about it. She lives with her parents and siblings in an apartment above The German House, a restaurant owned by her father. At the trial she hears the testimony of Polish survivors of Auschwitz and her work at the trial causes
conflicts with her parents and fiancé.

“That so-called Reich could never have functioned so seamlessly had the large majority of people not been involved.” I wonder about that a lot. What could have motivated so many people to either participate in, or be willfully blind to, such atrocities. That’s why I wanted to read this book. Unfortunately, the writing was so pedestrian that I probably should have stuck with a nonfiction explanation. The only parts of the book that interested me were the trial (although there wasn’t really anything in the testimony that I hadn’t read before) and the excuses, denials and rationalizations of the people in Eva’s life. I wasn’t interested in the on again/off again relationship of Eva and her wealthy, domineering fiancé. I have no idea why Eva’s sister, a neonatal nurse, was in the book unless it was to point out that turning a blind eye to atrocities has not ended. The subject of the book was intriguing, but I had problems with the execution.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a new-found appreciation of world war II era books but what attracted me to reading this story, in particular, was that it is based after the war is over when most are based on the lead up to it or during. It also is unique in that it merges war crimes with a family drama and caught my interest right from the beginning. Almost two decades after the Nuremberg trials the Frankfurt trials are in full swing exploring the Nazi Holocaust and holding to account former SS concentration camp guards. Young Eva Bruhn (hmm, yes, the name is very familiar) takes the role of translator at the trials (translating Polish survivors witness testimonies) and is shocked and appalled at what she hears. The trials hope to bring a sense of justice and prosecute those German's who committed the horrific war crimes in Auschwitz. However, this opens a can of worms and Eva is left contemplating why her family will not talk about the war and their roles in it. But Eva is adamant about discovering the truth and will not stop until she knows.

This is a story all about the issues of complicity and how this can impact future generations. It's heart-wrenching to hear the stories of Auschwitz and a real eye-opener. Annette Hess manages to create a profoundly moving tale that envelops and immerses you beautifully and 1960s Frankfurt is depicted as having the fog of war not yet lifted hanging over the city. It's atmospheric, well written and poignant. It asks the question of whether those who knew about the Nazi atrocities and turned a blind eye to them are just as guilty as those doing the exterminating. The delicate subject matter is treated with the utmost respect and compassion. It's clear the author has carried out extensive research into this sad and often harrowing topic which makes the narrative believable. The translation, at times, felt rather clunky and clumsy but, for the most part, I enjoyed reading a different, thought-provoking perspective of events. Many thanks to HarperVia for an ARC.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book about the Auschwitz trials and how a young, naive woman is confronted with what the victims state and with her parents' past. Her fiancé wasn't a very consistent character and I thought the happy ending not very feasible.

[Literarischunterwegs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Das Buch war ergreifend, wie alle Bücher diesen Themas. Die Autorin erzählt die Geschichte auch ohne falsche Schönfärberei, leider aber auch ohne den Tiefgang, wie ich ihn mir gewünscht hätte. Vieles bleibt an der Oberfläche, wird nur angekratzt und nicht emotional oder psychologisch vertieft, beleuchtet oder erklärt. Stattdessen bleibt vieles in den bekannten pauschalen Aussagen stecken, die man im Zusammenhang mit dieser Zeit von Hinterbliebenen öfter hören konnte. Manche Charakteren werden gar nicht emotional beleuchtet, wie zum Beispiel die Angeklagten und deren innere Befindlich- oder Persönlichkeit.

Außerdem wirkt die Protagonistin auf mich auch etwas unglaubwürdig. Hat jemand in diesem Alter wirklich noch nie etwas von Auschwitz gehört? Kann jemand seine Vergangenheit wirklich so stark verdrängen, in einem Alter, in dem man sich als Kind schon zurückerinnern kann? Letzteres kann evt. möglich sein.

Zunächst missfiel mir auch die Häufung der Personen, die psychische Probleme und Traumata haben. Im Grunde alle Hauptpersonen, jeder auf seine Weise. Später wurde mir bewusst, dass dies sicherlich aufzeigen sollte, wie "kaputt" diese Nachkriegsgeneration im Innern ist. Den Ansatz finde ich gut, die Ausführung bleibt auch hier zu oberflächlich, da die Autorin nicht weiter auf die Gründe deren Handelns, Denkens oder Fühlens eingeht. Auch da hätte ich mir mehr Tiefgang in der Zeichnung der Personen gewünscht.

Wäre all dies berücksichtigt worden, wäre das Buch sicherlich um einiges umfangreicher oder eventuell ein Mehrteiler geworden, was der Geschichte sicherlich dienlich gewesen wäre.

So ist sie eine Geschichtszeichnung, die wir schon häufig sowohl in Buch als auch Film oder Serie gesehen haben. Schade, Möglichkeiten das Buch nachhaltig werden zu lassen, wären da gewesen. Ich finde es doppelt schade, denn, wenn man sich als Autor dazu entschließt gerade diese Thematik anzugehen, sollte man dann nicht besonders tiefgründig und bewusst in der Ausarbeitung sein?

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is 1963 in Germany where the Frankfurt trials are ready to get underway.

We meet Eva who works there as a translator and has a fiancée who doesn’t want her to work after they are married. Eva isn't sure it will work out.

When Eva attended the opening of the trials, she was horrified at what the defendants had done and were accused of as well as wondered why her parents would never say one thing about the war which made her wonder what part they had played in it.

We follow Eva in her personal life and in her job as a translator for the Polish witnesses who were testifying against the Germans. Eva was determined to have justice served.

Her personal story told a lot about the type of person she was, but it was difficult for her as well as me to hear the German defendants strongly deny they did anything and pleaded not guilty.

I really liked Eva's parents and loved hearing about the restaurant they owned but they were hiding something.

Her sister who was a nurse was a bit on the odd side and did things at the hospital that weren’t good just to make herself look good. Her personal life wasn’t much better.

Eva’s little brother Stefan was a typical, sweet kid.

Eva’s fiancée wasn’t someone I cared for, but he had secrets too.

Ms. Hess has a writing style that will pull you in and have you completely absorbed in the book. Her research is impeccable.

THE GERMAN HOUSE is a book that historical fiction fans will devour.

You do not want to miss reading this book...it is an impressive, powerful, thought-provoking read. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Bren · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

En términos generales este libro intenta por un lado, poner sobre la mesa la situación de familias alemanas que vivieron la guerra, sabían lo que hacían los Nazis y por convicción o miedo no hicieron nada, la gran carga social y de culpa que cargan los alemanes por los horrores perpetrados y que, según la autora, no tiene manera de reivindicación, simplemente es una culpa con la que tendrán que vivir toda su vida y por otro lado pone, como muchos otros libros antes, lo que les hicieron a los presos en los campos de concentración.
Tengo que decir que el libro de algún modo cumple su cometido al representar en Eva a todos esos hijos de alemanes que ayudaron, apoyaron, trabajaron o cerraron los ojos en la época Nazi, la enorme vergüenza de Eva al enterarse de lo que sus padres habían hecho y el no saber cómo manejar esa situación.
Sin embargo, el libro se va tanto por las ramas hablando de todo lo que le pasa a Eva en su vida, situaciones cotidianas que, desde mi punto de vista, sobran y mucho, entiendo que hay que humanizar a cada personaje, pero aun así no ha sumado nada a la historia, puro relleno.
La psicología detrás de algunos personajes me ha dejado un muy mal sabor de boca, no tanto por lo que sucede si no porque no hay explicación alguna detrás de las actuaciones de estos personajes, es como si hubiera querido meter algún dramatismo a la historia pero no se sostiene, la hermana de Eva, Annagret, David el fiscal judío y la relación de Eva con Jürgen, sencillamente son temas inacabados y como he dicho sin ninguna base firme detrás de las acciones o situaciones narradas, todo lo que hay detrás de esto simplemente termina siendo relleno y sinsentido.
Es verdad que al principio me costó un poco seguir el ritmo narrativo, pero una vez que lo hice ya no pude parar de leer, el libro a pesar de todas las situaciones que no me gustaron, es entretenido y mantuvo mi atención.

[Anne/ Roebbes_reads_and_treats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was a recommendation from my favorite bookseller and it did not disappoint. What I found a bit tricky is that the book is divided into four parts but not into chapters. It was very difficult to put down because the story was very gripping and there were no natural breaks.
The book treats one of the difficult times in German history: It takes place in Frankfurt a.M. in 1963 and the protagonist (a German interpreter for the Polish language) gets sucked into a lawsuit against a bunch (20?) of men who worked in Auschwitz, meanwhile she also discovers that her family has a secret.
It was very interesting, gripping and of course heartbreaking to read about the way most of characters struggle to get to terms with the past. It is also an interesting portrait of that time, of how society was still permeated with antisemitism, Nazis in influential positions, fear of strangers and also of how family life was structured.

[José Alfredo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una chica feliz, en una familia feliz, en una Alemania feliz de principios de los años 60 y que de pronto se cae del guindo y se enfrenta a todo lo que realmente pasó en su país, en su entorno y en su familia 20 años atrás. De nuevo nos enfrentamos al horror de Auschwitz esta vez desde el punto de vista de unos alemanes que intentan olvidarlo, como si no hubiera pasado, y minimizar sus propias culpas.

Es una buena historia aunque literariamente no me haya parecido un libro demasiado bueno, por momentos es aburrido.

[Gitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Die Frage der Schuld

Das Deutsche Haus ist eine Gaststätte in Frankfurt, die von Evas Eltern betrieben wird. Hier leben die Bruhns zusammen und genießen das deutsche Wirtschaftswunder. Eva stellt ihren Verlobten zu Hause vor, als sie ein Anruf zur Arbeit ruft. Sie ist Übersetzerin für polnisch und soll eine Zeugenaussage übersetzen. Im ersten Moment versteht sie gar nicht um was es geht, doch nach und nach wird ihr klar, dass es hier um einen Überlebenden aus Auschwitz ging. Kurz darauf bekommt sie die Möglichkeit in den ersten Auschwitz-Prozessen zu übersetzen. Sowohl ihre Eltern als auch ihr Verlobter sind dagegen, dass sie die Arbeit annimmt. Aber Eva setzt ihren Willen durch und stellt fest, dass Schuld nicht etwas ist, was man nur bei anderen findet. Im Laufe des Prozesses wird klar, dass auch ihre Familie mit Auschwitz verbunden ist und Eva muss sich fragen, was ihr alles verschwiegen wurde.

Annette Hess gelingt es in ihrem ersten Buch, genau wie in ihren Fernsehserien Kudamm '56 und '59, deutsche Geschichte lebendig werden zu lassen. Die Auschwitz Prozesse waren Anfang der sechziger Jahre sehr umstritten, wollten die meisten Deutschen doch nicht mehr über die Zeit im dritten Reich sprechen. Auf der Anklagebank saßen 21 ehemalige SS-Mitglieder, die beschuldigt wurden an den Verbrechen in Auschwitz maßgeblich beteiligt gewesen zu sein. Im Laufe des Prozesse kamen viele Überlebende als Zeugen zu Wort, die das unaussprechliche Grauen in Auschwitz wiedergaben und die Angeklagten immer wieder belasteten. Hier kommt Eva ins Spiel, sie ist diejenige, die für die polnisch sprechenden Zeugen übersetzt und somit zu ihrer Stimme wird. Auch wenn es ihr schwerfällt die Geschichten zu wiederholen, ist es doch wichtig für sie, für die Zeugen zu sprechen.
In ihrer Familie trifft sie auf eine Wand des Schweigens, niemand will mit ihr über den Prozess sprechen.
Besonders berührt hat mich der Abschnitt, als Eva und das Gericht in Auschwitz selbst einen Ortstermin haben. Dort wird allen so richtig bewusst, welche Abscheulichkeiten sich dort wirklich abgespielt haben.

Über die Geschichte des Auschwitz-Prozesses hinaus erfahren wir viel über das Alltagsleben in den 60ern. Berufstätige Frauen waren nur akzeptiert, solange sie nicht verheiratet waren. Evas Verlobter schafft es sogar, dass sie beinahe ihre Stelle verliert, weil er nicht möchte, dass sie da arbeitet.
In der Umgebung des Deutschen Haus brennen immer wieder Kinderwägen, besonders in Häusern, in denen Gastarbeiter leben. Das Miteinander mit den ausländischen Nachbarn war damals wie heute nicht immer vorurteilsfrei.

Evas Entwicklung im Laufe des Buches hat mich sehr beeindruckt. Ist sie am Anfang noch sehr erpicht darauf, endlich den Heiratsantrag ihres Verlobten zu hören, wird sie im Laufe des Buches immer kritischer gegenüber dem, was andere von ihr als Frau erwarten.

In diesem Buch geht es vor allem um das Thema Schuld. Die Schuld der Täter, die Schuld derer, die zwar nichts getan haben, aber auch nichts gegen die Grausamkeiten unternommen haben und um die Schuld der Überlebenden. Derer, die das Lager als Insassen überlebt haben und die Schuld derer, die damals einfach zu klein waren um zu begreifen, was um sie herum geschah.
Das Buch gibt keine endgültige Antwort dazu, es wird ganz klar, dass jeder selbst eine Möglichkeit finden muss, mit seiner Schuld zu leben. Das gelingt den Protagonisten des Buche mal mehr und mal weniger gut. Die Angeklagten im Prozess sahen sich bis zum Schluss als nicht schuldig und zeigten keinerlei Reue.

Mich hat dieses Buch sehr beeindruckt, hier wird ein schwieriges Thema lesenswert aufbereitet. Von daher eine unbedingte Leseempfehlung von mir!

[Peppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The German House is a five star read. It is a powerful and impressive novel, well written and meticulously researched.
The story takes place in Frankfurt, Germany in 1963 at the onset of the first Frankfurt Auschwitz trial which charged 22 defendants under German law for crimes committed as SS officials in the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Eva is a young and naive woman whose main goal in life is to get her wealthy beau Jurgen to ask her father for her hand in marriage. She lives with her tightly knit family in an apt above The German House, a quaint local restaurant that her parents own and operate. Eve works as a Polish translator for an agency. Her life changes forever when she is tapped to be the translator for the Auschwitz survivors who are to give their heartbreaking testimony against the defendants on trial for their war crimes.
Eva’s family and fiancee, both voice their displeasure at her acceptance of the job. However, she accepts the position. Eva has not even heard of Auschwitz, nor the horrific events that occurred there. As the trial progresses, Eva struggles to cope with the realization of the magnitude of the crimes against humanity committed by the Nazi regime. She cannot believe the general attitude of the populace in economically booming post war Germany which is to suppress the depth of the atrocities which occurred in the concentration camps as well as the reluctance to contend with the reality of the crimes committed. After Eva uncovers painful secrets about her own family during the war period, she makes life changing decisions in order to remain true to herself and her own conscience.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Δείτε επίσης και στο Chill and read

Αν κάποιος παρατηρήσει τα βιβλία που διαβάζω, θα δει αρκετά να είναι σχετικά με το Δεύτερο Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο. Ο λόγος είναι απλός. Δεν έχω κάποια «άρρωστη» ανάγκη να διαβάζω για τον πόλεμο και για τον πόνο των άλλων. Θέλω όμως να γνωρίζω και να καταλάβω την ιστορία της χώρας, της ηπείρου, του πλανήτη που ζω. Θέλω να κατανοήσω, στο βαθμό που μπορώ, το σκεπτόμενο ον που ονομάζεται άνθρωπος. Ποια είναι αυτά τα ένστικτα που τον οδηγούν. Ποιες δικαιολογίες προβάλει για να βγάλει το κτήνος που κρύβει μέσα του. Γιατί το κάνει αυτό και πως πραγματικά νιώθει. Αλλά και πόση δύναμη ψυχής χρειάζεται για να παλέψει κάποιος, για να εναντιωθεί στο κακό, για να θελήσει να ζήσει και να κάνει ότι είναι ανθρωπίνως δυνατό για να τα καταφέρει. Καθώς επίσης και πως μπορεί κάποιος να ζήσει μετά από όλα αυτά που έχει κάνει ή όλα αυτά που έχει ζήσει. Είναι η συνείδησή του καθαρή. Κοιμάται ήσυχα τα βράδια; Έχουν πια σταματήσει οι εφιάλτες. Ο φόβος έχει εξαφανιστεί ή φωλιάζει ακόμα κάπου εκεί μέσα στην καρδιά και το μυαλό του.

«Η διερμηνέας» της Annette Hess έρχεται να μας δώσει την εκδοχή του μετά. Μετά τον πόλεμο. Μετά τον Χίτλερ. Μετά που η Γερμανία χωρίστηκε σε Δυτική και Ανατολική. Μετά τον τρόμο, το φόβο και το αίμα που έβαψε τα χέρια τόσων Γερμανών, κυριολεκτικά και μη. Τι γίνεται μετά. Πως έχουν οι Γερμανοί τον πόλεμο στο μυαλό του. Πως αισθάνονται για τους ξένους που ζουν στη χώρα τους. Ποια πιστεύουν ότι ήταν η δική τους συμμετοχή σε όλο αυτό.

Η νεαρή Εύα Μπρουνς ζει με τους γονείς της, τη μεγαλύτερη αδερφή της, που είναι νοσοκόμα σε νεογέννητα βρέφη, και τον μικρότερο αδερφό της που πάει σχολείο, πάνω από το οικογενειακό μαγειρείο. Ο πατέρας της μαγειρεύει και η μητέρα της σερβίρει και έτσι βγάζουν τα προς το ζην. Έχουν βέβαια και κάποιους υπαλλήλους που τους έχουν κοντά τους χρόνια. Η Εύα σχετίζεται με τον Γίργκεν, που προέρχεται από εύπορη οικογένεια και δουλεύει στην οικογενειακή επιχείρηση, ενώ η ίδια εργάζεται ως διερμηνέας σε θέματα αγοροπωλησιών και συμβολαίων. Μια μέρα την καλούν για μια δουλειά διαφορετική από τις άλλες. Θα πρέπει να μεταφράσει από τα Πολωνικά στα Γερμανικά την κατάθεση ενός πρώην κρατούμενου στο στρατόπεδο Άουσβιτς – Μπίρκεναου. Η Εύα σοκάρεται από τα όσα πρέπει να μεταφράσει, όμως σύντομα της γίνεται η πρόταση να αναλάβει χρέη διερμηνέα στη δίκη που πρόκειται να ξεκινήσει σύντομα. Ο Πολωνός διερμηνέας που προοριζόταν αρχικά για τη θέση δεν μπόρεσε να πάρει την πολυπόθητη άδεια.

Η Εύα το σκέφτεται πολύ σοβαρά να δεχθεί τη θέση, όμως κανείς δε φαίνεται να συμφωνεί. Ο αρραβωνιαστικός της δε θέλει εκείνη να εργάζεται. Την προτιμά να μένει στο σπίτι και να εξαρτάται εξ ολοκλήρου από εκείνος. Η αδερφή της αδιαφορεί. Οι γονείς της της λένε ότι δεν είναι πολύ καλή ιδέα και ότι η όλη διαδικασία θα της φέρει μόνο στεναχώρια και άσχημες στιγμές, όμως φαίνεται να αφήνουν πάνω της την απόφαση, ακόμα κι αν δε συμφωνούν. Όταν η δίκη ξεκινά, η Εύα έρχεται αντιμέτωπη με τα εγκλήματα της πατρίδας της και των συμπολιτών της. Η ίδια δεν ήταν παρά ένα πολύ μικρό παιδί εκείνη την εποχή, όμως με το πέρας των ημερών και των μαρτυριών, αρχίζει να νιώθει εκείνη την εποχή οικεία. Ο τετράχρονος εαυτός έχει αποθηκεύσει κάποιες μνήμες που σιγά σιγά έρχονται στην επιφάνεια. Και τότε αρχίζει να αναρωτιέται τι έκαναν οι δικοί της άνθρωποι στον πόλεμο.

Η «Δεύτερη Δίκη του Άουσβιτς» όπως έχει μείνει στην ιστορία, είναι μια σειρά από δίκες που διεξήχθηκαν από το 1963 έως το 1965 και δε βασίστηκαν στον νομικό ορισμό των εγκλημάτων κατά της Ανθρωπότητας, όπως αυτά αναγνωρίζονται από τη διεθνή νομοθεσία, αλλά σύμφωνα με τους νόμους της Ομοσπονδιακής Γερμανίας. Καθώς λοιπόν οι κατηγορούμενοι δεν μπορούσαν να κατηγορηθούν για εγκλήματα που διέπραξαν ενώ εκτελούσαν εντολές, με αποτέλεσμα όλη η ευθύνη του πολέμου και των εγκληματικών πράξεων να μεταφερθεί σε λίγους στην κορυφή της Χιτλερικής μηχανής, η βαρύτητα έπεσε σε εγκλήματα που διέπραξαν οι ίδιοι, με τη δική τους θέληση και δική τους απόφαση. Από τους 22 κατηγορούμενους οι 6 έλαβαν ισόβια ποινή, 11 έλαβαν ποινή φυλάκισης από 3 έως 14 έτη και 5 αθωώθηκαν. Υπό την παραπάνω λογική, εικάζεται πως η πλειοψηφία των Γερμανών πολιτών θεωρεί ότι ο πόλεμος και τα όλα τα δεινά που έφερε ήταν αιτία και ευθύνη της υψηλής ιεραρχίας των Ες Ες και πως στην πλειονότητά του, ο Γερμανικός λαός τελούσε υπό κατοχή και τρομοκρατία. Βλέποντας τα γεγονότα και όλα τα στοιχεία από απόσταση, και μαθαίνοντας όλο και περισσότερα από όσα συνέβαιναν στα στρατόπεδα συγκέντρωση και εξόντωσης καλούμαστε να συνειδητοποιήσουμε, τόσο εμείς οι εξωτερικοί παρατηρητές, όσο και ο λαός της Γερμανίας πως αυτή η σκέψη είναι τουλάχιστον γελοία. Δεν ήταν μόνο ένας άνθρωπος που έφερε τόσο κακό και πόνο σε τόσα εκατομμύρια ανθρώπους. Δεν πήρε την εξουσία από μόνος του. Είχε πολλούς ένθερμους υποστηρικτές σε ολόκληρη τη Γερμανία. Όμως όπως σε κάθε περίπτωση, έτσι και σε αυτή, ο άνθρωπος δε θέλει να θυμάται τα άσχημα. Δεν παραδέχεται ότι φταίει. Θεωρεί ότι έπραξε σωστά ή ότι τον ανάγκασαν…

Η συγγραφέας προσπαθεί να κατανοήσει το παρελθόν της χώρας της και τον τρόπο με τον οποίο αντέδρασαν οι συμπολίτες της ή οι πρόγονοί της. Γι’ αυτό άλλωστε παρουσιάζει την ιστορία της οικογένειας της Εύας με τον τρόπο που το κάνει. Ακόμα, διάσπαρτα μέσα στο κείμενο θα βρει κανείς κι άλλα στοιχεία που συμβάλουν στην εικόνα και τα πιστεύω του Δυτικο-Γερμανού πολίτη του 1963.