SOLVED. WWII Historical fiction book following several different characters including one gay man who was caught with his lover and sent to a concentration camp. [s]

[Stephi]

I read a book in 2017-2019 following several characters during WWII in Europe. I don't remember much from the book, only that one of the characters was a gay man who was caught by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp. I remember a scene where he raises his hand to wave at someone and then realizes that the pink triangle on his sleeve identifying him as lgbt was showing. I think the Germans had caught him with his lover. I think either the man or his lover had a name that started with the letter A (Andy? Allen? Andrew?)

I don't really remember much about the other characters, only that there was also a tough girl and a guy she was in love with.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Stephi, please add some more plot details to your topic header. You can copy and paste from what you've already written.

[Stephi]

Also, I think there was a scene where many people were lined up around a huge pit they dug and were shot in the back by the Nazi soldiers. One of the characters fell in, but they did not die, and climbed out when the Germans left.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Author's gender?
Cover?

[Rainbowheart]

Was there a particular main character?

[Stephi]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Author's gender?
Cover?"

I don't remember at all. There might have been barbed wire / red flowers on the cover, but I'm likely just thinking of a different ww2 book.

[Stephi]

Rainbowheart wrote: "Was there a particular main character?"

The character that I remember the most was the gay man, so he may be the main character, but I am not certain.

[Stephen]

While this doesn't sound EXACTLY like what you're remembering...

Bent by Martin Sherman started as a play in 1979 and was later released as a film in 1997 Early in the play's run Ian McKellen played the lead character.

It does feature a number of scenes prior to the night of the long knives so it might be what you're recalling.

I sort of recall someone mentioning that there was a novelization of the film but I'm at a loss as to finding anything on GoodReads about that.

[Stephi]

Stephen wrote: "While this doesn't sound EXACTLY like what you're remembering... "

I've never seen this play before, so it's likely not what I'm remembering, but it looks really interesting, so I will be sure to check it out.

[Karoline]

The plot with the gay man sounds a lot like "the men with the pink triangle" by Heinz Heger, but as far as I remember it only follows one character, and it is a true story

[Stephi]

Karoline wrote: "The plot with the gay man sounds a lot like "the men with the pink triangle" by Heinz Heger, but as far as I remember it only follows one character, and it is a true story"

It wasn't that book, but was likely inspired by it.

[Stephi]

Just bumping this

[Stephi]

I think the cover had wires on it and something that was red. Maybe a rose?

[Rainbowheart]

Briar Rose?

It's been so long I don't remember the details, but there is definitely a gay man and the cover fits your description.

[Stephi]

Rainbowheart wrote: "Briar Rose?

It's been so long I don't remember the details, but there is definitely a gay man and the cover fits your description."


I think this is it, actually. Thank you!

[Rainbowheart]

Awesome, glad it was the right one!