Marius Gabriel's Novel "The Girls in the Attic"

Pauline Westalll: Like many people I have read books on WW2 but none like this one. The horrors of the war really came to life, but for one person it showed the strength/power of the human spirit. Thank you Marius for such a book

Australia on Nov 15, 2023

Phencal: This book takes you back into the era within Germany itself during World War two with a descriptive grabbing of ones attention. Without giving too much away , it got me hooked into it once first thoughts are altered. This should be made into a film , describing it in three words .....Love conquers all.

United Kingdom on Nov 14, 2023

Mrs. J. Richmond: It's not every day you read such a detailed graphic book set in Nazi Germany. It is a very balanced account of life in Germany, not just for Jews, but ordinary citizens. Quite an eye opener. A well researched book with excellent dialogue and exchanges between the protagonists.

There is a great deal of sadness and despair. And sorrow. Such a terrible legacy of war and an indictment of Hitler.

The main characters are very well drawn. The changes in them as the story progresses are convincing and plausible. Lola, the lead female, has great strength of character and blooms during the course of the novel. She has to endure so much it's almost unbelievable, however one can't help thinking it wasn't unusual. Conspiring to keep secrets would have been stock and trade in those terrible times.

We should all be grateful to writers like Marius Gabriel for bringing these stories to light.

Australia on Nov 02, 2023

Lily Malone: I really enjoyed this - it surprised me.
I found that having finished it, I'm googling for research about why/how Hitler came into power and why he hated the Jewish population so much.
I haven't read many books written with a German soldier's perspective, and I found this enlightening, and I liked the character arc of Max as his idealism changed and he began to question his thinking on all matters.
It didn't spare the horror of war in any way. I actually forgot chapter 1 and was completely engrossed in the retelling of Lola's life as a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazi's, so much so that when we got to the end and the retelling returned to Lola's daughter, I really had to think: what the? Who's this.
Really good. Give it a go if you haven't read it yet (but gore/graphic warning).

Australia on Oct 13, 2023

Buddha: This is a wonderful story that really allows the reader to understand the tension between some “good” Germans and the Jews during WW2. Gabriel, through quality character development shows both sides oftentimes did not understand the feelings of one another. He relates in great detail the tragedy of the war and the senseless devastation on the part of all sides to rid the world of Fascism. It is a gut wrenching portrayal of survival in this absolutely unbelievable era of history. I would highly recommend THE GIRLS IN THE ATTIC to anyone interested in not only a good read but an eye-opening rendition of this devastating war.

United States on Sep 19, 2023

Amazon Customer: It's a great heartfelt story. Makes you think about how much they all suffered during that time. Couldn't put it down. Feels like you are there with them. Fantastic boom.

United States on Sep 19, 2023

P. Lamb: This was a very good story that kept me engaged in it. The hardships, suffering, sacrifice, terror and cruelty endured during WW2 are unimaginable to us today and critical to remember and teach our children. Thank God we are blessed still today with heroes who are courageous enough and sufficiently graced with the ability to love to rise and face evil for others.

United States on Sep 04, 2023

Taunbri: I found this book difficult to put down, it's a powerful story, well written. I highly recommend you read it.

France on May 23, 2023

Scott J Pearson: This tale, set in the fall of Germany in World War II, unpacks themes of love, loss, the Third Reich, the Holocaust, and the meaning of life. One of the main characters Max returns home after being injured fighting for the Nazis only to find his mother housing two Jewish girls in the attic. All the girls’ relatives have been murdered. Max’s values – formed by the Hitler Youth in rebellion against his Christian parents – are quickly called into question by his mother’s persevering faith and by the decency of the Jewish sisters Lola and Heidi.

Thus begins a road where this once-Nazi soldier becomes an opponent of the Third Reich. In the process, he falls in love with one of the Jewish sisters. They seek shelter together, and he defends her as Germany crumbles to Soviet, British, and American invaders. They lose everything, but seem to gain an inner sense of self-respect with each indignity. Survival amidst abiding love becomes the motif of their lives.

Gabriel integrates a wide scope of history into this text. He also alternates genres of fiction in rapid sequence. Just when it seems that the novel has settled into one archetype (like a romance or a war...

United States on May 07, 2021

AfricaMum: I was in two minds about which book to purchase for this month's Prime Reads and literally purchased this book because people complained about the grammar.

For the sake of transparency, I am a UK English language person. Not that we called it that when I was at school; it was always English and American English. For those ignorant (no insult meant here), yes, the grammar is different. Most of the major grammar and punctuation rules are the same, but there are so many differences between US and UK English variants. In fact, when I moved to the US, I had to relearn some English language rules in order to teach my children American English; even syllables and where to place the accent on words. I had to unlearn my usual grammar and relearn US grammar to teach my children the grammar and spelling they would need to use for the future. My eldest child, a senior at college, says I still use too many commas. My response is always the same, "For American English that is true. Some things are difficult to unlearn."

Anyway, I am supposed to be reviewing the book. Excellent historical drama and loved the character growth and development. Just consign the grammar to UK variants...

United States on May 04, 2021