Opening in 1938, this novel begins with a party, held at Burg Lingenfels. Marianne von Lingenfels is the niece-in-law of the countess who lives in the castle, and she is acting as hostess. Her husband, Albrecht, her former professor, is less interested in the harvest party and more concerned in political events. Kristallnacht unfolds on the evening of that party, when Albrecht, and his fellow conspirators, agree to fight the Nazi regime. One of the men there, that evening, is Martin Constantine Flederman, known as Connie. To Marianne he is a beloved guest, whom she obviously has strong feelings for. For the young woman, Benita, he is about to marry, he is the handsome, sophisticated and wealthy man, who will take her away from the poverty and drudgery of small town life. It is obvious that Marianne is keen to be involved in the political plotting going on. Half jokingly, Connie informs her that she is to be the Commander of the wives and children of the men there that night. He asks her to look after Benita – and his forthcoming child.
We meet Marianne again in 1945, when her husband, and the other men, have been executed after the assassination plot against Hitler. Now, Germany is a wasteland, but Marianne is trying to re-group in the Castle – without power, or amenities, but always aware that she is much luckier than so many struggling after the war. Marianne is a woman who feels her responsibilities strongly and she will do her best to find the widows of the men involved in the plot and to care for them – almost regardless of their wishes. She tracks down Benita and her son, Martin, and brings them to live with her and her own children at the castle. Later, she discovers Ania Grabarek, the wife of a conspirator named Pietre Grabarek, and her two sons in a displaced persons camp. Despite her feelings of loss at not actually locating women she was formerly close to, she gathers those she feels responsible for and attempts to re-build some kind of life from the ruins.
It is soon clear that Marianne does not only feel responsible for those she gathers up. She also feels the weight of German guilt, despite the fact her husband fought against the regime. As the women form an unlikely trio, this book weaves their stories, from before the war, through it, and beyond, to look at their experiences and how they cope with the weight of events. This is also an interesting picture of Germany at this time and of how people were forced to face the truth of what had happened. Benita’s son, Martin, talks of walking through the small town and seeing the posters placed there of Holocaust victims. While the locals avert their eyes, Marianne insists they stand in front of them and confront the truth of the war crimes committed by their country. It is soon apparent that the townsfolk do not appreciate Marianne’s insistence that they tackle problems head on and, indeed, she is often very heavy handed in her approach to events, and those in her care. Her feeling that she is always right often means she lacks sensitivity to others feelings, even if she means well.
This is a very well written novel. I found it utterly absorbing, extremely interesting and thought it dealt with some very difficult themes extremely well. All three women are given equal time, but, for me, it was Marianne who dominated the pages of this novel and her presence loomed over events. This would be an excellent choice for book clubs, with lots to discuss, as well as being a fascinating personal read.
The Women of the Castle
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S Riaz
The Women of the Castle
Commenté au Royaume-Uni 🇬🇧 le 9 juin 2017Commentaire client Vine (Club des Testeurs) sur un produit gratuit( Qu'est-ce que c'est ? )Achat vérifié
