I LOVED this book, beginning to end. The middle was slow, at times, but I felt the pace and plot lines were necessary to the overall story.
Anna falls in love with a German doctor in a whirlwind romance. In order to achieve his aspirations, her now husband, Hans, agrees to join the Nazi party. Unfortunately, as the war progresses, he is then asked to do the unthinkable. He becomes a doctor of medical research in Dachau concentration camp. While he doesn't tell Anna about his work, his choices begin to eat away at him, and their marriage.
When Anna befriends a slave, she becomes privy to all that her husband and his colleagues are doing at Dachau. She realizes the man she is married to is not the one she fell in love with.
When American forces invade German, Hans and Anna must both make a choice. Hans fleas in hopes he isn't charged with his crimes. Anna stays behind with their son, because she is innocent of wrong doing. Eventually, she is told Hans was killed trying to flee.
Anna and her lover make their way to America after the war, but it's nothing like she hoped or expected. Making her own way, she raises her son and makes a name for herself. As she nears the end of her life, she is confronted with memories that she thought she left behind in German.
I listened to this book and truly enjoyed the narrator. I received a copy of this book digitally via NetGalley. I read and reviewed this book voluntarily, and all opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

The German Wife was a historical fiction about a young wife and her doctor husband. During the story you see a young happy couple in Germany and what happens to them when Hitler takes over. The evolution of the characters is fascinating. I really enjoyed the story. However, I do not understand why the audio version was narrated by a woman with a clear British accent. Almost all the characters were German, why give them a British accent?

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the audio ARC, for an honest review. #Netgalley #Thegermanwife

The German Wife is the story of a German girl who marries a doctor who starts working at Dachau during the Second World War. Because having a child was imperative to securing her husband’s future, she agrees to have a child with the Russian prisoner working in their house as a gardener. Now, it’s a well woven story that keeps you hooked. All the characters are flawed too which seems so close to reality. Hans, the husband, just wants to do his research but finds himself caught in ethical dilemmas that he can’t do anything about if he wants him and his family to survive. Annalise, the wife, comes across to me as a petulant child who seems so far off from reality. She cares about the prisoners but fails to see how much her husband loves her and all that he is forced to do is for their survival. The prisoner, Alexander, is caught by a woman who pours her love on him, almost forcefully refusing to let him be despite repeated pleas for his life. I think it’s a story of very flawed people in a tumultuous time. I had a good time listening to it.

A five star rating in my opinion, This work of historical fiction captured my attention from the first paragraph. I could not put it down. It contains secrets and lies and an essence of a spy thriller. While it chronicles a love story and multiple accounts of survival it’s also very gut wrenching and parts that detail the human atrocities of World War II are hard to digest, how they could’ve actually happened in our history you will ask yourself. The storyline opens up a pathway to view each character’s experience throughout the novel with multiple feelings of judgment, hope and empathy. You will not regret picking up this amazing story.

Wow, this is an outstanding, amazing and superb book. I was blown away by it. It is one of the best books I have read in a long time, and it is a book that I will always remember. I felt so connected to it, and it really drew me in; not allowing me to let go of it until the very end.

The story was really interesting, and it highlighted what it was like in Germany during the war and after the war. The characters were portrayed in a way that made me feel as though I was standing beside them in real life, or in a movie. Annaliese is one of the main characters of the story, and she is married to a doctor called Hans, the other main character, who works for Hitler. Hans thought he was going to do good work to help the world, but instead, he is made to carry out experiments on people. Annaliese does not know about this at first, but later she finds out. Hans employs a gardener called Alexander to help with their garden, and Annaliese grows close to him. Torn between two men, how will life work out for her? Will she get what she wants?

I found it really interesting to see life from Hans point of view, and how he ended up being on the dark side, even though that was not originally his intention. The whole story was very interesting to me, and I found it all heartbreaking, emotional and enthralling. I also enjoyed how the story was told both from Annaliese and Hans, and in the different timelines also.

The narrator of the book was very good; I especially liked her when she was acting as Annaliese. I think a male narrator would have been better to play Hans, but it still worked out ok.

Overall, this is a fantastic book, and I highly recommend it! It is my favourite book of the year so far. I really loved it!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I just couldn't get into this story at all and at about 20% in I gave up because I was bored. I think maybe it's just because for me historical fiction is just a hit or miss for me.

The German Wife is an Historical Fiction Story set during WWII and bookended by a present storyline set in 1989. Annaliese is a well off doctor’s wife. Her husband, Hans, joins the SS as he thinks it is the only way to get ahead and be able to do his research. He is ordered by the SS to work at the Dachau labour camp, where he will also be able to do his Malaria research. Annaliese is at home living happily, ignorant of what is really going on at the camp. When they seem to be unable to have a child, Hans is worried what this will do to his standing in the party, so he encourages Annaliese to have a sexual relationship with the gardener, a Russian prisoner that she seems to have feelings for. It is then that she finds out from Alexander what is really happening at the camp. She can no longer stand to have her husband touch her and as the Allies get closer, she has some decisions to make.

I found the plot quite intriguing and the story told from the perspective of an SS doctor and his wife was really unique. It was an easy read and flowed well, considering the topic. Although the title of this story is The German Wife, I found the story surrounding Hans to be more interesting and developed than Annaliese's story. Seeing how he tried to do his tests and research as ethically as he could, not harming others as much as possible and trying to stop the other doctors from being reckless was a very different viewpoint from other stories set during this time. earing how complicated life could be for an SS officer and why one would join the SS even though he did not support the party of the cause, also opened my eyes a bit. Annaliese was rather sheltered, yet at times she seemed strong and had a mind of her own. I would have loved to see her more developed and known more about her ideology and thoughts. I do like to read about the German people who were just trying to survive and not strong enough to fight back, as they all weren't evil. The story after the war ended was another eye opener seeing how some people were given passage to the US and became citizens and why. The life of a prisoner after the war was not easy and I like that there was some reference to that as well. This was a well written story that kept my attention, made me think and gave me some new tidbits of knowledge that I didn't really know about. I recommend this book if you enjoy WWII Historical Fiction. I did a read/listen with this book and both formats were well done. Tamsin Kennard narrates this story and I very much enjoyed her performance. She uses tone and expression to add emotion and intrigue to this story. My one complaint is that the main characters and setting were German and her accent is British. Having said that, I still enjoyed the audiobook.

I don't often read historical fiction, bar the odd historical romance, so this book came as a welcome change from my usual genres. There is a short dual timeline, with the majority of the book being focussed just before and during WWII and it is a beautifully written novel - the plot is intriguing and you get real insight into several characters and their thoughts and rationale, although the majority of the book is told from the perspective of an SS Doctor and his wife Annaliese. The story provides a superb account of the atrocities committed at one of the camps, including medical experimentation by SS Doctors; and whilst I didn't like the choices some Characters made, I could appreciate that they faced difficult choices in challenging times.

I would highly recommend this book, which makes you think hard on many levels - I was certainly engrossed from start to end and felt really invested in the Characters. It is a story that will certainly stay with me for a while.

Many thanks to NetGallery and Bookouture Audio - I enjoyed this book immensely.

Thought provoking, with a slightly unusual twist, this is the story of German Annaliese who falls in love with, and marries, a doctor. She believes they have a happy future ahead. Her husband is lured to work at the Dachau labour camp with the promise of being able to carry out his research into a malaria cure. This changes everything and the story that follows is an emotional one, fascinating, frightening and sad. Thank you to Debbie Rix, NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There are many good reviews of The German Wife, mostly explaining the storyline. Personally, I always feel that the blurb writer does the best job of telling us readers what to expect without giving the plot away so my review will be short and sweet…..
If you like last century historical novels told from a woman’s perspective, then you will certainly enjoy this one! Yes, it maybe another WW2 setting but this is yet another angle which I personally have not read about before. I enjoyed the characterisation, the enfolding story and, as I listened to the audio version, the narrator, who was excellent. The ending was pleasing and not finished to abruptly as some can. All in all, recommended!

This book has become one of most favorite books. So heartbreaking and tragic knowing it’s inspired by true events in such a horrible time. I loved and felt for Annaliese. It’s so sad what she goes through.

Tamsin Kennard is the perfect narrator.

Thanks to Debbie Rigs, Bookouture & NetGalley for my copies of both the book and audiobook version.

"The German Wife" is a novel about a young german couple with dreams and hopes for the future of the great Germany. As Annaliese and Hans tied their knot and settled into a marriage routine the unexpected happened - Hans was assigned to work as an experiment doctor at the Dachau. The horrors of the camp took over Hans' mind, heart, and soul. The brutality of the war and the NAZI party have changed Annaliese's outlook on life and made her question her own marriage. Her despair for a child has thrown Annaliese to bite a forbidden fruit, giving her the greatest gift of all - a little boy. Unfortunately, the life she has envisioned for herself was not the life she'd lived and experienced. The abandonment, the heartbreak, and a small loving boy became Annaliese's motivation for a better life on the new continent.

I have read close to a hundred novels about WWII, all from the view of people from different parts of the world. But this one was different. I often wondered, what germans thought of their fuhrer? Were they all the supporters of the Party? What ruled their hate towards non-Aryans? This novel sheds a great lite on the people who didn't agree with Hitler's political ideology and future plans for Germany. In Hans' character, we meet germans who were afraid to stand up to the Party. Despite their true beliefs, they cause harm to innocent people in order to survive. This is a great novel to learn "the other side" of germans. And of course, there is a touch of romance in the novel as well. And I must admit - I loved the ending. True, rough, and real. If I could give this book six stars - I would. Thank you, NetGalley for a free copy of the novel.

The German Wife (Audiobook) by Debbie Rix


The German wife is set before and during World War II in Germany but it is written from the Nazi side. Annaliese is married to Hans a doctor who becomes an SS German officer to enhance his career. Hans is sent to Dachau camp to conduct various experiments on the inmates that will help the Germans fight and win the war.

The house Hans and Annaliese live in has an overgrown garden and because of the war they cannot hire a gardener but in Dachau Hans hires one of the prisoners, Alexander to become their gardener. As Annaliese and Alexander start to get to know each other Annaliese’s feelings for Alexander start to grow.

This book is written in two time periods the 1940’s and the 1980’s and from two points of view; Annaliese and Hans.

I enjoyed this Audiobook very much. I have never read a World War II novel from the Nazi German point of view and found it very fascinating. Debbie Rix is a wonderful author that brings her characters to life.


I would like to thank Net Galley and Bookouture Audio for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Annaliese is the wife of a SS doctor conducting research at Dachau during WWII. Her husband, disillusioned by the brutality he sees daily but fearing for his own safety and that of his family if he speaks out, tries to keep his head down and keep his research as ethical as possible given the circumstances. When his SS commanders start looking disfavorably at his childless marriage, he and his wife make some desperate choices to have a child that will further erode their already tenuous marriage.

I enjoyed the view of WWII from what was a very different perspective than I've read before. I thought the plot was intriguing and I got a real insight into Hans' (the doctor) character and thoughts, but I do wish Annaliese were more developed.

I would have liked the story better personally if the main characters had been actual historical figures. I would have loved to learn more about the actual history of Dachau and the doctors who were really there.

Annaliese, as a character, fell pretty flat for me. I didn't get a great insight into her thoughts and therefore it seemed like she didn't really have many. She was pretty, in love, and disillusioned by the atrocities of Germany during the war. That's all I really know about her. I felt she needed more dimension. I did find it odd that Annaliese was not a party member and wonder if that would have been likely for the wife of an SS member.

Potentially offensive content includes violence in the context of war, sex (though not graphic), and child endangerment.

I did find the plot very compelling and the story told from the perspective of an SS doctor and his wife was really unique. For such a heavy concept, it was a surprisingly easy read. I think the family aspect of the story accounted for that. I especially appreciated hearing how complicated life could be for an SS officer and why one would join the SS even though he did not support the party of the cause.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for an audio ARC of The German Wife

***possible spoilers***

In 1989, Annaliese is shocked to see a haunting name from her past and in its wake she must tell her son the real history of their past and his father who she lost in WWII. In the 1930's Annaliese had married Hans Vogel, a young wealth German doctor who had ambitions to change the world with his research but as war breaks out the Nazi party 'encourage' him to go to work at the Dachau concentration camp in order to continue his research. As the war rages Hans' work at the camp has shut him down emotionally from his beloved wife and their lack of children, specifically sons, has him on edge. One day he encounters Alexander, a Russian prisoner who has been the victim of another doctors horrific experiments, in an attempt to save him he sends the prisoner to work as a gardener at his home. Annaliese quickly becomes fond of Alexander, sneaking him food and warmer clothes. When Hans discovers her affections for the Russian and encourages an affair in hopes for a child he can pass off as his own, never knowing the deep love Annaliese has developed for the prisoner. The war tears them all to pieces, breaking each of their hearts along the way.

I enjoy historic fiction and WWII novels have flooded genre but this was a newer perspective that I enjoyed. It was interesting to read the characters journey as the tolls of war beat down on them. Debbie Rix does a wonderful job of developing her characters and pacing the action of the story. I would like to read more of her work. I had the audio version read by Tamsin Kennard. I have listened to other works preformed by Tamsin and have always enjoyed her readings. I can't wait for more from her.

What a rollercoaster ride through the atrocities during WWII, to love, to just trying to get by and survive.

This book really takes you in to what it was like in Germany during the war. So many citizens really didn't know about the atrocities that were going on around them. This book really gets into the human experimentation that was going on in Dachau. You could really feel the inner conflict that Hans was having about his research and reluctance. The statement that stuck out to me was "First, do no harm." Which is what made the doctors and Hans seem even more like monsters for what they did.

I really liked following Anna's story and her strength to get through the horrible events she endured. From her complicated marriage with Hans, to her love affair with Alexander, and trying to do what was best for her son Sasha made her a fascinating character.

Everyone has secrets and there are some that are just to hard to tell. That was really true of all of the characters. I enjoyed the emotional ride in hearing all about them!

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this Audiobook for my honest review.

Yes yes, I see you rolling your eyes. Yet another WWII novel! But this is a bit different from the rest and if you enjoy historical fiction and flawed characters that you love to hate, you’ll probably enjoy this one.

Story:
Annaliese is the young wife of a German doctor named Hans Vogel, who works as a medical researcher in the concentration camp at Dachau. While their marriage started off lovingly, her husband has become more secretive and distanced ever since his Dachau assignment. When he hires Alexander, a Russian prisoner of war, as a gardener for their house, Annaliese finds herself becoming increasingly drawn to strong and intelligent man. It is Alexander who reveals to Annaliese the truth of what’s happening at Dachau. Torn between the two men in her life, Annaliese finds herself in a quandary as the war gets closer and closer to home in Munich.
While the prologue is set in 1989, the actual story begins in 1932 and works its way to the mid-1940s before coming back to 1989. The book is written in a third person omniscient narrative.

Where the book worked for me:
👍 When I heard the prologue announce the year as 1989, I rolled my eyes thinking, “Oh no! Yet another dual timeline!” I don't know where the trend of dual timelines with one set during the WWII and the other in a contemporary time period began, but this trend is terribly jaded now. This story surprised me. It went very nicely in linear order beginning from 1932. The prologue just added the right bit of foreshadowing about where life took the characters after the war.

👍 Just like the timeline made for a pleasant change, so did the perspective. We have had WWII historical fiction from multiple points of view: American, English, Polish, Danish, Italian and French. But very few venture into the core of the war, into Germany. Even within these, there are multiple perspectives possible: the Nazis, the commoners, the resistance fighters, the East Germans who struggled with the Russian takeover after the official end to the war,… This book focusses on one of the least common perspectives: the unwilling German Nazi. While it doesn’t handle it perfectly, it still does a pretty good job of it.

👍 The title might make you believe that the book is entirely about Annaliese and her point of view on things happening in Germany during the WWII. Again, the book surprised me. Quite a lot of the content is written through Hans’ perspective. This provides a superb first-hand account of the atrocities committed in the camps in the name of medical research. Having the omniscient narration from both Hans as well as Annaliese made a big difference to the impact of the story.

👍 Most such books stop just after the war. But this story continues a fair way into the post-war scenario also, thereby providing a look at a usually unseen side of the post-WWII world.

👍 Usually, when there’s an illicit romantic relationship, things go very predictably. But I liked how the romance was handled in this one; it fitted into the narrative perfectly.

👍 The details of the medical research are so well-written but so hard-hitting. You need to have nerves of steel to read through those details. There's a scene where it says that the doctor wanted to run away from the room during the medical trials and I really wanted to join him in running away. It’s horrendous to know what those jerks did under the guise of societal welfare.

👍 The ending ties everything neatly together without making it seem farfetched.

👍 There are two great quotes in the book: one just before the prologue and detailing Hitler’s views on marriage, the other just before the main story begins and making clear Goebbels’s view on the role of the “perfect Aryan woman” Both these quotes are brilliant and create a firm foundation for the story.

Where the book could have worked better for me:
⚠ This isn’t strictly a negative point. But if you are someone who wants loveable characters in your books, the story will disappoint you. Don’t get me wrong, the character development, at least for Annaliese and Hans, is great as they are shown as truly complex and flawed human beings. Annaliese's character is irritating and adamant and naïve, all rolled in one. She can see the flaws in many around her but she can’t see where she herself is going wrong. Hans is the typical self-serving kind of Nazi officer who wants to go ahead in his career in spite of his core beliefs warning him of the wrong being done. Alexander is the one you'll feel most for; he is one tortured soul. However, the last quarter of the story doesn’t do justice to his character as its development is pretty random depending on where the author wanted to take Annaliese’s life narrative. This was disappointing.

👎 A certain incident happening at the 85% mark disappointed me. It was against character, made no sense, and was absolutely needless to the story as it is over within barely a few paragraphs.

👎 The story gets a little repetitive in between, so the middle part feels slightly dragged. (This doesn’t make a big difference in the audio version but might work against those reading the book.)

👎 The title doesn’t do justice to the book. The story is so much more than what the title indicates.

The audiobook experience:
The audiobook clocks at 11hrs 45 mins and is excellently narrated by Tamsin Kennard. I loved hearing the story in her voice. Of course, it was a bit odd to hear her strong British accent for a story that is set primarily in Germany and the US, but after a point, you start ignoring the accent and focus on the story.
The book is supposedly inspired by true events but there’s no author’s note in the audiobook that elaborates on this point. I’d have loved to know more about which persons/incidents were based in reality. I hope this is included in the published audio version.

Overall, despite the minor flaws, this is still one of the better historical fiction novels as it reveals a side that is not commonly depicted in WWII books. Much recommended for lovers of this genre.
4.25 stars.

My thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “The German Wife”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.

As you can probably already tell from the type of books we post on Instagram, we love reading historical fiction. The German Wife, was no exception. Annaliese, a newlywed, lives in a beautiful home in the heart of Germany. Her husband, a German doctor, joined the SS early on in order to keep good standing with other Germans. He is soon forced by Himmler to work as a doctor at Dachau alongside Klaus Schilling and Rascher to perform experiments on the prisoners. He does so, reluctantly, not approving of the methods, but keeps Annaliese in the dark as to what they are up to. Annaliese has her own doubts about what is going on and disapproves many parts of the Nazi’s and the war. She cannot express her concerns with anyone was she is a good German wife. Her husband brings a gardener to work at their home as a slave, trying to save one body. Annaliese soon befriends him and the two begin a grave and risky romantic relationship.
This book will stay with me long after it was finished. I highly recommend this one. I loved seeing the point of view of a German wife. The writing was fantastic, and all the characters were flawed which made them seem even more real. It was a heart-breaking emotional journey. This was a well-researched book as many parts in it were based upon true facts. This is a story about love, loss, survival, and determination.

This is a WWII Historical Fiction book. This book is told in the point of view of Annaliese, and it starts out in 1939 ends in 1989. I felt this WWII Historical Fiction book is very different from the other ones I have read because this book is told in one timeline and it follows a German Doctor's Wife. The Doctor is working at a Dachau labour camp. I felt it this was a refreshing and a new take on WWII historical fiction. I loved the beginning and the ending of this book, but I did feel that the middle was slow moving. I have to say the ending wrapped up this book so well, and it made reading this book so worth it. The characters are not lovable, but you great time point from their personally. I think if you love WWII historical fiction books you should give this book a try, and I think you will love the new take on WWII historical fiction this book does. I did listen to this book's audiobook, and I love it. THe narrator was so great. I was kindly provided an e-audiobook of this book by the publisher or author (Debbie Rix) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

My first Audiobook of 2022, The German Wife by Debbie Rix, enthralled me from the beginning. Brilliantly narrated by Tamsin Kennard, I plugged myself in at every given opportunity and just couldn’t get enough of Annaliese, Alexander and Hans. Largely set in Germany, during the Second World War, we live life amongst the Vogel family and Hans’ work at Dachau prisoner of war camp. Fast forward to the late 1980s in North America and we discover how their journey has continued.

Listening to The German Wife went some way to showing me more about the atrocities that went on inside the German concentration camps, and how some SS officers probably had little say in what their job roles involved if they wanted to stay alive themselves. We discover the lies that people told, and the in-depth deceit that occurred, all to seem to be, upstanding members of their community.

Debbie Rix has researched her book incredibly well, and before now I hadn’t really thought about how the Nazi regime affected the German people and the way of life which they were forced to endure. We have to remember that most of the people who lived in Germany, would have just wanted a peaceful life, but that they had to live knowing of many brutal acts that would have been carried out, which were beyond their control.

I would thoroughly recommend The German Wife for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and would like to read a book based on the war from a differing viewpoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review an ARC of The German Wife by Debbie Rix.