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The Flying Classroom
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A Spectator, Guardian, <Times, Independent on Sunday, Lovereading4kids and Mumsnet Book of the Year ...
ClareR (5879 KP) rated Aftermath: Life in the Fallout of the Third Reich, 1945-1955 in Books
Feb 1, 2022
This is such an informative, interesting book about a period in German history that I know little about: 1945-1955. It shows that German cities were pretty much decimated by the end of the war, that ex-Nazi party members were forced to clean up the rubble and that most importantly, many Germans thought that they were hard done by, by the end of the war - their country in ruins, no industry and no food. But what’s most startling, is how quickly the German recovery was. Jähner states that this was in large part due to the return of the Germans who had been living in occupied countries.
The black market was also a huge earner for many German citizens: one teenager is described as having thousands of Marks worth of cigarettes in his house. Money was there to be made for the improvising, bold, German!
What probably resonated with me most, was the lot of the German woman. They had been expected to be the perfect German Female during National Socialism, then experienced a kind of social and sexual liberation after the end of the war. However, when their husbands and men returned from captivity (or just made their ways home), they found themselves being expected to revert to the stereotypical role of the housewife. But they wanted more. They wanted to continue in careers, they wanted equality, and they didn’t necessarily want to deal with broken, defeated husbands (as cruel as this may seem).
What really surprised me, was how was how former Nazi party members still worked in positions of influence, both politically and in industry - and this was the case in both East and West Germany. Even though the Allies made a point of ‘educating’ German citizens about the holocaust, National Socialists seemed to largely escape punishment and carried on with their lives. Their children may have had their doubts as to their parents innocence, and the real movement to ‘out’ the national guilt didn’t really get going until the 1960’s, but there was dissent in the 1950’s already.
I could go on. This is such an interesting book, and written so accessibly. It didn’t read at all like a dry history book, and the photos and posters from the time are well chosen and really add to the book as a whole. This isn’t just a history book for history buffs.
The black market was also a huge earner for many German citizens: one teenager is described as having thousands of Marks worth of cigarettes in his house. Money was there to be made for the improvising, bold, German!
What probably resonated with me most, was the lot of the German woman. They had been expected to be the perfect German Female during National Socialism, then experienced a kind of social and sexual liberation after the end of the war. However, when their husbands and men returned from captivity (or just made their ways home), they found themselves being expected to revert to the stereotypical role of the housewife. But they wanted more. They wanted to continue in careers, they wanted equality, and they didn’t necessarily want to deal with broken, defeated husbands (as cruel as this may seem).
What really surprised me, was how was how former Nazi party members still worked in positions of influence, both politically and in industry - and this was the case in both East and West Germany. Even though the Allies made a point of ‘educating’ German citizens about the holocaust, National Socialists seemed to largely escape punishment and carried on with their lives. Their children may have had their doubts as to their parents innocence, and the real movement to ‘out’ the national guilt didn’t really get going until the 1960’s, but there was dissent in the 1950’s already.
I could go on. This is such an interesting book, and written so accessibly. It didn’t read at all like a dry history book, and the photos and posters from the time are well chosen and really add to the book as a whole. This isn’t just a history book for history buffs.
Frecklesxoxo (6 KP) rated Tales of My Large, Loud, Spiritual Family in Books
Feb 27, 2019
This book was tough to give the 3 stars too, I was torn between 3 or 4 it's more 3 1/2 stars.
I did enjoy the book, it was readable and it started off really well.
During the flash back story with the grandma in nazi Germany made me cry and only one other book has done that (the green mile) however after that point things started to get a bit samey, lots of finding inner peace, visions, darkness, sins it was just a little much and also there was one bit that made no sense, I won't say to much as don't want to ruin it but it was a guest that visited cynthia and I really didn't see the reason why it happened, it was never mentioned again, it was very out there but not in a good way.
I think the story was to make you think about karma, kindness, doing what's right for yourself and others but it did get a little in your face.
As I said it was readable but not something I would recommend as it's just too much religion for me I think.
I did enjoy the book, it was readable and it started off really well.
During the flash back story with the grandma in nazi Germany made me cry and only one other book has done that (the green mile) however after that point things started to get a bit samey, lots of finding inner peace, visions, darkness, sins it was just a little much and also there was one bit that made no sense, I won't say to much as don't want to ruin it but it was a guest that visited cynthia and I really didn't see the reason why it happened, it was never mentioned again, it was very out there but not in a good way.
I think the story was to make you think about karma, kindness, doing what's right for yourself and others but it did get a little in your face.
As I said it was readable but not something I would recommend as it's just too much religion for me I think.
Awix (3310 KP) rated A Hidden Life (2019) in Movies
Jan 22, 2020
Based-on-a-true-story drama set during the Second World War. An Austrian farmer decides he does not agree with the actions of the Nazi government and refuses to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler, regardless of the risks to himself or the effects this will have on his family's status in their village. Obviously a serious film dealing with an important topic, presented in a measured and very skillful way: this is a Terrence Malick movie, so obviously it's going to look tremendous.
On the other hand, it's a Terrence Malick film, and no-one's ever come out of one of those saying 'Yeah, I liked it, but it could have done with being a bit longer and slower' - this film is knocking on three hours in length, and I'm not really sure it needs it. There are probably several too many scenes of villagers scything the corn or digging up turnips as the wind whistles down the valley. Still, it handles a weighty topic with the proper respect, and stories like these deserve to be remembered. Worth watching, but probably best to take sandwiches.
On the other hand, it's a Terrence Malick film, and no-one's ever come out of one of those saying 'Yeah, I liked it, but it could have done with being a bit longer and slower' - this film is knocking on three hours in length, and I'm not really sure it needs it. There are probably several too many scenes of villagers scything the corn or digging up turnips as the wind whistles down the valley. Still, it handles a weighty topic with the proper respect, and stories like these deserve to be remembered. Worth watching, but probably best to take sandwiches.
Lorna Cant (51 KP) rated The Nightingale in Books
Jan 14, 2020
I honestly thought this was going to be a run of the mill WW2 story, but I was so wrong! These two sisters, one young, vivacious and spirited, the other older, settled and inclined to play it safe are so different, yet where it really counts each are as brave as the other.
Isabelle, the younger, is wild and impetuous. When Nazis invade their home town, she immediately wants to fight, regardless of the consequences. Taking an active part in the resistance she belies her years.
Older sister Vianne is more conservative. Married since she was 16, living in the family home that has been theirs for generations she is settled, keeps her head down and doesnt want to draw attention to herself.
Appearances can be deceptive. Even with Nazi officers billeted at her home, she proves that a mother is willing to do anything to protect her children, especially with her husband interned in a POW camp.
The stories these women have to tell are extraordinary, each of the finding in themselves a bravery they didn't know they had until they had to find it. Beautifully written, heart breaking. Extraordinary.
Isabelle, the younger, is wild and impetuous. When Nazis invade their home town, she immediately wants to fight, regardless of the consequences. Taking an active part in the resistance she belies her years.
Older sister Vianne is more conservative. Married since she was 16, living in the family home that has been theirs for generations she is settled, keeps her head down and doesnt want to draw attention to herself.
Appearances can be deceptive. Even with Nazi officers billeted at her home, she proves that a mother is willing to do anything to protect her children, especially with her husband interned in a POW camp.
The stories these women have to tell are extraordinary, each of the finding in themselves a bravery they didn't know they had until they had to find it. Beautifully written, heart breaking. Extraordinary.
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