ASTOUNDING!!!! I loved every second of this book and read it again once I had turned the last page. It has something for everyone, and showed the lives of courageous people living under the Nazi occupation. Everyone should read this book. Ten stars

I love WW2 fiction. Olivia Hawker's beautifully written The Ragged Edge of Night is a must read for historical fiction fans!

I stopped one third of the way through this book.
I'm not the right reader for this book.
I just didn't get it.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley
All opinions are my own.

Engaging historical book, with overt religious tones. I was surprised to learn that it was based on the author’s family history.

A really good read. Its a great story with well fleshed out characters that stay with you long after you've finished reading. Perfect for anyone who loves a great read.

In a small village in Germany during WWII, live Elizabeth Herter, a widow, and her three children. Not knowing how else to find a husband, she puts a small advertisement in a large town newspaper. When Anton Starzman, a former Franciscan Friar, answers the ad, he really doesn't know what to expect, but he feels drawn to this woman and her children.

The unfolding of their story is fraught with anxiety as they struggle to stretch resources, always fearing the advance of the German army. In the background are a Jewish family being hidden in one of the homes, the Resistance, the healing power of music.

Lose yourself in this wonderful and unexpected love story.

I read this EARC courtesy of Lake Union and Net Galley pub date 10/01/18

This book will certainly be added to my list of all time favorite WWII historical fiction. The story reminded me a lot of The Baker's Secret, but rather than France and the resistance, the setting is Germany and the resistance. The story slowly builds in intensity, intrigue, and suspense. I often found myself holding my breath, worried about what was going to happen to these fictional characters. The sweet romance between Anton, a friar who is forced from the church by the Nazis, and Elisabeth the young widow and mother whom he weds just sneaks up on you. It just adds another subtle layer to a multifaceted story. This is a must read for any fan of All the Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale, and The Baker's Secret. Thank you to Net Galley and author for the ARC all opinions expressed are my own.

Olivia Hawker has restored my faith in humankind with her stunning novel, The Ragged Edge of Night. She has written a beautiful story about a few everyday Germans who resisted Hitler's Axis of Evil during WWII. Drawing on her family's heritage Hawker has created believable characters living in a time of shortages, fear and bombings who dare to defy the Nazis. I don't have words to describe the effect this book has had on me, perhaps it is because Hawker's novel may be considered an analogy of currents events happening in our world today. This is the book I have been looking for all my life! Six big stars!!!

I received a free copy of this ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts

‘ ... in his mind, he walks backward through time, searching as he did before for the place where Germany went wrong, where we turned aside from our humanity.’

This is a most engaging read detailing the story of a former friar who, after his order is disbanded by the Nazis, answers an ad in a local paper to marry a needy widow with three children. The story follows the developing relationships of the family and how Anton faces many internal and external conflicts - leaving his celibacy behind, supporting a family that is not his own and how to quietly resist the Nazi regime.

It’s an interesting book and although centred around World War II, it does not contain much ongoing tension or drama, rather it’s a tale of relationships under extreme circumstances. It is always interesting to read of WWII events from the perspective of German resistors and added to that fact is, although a fictionalised retelling of events, it concerns actual people and events from the author’s husband’s family history. From that point of view, it is most appealing. There is accompanying research that assists in supporting the story and at times reads as an annotated guide to German history.

‘... this is not the sort of life anyone dreams of. Even Hitler, he thinks, must be surprised that he ever got so far—that it has all been so simple to take, to destroy. In his moments of despair—and there are many—Anton wonders whether God Himself ever dreamed it could come to this..’

This is undoubtedly a well written book mainly focusing around one man’s guilt as he struggles to adapt from his religious way of life lost, to start again in helping a family in need and also, to confront the horrors of Nazi atrocities. In that respect it is quite introspective with much internal dialogue as we travel along with Anton on his life journey. At times this reflectiveness gets a bit repetitive and drawn out, particularly in reference to the fate of the children he once taught. I also personally struggled with the widow/wife Elisabeth, as she made things so difficult for him and the guilt trips she laid on him, after all he had given up, was just wrong. The author’s attempt to create a subplot of espionage is not really that strong and only comes in the latter half of the book. The author’s note and political commentary at the end of the book has created quite a furore in the U.S and could/should have been omitted. It has just proven a distraction from a worthy tale.

‘The Ragged Edge of Night’ combines much to appreciate - resistance and romance - in its portrayal of a rural existence under the Third Reich and how simple acts of heroism can come from the most unlikely of places.

‘Anton can’t save all of Germany—he is only one man. But he can, he must, save this one small town.’



This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

One of the best books I have read this year!!! I absolutely LOVED it! My review can't possibly do it justice. The book was beautifully written. I'm pretty sure I teared up in some spots. I loved the characters, story and writing style. After reading the author's remarks at the end, I found out the book was based on a true story. This made the book even more amazing.

Anton finds himself answering an ad in a Catholic paper. A widow is in need of a father for her three children. Anton was previously a Franciscan friar until his school was seized by the Nazis. He then became part of the Wehrmacht until a "back injury" gave him an excuse to leave. Now he finds himself to be a husband and father in a small village. Anton brings his love of music to the town. He would rather create a marching band than have the impressionable boys fall under Hitler's spell. Along with Father Emil, Anton joins the resistance to help with the downfall of Hitler.

I loved the characters. I felt like I was right there with them. I loved getting to know Anton and Elisabeth. Enjoyed Anita's sense of humor and Maria was quite the handful. I knew that white communion dress would not survive. Each of the characters added so much to the story. Anton was an amazing person. So was Elisabeth. She was very strong woman. The scene at the school with his students was heartbreaking. One of my favorite parts was the scene with the missing bells. I definitely teared up in parts. My only complaint about the book is that it had to end. I wanted to keep reading about the family.

I definitely recommend this book and can't wait to read more from the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Olivia Hawker, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

Get past the hokey - an ex friar marries a widow who is looking for a partner to raise her kids....and go deeper and you will find that The Ragged Edge of Night is a complex and elegant story of a man.

Anton Starzmann is stripped of his place in the world when his school is taken over by the Nazis. He moves to a small town in Germany and marries Elisabeth. Anton in full of inner turmoil, and feels the need to atone for failing to protect his young students. As Anton adjusts to his new life, he starts hearing rumor of The Red Orchestra, an underground group plotting to assassinate Hitler. Anton sees this as his redemption, despite Elizabeth's reservations.

Every part of this book is thrilling and sad and developed. It's masterful storytelling.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Well written novel of a man struggling with his conscience during WWII. Anton's marriage to Elisabeth started one way but develops into a strong partnership. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This will appeal to fans of the genre.

The rise of the Third Reich has changed everything for Franciscan friar Anton Starzmann, who is unable to protect his students when the Nazis take over his school. He escapes to a small town where he weds Elisabeth, a widow with three children. The marriage will be in name only, of course, and is only to protect the widow and her children. Anton’s guilt over losing his school and not protecting his students leads him to join a band of resistance fighters who plan to assassinate Hitler. Elisabeth is filled with fear for Anton, the man she has grown to love, and for her family. When Anton’s secret is exposed to the SS, Elisabeth, her children and all that Anton has fought for, are on the brink of slipping away forever. Every time I read a story about World War II, I am reminded these stories are based on the brave acts of real people and I never cease to be amazed at their selflessness and courage.