Dual Timelines with Three Characters...Marijke and Karl are in the 1940s. Marijke was caught as a member of the resistance and Karl is an SS Officer. They cross paths as Buchenwald. To say much more would be spoiler-y and I don't want to be spoiler-y. They are in the same timeline but one chapter for say Marijke would be read and the next Karl chapter would take place before that but the next time it would be after so sometimes it took a few minutes of reading to figure out where we were in their timeline/story and it was a bit offputting.
How the secondary timeline (1977 Argentina Luciano) ties in is interesting but the way the chapters don't quite flow made it hard to really connect with any of the characters even though I really wanted to.
This book has soo much promise that some editing and continuity changes would greatly fix.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I received a copy of The Dutch Wife by Ellen Keith through Netgalley and this is my review.

I have read many many historical novels about Hitler and Nazi atrocities. I really thought I’d heard it all! Not so. This story is based on TRUE events- totally blown away. Anyone interested in historical fiction should definitely read this book as you won’t be disappointed. The Characters were developed so beautifully that at times it made my heart hurt. Ellen Keith really did a great job combining facts and history with fictional characters to take the reader through the experiences of the characters without losing the truth of the story. I will definitely be recommending this book !

This is not an easy story. I thought it would be about a Dutch Resistance group in Amsterdam during WWII. It certainly was not. It is a part of German concentration camps that I never knew existed. I was so sure that it could not have happened that I stopped reading and researched the premise. It was very true.

It took awhile to connect the Argentinean story to the German one, but then it was very clear. I have walked the Plaza De Mayo in Beunos Aires , and felt the heartbreak embedded in those bricks.

Again, it is a tough story, but, most likely, two stories that many readers are unaware of. We have our own human atrocities occurring in our world today, and it is so important that we never forget the lessons of history.

Where to start? This story kept me reading... looking for redemption. Looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. The story was more vulgar than I expected. I read a lot of WWII fiction. It’s probably my favorite time period to read about. So I was excited to read this book. But as I progressed through the book I found myself kind of just disappointed. The timelines were sometimes jumbled. You would read on this day in the life of Marijke and the next section would jump to Karl but it would be 2 months before Marijke’s events. That was super distracting for me. I also didn’t really feel Luciano’s story was woven very well into the other stories. It felt disjointed and very loose. The detail in Marijke’s story was pretty good but Luciano I felt like I missed something. It was also kind of annoying that it took so long to find the inevitable connection. I found myself skipping over parts of Luciano’s story. The ending was kind of a let down. I felt like it was rushed. The whole story was at one pace and then at the end it felt like the author had to finish within so many pages so they just rushed it to a close. I also wanted more back story. How did Theo and Marijke get involved in the resistance? What was their goal? Who did they help? I would have also liked some closure about the other girls in the brothel. What happened to them? It was like they just evaporated. Overall the book kept me wanting to read but once I got to the end I was disappointed. I did learn some new things about ww2.
I received a digital copy of this book from netgalley. This has in no way influenced my review. All thoughts are my own.

I am from the Netherlands originally and the title pulled me into the story. I was very confused with the dual stories between World War II and Argentina but I really enjoyed reading the perspective of political prisoners during the war. It is horrible what they went through.

What a book. Ellen did a wonderful job of writing about a part of history that was hard to live through. I can’t say that I enjoyed this story but the history was beautiful and hard to read. Thank you to Ellen, the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

A thrilling, chilling and dark page-turner. The book is a combination of three stories: Marijke de Graaf, Karl Muller, and Luciano Wagner.

At the age of twenty-two, Marijke de Graaf dreams to play on a stage of a famous conservatory in New York. But being in a middle of the great war, Marijke and her husband join a Dutch resistance. And her kind heart can't resist helping a few Jewish people that come their way. In early 1943 de Graafs are discovered by Nazis and sent to separate concentration camps in Germany. And that's when Marijke is given a choice, to meet a slow dreadful death in the labor camp, or join the camp brothel. What choice young violinist will make? And will she ever see the end of the war?

Since his arrival at the camp, SS officer Karl Muller throws himself into work. And to thoroughly understand his mission at the camp, Karl gets acquainted with Hitler's politics. However, while in a process, Karl is seriously distracted by a sweet young Dutch girl from the brothel, and falls in love with her. And in early 1945 Karl has to make a decision, to live up to his father's expectations and die at the hands of American's as a furher's true follower, or to run with the love of his life and live happily ever after in a quiet house far away from Germany.

And finally, our last character Luciano Wagner finds himself in a middle of an Argentina's Dirty War. The young boy is abducted, violently tortured and finally imprisoned for a cause that he supports. During his incarceration, Luciano spends time analyzing the relationship with his father, his sexual orientation and political views. Was it all worth it? Would have he done it all over again if the substances were different? And most importantly, we he ever be able to see his family again?

The book contains many many heartbreaking parts. To be honest, it was very hard to read the book, especially Marijke and Luciano's stories. This novel is a must-read for lovers of historical fiction. And before you do so, pour yourself a big glass of wine, you will surely need it.

This book's storyline wasnt anything like what I thought it would be for a WWII historical fiction. I really enjoyed it though. I finished it in almost one sitting. I didnt understand the Argentina storyline at all or what it added to the story. I was very confused by that whole part and even the epilogue. I would have rather had the epilogue focus on the Dutch couple.

Marijke and her husband are political prisoners of the Third Reich. Marijke stays alive by becoming one of the many women in the camp brothel. This is where she encounters Karl Müller, an SS officer. He falls in love with this Dutch beauty. This could ultimately be the death of her.

There is another story line weaving through this novel. Luciano has been kidnapped by the Argentine Army. He struggles to maintain his sanity and his strength while being tortured and starved. The reason for this tragedy is not revealed to the reader till the very end of this tale.

This story is hard to read in places. It is difficult to read about man’s inhumanity to man! When Marijke becomes a lady in the brothel, I cringed. I can’t imagine going through what these people went through to survive. Then there is Luciano’s hardship. It is along the same line and is definitely cringe worthy. But, the whole time I am wondering what the devil this has to do with Marijke? Why is this even part of this book? I figured it out before the author let me in on the why…it is a big WHY!

I wish the characters were a little more well-rounded. They seem a little detached and unfeeling. And this is a novel which gives you all the feels. The horrors, the torture, the relief when it is all over create a fantastic story. One not soon forgotten.

I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.

Those who finished this, let alone enjoyed it, are made of stronger stuff than I am. At 44 percent through- when we learn what happens to Theo- I'd had enough of rape, beatings, torture, Nazi philosophy and so on. I was willing to go with it because of Marijke, who "chose" to join the brothel at Buchenwald in the hope that she would be freed (hah) and then because I thought there might be some good in Karl, the SS officer, and then because I wondered what was going on with Luciano, the gay Argentinian student being tortured in the 1970s. But then I had enough. This was unrelentingly grim and frankly not the least bit enjoyable. It's also- warning- graphic in the depiction of sex. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm giving this three stars for the writing and for Keith's willingness to tackle ugly subjects but just could not finish it.

This is the first book I have read from this author. Yet, I was drawn to this book due to the summary. I am a fan of this time period and have read many WWII books. Instantly, I was transported back in time. Ms. Keith breathed such life into the characters and the story. There are three main voices...Marijke, Karl, and Luciano. While, I liked Luciano; I just didn't feel as strongly as I did Marijke and Karl.

I would never wish anyone to be in a concentration camp. The deplorable living conditions if you can call them "liveable" are horrific. However, Marijke was a ray of sun shine and strength. She really helped the other girls to keep their spirits up. Where Karl is concerned, he was kind of the odd man out as well. He had too nice a nature to be an officer. Yet, his sweet attitude lended itself nicely to his and Marijke's relationship.

I like how this book was laided out with the alternating voices. It really did give me a chance to grow closely to the characters. Plus, all of the locations was like I took an international trip while reading this book. The Dutch Wife is not to be missed.

My genre of choice is WWII fiction. I was looking forward to reading Ellen Keith’s The Dutch Wife. I also like stories set in two time periods. The story lines immediately engulfed the reader. Then, the book sort of fell apart for this reader. While life in Buchenwald was informative and Marijke suffered terribly, I think the author should have included Theo’s storyline. For me, the storyline of Luciano just did not work. I think the author should have used the character iof Luciano as a second book while following what happened to Karl when he escaped being taken by the Americans. Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

Available September 4: The Dutch Wife.

**** 4 stars, Loved it: The Dutch Wife is an powerful WWII novel, making you think about the the choices you make to survive.

Recommended readers:

If you like novels with WWII history and drama
If you want an action-packed, historical read
If you like strong female characters
Here’s my Rankings:

5/5 for characters
5/5 for plot
5/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Marijke de Graaf and her husband are helping the Jews escape from Amsterdam, when they are arrested and deported to Nazi concentration camps during World War II. After they are split up Marijke is offered the option to join the camp brothel or to work and maybe die with the other camp interns. SS officer Karl MŸller arrives at camp soon as the second in command of the camp, and is drawn to Merijke.

Many years later, during the eerily similar Argentine Dirty Wars in late 1970s, Luciano Wagner is kidnapped, tortured and imprisoned. The two terrible eras come together in The Dutch Wife, a tale of a terrible time but extraordinary people.

If you enjoy The Dutch Wife, and want a lighter, but still impactful read, try The Paris Seamstress.

Available September 4: The Dutch Wife.

The cruelty of the Nazis was unfathomable. There seem to always be more and more horrors that I discover in my reading.

This work of historical fiction concerned women prisoners forced to survive by being used in brothels in the prison camps. This book also touched on the Nazi’s treatment of homosexuals. There is another seemingly unrelated story line set in Argentina during the dirty war, the purpose of which becomes clear much later in the novel.

I found this novel about these appalling events gripping and worthy. The ebook was supplied by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This amazing book has 3 main characters. Marijke de Graaf living in Amsterdam in 1943, is part of the resistance and she and her husband are arrested and sent to 2 different camps by the Germans. SS officer Karl Müller is in charge of one of the concentration camps that Theo de Graaf and eventually Marijike are poisoned in. Luciano Wagner lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1977 during Argentine Dirty War. Luciano is part of the resistance and ends up in prison. All three of their stories are unique in their own way and yet tied together. This is a story of tremendous loss, of perseverance, of tragedy, and of hope. I devoured every word of this book and wanted more. I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada)
Park Row. All opinions are my own.

This is my favorite genre of Historical Fiction. This particular story covers an area of the camps that is not normally written about as well as including a completely separate story that takes places 30 years in the future, covering another piece of WWII and the aftermath that is also not usually discussed. At first, I couldn't understand why the author included this separate story, but as I continued reading I figured it out. While an enjoyable read, I can't say that it was my favorite of this genre. I would have liked more detail - more answers to the questions I was left with at the end.

Thank you #netgalley and #harlequin #parkrow for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Loved this WW2 historical fiction book! Couldn't put it down. Since receiving advanced copies from Net Galley, I have developed a new love for historical fiction and this one does not disappoint! Regular people, different points of view. Beautifully written and I highly recommend!

The Dutch Wife is a heartbreaking story about a young Dutch woman Marijke and her husband caught helping Jews during WWII. They are sent to a concentration camp and separated. She is given the soul-destroying choice of working hard labor or becoming a prostitute. At the same camp, SS officer Karl Muller arrives and when he meets Marijke their lives are forever altered.

A separate story line involves a young man named Luciano Wagner, a University student in Argentina. The connection between the two stories is confusing and although resolved at the end, the book would be better served without Luciano’s inclusion.

All in all, this is a well-written though incredibly depressing account of concentration camp life and the consequences of courageous Resistance activity. Asks the question: Would I be brave enough to risk all for doing the just thing. 4/5

Pub Date 04 Sep 2018

Thanks to HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) and NetGalley for a review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#TheDutchWife #NetGalley

Many thanks to Hanover Square Press, Harlequin and #NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of The Dutch Wife in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

There are times in life when an individual may be forced to ask themselves the difficult question of what exactly they would be willing to do in order to thrive and/or survive. In this novel inspired by fact, the reader gets to examine how 3 different individuals responded to lifethreatening challenges.

The first character we meet is Marijke de Graaf, a young Dutch woman who along with her husband has been captured by the Germans after they are caught with evidence of creating illegal radios. They are sent via cattle car to Germany where they are separated. Marijke ends up in Ravensbruck initially while her husband is sent to Buchenwald as a forced labourer. We don't hear too much about her husband after that except incidentally until the end of the story. As a political prisoner rather than a Jewish prisoner, Marijke is allowed to keep her hair and has a slightly better lifestyle than the Jews, but she recognizes fairly quickly that the odds are working against her potential survival so when she and a number of other attractive young women are selected and told that their life can greatly improve, with decent meals, more comfortable living quarters and the possibility of freedom in 6 months time, she has to make a decision. All the woman have to do is agree to work in a brothel where they will service male prisoners. Some of the women have a history as prostitutes, some are married, some are not. At the last moment Marijke steps forward and volunteers to be the last woman chosen for the group. The women are transferred to Buchenwald where some of the promises made to them regarding food and shelter do in fact take place. There are parts of Marijke's story which include graphic descriptions of what it was like to be required to service approximately 8 men over a two hour time period everyday all while a guard might be peeking through a door hole. I can't even imagine just how awful it would have been, but the author does not hold back in the descriptions.

The next character we meet is Karl, a German officer newly arrived at Buchenwald in a position that holds great authority. He is a complex character - he feels a strong sense of duty to succeed in order to gain the approval of his father, but his best friend as a boy growing up was a young Jewish boy. What he sees on arrival and what is required of him as an officer comes as a shock yet he feels compelled to do what is asked of him even though much of it sickens him. His story becomes intertwined with that of Marijke. She helps to keep him sane and uses him to attempt to gain news of her husband. Over time their relationship deepens but always in a guarded way with her in a position of subservience to Karl's power.

Thirdly we meet Luciano Wagner. His story is told in a completely different time period in 1970's Argentina. Lucian is a young gay male violently abducted from his home in front of his parents and taken away to a place with living conditions similar to what might have been found in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. As a prisoner we learn more of his relationship to his father and his great desire to win his approval. I confess that prior to reading this section of the book I had absolutely no knowledge of Argentina's history in this time period or any other for that matter. I definitely plan on seeing what more I can find out.

Going back to Karl & Marijke, as the war draws to an end and it becomes clear that liberation for the prisoners is at hand, Karl is faced with some choices - does he stay with Marijke? Does he run away before the Americans arrive? What will he do to survive?

This book does not tell a happy story. It shows you characters faced with the most difficult moments in their lives and being forced to choose how they will respond to them. It kept me riveted. The more I read, the more I understood why the author included Luciano's experiences. It hit me suddenly that experiences like these could be happening around the world right now with me being completely unaware of them. More and more incidents are being shared on social media that demonstrate there is far too much hatred in society that is simply based on one group of people being different from another in some way. Books like this are a reminder that we need to pay attention before we too have to decide how we will respond to adversity.

The historical fiction coming out in the last few years that depicts regular people and their lives in extenuating circumstances has really been wonderful. I now add The Dutch Wife to the list of really great writing and storytelling.
As always with any WWII story set at a concentration camp there are many events of abuse, rape, starvation, murder and more awful actions. Ellen Keith does not dance around these issues; instead she describes them with a realistic and stark attitude. As we all know they happened, and part of historical fiction is to warn us not to allow history to repeat itself I feel the level of detail and description is more than appropriate for the subject matter. That said, be forewarned that this is not a novel for the faint of heart.

The Story
Our primary story is told from two points of view. One from a woman from Amsterdam who is a Jew sympathizer. The other from a man who is a higher ranking Nazi officer assigned to the camp. The setting is a Nazi concentration camp with marginally better conditions than Auschwitz; which isn't saying much.
The narrative is primarily about this woman and man coping with what life has thrown at them. They both make seemingly impossible decisions in order to stay alive. These decisions and moments are the real heart of Keith's novel.

The 'Side' Story
This separate story is based on a historical event I knew nothing about until reading The Dutch Girl. While the 1970's account of the Dirty War in Argentina and the wrongful communist persecutions sets up a great contrast to the WWII narrative; every time Keith swapped to this story all I wanted was for the chapter to be over so we could return to our leading man and woman at the camp. The dual telling of these stories adds an analytical view on suppression and control of a dictator; but overall I could have done without it. But I'm sure some English professors are thrilled with the comparison and essay opportunities the story adds to The Dutch Wife. This is added story is the only reason why I give this 4 stars instead of 5.

<b>Conflicting Emotions</b>
Both our characters in WWII have situations in which they are going against their gut reaction. Each time this happens they end up with conflicting emotions with what they are doing. Keith does a brilliant job of show us that circumstance is really what leads us to make certain decisions. And while in average daily lives they maybe wouldn't have made the same decision; the harshness of the concentration camp and the will to stay alive means that both our characters do what some may call morally subject things both physically, mentally and emotionally.
I've always thought that circumstance drives the core decisions we make on a daily basis. Factors like age, health, safety, money, opportunity (or lack of) cannot be overlooked when we analyse why someone does something at any given time.

Morals
As with most WWII stories, The Dutch Wife focuses on the inner personal conflict that many people (German or not) experienced when they started to realize what following the Nazi party laws meant in actuality. Keith focuses on the strife and struggle for average people to survive during this time of harsh rules and deadly outcomes. The focus is on how so many people 'allowed' this power shift to happen and why so many made decisions we might today call immoral.
The Dutch Wife clearly demonstrates that none of us can say that we would never, ever break a personal moral. Instead only that we have all been fortunate enough to not been pushed beyond all reason to make decisions purely based on the will to live.
For example: it's easy to say I will not cheat on my spouse; but it's a lot harder to stay committed if that spouse: goes missing for years, has ailing health issues, is inattentive or in any way abusive. Each of these scenarios (and many others) might convince, even the most fervently devoted spouse, to act differently than they would if they had a loving spouse next to them. Until you have been in someone's shoes you cannot say what you might have done or not done. The Dutch Wife shows this with such clarity regarding what we today would consider simple decisions. It's a truly wonderful perspective and had me thinking a lot about the idea of morality and what makes someone a 'good' person. Keith also focuses on the continuing theme that we all have a basic instinct, hard-wired in our brains, to survive. And at moments when survival seems unlikely or is challenged nothing but surviving matters anymore. This is the moment when 'good' people can cross over into areas of morality they never imagined they'd go. This is the power of limited options on the brain. Survival instinct takes over and we are no longer the person we once were.

Overall
The personal introspective into 'average' people and their rationales during this extraordinary time makes The Dutch Wife more about people and how we cope, than about WWII itself. Regardless of what historical plight or time Keith had chosen I believe the core story wouldn't change in this novel. Being able to relate with each character and understand each point of view helps us understand the factors restricting their choices. This makes this a very intimate novel that is likely to make many people wonder what they would have done given the same circumstances. In our increasingly complex and tumultuous world Keith has brought to light how the climate of circumstances can definitely change our actions.

I am finding myself asking (more often these days) if I would do the same thing as someone in their circumstances. Doing this BEFORE judging or assuming morality, faith or commitment is something I believe more of us need to do. If we hold onto the understanding that survival is the key to life then I believe we would approach many issues and people differently. I hope others are able to get better perspective on the difficulty of having only awful decisions before you. And while to die is always an option; we should never underestimate our animal instinct to survive.