While I tend to shy away from books that are set around WWII (as there seem to be way too many of them lately), the dystopian factor of this one hooked me. I enjoyed how the author built the world and set things up with Germany winning the war and the repercussions in the UK because of that. Looking forward to the next book!

Feminist dystopian novel for fans of Atwood, this novel imagines what would have happened if the Nazis had won WWII.

The premise was wonderful - what if there was no World War and Britain decided to act for Germany as its Protectorate? Women have been divided into castes. The protagonist is of the higher caste that allows her more freedom yet she has numerous restrictions to pass. Life in Britain is dull and grey. There is a shortage of everything. Our heroine has a good life in comparison to others.

But the book meanders and there is not much impactful in it in the end

I loved this book. It is an alternative history: if Germany had won WWII and England was under their rule, how would the normal be for a young woman who had known nothing else? But the older people do remember how it was. I thought the premise was fascinating. My daughter read it and really liked it also.

I was a huge fan of Fatherland and dystopian novels like The Handmaid's Tale and had seen comparisons in other reviews for this book, so I just had to give Widowland a try.

The first half of the book goes into a lot of detail about how the alternate version of Great Britain was structured, the rules and regulations which governed all aspects of everyday life, and the classifications all girls and women were put into, which ultimately affected their entire lives from that point onwards. I loved the sections which talked about the way the government tried to edit classic literature as a way to control spreading of dangerous propaganda which could harm their overall vision for the country. Rather than erasing or burning all literature they didn't agree with, they simply came up with a way to edit the text, rewriting certain ideas, updating and rephrasing characters or themes to fit with their ideals. The second half of the book really picks up the pace as the paranoia and distrust sets in. I really enjoyed reading about the group of women interviewed in Widowland. I thought they were the most interesting characters and could even be used in a prequel or additional novels. Altogether I thought this was a really interesting idea and an enjoyable read.

DNF. I am not always a fan of historical fiction, and I hoped the fact that this was more sci-fi would help, but I couldn't get into it after the first chapter.

Okay so this story had me from the jump just based on the synopsis. I know its crazy I read one but the picture intrigued me and I needed to know more. What would have happened if England surrendered to the Nazi’s? In this dystopian version of events there is a class system put on women and a lot of censorship. Let me tell you this book was so intriguing. It is one I would say people need to read much like Animal Farm, 1984 and Fahrenheit 451.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this #gifted copy.

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark, for this arc and in return I am submitting my honest review.

This was a ride. Alternative history, dystopian world, Orwellian if you will. Pondering the question of what would happen if Nazi's have won. The idea behind this is what prompted me to read it in the first place, and I must say it did not disappoint. Writing was good, worldbuilding, pacing was a little wobbly, especially towards the end it felt inconsistent to the rest of the book. But if that isn't an issue for you, and you love these topics, I'm certain this one will be something you enjoy!

I was thinking since the book is called Widowland, it would have been more about the resistance of these women thrown away by society. Instead we follow one higher class woman navigate this dystopian world, all very derivative of The Handmaid's Tale. Very interesting world building, and a chilling "what if" scenario, but the plot just doesn't live up to it.

The Man in the High Castle meets The Handmaid's Tale meets The Book Thief. If you go back to WWII England and things were a bit different with King Edward NOT stepping down as king and the Nazi's (although not named in the book) were in control in England, we see CJ Carey explore the degradation of women, the confiscation of books, re-education by rewriting books or making them obsolete. It is speculative fiction but sadly there are cultures today who do this very thing. Power in the hands of a dictator or controlling power that takes away human dignity will always be abhorrent and society needs to fight for our freedoms. I especially appreciated the Author's Note to understand her insight in writing this book! My deepest thanks to NetGalley for early copy of this e-book.

The Handmaid’s Tale meets The Rose Code in this dystopian novel about an alternate ending to WWII in which England forms an alliance with Germany and becomes part of their republic. Women are divided into castes, each with their specific roles, history is replaced with versions that meet the alliance’s agenda, and a resistance group plans a bold move to change the future. I loved this beautifully written and clearly researched book and its riveting premise.

Very good read highly recommended. I totally recommend this book to friends and family it does not disappoint. Hope to read more books by this author in the near future.

As editor, I requested this as background reading for a program we ran on BookBrowse -- so as to be able to comment on the book in newsletters etc. You can see BookBrowse member thoughts on the book at the link below.

Widowland is a compelling dystopian alternative history and richly imagined and totally convincing portrait of what 1950s Britain might have been like as a German Protectorate, where the role and status of women is of special interest to those in power. Within a thrilling narrative of revenge and redemption, C J Carey has pictured every detail of how such a society might have been, and readers will cheer as the heroine Rose Ransom wins through in the end. A riveting read with richly descriptive worldbuilding and a thoroughly atmospheric sense of time and place, this is a stunning novel.

Widowland was a very unique dystopian retelling of World War II and how Nazi Germany took over the world. I think this book was really well written and the concept was very intriguing. Rewriting books and history is a horrifying thought, but the author uses that horror to really make you wonder. I really loved this book and look forward to reading more from this author!

Excellent start to a interesting series. If you're a fan of The Man in the High Castle this will be up your alley. It was a bit slow in places and the 'instant romance' angle wasn't that great but I'm looking forward to the sequel. I would not want to live in England during this time period.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
I started this book and put it down. I was getting a Handmadians vibe from it, and don't get me wrong, I loved the Handmadians Tale, but I wouldn't say I like for stories to be copied. I went through reading a few reviews and realized a lot of people were getting it. I then decided I would attempt to give this book a chance and pray it would not be just like it, as I was looking for something original.
I will say I was impressed. But, as I started diving deeper into the story, I was intrigued as to what Rose would do. Was she going to help uncover those making waves, or will she join the ranks and make even bigger waves?
Rose is our character who still remembers the before time. Before, women had rights; they could do things they wanted. Now this new time, she is not to tell stories of strong female characters; she is to rewrite them; she is to hopefully get married and start having children or find herself in the widowland with the other women who can no longer have children and are pretty much like outcasts. The women must undergo a series of tests to see where they will be for the rest of their lives. A factory worker or a teacher jobs such that. Yet, you can not just jump into those jobs. You have to be placed there, and hopefully, you are not demoted. I liked how this story was more of a what-if this happened in the UK. Such as, the UK joined the Alliance with Germany, and there was no WWII. Overall a good story, and I liked the whatif behind it.

This one is a no for me, didn't read well, not well written, just unable to buy in to the concept (and I love alternate history and dystopian fiction); I didn't finish.

with thanks to Sourcebook and to Netgalley for the opportunity

This book is slow to grab interest, but once past the first few chapters holds interest for the remainder of the gripping story. Loosely based on history, intrigue draws the reader in and leaves one hoping for a sequel.

Like Philip K. Dick's Man in the High Castle, Widowland imagines an alternate, horrifically dystopian world under Nazi Germany's authority. Rose Ransom is a "Geli," a member of the elite caste of women who possess the regime's idea of superior genetic qualities. She rewrites classic works of literature for the Ministry of Culture, an Orwellian agency created to ensure that art amplifies Nazi propaganda. Her role is to revise women characters who are too educated, intelligent, autonomous, or powerful. Twenty-nine, single, and without children, Rose's family is concerned she may be at risk of losing her high status. Most women her age are already at home with multiple children. Those stakes are hiked way up throughout the novel as she transforms her role in society into something more subversive, feminist, and dangerous, defying the expectations she has helped inject into the literary canon. Ultimately, this book follows a quiet, unassuming, bookish woman who manipulates sexist assumptions and leverages the widespread underestimation of women to tip the world on its axis. Five stars, so badass.