What a beautiful yet heartbreaking story of love, strength, determination and loss. Max and Bettina were soul mates. They met while young and in college and fell in love. They were free spirited artists. Max was a Jew and it was getting dangerous during the Hitler regime. They decided they needed to leave to get somewhere safe. As with some good plans things do not go the right way and they separated. Max is put in prison. Being the artist that he is he was able to make art with clay and became known as the Porcelain Maker of Dachau. Unbeknown to Max, Bettina was pregnant with child. She did everything she could to keep herself and her unborn child safe.
After Bettina passed away her adult daughter, Clara get notified of an auction taking place with porcelain figures that she needs to get her hands on. After doing so, she realizes there was a lot her mother never told her about her life and the father she never met. She goes on a search with her own daughter to find out more about that life and time. This story goes back and forth from present time 1994 to 1925-1944. It is woven together and told beautifully by author Sarah Freethy. I highly recommend this book that will be sold on November 7th!
Thanks to #netgalley, #stmartinspress and @sarah.freethy for an ARC of the great story.

A debut novel with dual storylines. The earlier is set in 1929 Germany where Max Erlich and Bettina Vogel meet. He is a Jewish architect and she is a modern painter. It is a style that is not appreciated by the rising Nazi powers. Max is sent to Dachau where his artistic talents are of use at a porcelain factor. The second story line is in 1993. Bettina’s daughter Clara follows clues to learn about her father.

This reminded me a little of The Woman in the White Kimono (May 2019) which I read a couple of months ago with my bookclub. They both have dual storylines, wanting to know about a parents earlier life and war time happenings. I was interested in the outlook on art and having visited Dachau twice it was a touchpoint for me as well. I have never heard of the porcelain factory that is based on a real company that used labor from the camp. This is a harrowing story and in the beginning slowly told. It is as much a mother daughter story as it is a love story. I found the novel sad and haunting. I will recommend it for my book club but I know they’re a little weary of books of the time period. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

I am a big fan of WWII fiction, but this one was so slow and overly descriptive that it was difficult to focus on the story itself. Sadly, it was a DNF for me.

I love the cover.

This story about a daughter looking for the story behind the porcelain maker was beautifully written. While the daughter investigates the history of the porcelain artist, we are taken into the back story of her mother and father’s relationship which takes place during WWII and during the holocaust. Her parents were two lovers, both artists, one a German and one a Jew, who fell in love during a gruesome time in history and refused to let the situation separate them.

There were heartbreaking moments in the story and the tension was well done. I felt like I was rooting for them when the situations got dire. I enjoyed the idea behind the porcelain art. This story really broke my heart because I wasn’t expecting that outcome. This one will stay close to my heart for years to come.

3.5-4 stars
A love story between an artist and a Jewish architect/porcelain maker set in Nazi Germany. The story is told in two timelines, the present and the years leading up to and including WWII. The present revolves around the daughter of the artist, who is trying to find out what she can about her father since her mother refused to tell her anything about him. I enjoyed (hardly seems like the right word, given the subject matter) the part set during the war, but not so much the present timeline. It felt forced and unrealistic to me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-Arc of this book.

I read a lot of WWII books, so I was surprised to find a part of the war I knew nothing about - the porcelain factory in Dachau, Germany. This story centers on a couple, Bettina and Max, as they navigate the increasing terror of the Nazi regime in the years leading up to WWII. The story intertwines with Clara in 1993 who is searching for porcelain figures made by the “porcelain maker” who she believes is her father.

The Bettina and Max storyline is heartbreaking and poignant as they try to sustain their love even with Max sent to a concentration camp at Dachau for being Jewish. Bettina is a strong woman who has to do the unthinkable to save her and her daughter. I had tears in my eyes as their story is one of terror and betrayal but also one of enduring love. I also enjoyed all of the references to art and sculpture, and the author does a great job at describing this in detail so you picture the works of art. I was invested in Clara’s story as well and was rooting for her and her feisty daughter.

The story is hard but the book is beautifully written. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

The novel The Porcelain Maker is a work of a historical fiction, one that will grab your attention and make it hard to put the book down. Set in and around the porcelain factory in Allach, Germany, it is the story of a particular family and how the Holocaust impacted their lives. Alternating between Clara and her daughter Lotte, in the 1990s, who are searching for Clara's father, whom her mother Bettina never spoke about, and historically accurate events with fictionalized details from the late 1930s to the early 1940s about Clara's parents, this novel demonstrates the ferocity with which the German people were torn apart. Occasionally hard to follow, as the alternation between times is not always consistent, but still gripping, this novel illustrates how even those who escaped the camps often paid horrible prices for their survival. and that those prices followed them for the rest of their lives, and often followed their children and grandchildren as well.

Appropriate for high school to adult; could be read with older middle school students if the novel is discussed while it is being read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Porcelain Maker is an outstanding debut novel by Sarah Freethy. A story begun in 1929 comes to be revealed many, many years later as a daughter begins a journey to find the identity of her father along with her unknown roots. A beautiful, heartbreaking story of love, sacrifice, betrayal, and the horrors of the Nazism control during this tiem.

Told in dual timelines, the parts concerning Max and Bettina were vividly written so that you could feel their love, their art and later their despair. A story that gave insight in some parts of the Nazi rule, prejudice and cruel methods that was not as well known. Be sure to have a box of tissues handy, you will not want to stop reading to go retrieve them but you will need them.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A beautiful and tragic story of love and the cost of being ‘other’ in WWII Germany. When all else fails, creative expression is used as a means of communication which bolsters and annihilates the spirit at once.
This was a heavy one at times, given the subject matter and the investment Freethy portrays in the writing of the characters. The plot is reminiscent of others but uniquely its own, depicting real life amidst a truly horrific period in history.
Fans of WWII stories such as ‘The Nightingale’ and ‘The Book of Lost Names’ will appreciate the depth and care that went into this one.

When I requested this book I was really looking forward to it, as historical fiction is my absolute favorite. I found the start to be very strong and interesting, however I quickly lost interest during the second half. I loved how it dealt with art during ww2, though. That was interesting

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the gifted ARC!

I really like it when historical fiction reads start in the present or recent history (in this case 1993, my birth year), and then go back in time (in this case 1929). It helps it feel more easily attainable to me if I can imagine at least one character in a period of time I've lived in, if that makes sense.

This was a very impressive debut and I really enjoyed it! I don't always love historical fiction, so when I really enjoy one, it gets me excited!

This was hard to read at time because of the heavy war themes (even harder in light of current events) so the time spent on the romance between Max and Bettina quickly became my favorite scenes.

While I enjoyed it overall, I do think it could have been trimmed down a little as it lagged at parts for me.

This would be fun to read/discuss with a bookclub, especially the ending!

This will be available for purchase on November 14th!

Another heart wrenching story with a dual timeline. The story of Bettina starting in Nazi Germany 1939 and her daughter Clara 1993 tracing her roots to find out the true story who her father was. The main part of the story is the love between two artists and them trying to escape Germany and it’s brutal upraising against Jews. Max is Jewish who was betrayed and sent to Dachau. He gets a lucky break and is allowed to work again at the Allach Porcelain factory. A pregnant Bettina discovers where Max is imprisoned and sets plans in motion to see him again.
I enjoyed the audiobook version of this book. The narrator was excellent. The story it self brought a little known fact to life of Allach and Dachau prisoners. At least to me. Although I found the story interesting I thought the ending was little rushed. I think I will read the ending, maybe my opinion will change. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #ThePorcelainMaker

The Porcelain Maker by Sarah Freethy is a praise worthy debut novel. This is a historical fiction novel based on the Allach Porcelain Factory in Germany. Here the porcelain pieces were made using readily available free labor. They were the occupants of the Dachau Concentration Camp. From the mid 1930’s to 1945 the factory made figurines, most of which adorable animals. During the rein of the Reich they were all stamped with the SS insignia on the bottom. This whole idea is credited to Heinrich Himmler because he wanted to depict German culture. The purchase of these items was an indication of loyalty to the Reich.

I was drawn into the story very quickly. It is a dual timeline story. This debut author has done a masterful job moving back and forth in time seamlessly. The settings for the story takes the reader from Munich, Berlin, the German countryside, Dachau, England and America You can easily see the factory, Munich in better times, Berlin under the Reich, the bleakness and squalor of Dachau and the beauty of the German countryside. You can smell the dust, see the SS banners, envision the ornate homes of the wealthy and sit right down with them for dinner.

Max Ehrlich, is from Austria and moves to Germany following his dream to become an architect. Through a college friend, Max meets Bettina Vogel. They fall in love. Due to the gathering storm of the Third Reich, they are unable to marry because Max is a Jew and Bettina is German. Eventually it becomes apparent that they need to leave Germany and go into hiding. The main characters will not soon leave you. They are deep, rich, smart, talented, loving, stubborn, determined, curious, and loyal. The same can be said of the secondary characters. The author’s adeptness of writing allows you to the feel the characters joys, fears, sadness, love and heartbreak. You realize as you delve deeper into the story that you are on this journey with them.

There are many twists and turns, unexpected events, and secrets. This is one of those stories that you think about while you are reading it and think about it when you are not. The subject matter is unforgettable. The way the author weaves this story you cannot clearly see how it reaches it conclusion until you get there. I was so impressed with the author’
s writing style and use of the English language. I truly cannot recommend this debut novel enough. I am totally keeping this author on my radar. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next! Well done.

I would like to thank Sarah Freethy, St Martin Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Porcelain Maker by Sara Freethy is a gorgeously-written dual timeline Historical Fiction about love, grief, betrayal, loyalty and hope. In 1929 Max, an Austrian Jewish architect falls in love with Bettina, a German painter. Their relationship is intense and passionate. In the 1940s the world changes forever and many must make choices and risk loyalties. In the Holocaust Max is arrested and forced to Dauchau. Though merely existing with death and torment all around him, his works as a porcelain maker and therefore is able to earn a bit more food and favours. Meanwhile, Bettina moves heaven and earth to help him...and others.

Decades later in 1993, Bettina's daughter Clara travels from England to Ohio to attend auctions to obtain what some in the business despise as tainted objects. But Bettina is desperate to learn more about her parentage and history. Her discoveries leave her reeling as she pieces the bits together.

My favourite aspect of this story is the unusual porcelain factory slant, something I did not realize existed at Dachau. I love to read to escape but also to learn and therefore appreciate this information. The writing is haunting and evocative which gripped me the entire time. Many dual timelines of these eras share similarities but Freethy's writing style has a lovely something special which elevates it. It reminds me of a beautiful piece of music.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this gripping novel.

This is historical fiction with a dual timeline during WWII and the 1990s. While this novel does cover the story of people affected by WWII, the main concentration is about art during WWII. Bettina and Max are artists, and Max is Jewish. Max is taken prisoner and is assigned to work in a porcelain factory in Dachau. Bettina, who is pregnant with Max's child must do what she can to protect the child, Clara.

The characters were not as developed as they are in other WWII novels, instead focusing on the porcelain factory and the pieces that were made there by Max. The 1990s timeline focuses on Clara, who is seeking to find out who her father was. The novel ends with Clara finding out who her father is, but there is a lot of information lacking, as the period from the end of the war to the 1990s is left out, and there were some questions about what happened during this time.

I am a historical fiction fan, but this book did not hold my interest as much as other historical fiction novels. Perhaps it was because of the focus more on art than the characters.

I received an ARC of The Porcelain Maker in exchange for an honest review.

A dual time line- although focused on the WWII era- that will appeal to fans of the genre. Clara, daughter of Max and Bettina is looking for answers about her heritage which is linked to porcelain produced in concentration camps. Max and Bettina had a great love before the Nazis took over, a love that transcends the situation they find themselves in. This was most interesting to me for the incorporation of the art and the porcelain although the characters are also engaging. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I haven’t read a book in a long time that I finished and then wanted to immediately research more about the history of the story. I have read a tremendous amount of Holocaust books but never heard of the Allach Porcelain Factory in Dachau.

Sarah Freethy’s debut novel reads like she has been writing historical fiction for years. It is exceptional. I devoured this book in a few days. The characters are unforgettable. Bettina is a German artist and Max is a Jewish architect. Their journey is full of love, passion for heir work and an undeniable strength to live and keep each other alive. Through the porcelain figurines that hey create they want to show the world what is really going on at Dachau.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. It is a must read.

It's hard to believe that there could possibly be any new story angle to WWII and the Nazi concentration camps, but this is one of them.

In this interesting debut novel, readers will learn about the creation of fine porcelain figures in Germany during WWII under the direction of the leader of the SS, Heinrich Himmler.

The author takes a dual timeline approach to the story surrounding the fictional lives of Max, a young Jewish architect, and Bettina, a budding German artist, who are drawn together by the art scene in Germany in 1929. In America, in 1993, it is Bettina's daughter Clara who becomes the focus of the other part of the timeline, as she is trying to find the father she never knew.

The story doesn't spend much time on the atrocities and the hellacious period in the concentration camps, which I was glad, but it does touch on the raw emotions involved in being separated from those we love, and the bravery involved in making unpopular decisions that may lead to the death of a loved one or oneself. I felt that the author did a great job of building the tension around these events.

Inevitably, a dual timeline novel often suffers from one part of the story being judged to be better than the other part. Personally, I enjoyed the story of Max and Bettina the most. The character of Clara and her search for lost information as a means of tying the past to the present was good, but I found it to be less captivating.

The only thing that I found lacking was an Author's Note at the end of the book; the inclusion of more of the facts surrounding the Allach porcelain factory. Because it is so frequently used, especially in historical fiction, I find myself expecting to find this feature, which is greatly appreciated.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Porcelain Maker is a debut novel by Sarah Freethy is heartbreaking story about Max, a Jewish architect and Bettina , an artist. This book takes place over several decades that follows Max and Bettina just before war breaks out and how they were trying to survive and save money to try to flee Germany. Once Max gets arrested he is placed in Dachau concentration camp. He is then placed in the porcelain factory to make porcelain items for the Reich. Clara is searching for these porcelain figures that resembles her mothers painting. TheViking for example was one of Bettina's most famous work and only two figureines are in existance. Clare soon uncovers the truth about her mother's secrets and why she never shared the truth with Clara. This is such a heatbreaking book story of what war really cost the innocent victims. A must read for anyone that loves a great WW2 historical novel.

A historical fiction centered around the great love between a Jewish man and his German Avant-garde artist lover as the beginning of WWII is occurring. Much history of art and its place in the Third Reich is the background of the story along with what was happening within the walls of Dachau, a place of horrors.

It's 1993 and Clare Vogel is desperate to find information on the father she never knew. Her mother, Bettina, would not disclose who her father was and left very few clues upon her death. Now it's up to Clare and her daughter to see if they can find the truth based on a porcelain statuette of a Viking.
The story is told in two time frames that show both the relationship of Bettina and Max develop and then Clare's search and heartbreak at the prospect of never knowing her father's name.

I found it quite interesting to learn about the porcelain factory in Dachau. Also, learning about how art was subjected to definition of degenerate based on who created it or the style of the art itself. Impressionism was labeled degenerate which I found shocking. Ultimately, as this story is based on a factual time in history, you know there is heartbreak and unbearable sadness to be found within its pages.