Yes it's a WWII holocaust book but it's so much more. It's a story of survival, love, and family roots. Enjoyable but the chapters do get long.

This beautifully crafted debut novel from Sarah Freethy is a different perspective of the Hallocaust.

1929 Bettina and Max are star-crossed lovers who are torn apart by the war. Their relationship illegal as she is German, and Max is Jewish.

In the 1990s, Clara , Bettina's daughter, was searching for the truth of her father's identity, which her mother took to the grave. All she knows is thar he was the porcelain maker of Dachau.

Allach porcelain figurines were made in the Dachau work camp, where the Jewish prisoners crafted the most beautiful and intricate pieces in a place made for destruction of the human spirit. destruction.

The writing in the book is beautifully crafted. Sarah's attention to historical fact brings the past to life. Also details if the art, locations and even people were just plain artistry. Scenes are exquisite and equally horrific. She is a true master of the writer word.

Lovers of historical fiction will find themselves emersed in this wonderful debut novel.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgally for this ARC. My review is voluntary.

I so enjoyed this book. Such a great story and what a great debut from this within. I can’t wait to see what else she writes! Already a huge fan!

The author has written an interesting heartbreaking novel of WWII set in Germany. It’s the story of two star crossed lovers, Bettina, a German artist and Max, a Jewish architect. Set in two timelines, 1929 and 1993, we experience the love and hardship of the tragic love story and also the story of Clara who is determined to find out the true identity of her father. Incorporated in the story is the importance of art and the fierce love between mother and daughter. An important debut written by a talented author. #ThePorcelainMaker #SarahFreethy #NetGalley

It boggles the mind that so many books on the Holocaust have been written. Each of the ones that I have read, and I have read many, are on a different topic that focuses on the absolute evil of the Reich and the horror faced by the millions who were considered subhuman. While the disclaimer states that this was a work of fiction and the characters and situations are the product of the author's imagination, I would like to know if there was in fact a porcelain factory in Dachau. I also would have liked to know what gave Ms. Freethy the idea for writing this extraordinary novel.

This was a very interesting take on the topic of the Holocaust. For while many of the upper echelons of the Nazi organization were interested in doing away with those they considered expendable, they also took an amazing interest in art. And that is what this story is all about. What makes art acceptable for everyone? And who should be allowed to create art? These are questions the Nazis were very involved in deciding according to the author.

The book was beautifully written and populated with believable characters in unimaginable situations that were all too real. I loved this story and highly recommend it.

Clara has always wanted to know more about her Mother’s life in Germany during the war. She thinks the porcelain figurines are a clue to her Father’s identity and their lives together.
Sarah Freethy is a great storyteller that brings to life another inspirational story of love and survival.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the copy of The Porcelain Maker. I know people love WWII historical fiction and if you do, this book is probably perfect for you, but maybe WWII books are no longer really for me. Many of the WWII scenes and situations were really hard to read about and didn’t bring me any enjoyment because I don’t need to be reminded about the atrocities. I just never connected to the story or the characters.

The book was interesting - liked the fact that it was based upon an actual porcelain factory. I wasn't fond of the ending as I thought it wrapped up a little too quickly. However, I would recommend the book.

At first glance, this will seem like just another historical fiction work about WW2…dig deep and you’ll find it is not…
This is a story of two people deeply in love, in one of the most dark and troubled times in history. A time when evil ran rampant and unchecked. When innocent people had to make unthinkable life choices, just to survive. And many of these threw caution to the winds, in order to make at least a small glitch in the wheel that churned out atrocity after atrocity, guided by mad men.
And the mental images of the porcelain creations will stay with the reader for a long time…

World war 2 historical fiction is one of my favorites so when I got approved to read an advanced copy of Sarah Freethy’s newest book I was very excited. The Porcelain maker is from the POV of Max and Bettina during WW2 and Clara, Bettina’s daughter who is trying to figure out who her father was. The story really showcases how strong love can be in the face of adversity and the scarifies we make. The story of how Max became a porcelain maker and how his pieces leads Clara to uncover her heritage.

Overall this was an excellent story that kept moving. I definitely enjoyed the Max and Bettina’s part of the story a bit more then Clara’s but overall it all worked well together. I look forward to reading what Freethy writes next. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

This book is written about a heart-breaking time in history. Tried to be understanding about all the typos because it was an ARC copy. I hope these are fixed before the final publication. However, it was a very touching story of love and survival and a surprise ending.

In 1929 two students, Max and Bettina, meet and fall in love in Berlin, but as the years pass and more restrictive and terrifying laws are passed their love becomes illegal. They will do everything they can to hold onto each other despite the fear and hatred mounting around them.
In 1993 Clara searches for answers about her origins after her mothers passing. Her only clue is a porcelain Viking that was her mother’s greatest treasure.

This is not a romance, this a a true and genuine love story. I loved watching them hold onto each other and their love through trials no person should have to face.
This was heartbreakingly beautiful. The second timeline took just enough space to add to the story and never took away from the central plot. I liked that the second storyline was about a mother and daughter and not a second romance.
A wonderful piece of World War Two fiction.
The Porcelain Maker will be released November 7 2023
Thank you to @sarah.freethy @netgalley and @stmartinspress for letting me review this book.
#booklover #bookstagram #theporcelainmaker #readersofinstagram #readers #historicalfictionauthors #historicalfictionbook #historicalfiction #book #bookworm #booknerd #ww2books #reading

I just finished this book and man was it a whirlwind of emotions. The story is expertly told and detailed. The characters are so well written and fully fleshed. I can’t recommend this book enough. The subject matter is hard but the story will take you. Loved it. Read a NetGalley copy

I received this from Netgalley for an honest review. This is an incredible piece of historical fiction. Bettina and Max's story is about love and endurance all through separation. This is different view than the usual concentration camp stories. Get out your tissues. You will need them.

A heartfelt story of two artists who were lovers and separated by Nazi hatred. The book covers Max and Bettina during World War II, and Bettina's daughter in modern times who is trying to piece together her family history.

I was given this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The story of a daughter searching for her history leads her to 1929 Germany and a sculptor. As she learns of her past, her mothers secrets are exposed.

Throughly enjoyed this one!

This historical fiction took place in Germany and the United States in alternating time periods from 1925 to 1993.
Bettina, a German artist, and Max, a Jewish architect first met in the summer of 1925. They fell in love and ultimately lived together. They enjoyed their young carefree life with their friends. However, with the rise of Nazism they feared for their future, their lives, and their love.

In 1993, Bettina’s daughter tried to find out the truth about her father and why her mother kept his identity a secret from her. Her mother even took this secret to her grave. So Clare set out to learn the truth, but in order to do that she had to revisit one of the worst periods in history.

This was a story about an innocent and forbidden love. It was about the good and evil of humanity. It was about protecting those you love and ultimately making sacrifices in the name of love.

This was the author’s debut novel and it was riveting from start to finish.

The Porcelain Maker by Sarah Freethy is a novel about porcelain pieces that she was searching for. The porcelain maker of Dachau made all of Bettina's porcelain pieces. Some of the pieces were a tiny rabbit with fur for a cape, greyhound dogs, song thrushes, milkmaids, athletes, and a male with tousled locks and a naked torso with a sword at his feet.

Bettina is a German woman who is an abstract artist, and Max is an Austrian Jew who is an architect. They are living together unlawfully. Then, they go on the run. Max takes on a new identity to deceive authorities. They are doing well until Max is arrested coming home from work. Max was sent to the concentration camp at Dachau. He works in the porcelain factory where they manufacture figurines and dinnerware. Soon, they discover his talent as a sculptor and move him to the basement to create mass-produced figurines.

Soon, Bettina finds Max's location. Bettina and Max had begun work on their secret menagerie in earnest. They had an assembly of subversive animals that became a second collection to the original collection. For example, a simple porcelain mouse caught in a real trap, its neck snapped, a smear of blood staining its whiskers and teeth. Next, a rabbit lay on a marble slab with a slit from throat to crotch, stained red. Max gets his revenge.

I recommend this novel for those who like historical fiction.

This was a fine novel based on history. I'm not sure how much is true but I know it has the true history of the terrible time of Dachau. I didn't know about the porcelain part or I've forgotten it. So this story was woven around some of the facts of the day. It shouldn't have mattered that two people fell in love and then were torn apart because one was Jewish. I felt bad that Bettina was so close to having everything and had it taken away. She couldn't tell her daughter what had transpired and when her daughter had a child, they both worked to find her history. It was a wonderful, heartbreaking story.

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

A good debut featuring two artists in love in a prewar Berlin and a daughter searching for the truth.