I am a huge fan of WWII historical fiction books and the dual timeline aspect is always a plus for me. However, this one did not capture my attention as much as I had hoped. I appreciated the unique presentation of the design and manufacturing of Allach porcelain which was created in a factory at Dachau by the inmates. In fact, I had to look up the website and see some of the porcelain figurines that are available. They are very well done and beautiful. The romance of Max and Betinna was just okay. It didn’t really grab my attention or make me care about their relationship. For some, I imagine this would be an interesting read and would encourage you to decide for yourself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

A deeply moving story set prior to and at the beginning of WWII. My first reaction to Bettina and Max was not favorable. They seemed to be typical young college students with a flair for a rebellious bohemian lifestyle. I debated whether or not I wanted to pursue investing my time in reading above what I perceived as their self centered lives. With the advancement of the Nazi agenda, however, their love and dedication to each other became both evident and compelling. This story was realistic, but sad and deeply moving. If you are looking for WWII realism as opposed to a happily ever after this is an excellent choice.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Clara is the daughter of a recently-deceased German artist, well-known for one famous painting, as well as for a series of landscapes she made for the Nazi regime's propaganda organization. She was also the widow of a high-ranking SS officer. But Clara has recently discovered that her mother's husband was not her father. So who was? And why did her mother keep this fact from her for her entire life? The only clue she has is an overheard remark her mother made to the maid when she didn't know Clara was listening. She referred to Clara's father as "the porcelain maker of Dachau". What could that possibly mean? Research revealed that there was a porcelain factory at Dachau, and that many of the workers were prisoners at the notorious concentration camp, on whose grounds the factory sat.

The story travels from pre-War Berlin to New York, to Munich and Dachau, and back, finally to New York. Clara's daughter, who is living in Germany, joins her mother's quest and they finally find out MOST of the story.

A good read. A little long and rambling in parts, but worth the time it took to read it.

This is a WWII story from such a different point of view. It begins in 1993 in Cincinnati at an auction where some porcelain figures are being sold. It is here we meet Clara Vogel who is in search of who her father might have been and hopes the auction house will tell her who was the previous owner of the figurines. The story quickly turns to Germany in the summer of 1925 when Max Ehrlich, a porcelain maker, meets Bettina Vogel , an artist, and they fall in love. When the war takes over the Nazi’s arrest Max and send him Dachau. Bettina tries to save him but she has Clara and she tries to protect her. Clara is never sure who her father really is. This is a story with wonderful characters and one that unfolds the story piece by piece as Clara seeks more information about a father she never knew. It is a book you will not want to end but find yourself constantly reaching for the book to see where the story is going. I highly recommend this book as an informative look at Nazi Germany and the power of love during really difficult times. You will not want to miss this one. And, we will all look forward to future books by this author

I wish to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Porcelain Maker is the story of a young couple who fall in love in pre-WWII Germany as the Nazi movement takes hold. A second timeline occurs in 1993 with a young woman trying to uncover the identity of her father.

Bettina is a modern artist and Max, is studying architecture with the Bauhaus movement. But their life together is not easy.

I was disappointed after reading the promo held so much promise. I could not concentrate on the slow moving story.

Written with two parallel timeframes, the story primarily traces Max and Bettina’s history during the war; with Clara’s and her daughter’s search for Clara’s father in 1993, as secondary. The characters introduced during the war years are well crafted and memorable, the character of Clara is less developed and a little weak. The author does not include an afterward to separate fact from fiction. Further research indicates the porcelain factory in Allach did exist under the leadership of Heinrich Himmler with forced concentration camp labor used to create the similar objects to what are described in the story.

A great dual story line book that portrays the joy and delights of romance as well as the danger and desperation of the time period. It was a great book to read despite the difficulties included. Thanks #NetGalley

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: A well written debut novel. Historical fiction about a couple caught in Nazi Germany: Bettina, a German artist and Max, her Jewish, Austrian, architect boyfriend. The characters are well developed and the plot moves quickly. They don't leave Germany in time and are separated. They reconnect in a porcelain factory in Dachau. A no point was it unbelievable that a Nazi's wife and a German concentration camp prisoner are able to work together. Simultaneously, the book contains a second plot line about Bettina's daughter and granddaughter who start to research the porcelain and their true origins in the 1990's. The two plot lines were clear and each was compelling. A solid debut.

What a fabulous story.

Imagine not knowing any of your family history...then you get little dribs and drabs and are hungry to learn more. WWII takes on a much larger part of your dreams and you wonder...exactly WHO am I? Clara has to find out.

Told with flashbacks from before the Nazi's took over Germany, Max and Bettina live their life in Germany until Max is put in a concentration camp for being Jewish. Only his gift of working with porcelain keeps him out of the gas chambers. Bettina has a secret she must keep hidden. Only her courage and love for Max can help her keep her secret.

I cannot believe this is a debut novel from this author. What a ride. I couldn't put it down. I had all the emotions, happy, sad, tearful, angry, and intrigued. I highly recommend this book!

Title: "The Porcelain Maker" by Sarah Freethy

"The Porcelain Maker" is a riveting tale that seamlessly weaves love, betrayal, and art across decades, from the shadows of World War II to the complexities of 21st-century America. Inspired by the haunting backdrop of a porcelain factory in Dachau, the narrative unfolds through the intertwined lives of Max, a skilled Jewish architect, and Bettina, a sometimes celebrated painter.

Set against the backdrop of 1929 Germany, the story commences with a whirlwind romance between Max and Bettina. As the threat of Nazism looms, their lives take a perilous turn, leading Max to the horrors of Dachau. The novel skillfully captures the tension of the era, where survival hinges on strength, loyalty, and discerning friend from foe.

Fast forward to 1993 America, where Clara, Bettina's daughter, embarks on a quest to unravel the mysteries of her lineage. The narrative seamlessly shuttles between time periods, immersing readers in the darkness of Nazi Germany and the challenges of Clara's contemporary journey. The author masterfully crafts a tale of enduring love and courage in the face of unimaginable brutality.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its vivid portrayal of characters, especially the resilient Bettina and the talented Max, whose survival depends on their artistry in a place of unspeakable horrors. The exploration of Clara's quest adds depth to the narrative, questioning the reasons behind her mother's silence about their painful past.

"The Porcelain Maker" is a poignant exploration of the human spirit's resilience, love's endurance, and the profound impact of historical atrocities. The author's meticulous research and evocative storytelling create a powerful narrative that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page. This is a compelling read for those who appreciate historical fiction with a profound emotional impact.

"The Porcelain Maker" deeply touched my emotions; I found myself in tears. The narrative is profoundly moving, making it a beautiful addition to my personal library. I'll be keeping a close watch on this author for future works, captivated by the emotional resonance woven into this unforgettable story.

WOWIE KAPOWIE! WHAT A DEBUT👏👏👏!!! It makes me so happy when a new author knocks their debut out of the park, and Sarah Freethy has done just that! This dual timeline novel, set against the backdrop of WWII Germany, leads readers through the life and love of German artist Bettina Vogel and Jewish architect Max Erlich. We are taken from a bright, cheerful time in their young carefree existence, through a progressively deteriorating situation as the Nazi movement takes hold in Germany. Sarah Freethy captures the terror, hope, and courage that enveloped so many during this time.

I had never even heard of Allach porcelain, which was produced at a plant near Dachau concentration camp using the imprisoned Jews as the primary source of labor. It never ceases to amaze me how little I know about this time period, despite reading SO MANY WWII books.

So, kudos to Ms. Freethy for sharing this little known history in such an engrossing manner; I was glued to the book from start to finish! This novel had excellent character development, a solid plot, and a compelling dual timeline. Congrats on writing such a brilliant debut!

Many thanks to partners, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for sharing this #gifted review copy!

This book was beautiful and haunting with complex characters admist a setting full of agony and suffering at the hands of other humans.

Wow!! Well-written and beautiful.

A must read for those of you who love WWII stories.

I also think I saw this was a debut for this author. Just wow!!

This was a compelling debut novel and I hope to see more by the author. We become immersed in the Bauhaus movement which I found as an interesting topic. I was not familiar with the topic prior to this book. The two artists involved had high hopes for the future but the rise of Hitler changed their plans.

The story moves us to the Dauchan concentration camp and we lean about Allach porcelain. A porcelain piece is what gives us the second timeline in the book. Clara finds a piece in a shop and begins a journey of trying to discover more about her roots. The two stories cross in believable way. I am glad I read this book. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this unique part of history.

The first chapter of the book starts in 1993 with a middle aged woman showing up at an auction. A figurine which she hopes will lead her to her father becomes available. Her mother, Bettina is an up and coming artist in late 1930's Germany when she falls in love with Max, a Jewish architect. They are forbidden to marry by the new regime. There are two timelines, the first is Max and Bettina which I felt was the more interesting of the two. The characters were more developed and the author really showcases the decadence of the time period with the artists, the art and the parties. Their views were radical for the time but Max and Bettina were in love with each other and their plans for the future. The cruelty of some of the Germans was really brought out and it elicited a visceral response in me. Clara, Bettina's daughter, and Lotte, Clara's daughter were not as well developed. We don't learn much about what Clara's life was like after the war and I didn't feel any intrigue in how they found out about Max. I wasn't invested enough in her character. Other than that I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It wasn't an easy read but a story that needed to be told.

I would like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.

Quite a heavy read in scope, subject, and pages.
Admittedly, much of the book was a very slow read and I struggled to continue.
It’s a worthwhile read, it just a long time to get there.
It’s also incredibly sad.
The sacrifices people make for love and the secrets they keep from their loved ones are core themes.

This WW2 fiction focuses on a love story and a story of the art world. There is a dual timeline-with Clara searching for information about the father she never knew. It was rich with details about the art and setting to the point that I did wish for more character interaction. Overall a well written tale.

This book alternates between the World War II era story of star-crossed lovers, Bettina and Max, a Gentile and a Jew respectively striving to be together in a world that wants to keep them apart and the present day story of Clara and her daughter, Lotte searching for the truth of Clara's heritage. The story is quite engaging and keeps the reader's interest throughout. The main characters of Bettina and Max are quite admirable in their courage and bravery and their devotion to each other and what they believe in. Neither the character of Clara nor Lotte is all that developed. The secondary characters in the book are all very one-sided. They are either completely likable or not at all likable. The love story is extremely touching, however, in the end, there is too much sadness throughout the book and not enough payoff in the conclusion to be satisfying.

Did you know that Germany had the Porzellankrankheit or ‘porcelain madness’ during WW II? Mostly pure white Allach porcelain was cranked out in enormous quantities using the labor and possibly the artistry of Dachau prisoners. This debut novel really impressed me. While the main characters were fictional, the story was an impressive vehicle for conveying the heartbreaking realities of war. Max and Bettina become a star-crossed couple as the Germany of the 1930's has disdain for his Jewish roots and her modern art style. As the noose of war draws closer they find themselves with impossible choices. In 1993, their daughter Clara is using the porcelain artifacts as clues to find out more about what happened to her parents. I loved the dual timeline and only wished I could see more illustrations of items like The Viking and the special line they develop to reveal their suffering to the world.

A big thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Happy Publication Week!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

The story revolves around Bettina, a German Christian artist, and Max, an Austrian architect who is a Jew. The two fall in love but since this is 1929, Max finds it necessary to disguise his Jewish identity for as long as he can. He became a porcelain sculptor. Eventually, he is arrested and transported to a concentration camp. As luck would have it, his talent is eventually discovered and he is sent to make porcelain figurines at Allach, which was owned by the German SS.

But there is more than the story of this somewhat mismatched couple. In an alternating storyline of 1993, we have Clara, Bettina’s daughter who is searching for answers regarding who her biological father is. Though she grew up with her mother, that information was always kept from her. It’s time she discovered some answers.

My Concerns
It started too slow and didn't grab my interest until about the halfway mark.

I struggled to feel an attachment to the characters in either timeline. They just didn’t have the emotional pull that I needed.

It lacked any revelations that couldn’t be figured out.

Multiple timelines are the thing right now, and it needed something to make this story unique. I think more information about porcelain and Allach might have made it more memorable.

Unless I missed something, why didn’t Bettina share with Clara who her father was?

Final Thoughts
While this was a good book, it didn’t stand out as a great one. However, it definitely piqued my interest in learning more about Allach and the Dachau concentration camp.

So should you read it? Sure. It still has lots to offer. It just wasn't one of my favorites.