The Porcelain Maker is another heart wrenching story that takes place during WWII. Although Freethy takes a different approach, it just didn’t quite have the oomph necessary to keep my interest the way it should have. Centering her novel around art, there were definitely some intriguing moments, but the characters lacked development making it difficult to connect with any of them. A book that had more potential than it actually delivered. A dual read/listen, I found that I preferred the audio book over the book as the voice was quite pleasant and the book came across on the dry side. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC and ALC of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced audiobook. This book is a Historical Fiction written along two different timelines from the 30's/40's amid the rise of the Nazi Empire to the 90's. In the 40's it tells the story of a forbidden love and the lengths they will go to to keep their love hidden and during the 90's timeline is a search for family information using art. The book bounced back and forth each chapter which I was able to follow, it just never had the wow factor for me or the emotional connection.

This was such a moving story. Immediately after finishing I did some research on the porcelain made at the factory in this story and was stunned that some of it is still available to buy! I was so touched by this love story and the imagined consequences of WWII on the world of art. This was a truly unique read!

The audiobook was very well done! The narrator was well spoken and distinguished between characters well and I couldn't put it down!

Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for an advanced copy to read.

Wow! This story was incredible and inspired by an actual porcelain factory in Dachau. The horrors that people and mostly Jewish people had to endure is beyond comprehension. The story starts right before the war starts but as social tensions are rising. Bettina is young artist that is quickly gaining popularity and meets a Jewish architect named Max and they quickly fall in love. Germany starts advancing in Europe and before long Max is captured and taken to Dachau’s work camp. He is allowed to work at the porcelain factory next to Dachau and Bettina does everything she can to help him. This story goes back and forth from WWII to 1993 with a mystery. Clara in 1993 is trying to untangle her past and find out what happened and why she didn’t ever know anything about her parents past. Thank you so much to the author, Sarah Freethy, Netgalley and the publisher St. Martin’s Press for an advanced audio copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the arc audio book of The Porcelain Maker.
This story is WWII historical fiction, which is one of my favorite genres, starting in 1929 Berlin and includes a dual timeline to modern day America. It is inspired by an actual porcelain factory that was in Dachau.
The story begins with an auction in the US where Clara Vogel bids and wins several pieces of porcelain marked with SS. Her purpose, to find the artist and discover the man that is her father. This timeline takes us on the journey of her path to discovery.
In 1929 Berlin, two young artists meet at a party and instantly have a connection. We learn of their whirlwind romance as they become lovers and pursue their art. Unfortunately for Bettina and Max it is during a precarious time in history. Bettina is a German artist and Max an Austrian Jew. Tensions quickly mount with the growing political environment of antisemitism and their art careers deemed frivolous causing them to come under scrutiny. Even Bettina's own brother ridicules her artwork considering it a waste of time and too "decadent". We then are taken on their journey while Clara's story is intertwined and revealed.
At times the story is a slow burn. I loved Bettina and Max and their two characters are beautifully written and the author makes you want to cheer for them and fear for them through their battles for survival. After listening to the audiobook, I spent time learning more about the porcelain produced at Dachau. 4 stars and I will recommend to friends who enjoy historical fiction, especially WWII.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, MacMillan Audio and the Autho Sarah Freethy for the opportunity to read/listen to this book before it was released. This is a beautiful debut novel by the author that follows a German woman and Jewish man who fall in love pre-WWII and their journey during her life as an artist and he as a porcelain maker as a prisioner. This dual timeline novel also follows Clara who is in search for the identity of her father in modern day. Such a beautiful, heartbreaking story as WWII stories are. I highly recommend this book, and I cannot wait to see what this author has in store for us next! (Review posted on Goodreads)

The Porcelain Maker by Sarah Freethy
Narrated by Kristin Atherton

Germany, 1929 Once Bettina, a celebrated avant-garde painter, and Max, a skilled Jewish architect and artist, come together for the first time, they know they belong together, want a family together, and have dreams of living in a house designed by Max someday. But despite all the signs around them, they put off getting Max away from danger until too late. Even Bettina's own family is against Max and eventually he's arrested and sent to the concentration camp at Dachau. It is Max's skill at making fine porcelain figurines that gives him a reprieve from certain death.

I was not familiar with the porcelain factory at the Dachau concentration camp until reading/hearing this story. The making of exquisite porcelain figures in such a horrible place, during such a horrible time, was one of Heinrich Himmler's favorite obsessions. This is the setting where Bettina and Max are once again brought together due to the animals in Bettina's paintings being recreated into porcelain. Bettina is brought in to paint and perfect the porcelain recreations of her creatures and this is the time when Bettina and Max can be together once again and even go so far as to concoct an escape plan for Max.

America, 1993 Bettina's daughter, Clara, is on the search for the identity of her father. Her mother would never talk about her father or about her past, and now, after her mother's death, Clara has found evidence that could lead her to her true father's identity. The evidence lies in porcelain figurines. As we travel with Clara to learn her past, we relive what is mostly a very sad story for Max, Bettina, and so many others. If only Bettina could/would have shared her past with Clara, but some things hurt to much to share.

I was able to both read and hear this story. The digital and audio books allowed me to see and hear unfamiliar words and names. Kristin Atherton's narration seemed right for this story. Both Max and Bettina are so stoic during the events of the story and Kristin's matter of fact narration fits the story so well. The story is heartbreaking but does give a sense accomplishment in the end, knowing that Clara is able to learn more than she could have ever hoped to learn. There is a real sense of circling around in the touching epilogue.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for this ARC.

This story is an impressive debut and I look forward to reading more from the author. The story alternates between the 1990s and the 1940s. I was equally invested in both storylines and the immense heartbreak in both. Clara’s search for her father will take her from Berlin to Dachau as she learns of his identity, and what it meant to be Jewish I. The 1940s in Germany. Bettina, Clara’s mother has always been vague about who her father truly is. As we delve into the story, we begin to understand a little more why she was so vague, the amount of pain wrapped up in the truth. This story is tragic and heartbreaking. It also illustrates not only the power of art to tell a story, but the power love, true love has when faced with impossible choices.

Kristin Atherton’s voice was the perfect choice for this book. She did a great job portraying the pain and heartache along with the beautiful aspects of this love story.

Thank you to MacMillan audio for the ALC. All views are my honest opinion.

This was almost a 4 star read for me. With past/present timeline, Clara is in search of the viking porcelain figurine to find the last person who would know who her father was. I liked the beginning more of Max (Jewish architect and Bettina a German painter) meeting more so then the story towards the end. I just think by the time the ending came, something was missing for me in the story. I did learn a few things about the Nazi's opposing the degenerate art. Some scenes were memorable, but I was expecting something a bit more for me.

I thought the narration done by Kristin Atherton was good.

I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE PORCELAIN MAKER by Sarah Freethy is a poignant and masterfully crafted novel that seamlessly intertwines the lives of characters across two pivotal eras: 1930s Germany and 1990s Great Britain and America. Freethy's debut into published fiction is a revelation, presenting a story deeply rooted in historical accuracy and emotion. The narrative is a captivating dance through time, beginning in 1993 Cincinnati, where Clara embarks on a quest to unveil her father's identity. The story then takes a mesmerizing leap into the past, revealing the heart-wrenching love story of Max, a Jewish architect, and Bettina, a German avant-garde artist, set against the backdrop of rising Nazi threats. Freethy's descriptive prose paints vivid scenes of beauty and brutality, bringing tears to the eyes and a deep sense of historical immersion. Blending fiction with historical fact, this novel is a moving testament to love, loss, and the enduring search for identity. Sarah Freethy's literary prowess shines brightly, and I can't wait to read her future works.

This was a gripping sometimes heartbreaking page turner. Every atrocity of this war reopened my horror. I never thought about the art and whose talented hands would create it. This was about finding answers and trying to understand the meaning of it all. I’m still shocked every time I read about World War II. Every. Time.
I read some of this novel but I mostly listen to the audiobook. The narrator was Kristin Atherton and she was excellent. She brought it together in a very personal way.
Thanks Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

This is a debut novel by Freethy. You can tell she has a background in editing, writing and I am happy she wrote a novel. I was immersed in the story of Clara who is seeking the traces of a porcelain piece. She is hoping this will lead to her father. This story is about love, betrayal, art and so much more. Perfect for the historical fiction lover.

Lovers Max and Bettina are separated during World War II, when architect, Max is deported to Dachau, a Nazi, death camp. He manages to survive by creating beautiful, porcelain statues, while Bettina risks her life to rescue him. Nearly 60 years later, Betina‘s daughter, Clara is on a mission to uncover the identity of her father. Her quest takes her back to the nightmare of her mothers life in Nazi Germany. A beautiful story about the triumph of love over evil.