Margarete’s Story

A story of courage, heartbreak and tragedy during WWII. This is the story of a young German girl whom was working in the newborn section of the hospital. As the Nazi’s came to power her family disagrees with their policies and new rules, especially those pertaining to their Jewish population.
When the Nazis take over the hospital the nurses are all told they must sign alliance with them, when she asks what happens if they refuse her family is threatened, so she signs.

A short time later she is told she is being sent on a new job. Margarete is being told it is a place where they help unwed mothers until their child is born. After arriving at the facility, she soon learns it is a horrible place and terrible things happen there. She knows that she must do something to help those helpless mothers. It is a cruel and hopeless place. She manages with the help of a new young doctor Muller to help a little bit and they do what they can. She develops a notebook of the names of the mothers and where their babies are sent in secret.

Years later a young reporter visits her when she is 90 years old in a care facility. Slowly and hesitantly, she relives those years and her story comes out. She shares her notebook with Kristel and this leads to a very special relationship between her and the young reporter.

In her story is the stories of some of the young women she tried to help after they found themselves at the mercy of the Nazi’s in an unescapable facility where horrors took place.

It was an excellent book and I think that Margarete, the main character and her friend Dr. Muller were very courageous and compassionate characters.

I would recommend this book it brings to light yet more Nazi programs which never should have happened and never should happen again. This is the story of the Lebensborn Program the Nazi’s launched to restore their master Aryan race.

I received a copy of this book to read for free. My review is written voluntarily and in my own words.

The Orphan List is an emotional and at times heartbreaking read. Historical Fiction is one of my favourite genres, especially those based around the Second World War. This book is based around the Lebensborn programme and as I had never heard of it before I read up about it on google. What a horrifying and cruel thing it was and the way many women were practically brainwashed by the Nazi party at the time is truly horrific. This book is told in two timelines, during world war 2 where Margarete is sent as a nurse to work at a mother and baby home, it’s not until she gets there that she realises what the place actually is. Present time Margarete is now in her 90’s and she tells the story of what occurred during that time in an interview with a reporter called Kristel. I loved both of these timelines but the chapters back in the past really pulled at my heart strings. From start to finish this book completely absorbed me .

This book gripped me from the very first page right up to the very last page. I had only recently heard of the lebensborne programme and that is such a scary thing to think about. How sad it is for those people who gave birth and the children they never got to know. I think the even scarier part is young women were all for this and were willing to get pregnant by some stranger that was an officer of the Reich willingly.

This book was so interesting to think about Margarete and her bravery while being forced to work at this particular facility/castle and the father of her baby being a doctor forced also to work at this place. The work they did was admirable to say the least.

I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this advanced reader copy. I highly recommend this book! And these are my honest opinions of the book.

This is a great WWII read.
We will never know how many people placed in positions of authority by the Nazis did seemingly little things to help save people. Many paid for their actions in concentration camps or were executed.
I often ask myself what risks am I’m willing to take to better the lives of those around me.
Yes, this is a tragic tale of the little known Nazi program to recruit young women and have the the Aryan Race babies adopted out to high ranking SS leaders. It was a shame for those children who were stolen from their mothers and then taught Nazi lies from infancy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

The Orphan List is heartbreaking story about the Lebensborn program. I found it so interesting to read & learn about as I had never heard of the Lebensborn program. Most of these young unmarried pregnant german girls ( usually aged 18 or so) were so brainwashed and brought up so strict in the Hitler youth, that they were more than happy to give their babies up for adoption to good German families, thinking that they were doing a good thing for their Furtherland.
It was heartbreaking to read about, I can’t imagine falling in love with your baby knowing in a few days it will be taken from you.
I loved reading about Margarete, the nurse who tried her best to help these girls, her bravery and courage is so admirable.
I cannot fault this story, I loved how the past and the present intertwined so well.
This is heartbreaking story which is so important to read about as I’m sure mant haven’t even heard of it.
I have read so many historical fiction books but I’ve never read anything like this before.
One of my favourite historical fiction books I’ve read recently , which I will definitely be buying when it comes out.
I can’t recommend this book enough, you will love it.
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

The Orphan List by Ann Bennett is an emotional and gripping novel about the Lebensborn Program in Germany during WWII. It will grab you from the beginning until the very last page of the book. I love the author's writing style and the way she describes this horrible program in such a captivating way.

Margarete Weiss, a nurse that is forced by the Nazis to work in the Lebensborn program, is a courageous brave young woman, and a very likeable character. The hardships she faced everyday show how terrible things really were. Hedda one of the young girls, who being pregnant was in the program, meets Margarete and the book tells their journey in alternating chapters from past and present. This book covers a gamut of emotions from horror, mystery, love, fear, courage, heartbreak and so much more. A real eye opener.

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. I want to read more books by this author. Thanks to NefGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy.

I want to highlight my gratitude to Netgalley for providing me the opportunity to read and review this book. I want to emphasize that these opinions are entirely my own.

This book provides a compelling exploration of generational trauma stemming from the Lebensborn program. The story is truly poignant and, despite being a work of fiction, prompts profound reflection.

Utterly captivating. I have read a lot of WWII novels and this one felt completely new. I have never read one focusing on the Lebensborn Programme, an horrific eugenics programme lead by Himmler, encouraging young women to birth babies for members of the SS and other high ranking families.

This story follows three women, through two timelines. The main timeline explores the stories of two young women impacted during WWII, with the other being set in 2005, where a journalist is interviewing an elderly woman about the programme.

Absolutely beautiful. A must read for anyone who loves historical fiction.

This fantastic story is told in a then and now format staring in Munich in 1943 when a young unwed Hedda is headed to a castle in Bavaria to have a baby. The story then switches to Italy in 2005 where Margarete, a 90-ish year-old resident of a care home sees a news program with reporter Kristel Meyer talking about the Lebensborn program that took place during WWII when the Nazi's wanted to create an Aryan race. Margarete was a nurse who was sent to Bavaria to work at the castle unbeknownst to her what was going on there. This is one book I could not put down and I enjoyed it from the first page to the very last page.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very interesting book.

A well-written novel with a factual background in WW2. The program in the book was actually carried out by the Nazi's. The book was factual in the story as how the program was run and the adoptions that took place. Tying this into the novel made for a fascinating read. The storyline carrying over three generations of people added to the intrigue. The characters were well developed, and the plot held my attention. Overall, a very good read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a heartbreaking and very moving story which had me going through all of the emotions. This is set in 3 timelines which all intertwine together to tell the story of a Doctor and Nurses who saved babies in WW2. I loved the deep and well thought out characters who all had their own individual story arc and developed to a point where I need to see what happens after this story ends. I enjoyed the writing style but that could be because I am a sucker for Historical Fiction.

Utterly captivating right from the first word it draws you back in time to the story. It's heartbreakingly sad and will make you cry with the unfairness of the world. I love how raw and honest the writing is. So many emotions leaving me shattered.

What a totally captivating, emotional and brilliant read!
The authors ability to write about this horrific and emotional time in our history was eye opening and heartbreaking.
The story is told in two timelines….present and past.
To put in words what this book put me through…..so many emotions!
I have to say, The Orphan List is one of the best books I have ever read about the atrocities of the Lebensborn program.
I can’t recommend this book enough for any readers of historical fiction. As heartbreaking and painful it is to read about this time, it is important we never forget.
I am hoping there will be a book 2 to continue on with the story?

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Very well done. I loved the stories of the mothers, the nurses, and the story of the reporter doing the research to reunite them. A little mystery, some character development, a little romance, and plenty of Nazi atrocities. A little bit of everything in this read!

I thought I had an understanding of the Lebensborn Program created by Heinrich Himmler. I was so wrong. I had marginalized it. I had no idea the program was in so many places. Ann Bennett has opened my eyes. I am ready to discover more about this atrocious program. I have to thank Ann Bennett for writing such a wonderful story. It was a very emotional read, but worth every tear I shed.

Margarete, a nurse, has been informed she was going to be taking a new job. She didn't really have any choice. The Nazis didn't really ask, but they did influence her decision. She became part of a program where aryan girls would go to deliver their babies. Later Girls from the BDM would go to have sex with SS officers. All of their babies would become property of the Führer. Their babies would go to SS officer's family to be raised properly.

Margarete did not agree with the program but her hands were tied. Protesting, questioning would lead to being send to a concentration camp. The war ended and she was lucky to escape. Years have passed. She has kept a secret for years. She watched a news reporter in Germany discussing the program, questioning what happened to the mothers, to the babies.

Secrets will be revealed. Emotions will be tested. I had to remind myself not to put today's values on the values of the past. I have to admit it was hard. The author had me believing I was there. I opened my heart to some of the characters.

Margarete did what she could, but knew it was not enough. I realized after closing the book that any act, no matter how simple, no matter how small can make a difference.

I've read many books about the Holocaust but none about this awful scheme in so much detail. So much cruelty which was captured so well in the story, and to think that it's based on fact. Just shocking. I guessed there was some sort of connection with Kristel but was still quite surprised at what it was.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

This is the second book I have read recently (by different authors) that have stayed with me long after I have finished reading. Both dealt with the ideology and ethos of the Nazis and how these were put into effect.
This one covered the Lebensborn scheme and how this was implemented - and one nursery nurses' need to not allow these mothers and babies to be forgotten.

I have read previous books by this author and know that she leaves no stone unturned in the telling of the story. This book does not disappoint in that respect.
The book was obviously well researched and well written. Heartbreaking and heartwrenching doesn't begin to relate how the book pans out over the chapters.
Yes parts seemed contrived but that was to bring the various characters together as this was a dual timeline novel - dealing with WW2 and more contemporary times.

I too found the end rather abrupt and had so many questions that I hope there will be a follow up and that this is part of a series. Margarete has much more to say I am sure - Kristel and Lorenzo will listen I have no doubt .

A thought provoking read indeed - thank you

Love historical fiction and this book is right up there with the best of them! Really couldn’t put it down and there is so many unanswered questions that I need to know! Really enjoyed it!

Thank you NetGalley and bookouture for this Arc! Disturbing story of the people affected by the Lebensborn program during WWII. Heart-wrenching tales of mothers and infants. Follows a nurse and a reporter’s winding stories and how they are entwined.
Moving story that keeps your interest through the entire book. The characters so real I wanted to reach out and hug them. And the ending….
I strongly suggest this book. As painful as it was to read I am so glad I did.

A dual time novel that mainly plays in Germany in the 1930s and 40s as well as 2005. I requested this one because I wanted to know more about the Lebensborn program. I had read several books about it but this is the first one that gives an in-depth look behind the scenes from the perspective of a nurse. Although there are a few tense moments, the book’s purpose is to tell the Lebensborn story and it stays away from some of the more gory details that could potentially have been added. My favorite character is Margarete, hands down. What a lovely and brave woman with a big heart! I very much enjoyed learning more about the program even though I wonder about the use of pain relief during birth. As a European, I know this practice wasn’t common in my country until the late 1980s, early 1990s. The book does give an excellent feel for what life must have been like in these maternity homes for those who did not agree but felt they had to cooperate for fear of what would happen to them or their family. It shows the plight of the “regular” German. It touches on the thousands of children and their mothers who were affected by the Lebensborn program and how this topic has only been really talked about in the last 20 years or so. (I wonder if any of the men involved ever went looking for the children they conceived?) I really liked the dual time perspectives, the way the events developed from different angles and how the author was able to bring all the details together in a solid and enjoyable story. From society’s views on pregnancies out of wedlock to having to give up your baby, to the need to work in places one doesn’t want to be as well as what all those Nazi power mongers turned cowards did at the end of WWII. I’m sorry there wasn’t a list of resources at the back. For someone who’s interested in WWII, this is a wonderful book that will help you learn more about this time in history.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own. I was not required to leave a positive review.