As I had read The Cradles of the Reich by Jennifer Coburn, I was excited to receive an advanced copy of her new book, The Girls Of The Glimmer Factory through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. I received no compensation. The events portrayed are based upon historical events when Hitler and the Third Reich imprisoned and murdered thousands of Jews.

The story opens with a family dinner as Hannah’s family are leaving their home to relocate to Palestine the next day. However, Hannah becomes ill, causing a last minute change of plans to flee their home in 1940 Prague. Hanna’s grandmother takes Hannah’s place leaving Oskar,her grandfather behind temporarily until plans and proper travel papers could be secured. So the story of Oskar and Hannah begins.

I found all the characters to be layered and believable. I did not care for Hilde, Hannah’s childhood friend at first; but somehow, as the story progressed, I began to see her through a different lens.
Hannah’s grandfather was a rock in his own way, trying to be cheerful and positive while the events around them were so horrible it was beyond comprehension.

There is so much to take in and absorb that I found I couldn’t read this book piece meal in short periods. I needed time to read and slowly digest what I had read as all of the characters were vital to the story even the minor ones.

To be honest, this book scared me. There are forces in play right now if left unchecked…could it happen again?

I encourage you to read all the extras at the end of the book. Food for thought of what was just read. The Girls Of The Glimmer Factory would be an excellent bookclub selection.

A thought provoking ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just about anyone can go viral with anything these days.

We’ve all heard the term ‘fake news.’

Please tell me you don’t believe everything you see or hear!

Even though we now share information differently than we did 80+ years ago, the dangers of misinformation and propaganda are still the same. Author Jennifer Coburn’s pleas to wisely navigate the myriad of information we’re bombarded with daily, stem from her time spent visiting the site of a former ‘glimmer factory’ - Terezin, or, as the Nazis called it, Theresienstadt.

Pared down to its main objective, The Glimmer Factory, exposes the Nazi strategy of deception at Terezin.

All was not glitter and glam at the ‘spa resort’ in, what is now, the Czech Republic. and Coburn warns that the same strategy that was utilized to hoodwink Red Cross officials in the 1940s is being utilized today. Yes, ‘spa visitors’ created more than 5,000 pieces of visual art: sketches, paintings, sculptures, and dolls. Yes, there were daily musical performances, like Verdi’s Requiem. Yes, there were also theatre, readings, and lectures. After all, the majority of the 'visitors' were prominent and talented Jews.

The truth is that Terezin was designed to deceive the world about the true nature of the ‘final solution.’ It was curated after reports leaking the true conditions and functions of the death camps sparked concern and the Red Cross put pressure on the Nazis to inspect. A plan was hatched to present it as a model ghetto by masking the true purpose and conditions. The showcase of cultural activity was orchestrated to discredit accusations of maltreatment. It worked; the Red Cross was duped. So was the rest of the world. Heck, I didn’t even know about it and I’ve read many books with a Holocaust focus.

Coburn’s novel is set in this ‘glimmer factory’ and showcases two women, a Jewish prisoner and an ambitious filmmaker, who were once childhood friends. Hannah Kaufman is willing to risk it all to show the world the truth about Terezin. Coincidentally, this is Hilde Kramer’s objective, too. She works for the Reich Ministry of Enlightenment and Propaganda and has been sent with a film crew to renew confidence in Hitler’s plans for the Jews. When they reunite they mutually hope to use their connection to further their cause. The trouble is, they aren’t on the same track, going the same direction. Will they be able to help each other survive? Will their friendship carry them through even the most harrowing times?

This gripping historical fiction, with an absolutely PERFECT title, that explores both sides of the Nazi oppression is not to be missed. I"m still thinking about it days later and I'm much more suspicious of the 'glitter.'

“One cannot be part of such an evil movement without great personal cost in the end.”

“Oppressors are the least creative people in the world. They constantly borrow one another’s ideas, and if we learn the early warning signs, we are better equipped to defeat them.”

I was gifted this copy by Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. I read a lot of WWII historical fiction, but this was the first I've read that really focuses on the Theresienstadt camp in Czechoslovakia that was used to show the Red Cross that that the Jewish people were fine under Nazi occupation. This was a ruse of course, but it stopped the Red Cross inspectors from going to look at other camps such as Auschwitz where it would've been harder for the Nazis to hide what they were doing. This book focuses on Hannah and Hilde --one woman a Jew and one a staunch supporter of the Reich as they both use what they have available to survive in this world.

Hannah is a prisoner in the Jewish Ghetto of Theresienstadt. Hilde is a fervent member of the party and when she hears that the Nazis are planning a propaganda film featuring Theresienstadt, she intends to be part of it. Hannah and Hilde were childhood friends but their paths are about to cross again.
This is the first time I had heard of this camp. It's fascinating that the Nazis faked a comfortable place for the Jews, even putting healthy people in the hospital beds. The book was very well written and kept me engrossed. Highly recommended

I have read a couple of books set in Theresienstadt, but I learnt so much from this book! While it’s conditions were not quite as dire as those in camps like Auschwitz, it was still a horrible place with so many atrocities committed and this book conveyed that horror so well. 4.5 stars out of 5 ⭐️

This novel based on real people and places is really good! Not only is it very interesting, but it definitely gets under your skin. I particularly enjoyed reading about ordinary people with their strengths and weaknesses. They are no heroes, they just strive to survive and unbelievably find inner strengths they did not know they had. The novel is very well researched and offers an unforgettable story. My second book by the author, both are impressive on a historical perspective. Highly recommended!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

This was a wonderfully done World War 2 historical fiction novel, it was everything that I was hoping for and that it was a engaging story that I was looking for. The characters felt like they belonged in this time-period and really felt for the characters in this story. Jennifer Coburn is able to write a realistic story and characters and am excited for more.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn tells the inspiring story of the resilience of two childhood friends, torn apart by war and the Nazi occupation, who must do whatever is necessary to survive.
The backdrop of the story is the Theresienstadt, a “model camp” the Nazis used for propaganda films and Red Cross inspections. But it's really a ghetto where those that are sent to live there must endure horrible living situations and immense hunger and starvation.

This historical fiction novel follows two women.
A Jewish woman, named Hannah and a German woman, named Hilde. Hannah lives and works in the ghetto and Hilde gets involved with the Nazi cause of filming propaganda films hoping to make the ghetto look better than it really is and further her career. Once Hilde realizes her childhood friend Hannah lives there and is a Jewish prisoner things change. I loved the twists in this story. I literally could not stop reading.
I would have liked to learn more about the actual Glimmer Factory.
I always appreciate the Author's Note which gives important details of the author's research. I appreciated the author's impeccable research details.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark Publishing for an advanced readers copy for an honest review.

“The Girls of the Glimmer Factory” is a WWII historical fiction book by Jennifer Coburn. I have really mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, more historical fiction books about Theresienstadt are needed - and this book, I felt, did a good job on describing both the propaganda of the camp and the realities. Living at Theresienstadt, like any other concentration camp, wasn’t a picnic. However, I never got a good sense of the different areas of the camp, more related to the jobs. Hannah went from translating texts to working in the “glimmer factory” but when was vague (not really necessary to the story, but suddenly she was there). I did like the Author’s note listing what was fictional and what was fact - and what sources she used (including visiting Theresienstadt). I think my biggest issue was that the pacing was uneven - the story started with a great opening and Hannah’s situation was presented - but it seemed like Hilde’s story was separate for most of the book - then there was the connection, but it felt like it was so late into the story that I kept the two women apart, even when they began working together. I also am not fond of the title of this book - while Hilde dreamed of her film being huge and Hannah worked with the mica, the title felt like an after thought - and seemed to promise more about the film than the experiences at the camp. Overall, I’d recommend people read this book - especially if they don’t know anything about Theresienstadt - I felt the historical parts of the camp were the strongest in the book.

Hauntingly beautiful story based on the real events that took place at Theresienstadt during World War II. A historical fiction on family, friendship, and Nazi propaganda--a timely novel that is a must read for 2025.

The first half of The Girls of the Glimmer Factory was slow-paced, leading me to consider setting it aside for something more engaging. However, I persisted, and I’m glad I did, as the second half of the book picked up significantly.

This historical fiction novel follows the lives of two women—one a Jewish woman and the other a German woman involved with the Nazis—against the backdrop of the Theresienstadt “model camp,” a site the Nazis used for propaganda films and Red Cross inspections. While the title may suggest a focus on the glimmer factory, the mentions of it are sparse and feel somewhat tangential to the main narrative. It seems as though the glimmer factory was added after the title was chosen, as the heart of the story lies in the examination of Nazi propaganda and the experiences within Theresienstadt.

Despite the slow start, I appreciated the insights I gained about this historical period, which is always rewarding in WWII historical fiction. However, I found it challenging to connect with many of the characters. Hilde, the German woman, was particularly well-written; I experienced a complex mix of emotions towards her, feeling both hatred and sympathy as I grappled with how she could become so indoctrinated by the Nazi regime.

In contrast, I felt the author kept Hannah's character at a distance, making it difficult to form a strong connection. Interestingly, I found myself relating more to her grandfather, whose story, although not central to the plot, piqued my interest and added depth to the narrative.

Ultimately, I’m glad I persevered through the book. While the title may be misleading, it offers valuable insights and a thought-provoking look at its themes. Don't judge this book by its title—it presents an important perspective on a challenging period in history.

This book was different than many of the books set in WWII. You often get one side of the other, but in this dual narration you get both. Two friends, one sent to the ghettos, but where the Nazis use propaganda to "show" how well the Jewish people have it. The other trying to move herself ahead in the Nazi regime. Jennifer Coburn does not disappoint, and she did not with The Girls of the Glimmer Factory. I loved this book, and I read it straight through.

Thank you to SourceBooks/Landmark for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #TheGirlsoftheGlimmerFactory #JenniferCoburn #SourceBooksLandmark #WWII

The girls of the Glimmer Factory
By: Jennifer Coburn
Pub Date: January 28, 2025
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

After reading Cradles of the Reich last year, I knew Coburn would be another wonderful historical fiction hour which would become an auto-buy. Her books transport us to a time which is difficult but must be remembered.

Hannah is a Jewish prisoner at Theresienstadt, a ghetto where Nazis make a propaganda film. Those living in this ghetto knew exactly how they were living, but the film is being made so the outside world believed the Jewish people were living in good conditions.
She is apart of the resistance.

Hilde believes in the Nazis, and is working with the Reich Ministry of Enlightenment and Propaganda. She is another path as she tries to earn the respect of the Nazis. She is looking for validation.

Hilde and Hannah were old childhood friends and this will cause problems as their alliances are varied.

A must read. The story is compelling, frightening, emotional and tells of some of the darkest times in history. Coburn’s research makes this novel immersive and you can feel what these characters had to endure.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for the gifted e-ARC.

History major in me just absolutely cherished every page in this book! Jennifer, you wrote a phenomenal story! I loved the journey these woman faced, and the page by page intensity, I couldn't put the book down. Thank you for a wonderful story! Well done!

This is a book about the Nazi regime, and the story focuses on both sides of the support/hate towards the Nazi group. It made me think, it made me angry and upset. I think the writing was well done, but the opinions were interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!