On the eve of her family's departure from Czechoslovakia to escape the Nazi's, Hannah Kauffman develops smallpox and must stay behind with her grandfather until she recovers. Before they can leave to reunite with their family, they are arrested and taken to Theresienstadt ghetto. This ghetto is considered to be a "model" ghetto fo the Nazis to prove to the world that the Jewish people are not mistreated. When the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations will be viewing the camp, the ghetto is transformed into a city with parks, a theater, food carts and nicely dressed prisoners. A contingent of Nazi officers and filmmakers will be coming there to film a propaganda video to show the world that the Jews in the Theresienstadt ghetto are just fine.

There are many artists, musicians and educated people imprisoned there and they try to do what they can to make their lives as bearable as possible by playing music, putting on plays, holding readings but despite this, conditions in the camp are brutal. Hannah, her grandfather and the others are barely holding on but the Nazis are losing the war so there is hope that they will be liberated soon.

When the Nazis arrive to film their propaganda film. Hannah spots Hilde her friend from school. At one time the girls were the best of friends but now Hannah is a prisoner and Hilde is a die hard Nazi. As filming progresses, Hilde begins to see that the film will be different than she was led to believe. She tries to befriends Hannah but is still devoted to the Nazi cause.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory is a companion piece to Cradles of the Reich. Hilde is a character in so it would be helpful to read Cradles of the Reich first. Both books are very well written and researched. There is a twist at the end of this that I didn't expect. The Girls of the Glimmer Factory was published on January 28, 2025.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.

80 years ago, this week, the Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated by Allied Forces. These men would see things that would haunt their memories for the rest of their lives. The Jewish people who had been relocated were not living in comfortable circumstances as the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda would have the world believe. They were trying to survive or were being slaughtered by their tormentors. -January 18, 2025

Jennifer Coburn offers readers her second deeply researched work of fiction that is based on the truth of the Nazi ghetto located in Terezin, Czechoslovakia. Theresienstadt was touted as a resort like area for the wealthy and artistic Jewish citizens to live in a pleasant environment, a "gift" from Hitler and community all their own. It was a setting for propaganda films to show to the world to ensure that this was a safe place, nothing like the lies that were being spread by enemies of the Reich.
The author tells the story in the two voices of childhood friends who were separated when anti-Semitic nastiness was growing in Europe. Hannah, a young Jewish woman is about to relocate with her entire family. Hilde, a young German widow has a dream to be a filmmaker and will do anything to reach her goal.
I want to thank @JenniferCoburn for my advanced reader's copy of the book from the Landmark Sourcebooks and NetGalley. This is my own unsolicited opinion about the book. It brings me to tears just thinking about it, to be honest. Although a fictionalized account of these two characters they both represent the best and worst of those who lived during this time, and in this horrendous place. Hannah and her Opa Oskar are transported to Theresienstadt after he is convinced that he has a piece of land and cabin there. The everyday survival story is gripping and heartbreaking for those who live in the ghetto. To work through various positions to get to be a "glimmer girl" and spend hours a day breaking up pieces of mica was to insure a longer chance at survival. Her grandfather maintains a positive demeanor and is such a strong character in the story. Hannah changes as time passes. Eventually Hilde comes into the area, having 'worked' her way into a film production team. There are many intense scenes reflective of true events and people of the ghetto. This to me, is a novel written with bits and pieces of historical value.
It's an intense read. It is hard to put down. It is heartbreaking too, as it should be. It was such a horrendous place.
Triggers: death, starvation, sexual content/rape

From the author of Cradles of the Reich, once again Jennifer Coburn exposes us to WW II atrocities that I never heard about in history class.

The Nazis created propaganda films of a Jewish settlement showcasing to the world lives of comfort, arts and leisure in the Jewish settlements. Meanwhile they were hiding the atrocities being committed, the real purpose of the ghetto was a prisoner holding place on the way to extermination camps.

This story introduces a young Jewish prisoner named Hannah, her Jewish friends from home, and other prisoners she befriends in the camp. It also brings back from Cradles of the Reich her childhood friend Hilde. They were close during their school days, until Hilde’s family separated the friends because Hannah was Jewish.

Despite Hilde’s strong ambitions in the Nazi Party, and her desire to make a name for herself as a film maker, she is aghast to discover that Theresienstadt is not the paradise its portrayed to be. Her party loyalty is tested when she realizes the danger Hannah faces.

A compelling story about resilience, fortitude, friendship, heartbreak and hope in the face of imprisonment at Theresienstadt during WW II.

Thank you for my Advanced Reader Copy @jennifercoburnbooks
@bookmarked @sourcebooks

#JenniferCoburn #arc #advancedreadercopy #historicalfiction #netgalley

This book is very interesting because it talks about Hannah who was taken to this camp Called TH ERE SH. IEN s TAC. T. This was a concentration camp but they tried to portray it as a happy place for these jewish people. Hannah and her grandfather ended up there because they were taken from P r a n g and her family left to go to palestine. Hannah came down with smallpox so her grandmother went in her place instead. Hannah really grew up in the concentration.Camp because she had to learn to survive. This was A.
Rough place and she met her friend.H I l l d e. Who was working with the nazis on a film to portray?Is a big happy family. She also lost her husband and married.Another man from this division. All were trying to survive but was very hard for them.And a lot of them were shipped east. The Red Cross also came but they did nothing because they put. Show For them. These people had a lot of gumption and willing to survive this horrible conditions. I like how they smuggled.The babies out so they could have a life and we're not dead there. The end of the book has a lot of twists and turns.It shows how people can survive and go on with their lives.

Thank you NetGalley!
I go through these periods when I love reading WWII stories & this one came at the exact right time.
Told through alternating points of view we hear from Hilde who works for the Nazi's and Hannah who knows what the camps are really doing.
Enter some 'fake-news' and we have the filming of what the Nazi's would like the world to see of their 'new world'.
We see all the horror & all the lies played out between these 2 ladies.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes WWII novels.

Another highly emotional, well researched historical fiction book by this author. I loved her first book, Cradles of the Reich and I love this one too! 2 childhood friends are the main characters, Hilde and Hannah. Hannah is a quiet Jewish child/young woman, Hilde becomes a power seeking Nazi. The setting of the story is Theresienstadt, a model ghetto. Hilde is trying to make a film that paints Theresienstadt in a good light, Hannah trys to stop the production. You have to read it to see what happens!

This is an entertaining, well-written, informative, WWII historical fiction novel which takes place in Theresienstadt, and includes depictions of actual persons and events. It is fast paced, with a likable female protagonist, heartbreak, sorrow, hope, strength, resilience, the comfort and healing power of music, and a satisfying conclusion. The author's notes are interesting and enlightening, and are truly appreciated. I especially liked this novel's inspiring message that friendship gives us the power to discover who we really are, and to find strength when we need it the most. Many thanks to Ms. Coburn, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley, from whom I received an advanced reader copy of this outstanding novel. This is my honest opinion.

Hilde and Hannah started out as best friends with they were little girls. Then the Nazis took over. Hilde became a true Nazi and swallowed their beliefs with gusto. Hannah was sent off to be Jewish prisoner at Theresienstadt, a model ghetto. It took years, but their paths cross again.

The difference between these two young women is night and day. Hannah is a sweet young, Jewish lady and Hilde is a true Nazi to her core. Hilde and Hannah become reacquainted when Hilde heads to the ghetto to do a film about how great the Jews have it under the Nazi regime. But, it doesn’t go quite as planned. And you need to read this to find out!

As with most WWII novels, the emotions run high. I just wanted to slap Hilde. But, she is a product of her environment. The author does a great job with these two and their differences.

This is very well researched and an emotional read.

Need a tale you will be thinking about for days…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory is the first historical fiction I've read in a while (Thank you @bookmarked for the ARC) and I couldn't put it down. It's hard leaving characters in places like Theresienstadt (based on a real place) where our main character Hannah is taken after her Grandfather buys a "lakeside cottage in a spa town for Jews". Described as a "paradise settlement" and "Hitler's gift to the Jews", it was anything but. Its purpose was to make the world believe Jews were being treated nicely. Prisoners produced works of art, put on performances, operas, lectures, readings. All of this was in addition to their assigned "jobs" like working in a factory splitting mica into thin sheets which causes tiny cuts on their hands.

The Nazis plan to make a propaganda film at Theresienstadt to show the world what they want to show them, but Hannah and her friends have a plan. They can't stop the film but maybe they can show the truth after all.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory is all about the characters. Watching Hannah as she changes from when she enters Theresienstadt to the end of the novel is interesting. She is always the same good person but her bravery and leadership develops along the way. Her friend Misa is a wonderful character who I liked right away. There are many others who all work together in different ways.

Chapters from Hannah's perspective alternate with Hilde, a childhood friend and true Nazi supporter. She isn't a sympathetic character, but her chapters are still interesting. She wants to make a name for herself in filmmaking. Their paths cross again when Hilde is assigned to the propaganda film. I can't say anymore without spoilers about what happens when they meet again.

Things get very interesting as the filming approaches. Time is not on the prisoners' side, but their fight and determination will never end.

This book will make you cry. It will make you stay up late reading. If you like historical fiction add this to your list!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…

~ I love learning about the Holocaust (so many different stories of bravery and depravity)
~ I would hope that I would be as brave as the characters that I read about
~ We should always read to learn, so as NOT TO REPEAT!!

This was a story told from two points of view. Hilde, a young woman who believes in the mission of the Reich. Hannah, a young jewish woman determined to wait out the war, safely. Their paths have crossed before and will do so again.

Hannah was set to relocate to Palestine with her family before getting sick. Her grandfather stays with her and they will meet the family when they get their travel papers. However, they are sent to Theresienstadt, a model ghetto where the Nazis plan to make a propaganda film to convince the world that the Jewish people are living well in the camps.

Hilde, wants to prove herself to the Reich and the Nazi cause and works in the Ministry of Enlightenment. She wants to help create the film that will prove Hitler’s plans for Jewish containment.

This is a must read story for anyone who thinks that fascism can’t happen. This is a story for all those who want to dig a little deeper into the atrocities of this time and the stories of resistance and survival.

This is not an easy read but such a necessary read. It is very well researched and very well written!! Jennifer Coburn is a favorite author of mine because she tells the story of such a difficult time, with such grace and compassion. (There are those who would erase this time in history! So, educate yourself with learning and reading about this time period!)

5 HUGE stars for me!

80 years after Auschwitz was liberated, when there are still far too many being held hostage by Hamas, this book seems more important than ever to read. An informative, heartbreaking, empowering and loving book about the horrors that Jewish people faced in Terezin, the Nazi's "Model camp/ghetto" during WWII. Told in two different points of view, that of Hannah, a young Jewish woman sent to live and work at Terezin. And her best friend from childhood, Hilde, a member of the Nazi party working on a propaganda film that will show the world just how wonderful Terezin is and how well they treat the Jews. An incredibly well written, researched and executed book. Filled with emotions, you can't help but feel them all throughout some of the scariest times. A message to the world, that not everything is what it seems, propaganda and the news can paint a picture much different than what things seem. Yet another story showing the absolute horrors experienced at the hands of the Nazis, but also the sheer strength, determination and grit that Jewish people showed during this time. A beautifully written story about an ugly time. An important part of history that everyone should learn about. Thank you Jennifer Coburn for writing such a magnificent book.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

I really loved Jennifer’s first book and I was looking for to finishing this one but unfortunately I ran out of time on netgalley and didn’t get to finish would have been a 5 sense with the wonderful writing.

Thank you Sourcebooks for my #gifted copy of The Girls of The Glimmer Factory! #TheGirlsOfTheGlimmerFactory #JenniferCoburn #sourcebooks #bookmarked #sourcebookslandmark

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝟱★

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory was well-researched and highlights the dangers of propaganda. Based on the real story of Theresienstadt, which was a model ghetto that was used during WWII to try to conceal the horrors of the Holocaust, and to dispel myths of the mistreatment of Jewish prisoners. This book was so well-written and had me hooked from the very first page. I regret the fact that I’ve not yet read Crafles of the Reich, and will definitely be grabbing a copy to read ASAP by Coburn!

Hannah is a Jewish prisoner at Theresienstadt, a model ghetto where the Nazis make propaganda girls to convince the rest of the world that the Jewish people are living well in the camps. But Hannah is willing to do anything to disrupt the films and show the world the truth. Hilde is a Nazi sympathizer who is helping to create the documentaries that will help the world have new confidence in Hitler’s plan for Jewish containment. When the filming of Hitler Gives a City to the Jews faces production issues faces problems with resistances, she sees a familiar faces in Hannah from her childhood. Capitalizing on their past friendship, she hopes to get filming back on track and finally make a name for herself.

This was such a page-turner. I loved the dual POV format of this book, especially with the perspectives being that of a Jewish prisoner and a Nazi sympathizer. I really enjoyed learning about Theresienstadt and the role propaganda played during this time period. This was truly a fascinating and powerful reading about resistance and bravery. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction.

Posted on Goodreads on January 27, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around January 27, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on January 28, 2025
**-will post on designated date

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn

As with all WWII historical fiction, readers can expect emotion, strength, and resiliency tucked in these pages. Many of my historical fiction reads have been WWII era, so I found the beginning of this one to be slow and repetitive.

However I appreciated the extensive research that went into this. And I appreciated the author’s note at the end. I also found the moral conflict angle the book presented to be interesting.

If you’re looking for a WWII-era historical fiction or an emotional read, check this out.

In 1941 Hannah and her family are planning to leave Czechoslovakia and go to Palestine. At the last minute Hannah becomes ill and she is left behind with her grandfather, Oskar. As the Nazis take more and more control Oskar "buys" a cottage in Theresienstadt ghetto. This was set up as propaganda to show how well the prisoners were treated. In reality it was slave labor and a stop before being sent to the camps.

Hilde was a childhood friend of Hannah's and a true believer of the Reich. As a widow of 20 years old she wants to make propaganda films. I found her to be manipulative and a schemer who lies to get whatever she wants.

Oskar drove me a little nuts. I couldn't tell if he was really that optimistic, ignorant or just delusional thinking things were okay. Even when a guard told him to turn back on the way to the ghetto he didn't. He should have been an endearing character but not for me.

Hannah had many friends and there was a small resistance group at work. At first she worked restoring old manuscripts but eventually volunteered for the glimmer factory thinking it would give her a layer of protection from being sent to a camp. Glimmer factory almost sounds like a happy place but it was still slave labor where the women shaved off mica.

This was a difficult story to read, the horror of that time in history never becomes easy. How people can survive for years on a crust of bread and thin soup and work from dawn to dusk shows their determination and resilience. The author did an amazing job of showing us another ghetto that I never knew existed and I would highly recommend this, especially to fans of historical fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a digital copy.

Nothing that happened during WWII should be shocking, but this is another eye opening read about the control and propaganda the Nazi's created to try and once again prove what they were doing was a benefit to those they've imprisoned and how dare anyone believe otherwise. Lie after lie after lie is all that they did. This novel follows two opposing women who once had a friendship before the war changed things. Hannah and her grandfather get round up and are taken to Theresienstadt, where it has been promised that there are cabins by the lake, a focus on art and music and theatre. They will be able to worship and are being well fed and cared for. As we all know, it is far from any of what has been dreamed up. Hilde has always believed the Reich is doing all it can to better the lives of the German's. Look at all they are doing to better the race and how dare these people think otherwise. When it is found that there is a documentary to be filled at Theresienstadt to show the world how wonderful this place is for the Jew's she knows she must have a hand in this. Film is her dream! But when she gets to the camp, she realizes things are not as they appear and when she finds someone from her past, she starts to wonder if maybe things are not as they seem. Another amazing WWII novel and I loved all of the historical things in the Author's Note at the end. I enjoy that this author always has a challenging character to help show the naivety some had. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Tours for the tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory is a must-read historical fiction novel that shines a light on Theresienstadt, a Jewish prison camp located outside of Prague during WWII. The Nazis tried and were successful at ‘billing’ this as a spa-like community where one could see the water, read books, attend lectures, listen to music and attend concerts. They not only sold this pack of lies to unwitting Jews but to the public at large. Life at Theresienstadt was hard labor, filth, illness and starvation. The story tells of two childhood best friends who became separated because Hannah was a Jew. The German friends name was Hilde. Her family was loyal to the Reich. The girls had no idea why they couldn’t play any more. Hilde’s mother slammed the door in Hannah’s face one day when she came to play with Hilde.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory is the second book I have read by Jennifer Coburn. The Girls of the Glimmer Factory started off a little slow for me but the pace picked up. The bulk of the story is told by Hannah. After sometime at Theresienstadt (which was said to be a model work camp where the Jews were treated well) Hilde arrives in order to make a film for the Nazi’s to show that the Jews aren’t treated so terribly. Hannah and Hilde end up meeting again at Theresienstadt.

Jennifer Coburn's extensive research is present throughout the story with its immense detail and wonderfully created characters. Ms. Coburn poignantly demonstrates the bonds of love and friendship as well as greed and man’s inhumanity to man. Most successfully, Ms. Coburn depicts the resilience of the human spirit which is woven throughout the story line.
I had never heard of Theresienstadt. I learned so much from this novel, and it is one that will stay with me for a long time. Well done. I am anxious to see what Ms. Coburn has in store for us next.

When you are done reading you must read the authors note where she states what was real and which parts were altered for the story. It is always interesting to see what facts the author has included in her story.

I would like to thank Ms. Coburn, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Where there is music, it cannot be so terrible.”

I read Jennifer Coburn’s debut, Cradles of the Reich, and was fortunate enough to hear her surreal at the Tucson Festival of Books, so when I saw this on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. I did not realize this would have one of the same characters from the first book, because it is not listed as a sequel. It can certainly be read as a stand alone, although I would highly recommend reading both!

Coburn again brings an incredible amount of research to The Girls of the Glimmer Factory, highlighting a little-known event during WWII which was used as propaganda by the Nazis.

This is a chunky novel at just under 500 pages, but it reads much quicker than that because I was so invested in the story. I will continue to pick up what Coburn writes!

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

What you’ll find:
- Dual POVs
- Juxtaposition of those inside a concentration camp with a clueless German girl wanting to work for the Reich
- Themes of hope and resilience

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for a digital copy through NetGalley.

Coburn’s second book is not less compelling and disquieting as her first one was.
After I finished this book I had to let it all soak in, the enormity of the story plus all the work and research Corburn did to produce another stunning novel.
I had no sympathy for Hilde and thought she deserved exactly the crop she produced with the seeds she planted.
Hannah’s character undergoes many transformations and had the tenacity to hang on.
My favorite characters were Oskar and Radek. I loved Oskar because he tried to be cheerful and have an optimistic countenance even in the face of denial.
Radek was a protector and I loved his parting words to Hannah, soulful and sorrowful though they were.
This novel is one that will stay with me for a long time.

Hannah is a Jewish slave laborer in the Terezin ghetto, while Hilde is a Nazi propaganda filmmaker. Before Kristallnacht, Hannah and Hilde were childhood friends in Munich. Their paths cross again when the Nazi regime creates a propaganda film.

This book is both compelling and profoundly horrifying. It is well-researched, and its poignancy was heightened for me after visiting the Terezin ghetto in the summer of 2024. Reading this book provides valuable insight into the Glimmer Factory and the Terezin ghetto.

I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark Paperbacks and NetGalley for providing an early read in exchange for an honest review. This is another well-written, well-researched work that shares the important history of World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust. 5 Stars.