Wanted to more about the actual trial...less about the Bruhn family
I really struggled to finish this book. It was very slow and there were too many random side stories that distracted from the main reason I was even interested in reading this book - the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials of 1963. Unfortunately, the trials merely served as a historical backdrop for the story. There were many times I almost quit reading because I simply did not care about the main character (Eva), her family members (especially her sister!), or her fiancé (Jurgen).
That being said, I thought the author did a very good job of consistently conveying how people were able to excuse, deny, or even defend what the Nazis did during World War II. There was also a good message toward the end when Eva wants to be consoled by an Auschwitz survivor.
I hate giving any book about the Holocaust less than four stars because I think it’s important to tell these stories. However, I also write honest reviews, and this book was poorly plotted and executed. It was all over the place, and there was no point to any of the characters’ stories. The most disappointing side story was lawyer David Miller’s. What ultimately happened to him? Did he die from his injuries, was he kidnapped by Nazi sympathizers, or had he only existed in Eva’s imagination? Did he not have a brother who had died at Auschwitz? I could go on...but I don’t think there are any answers.
That being said, I thought the author did a very good job of consistently conveying how people were able to excuse, deny, or even defend what the Nazis did during World War II. There was also a good message toward the end when Eva wants to be consoled by an Auschwitz survivor.
I hate giving any book about the Holocaust less than four stars because I think it’s important to tell these stories. However, I also write honest reviews, and this book was poorly plotted and executed. It was all over the place, and there was no point to any of the characters’ stories. The most disappointing side story was lawyer David Miller’s. What ultimately happened to him? Did he die from his injuries, was he kidnapped by Nazi sympathizers, or had he only existed in Eva’s imagination? Did he not have a brother who had died at Auschwitz? I could go on...but I don’t think there are any answers.