Sarah Freethy’s debut novel intertwines the haunting past of Nazi Germany with a daughter’s quest for truth.
1920s: Bettina, a free-spirited German avant-garde artist, meets and falls in love with Max Ehrlich, a Jewish Austrian student. The rise of the Nazis shatters their dream of escaping Germany. Max is deported to Dachau, where his skill in creating exquisite figures at the Allach porcelain factory helps him survive. Desperate to protect their unborn child, Bettina marries a rising Nazi SS officer.
1993: Clara, who grew up not knowing her father, sets out to discover his identity after her mother’s death. Bettina left behind a single clue—a rare porcelain Viking figurine. Clara’s journey uncovers her mother’s love story with Max and reveals why Bettina kept the truth hidden.
The novel excels in its rich historical detail and focus on art, highlighting how it protected and ultimately led to the artist’s downfall. The Allach porcelain factory, which used labor from Dachau to produce porcelain figures from 1936 to 1945, adds an intriguing and lesser-known aspect.
However, parts of the novel fall flat and feel underwhelming. The characters never fully come to life, and the author often tells rather than shows. Despite its poignant love story and historical insights, it may not captivate those well-versed in WWII literature. 4 stars.
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a comp of this title. The opinions are my own.