I liked this book, although I didn't like it as much as Lilac Girls by this same author. I've been trying to figure out why. The thing that bothers me the most is that both Arlette and Josie were taken by people they should have been more suspicious of. If these two were intelligent enough to join the French Resistance at the age of 17 - and survive Ravensbruck - then how is it that they so willingly went along with people I certainly didn't trust! When someone seems too good to be true, then take a step back and consider all the angles. Look at the evidence!
Other than that, I did like the book and I learned a few things I didn't know. I actually wasn't aware of Operation Paperclip and I am appalled at how many top Nazi's were given new identities to leave their crimes behind and live comfortably and safely in other countries. To know that they were assisted by members of the Red Cross and the Vatican is disgusting. All of the medical experiments, the killing of innocent children (including newborns), the starving of children in the Kinderzimmer at Ravensbruck, and all the other, endless, horrific things that went on because of Hitler and his Nazi's, is truly hard to believe.
The one thing I have never been able to understand about Nazi Germany is how so many people thought these actions (to achieve a superior race) were okay. It's one thing to be taken in by a charismatic leader, or to follow what you are told to do as a child, or to get "caught up in the moment", but what about our innate sense of morality and ethics? How is torturing men, women and children ever beneficial to any cause at all? Even the top scientists and doctors of the time had to see how incredibly wrong it all was. How do you get that brainwashed by a man, or even by a movement?
I think about how difficult it would have been to trust people during World War II and the aftermath. There were so many spies and double agents from all countries that were assimilated into each community. Russia, Israel and the US each had their own agenda for tracking down Nazi war criminals. When Arlette met Luc and Josie met Aaron, they should have been immediately suspicious. But, Arlette and Josie also had their own agendas (Arlette to find her son and Josie to find Dr. Snow), so it's somewhat understandable that they "went along" to find out what information they could. But I was sad that some key, wonderful people died along the way.
World War II continues to be one of my favorite topics to read about. I am intrigued with how incredibly brave people were and how they managed to survive living in Europe and/or the camps during the war. From a psychological standpoint, I want to try to understand why the people running these camps thought it was acceptable to treat people the way they did.
Wendy's Rating: ****
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