Tag Archive | Catherine Hokin

The German Child by Catherine Hokin

Horrendous & Heart-Breaking

The German Child by Catherine Hokin is a powerful dual timeline novel that completely captivated me. It is horrendous, heart breaking and powerful.

The action is set during World War II in Berlin and also in 1979/1980 America. We see the dreadful exploits of the Angel of Death in Germany during the war, continue afterwards. Far from seeing what was done as war crimes, the Angel of Death is proud of her lifetime of horrendous crimes.

We see the power wielded as one chooses who lives and who dies, who is deemed worthy and who isn’t. First it was the Jewish people during World War II, then it was the African Americans in Alabama as the white supremacists supported the horrendous acts of prejudice and inequality.

The Lebensborn program of the Nazis robbed families of children, and children of their mothers. Blonde haired, blue-eyed boys were selected for the Nazis Fatherland. Girls were not valued so highly, being viewed only as good for breeding boys. The army of drab brown-uniformed sisters were selected to blend in as they stole children. They were meant to be unmemorable. The novel is grounded in fact as the brown sisters actually existed.

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The Pilot’s Girl by Catherine Hokin

Echoes

The Pilot’s Girl by Catherine Hokin is a gripping historical suspense that I could not put down. It is the second book in the Hanni Winter series. I recommend reading book one first to follow the storyline and character progression.

The action is set in Berlin in the late 1940’s. The city is divided as the Soviets try to starve the population and the Americans drop food supplies. Roaming the streets are gangs and individuals seeking revenge for some of the most heinous crimes – but the lengths to which some will go is horrifying.

Photographer, Hanni Winters once more teams up with Freddy, the police inspector as they set about trying to solve the brutal murders that are occurring in Berlin. What they uncover is shocking – but will anyone believe them?

During World War II the Nazis reigned with brutality and terror. Jewish citizens lost their livelihoods and their lives. Few were brave enough to stand up. What would you do if you found out your father was a high-ranking Nazi official? The reader applauds the actions of one brave youngster but the father always seems to be one step ahead and controlling a life with terror. The dreadful secret of one’s roots needs to be kept until justice is served.

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The Commandant’s Daughter by Catherine Hokin

Kept Me Awake At Night

The Commandant’s Daughter by Catherine Hokin is a powerful and heart wrenching historical novel that is set in Berlin.

The story opens in 1933 with “the new hope of Hitler.” Even at that time there are those who can already see the dangerous character that lies within. The story then jumps to post war Berlin, continuing on to 1947.

Post war Berlin is a place of unrest. It is already divided into various sectors. The Jewish people are trying to pick up the pieces of their lives. Whilst former SS are trying to blend in and carve out new identities for themselves. The commandant’s daughter has spent the war trying to document the horrors of her father’s life as she “learned that he [her father] was far worse than a liar.”

There are many hiding behind secrets. For some, it is to protect others, and for some it is self-preservation.

There is a moral conflict too – does one hide the truth and let vigilante justice prevail? Or work within the law to catch the perpetrator? This dilemma plays out in several minds.

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What Only We Know by Catherine Hokin

United

What Only We Know by Catherine Hokin is a marvellous heart-breaking dual timeline novel that will consume you as you ‘live’ through the action.

The novel is set in Germany, mainly Berlin, in 1936-1947, and in England in 1971-1990. Chapters alternate, as do the voices through whom the story is told.

The horrors of life for Jewish people in Nazi Germany builds from ripples in 1936 to full blown horrors. Cruelty knows no bounds. One scene in particular affected me deeply as it played out before my eyes.

World War II effected lives and continued to effect lives for years later. A defining moment firmly grounded a character, stuck forever, suspended in a moment in time. No amount of love or care could move the character on.

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