Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I'd read The Girl from Krakow so was looking forward to reading another of Rosenberg's book with eager anticipation and I was not disappointed. Firstly, the quality of the writing style was reliably exquisite and I enjoyed reading the words, as much as the story. The story itself was a fascinating insight into the unique challenges of life in post-war Germany from the perspective of Rita, a victim/survivor and a woman. These identities were explored through experiences of her world-wide travel in attempts to escape the past, only to discover that the past cannot be avoided, or hidden from. I particularly liked the way that Rita was written as having immense agency at a time when women's lives (especially in Australia) were generally perceived to have very limited value beyond breeding and house-keeping. Through her quiet persistence and determination, Rita sloughs off whatever holds her back, whilst never really being overtly confrontational or aggressive. There is a theme of leaving, sacrifice and returning that is woven through the novel. I was gripped from beginning to end and only mildly disappointed the 'return' at the end left me with a sense that it was slightly unfinished. But that is personal, and my enjoying was undiminished by this. I can thoroughly recommend--Kate Kennett "Netgalley"
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This book attracted me because of the title. I was not disappointed, on the contrary, although the book was far more different that I thought it would be. The emphasis is mainly on Rita's life, starting in 1948, although we learn a lot about her earlier life as she is frequently looking back. And Rita has a lot to look back on. Inexplicably, when living in Poland with her husband and her young son, she narrowly escapes being put on a transport to an extermination camp...................I just loved this beautifully written story which gives a fascinating insight in the lives of people in those difficult times after the war.........--Jannelies Smit "Netgalley"
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. A brilliant novel with a seamless blend of fact and fiction. The truth behind the breaking of the Enigma Code had, eventually, to be made public and the characters in this novel provided a good insight into the espionage of the nations involved. The character of Rita showed her as a young, intelligent, independent and resourceful woman and her fight for survival putting aside the horrors of her past. I found the novel compulsive reading and a 'sit on the edge of your seat' ending. For those who enjoy espionage thrillers, this should certainly be amongst those at the top of their reading list. I loved it.--Jill Walker "Netgalley"