auf Wiedersehen: WWII Through the Eyes of a German Girl #Nonfiction #Historical
auf Wiedersehen: WWII Through the Eyes of a German Girl
auf Wiedersehen: WWII Through the Eyes of a German Girl: Nonfiction, Historical
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BLURB; auf Wiedersehen
Cities in ashes, endless bread lines, potato soup by candlelight, people herded along with whips, soldiers in splendid boots and swastikas everywhere, a little girl with chestnut pigtails reaching for her first Hershey bar–these are a few of the images that come to life in my memoir.
EXCERPT: auf Wiedersehen
“But when will we come back?” My sister asked, an edge of desperation in her voice.
Mutti stopped in the open doorway, turned around, and as if to avoid the question, she pointed to the distant wall. “Look Kinder,” she whispered.
A shaft of sun had found its way through the ice-laced window, spilling its silvery light on the painting above the couch, illuminating the wake on a river flowing still.
Sadness crept into my heart, as my eyes returned to my mother – so tall, so graceful, her ash-blond hair knotted in a bun at the nape of her neck. A tear rolled down her high cheekbone. She wiped it away with her fingertips; then closed the door with a decisive click.
~ * ~
For as long as I could remember, this had been our home, a happy home filled with laughter and song. The apartment, gracious and inviting, furnished with unassuming elegance, was located on the first floor of a new apartment building on the outskirts of Görlitz, in the eastern part of Germany. The luscious aroma from Frau Ömichen’s kitchen on the second floor still lingered in the stairway, and her deep foghorn voice resounded off the granite walls, Komm rauf, Christa, wir haben Kartoffel Plinse…Günter warted auf Dich. Come upstairs, Christa, we’re having potato pancakes. Günter is waiting for you. Günter, at six, one year younger than I, was her only son and my friend and playmate.
A while back, wanting a baby brother, Günter convinced me that, although I already had an older sister, I should have a little brother too. And so we left cottage cheese sandwiches on our windowsills. Everyone knew, of course, that the stork brought a baby if you left him a cottage cheese sandwich on the windowsill, at least in our part of Germany. One day, soon after, Günter came skipping downstairs. “Guess what…” his voice danced ahead of him. “I’m going to get a little baby brother.”
I looked at Mutti, anticipation rising to explosion force, but she shook her head from side to side.
“I knew it!” I stamped my foot, both hands on my hips. “You didn’t put enough cottage cheese on the bread.” I was upset. “Frau Ömichen put on a lot more.”
“Well, that’s because Günter’s Vati was on furlough, you know, and they got extra rations,” she sputtered through giggles. Both our fathers were off, fighting Hitler’s war.
Yes, it had been a happy home and I, wrapped in a silken cocoon of a child’s ignorance, was oblivious to the evil and destruction all around us. Still, there were scenes that penetrated the walls of my cocoon and I could not deny the dull ache of foreboding, as on one cold glacial day…
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37 responses to “auf Wiedersehen: WWII Through the Eyes of a German Girl #Nonfiction #Historical”
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I am really interested in these books. My father was German
Very interested. German ancestry
Would like to be entered to win a copy – my Dad’s family is from Germany and I currently reside in East Berlin, PA which was settled by German immigrants over 250 years ago.
We have seen the war through the eyes of other children. It would be really interesting to see it through a German Girl’s eyes. I would like to enter the contest for a book. Thank you for the chance.
this seems interesting, based on history which I love.
Looks like a great read!! Love historical reads! Good luck to those who enter the sweeps! 😎
I love stories like this. I am part Russian Jewish and German. Would love to read this.
Sounds like a wonderful book. Would love the chance to read auf Wiedersehen. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
u can never have too many books ! bev
Seems like a well-written memoir of a bright seven year old. Her voice rings true.
Having lived in Germany for many years a part of the “Occupying Forces” I really look forward to reading this book. We lived in a tiny village surrounded by Germans, most of whom had survived the war. They were welcoming and kind, but they remembered they had been conquered.
This sounds like a interesting read. Looking forward to it!
My ancestry is partly German – also Norwegian, Swedish, French, Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English – so I’ve got most of Northern Europe covered 🙂
There are some very good books by Margot Benary-Isbert, set in the immediate post-war period, told from the perspective of German girls. I would like to read this one as well.
I do like historical novels. As an amateur genealogist, it always intrigues me. I have liked to read biographies and autobiographies since I could read. A little odd for a young girl.
Howdy! I’m Beth Babb and my email is meffie2@yahoo.com. Have a great day, y’all! I pray you all remain healthy and safe.
This book sounds like a very informative book and I would be interested to read it.
As a military and WWII buff, I’m drawn to books about ordinary citizens rather than generals and chancellors.
Add that this is a personal memoir rather than an impersonal history book, and this book is almost required reading.
It is so heartbreaking the horror that goes on during war. I pray that learning from the past may bring enlightment to the the future.
I would love to win this book!
Would love yo win this book, of German descent and as a child read The Diary of Anne Frank and became totally interested in how these poor people coped and lived in that time. This sounds like something that would enhance my historical reads.
Sounds like it would be a great, interesting read.
Interested my husband is a history buff it’s time for me to learn more
This sounds like it would be a great read since it’s from the perspective of not only a victim of the times, but from that of a child. I’m 25% German and would love to win this memoir!!!!
This book looks great
I love reading books like this. I like the cover and excerpt. Would love to read and review the paperback version of this book.
I love to read and now with coronavirus, I finding myself reading more.
Thanks for opportunity to win.
I hope I win.
My full name: Crystal Stewart
My Email: don(dot)stewart(at)zoominternet(dot)net
I enjoy reading about Germany and its history. There are many stories about Hitler and the war. I recently read a book “Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Prophet, Martyr, Spy” by Eric Metaxas. I also read Bonhoeffer’s book: “Wonder of Wonders”. I would love to read “auf Wiedersehen: WWII Through the Eyes of a German Girl”
I would love to read from another perspective!
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” Diane Fair
I was born in England during the second world war and most nights of my 1st year were spent in an air-raid shelter to avoid German bombs. Brought up to regard everythng German as evil. Now in my 70’s and still learning that not all Germans were monsters I will be happy to read this book.
Love books in other languages. Have some in Spanish and French. Would love a German copy
not my cup of tea but would give this read a chance
The book sounds really interesting. My father is from Germany. Although he lived in western Germany, he lived over there during that time. He came to the US in the late 1950’s when he was in early 20’s.
dianah7272@gmail.com
I am fascinated by German history especially WWII. Would relish a new book.
I’d like to read about those times from the viewpoint of those girls for several reasons: it is said that from time to time countries ought to exchange history books just to see what the other side did with the same set of facts and for about 12 years I have had a good friend on the web that I never met in person who lives in Austria right by Germany, the snippet provided sounds interesting and it is well written- poor quality writing replete with typos and grammatical errors is aggravating to read.
Looks good will look forward to it
I am really instread in reading this book. Thanks for the chance.
I enjoy historical fiction and would love reading this.