Powerful

The German Mother by Debbie Rix is a powerful historical novel that completely took over my life for a few hours.

The action is set from 1920 -1945 mainly in Germany but also in London. It is based on factual details. We follow the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party from its inception to the height of power and then witness its demise. Within the tale, Hitler has a cameo role whereas Joseph Goebbels is more of a main character.

The story is set around the friendship of two German girls – one Aryan and one Jewish. Both enter the business of journalism as we see the power of the press to influence minds. Both witness the same events but with differing reactions. One fears what is to come, the other dismisses it. “They were only words, after all, and words couldn’t really hurt people.” Despite their differences, their friendship remains.

We see the action alternating between the two lead characters, and we get to know them really well.

It is horrifying to witness the rise to power of Hitler and the Nazis. The silence, the indifference and dismissive attitude of the German people enabled the obnoxious little corporal to come to power – and once in, he was impossible to unseat as he ruled through terror.