Review of 'The Midwife of Berlin' by Anna Stuart

Review of 'The Midwife of Berlin' by Anna Stuart

Release date: September 13th, 2023

Publisher: Bookouture

REVIEW

To say The Midwife of Berlin shook and shattered my heart is an understatement. I was in tears for a good portion of the story. Anna Stuart’s depiction of the horrors of World War II and its aftermath for its Jewish victims is so powerful you feel as if you are there. This incredibly moving sequel takes you on a life-changing journey and gives you a close up view through each character’s eyes: and in doing so provides an opportunity to experience through fiction a very difficult time.

The author’s talent to convey great pain of the survivors is outstanding in this novel. Emotions run high with all the roadblocks they encounter in their cry for freedom and attempts to reunite their families. But they never give up. Even when it appears the cycle repeats and Ester once again is separated from her children when the Berlin wall goes up.

This story will draw empathy from you like no other. It is an absolutely brilliant piece of fiction based on actual historical events. The characters are beautifully rendered as we get to see their personal developments, their trials and small victories. I ached for Ester, Olivia, Kirsten/Pippa. The Midwife of Berlin left me feeling a profound sadness for the victims of the past who actually experienced all this for real. Every drop of humanity was squeezed from their lives. The abuse, rape, theft, loss and separation they experienced was devastating and, therefore, their appreciation for life and demonstration of courage became more outstanding.

This novel not only brings the two daughters of Ester— Pippa and Olivia— together but also clearly and amazingly shows how hard it was for the families and friends separated by the wall between east and west Germany. There was no warning. Many were unable to be together. The cruelty forced upon them drove many to try and escape. Some lost their lives in the attempt. Anna provides an emotional picture of what it would have been like and what many would have done to get back to their loved ones. It was a very complex political era. To see it through two younger sets of eyes such as Olivia’s and Kirsten’s, gives us a fresh perspective. The factual heft of the novel makes it even more authentic and through these perfectly created characters, history comes alive.

Another segment of this story dips into Dynamo and the vicious head of Stasi. We get to see a little of what went on in the sports arena through Olivia’s and Hans’ eyes. They have been chosen for intense training and given little blue pills to enhance their abilities. Although Anna does not delve deeply into the sports – political corruption, we get a good enough glimpse to know of the stresses these young athletes experienced. We also get to enjoy their wins, too, which offer a bit of relief from a series of very sad and frightening events.

Of course, the midwife Ester, who survives Auschwitz, is the heartbeat of the story. Her child is snatched from her arms after delivery while she is prisoner in the camp. Her daughter Pippa is blonde so is given to a German woman. Ester has tattooed her identification number in her baby’s armpit so that she might be able to find her after the war. She does this for all the other mothers, too. It is a very smart thing to do. For many mothers later are re-joined with their stolen children. It is not so easy for Ester who searches a long time for Pippa and is unable to find her. But she adopts Olivia whose parents died in the camp. Ester loves her like her own. But she has not given up on Pippa. She just pauses her search after seeing the trauma caused to the children when they are taken from their adopted parents. She does not want to hurt her little girl so decides to wait until she is older to resume her quest. Little does she know that Pippa, now known as Kirsten, has begun her own search.

This novel covers some horrendous points in history: flashbacks to Auschwitz, the early 1960’s and then the east and west Berlin division wall and fall. I was deeply and sincerely moved by a cast of beloved characters. Tension runs high in this story as there are numerous road blocks that keep our characters from getting what they seek: love, freedom and family. But I am delighted to say there is a happy ending with a great epilogue that makes it all feel complete. Be prepared, though, with boxes of tissues for this gut-wrenching journey will hit your heart like a tornado. I highly recommend this powerful story that will rock your world and make you appreciate your freedom. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy.