Review of ‘The Orphans of Berlin’ by Jina Bacarr
Review of ‘The Orphans of Berlin’ by Jina Bacarr
Release date: November 10, 2022
Wow! I was blown away by the magnitude of this novel. It is exceptional on so many levels. It is hard to know where to begin in singing its praises. The Orphans of Berlin is incredible in its presentation, topic and progression. The description is so vivid, it is like watching a mini-series. I also felt the emotional roller coaster rides of each of the dominant characters and was successfully transported to the settings of Philadelphia and Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, Paris and Berlin. I easily embraced the story lines of each of the two lead speakers whose lives are very different in so many ways. Kay is the American heiress debutante and Rachel, the Jewish musician Berlin orphan. Their paths cross and become intertwined in such an unexpected way. Each of their stories equally captured my attention and pulled my heart in so many directions. I deeply cared about these two and their associate family, friends and loves.
The novel opens in September 1942 with nineteen year old Rachel Landau and the French police storming the Chateau outside Paris where she lives with her two siblings. The local gendarmes are taking orders from the Nazis. Nobody is safe; especially Jews. But Rachel is not inside with them. She is on the grounds but in a secret meeting in the gamekeeper’s cottage when she hears the roar of the big trucks. Her worst fears are happening. Her two sisters are captured. Along with their governess – a Polish girl. Who has betrayed them? How will she save them from the death camps?
The second chapter (still in September 1942) introduces Kay Alexander and her undercover business. She is an untrained agent, spying for allies but utilising effectively her debutante skills. As her uncle Archibald says, it is her position in society that gives her a ‘certain cachet on foreign soil.’ She is clever and resourceful. We learn a lot about her in this chapter. How she helped rescue the Jewish Landau sisters from Berlin and now she must help them escape Paris where the Gestapo have been hunting down Jewish children hiding in France.
A few chapters in, we are sent back to the earlier days of both Kay and Rachel before and after they meet. Much of the story is told in flashbacks and how their chance encounter changes both their lives. Rachel is full of courage and determination and cares deeply about her family. She shares a closeness with her parents and younger siblings and will do whatever it takes to save them. After Kay meets Rachel and her family, she is deeply moved by their love for each other and warmth. So, when she is called upon to help, she is ready for action.
But what has led Kay Alexander to this place? We are provided flashbacks of her life before the war. We learn a lot about her—including her love of reading and how books are her escape from the real world. She is a very wealthy heiress to a candy fortune in Philadelphia who must ‘come out,’ find a husband and take her place in the top realms of society. It is Mrs Alexander’s ambition for her daughter to become Debutante of the Year. But this goes against every fibre of Kay’s being for these social things are of no interest to her. Kay Alexander wants to do something special with her life—something that matters. And becoming a debutante is not a worthy goal in her mind. She says it is ‘torture.’ Of course, at this stage she does not know how her social position will help her and others in the future. I found this part of her story quite intriguing—and how a debutante’s training in the art of attracting publicity will assist her in future missions.
There is one more thing Kay wants desperately and that is to gain her mother’s respect and love. But her mother has made it clear she is not proud of her—even after she gives in and does what she wants. She goes through the Debutant training and once done, her mother’s lack of true acknowledgement, breaks her heart and sends her on the run out into the world and into the arms of someone she feels she can trust and love. Of course, things go very bad and some major heartbreaking events occur. Yet Kay still gains no compassion from her mother who continues to be very sharp and unfeeling towards her. It becomes obvious her mother’s ambitions are clouding her judgement as far as Kay is concerned. But through a strange twist of fate or divine intervention, Kay’s life takes a turn, assisted by her uncle. Which then leads to meeting a special artist pilot and the arrival of love into her life. This man shares her passion to help others fight against Hitler’s takeover. They begin some harrowing adventures together. But Kay harbours a secret that may affect their relationship.
A lot of research has obviously gone into The Orphans of Berlin and Jina has mastered that and more magnificently. The core of this story circles around the Kindertransport history—an informal rescue of Jewish children from Hitler’s destruction. Moving them was an epic act of survival. With such hefty inspiration woven into this story’s fabric, it is no surprise that it is a gripping, heart wrenching story of chaos, sacrifice and courage. And yes, many were saved despite the battles and yes, there was also great loss. But Jina paints not only the sadness and devastation but also the love, strength and determination of those who fought hard to save as many as they could. It is a harrowing journey and one that is written in such a way you will not forget the horrors that Jews and others experienced under Hitler’s regime. This is a moving demonstration of steady acts of courage. A commemoration of the many who tried to relieve the suffering of these children and to deliver the wrongfully condemned. The Dedication at the beginning of the novel reflects beautifully the heart of this story. ‘To the brave men and women who risked their lives to save innocent Jewish children from the ravages of Hitler’s war machine…’
The Orphans of Berlin will stay with me forever. This multi-layered story has great depth and heart and shows how even initial negative experiences can be turned around and used in a positive way. There is also an epic lesson in The Orphans of Berlin that out of the ashes of sorrow, beautiful flowers of love and healing can spring—if bitterness is not allowed to take root.
The Orphans of Berlin is a powerful story of love, courage, determination, purpose and identity. It is a must-read for historical fiction lovers and deserves all the stars and more. It is filled with saddening moments but also joyous ones. The victories are sweeter because they are hard earned and deserved. I highly recommend this novel as it will touch your heart deeply as it did mine. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to Jina Bacarr, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my review copy.
