The German Midwife/ A Woman of War - Mandy Robotham

Amazon UK 

Goodreads Blurb:

Germany, 1944. A prisoner in the camps, midwife Anke Hoff is doing what she can to keep her pregnant camp mates and their newborns alive.

But when Anke’s work is noticed, she is chosen for a task far more dangerous than she could ever have imagined. High in the Bavarian hills, Eva Braun is pregnant, and Anke is assigned as her caregiver. Before long, Anke is faced with an impossible choice. Does she serve the Reich she loathes and keep the baby alive? Or does she sacrifice an innocent child for the good of a broken world?

My review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is incredibly thought provoking and emotive. A book so well written it makes you question the 'what if's' - quick note: if you are looking for a book ENTIRELY factual then this perhaps isn't for you. Based on accounts - this fictionalised story takes one of the most significant events in history and plants seeds of what could have been.  Very well written by Mandy Robotham, so good in fact I forgot it wasn't a (fully) true story.

The book looks at the complex set of relationships Anke establishes, cherishes and aims to protect; whether through her job as a midwife, as a daughter, sister, friend or lover. I liked the romance element to the book, I think it was a lifeline for Anke but didn't distract from the other themes. 

As you can imagine with the theme of the book, it has moments of heartbreak, sadness and pain I doubt anyone could truly imagine. It describes various stories of childbirth in great detail - something I have no experience of, so I was intrigued and luckily not squeamish. I admire the work of midwives now and especially then, in those circumstances and with far less in terms of equipment, medicines etc.

In all honesty I was hooked, I didn't want to put it down. Not my usual genre, but I liked it immensely and feel like I have learned a great deal. I think the author dealt with a very emotive topic with great sensitivity.

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Avon in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!