The Book Whisperer is still traveling! Today’s recommendations take readers to the Czech Republic, and they have a choice between The Metamorphosis, a classic novella, and A Child of the Reich, WWII historical fiction.
I did not expect to like Franz Kafka’s novella, The Metamorphosis. When I told my son Kafka was on my short list of possible Czech authors for TBW Reader’s Trip book list, he insisted The Metamorphosis be included and even mailed his copy to me. The idea of becoming a nasty bug is unpleasant, but the symbolism is fantastic. Alienation, marginalization, uselessness – well done, Mr. Kafka! Well done! The themes of the 1915 work still resonate with this reader today.
Franz Kafka was a Bohemian Jew who was born and lived in Prague for 30 years. 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of his death, and the city of Prague is celebrating him and his literature during our visit: Kafka 2024.
Have you heard of the Lebensborn Program: 1935-1945? It was a Nazi project created in 1935 by Heinrich Himmler to increase the number of “pure blood” Aryans in Germany with the purpose of populating and later leading an Aryan nation. To reverse Germany’s declining birth rate, he encouraged SS officers to have children with Aryan women. Many women applied to have a child in secret and then relinquish the baby to the regime to be adopted by German families. Only 40% were accepted. The women and children were provided for in one of 26 homes/nurseries throughout Germany, Norway and other German-occupied countries.
By 1939, Himmler was not seeing the results he had expected and the SS began kidnapping children in occupied territories who met the blond hair, blue or green eyes criteria. These children were sent to the nurseries to be “Germanized” and then adopted. Over 250,000 children were taken from their families! Only 25,000 were returned to their families.
A Child of the Reich by Andie Newton takes place in the midst of this Nazi project. A desperate Czech mother’s searches for the daughter who was literally ripped out of her arms. The steps she takes are courageous. It is dramatic! The reality is horrific, heartbreaking and unimaginable! The author shines a light on an unfamiliar part of WWII history.
Remember: Knox County Online Library or your favorite bookstore to search for Linda’s recommendations each week.
Linda Sullivan is an avid reader and wants to make you one, too. For more recommendations or just to talk books, reach out to her at thebookwhisperertn@gmail.com. She can also be found @thebookwhisperertn on Instagram.
