Wunderland

I previously very much enjoyed Epsteins Painter from Shanghai and Gods of Heavenly Punishment. I also enjoyed Wunderland until the author expressed her Anti-Trump and America opinions during her “Conversations” with the author ending. It is offensive to America and most Americans to indicate that the Nazi and the Holocaust themes in Wunderland are present today in Donald Trumps America.

Two things:
1. If you are a fan of World War II tales you will like this. The beauty of this book is the revelations of what the Jewish population went through. No holds barred. It is told in fine fashion.
2. If you are not a fan of back-and-forth-and-back-and-forth in decades of time , this is not for you. Why can’t current authors just tell the story….beginning to end. Skip the constant jumping back and forth in time. It is so annoying. And believe me this book gives new meaning to the format……1939 – 1989 – 1933 – 1956. It never stops! You need a play card!

Aside from the WWII German/Jewish setting which is an era of particular interest to me, this novel stands out in two ways. One, I enjoy novels in which chapters are devoted to both furthering the narrative and changing the perspective through a different character per chapter. In this case it also involves changing years which is critical to the story. Two, and this is critical for me, it examines the subtle ways ordinary and ordinarily patriotic Germans, especially schoolchildren, were manipulated into seeing so much of the gradual behavior towards the Jews as natural. You know its horrifying from our 21st century perspective but watching it happen on the page is frighteningly insidious and all of a sudden you can see how young people like Ilse and Rudi would be easily swayed. I think we all need to understand that phenomenon. Fascinating, entertaining and ultimately greatly satisfying.

Wunderland by Jennifer Cody Epstein is an exceptional book, engaging, page turning. And at times terrifying.

I’ve always wondered what types of people followed Hitler, how so many could have shared his thoughts, values. I now realize for many it was likely a slow deliberate process, beginning years before WW2. Starting as a volunteer organization in 1922 and required by law in 1936, children as young as 6 years old eagerly joined an organization called Hitlerjungen, similar in appearance to Boy Scouts, but far different in intention.

This story follows two young girls beginning in 1933 Germany, best friends until one joins the girl’s version of Hitlerjugend. Joining because it seemed the popular thing to do, she quickly transitioned from a giggling school girl to a fully endocrined nazi – truly believing the many appalling things she saw and did was ‘for the greater good’. Many of these actions had horrifying results for her once best friend and the friend’s family – for generations to come.

The story did seem a bit slow in places, but it always urged me forward, needing to know what happened next. It also led me to some further research about the Hitlerjugend – scary stuff.

I’m not quite sure I can say I enjoyed reading Wunderland, but I am glad I did. It is a story I will likely not forget. Highly recommend.

I absolutely loved this book. I love a good World War II book. And this didnt disappoint. It is terrible how the Jewish people were treated under Nazi rule. Even the Jewish children in schools were abused mentally by the teachers and could not participate in school activities and made fun of and hated by kids they had known all their life. I cant imagine how hard that would be to face each day. This book is about the two best friends, both German and what happens when the Jewish problem starts and one of them is half Jewish. A well written and very good book.

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