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The School for German Brides

Written by: Aimie K. Runyan
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell,Kathleen Gati
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Publisher's Summary

In this intriguing historical novel, a young woman who is sent to a horrific “bride school” to be molded into the perfect Nazi wife finds her life forever intertwined with a young Jewish woman about to give birth.

Germany, 1939

As the war begins, Hanna Rombauer, a young German woman, is sent to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother’s death. Thrown into a life of luxury she never expected, Hanna soon finds herself unwillingly matched with an SS officer twenty years her senior. The independence that her mother lovingly fostered in her is considered highly inappropriate as the future wife of an up-and-coming officer and she is sent to a “bride school.” There, in a posh villa on the outskirts of town, Hanna is taught how to be a “proper” German wife. The lessons of hatred, prejudice, and misogyny disturb her and she finds herself desperate to escape. 

For Mathilde Altman, a German Jewish woman, the war has brought more devastation than she ever thought possible. Torn from her work, her family, and her new husband, she fights to keep her unborn baby safe. But when the unthinkable happens, Tilde realizes she must hide. The risk of discovery grows greater with each passing day, but she has no other options.  

When Hanna discovers Tilde hiding near the school, she knows she must help her however she can. For Tilde, fear wars with desperation when Hanna proposes a risky plan. 

Will they both be able to escape with their lives and if they do, what kind of future can they possibly hope for? 

©2022 Aimie K. Runyan (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about The School for German Brides

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  • Jill M C
  • 2022-06-09

Three Jewish Girls Against the Holocaust

A very interesting story of the girls who dealt with the grim realities of the Holocaust . Each GIRL has a different story to tell and at the end each GIRL helps the other one deal with their situation.
The author leaves a lot of subplots with no resolution and I would like to know more.

2 people found this helpful

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  • C. Phillips
  • 2022-05-08

Engrossing

This is the third book of Aimie Runyan’s I’ve listened to on audible. Her stories from the different women’s perspectives are so engrossing, I feel like I’m almost there with them. And, the narrators chosen for each of her books have been animated but not overly so, and pleasant to listen to. Such an enjoyable book, just like her others!

2 people found this helpful

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  • lbeers
  • 2022-08-31

Brilliant

This book was one of those that every chance I had I was putting my headphones in my ears. More than a recount of the histories and graphic stories of WWII, it followed more closely the lives of those 3 women within Germany. I loved every chapter, only wish there was a little more at the end, but the story was heartwarming and hopeful. The readers were great and the différenciation of the two women with different voices was helpful.

1 person found this helpful

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  • Donna Grimsley
  • 2022-06-15

It's ok

The reader is very good. The story is OK, tends to repeat it self often. The storyline was good. It just needed a bit more pizzazz to it. I was glad that there wasn't much cussing or sex scenes. That was refreshing

1 person found this helpful

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  • Linda S. Moeller
  • 2022-05-27

Another Winner by Aimie K. Runyan

Just finished THE SCHOOL FOR GERMAN BRIDES. What an amazing, beautiful story! Aimee K. Runyan's writing is captivating while Cassandra Campbell and Kathleen Gati totally hook the listeners with their absolutely faultless narration.

1 person found this helpful

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  • paula wright
  • 2022-05-16

One of the best books I have ever listened to

How hard it must have been to live in prewar Germany just when hatred of anybody not of aryan race was so prominent. I loved the three main characters who though young adults fought the evil. The different plots were so good and scary The author and narrator top of their game. Needing a sequel please

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  • Shari Gowdy
  • 2023-05-09

I didn’t want it to end

I wanted to know more about what happened to the women. It suddenly ends in 1960?

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  • MTalk
  • 2023-02-27

Good book!

This is a very good book! It was very entertaining and definitely worth the listen.

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  • Jessica Higdon
  • 2023-01-27

Pretty good

It was pretty good, a bit predictable. The narrator for the character Mathilde did not seem an appropriate choice.

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  • Terri S.
  • 2022-12-12

Excellent Narrative

This WWIi story needed to be told in order to have a slight understanding of how young German women were treated as Nazi fever took root and spread throughout the fabric of German culture. Three women of different lineages fought against the tide of Anti-Semitism and Nazi propaganda even as each young girl herself
wad faced with the possibility of her own demise at the hands of Nazi informants.
This story is beautifully crafted by a gifted writer of historic fiction. Faith in our humane instincts can be found even yes hi against one of the basest, most bestial times in human history.

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  • Jenni Rodger
  • 2022-12-06

Incredible!

A beautifully written and gripping story
Stayed up to the early hours to listen to the end