The German House
The German House by Annette Hess, published by HarperCollins Publishers on October 20, 2020, is a historical fiction novel that explores the complexities of personal and national identity in the aftermath of World War II. Set against the backdrop of the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials of 1963, the story follows twenty-four-year-old Eva Bruhns, a translator who grapples with her family’s silence regarding the war and her own aspirations for the future. As she navigates societal expectations and her relationship with her wealthy suitor, Jürgen Schoormann, Eva’s life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes involved in the trial, challenging her to confront uncomfortable truths about her past.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into themes of coming of age, the impact of war, and the struggle for justice. As Eva becomes more engaged in the trial, she questions her family’s history and her own desires, leading her to make choices that defy societal norms. This edition, comprising 336 pages and available in English, presents a poignant exploration of the personal ramifications of historical events, highlighting the tension between individual conscience and familial loyalty. Translated from the German by Elisabeth Lauffer, The German House offers a unique perspective on the legacy of war and the quest for truth.
Official synopsis Publisher
The novel behind the Disney-produced Hulu Original Series The Interpreter of Silence
As seen in the New York Times Book Review.
A December 2019 Indie Next Pick!
Set against the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials of 1963, Annette Hess’s international bestseller is a harrowing yet ultimately uplifting coming-of-age story about a young female translator–caught between societal and familial expectations and her unique ability to speak truth to power–as she fights to expose the dark truths of her nation’s past.
If everything your family told you was a lie, how far would you go to uncover the truth
For twenty-four-year-old Eva Bruhns, World War II is a foggy childhood memory. At the war’s end, Frankfurt was a smoldering ruin, severely damaged by the Allied bombings. But that was two decades ago. Now it is 1963, and the city’s streets, once cratered are smooth and paved. Shiny new stores replace scorched rubble. Eager for her wealthy suitor, Jürgen Schoormann, to propose, Eva dreams of starting a new life away from her parents and sister. But Eva’s plans are turned upside down when a fiery investigator, David Miller, hires her as a translator for a war crimes trial.
As she becomes more deeply involved in the Frankfurt Trials, Eva begins to question her family’s silence on the war and her future. Why do her parents refuse to talk about what happened What are they hiding Does she really love Jürgen and will she be happy as a housewife Though it means going against the wishes of her family and her lover, Eva, propelled by her own conscience , joins a team of fiery prosecutors determined to bring the Nazis to justice–a decision that will help change the present and the past of her nation.
Translated from the German by Elisabeth Lauffer
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