Setting
The book is set during the entire Second World War period in Salzburg, Austria. With the war ominously close, there was a surge in resistance movements by communists and anti-Nazis within Austria. After the Anschluss -the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany, streets were swarming with Nazi soldiers with swastika banners hanging from every building. Those found involved in resistance or hiding and abetting Jews were executed or shipped off to numerous concentration/labour camps spread across Germany and Austria. The inmates in these camps were subjected to forced labour and often worked to death.
Storyline
The story opens in 1934, three sisters - Johanna, Birgit and Lotte Eder lead a rather reposeful and contended life with clockmaker father Manfred and mother Hedwig. Johanna helps her mother with household chores but yearns to do a typing course and become independent. Birgit regards herself as a plain Jane and hence invisible to the world, helps her father in the workshop. She gets mixed up in the resistance movement. Lotte, the youngest and the prettiest of the three, realises her calling to become a nun. Johanna falls in love with her father's apprentice Franz, a Jew. After the Anschluss, they imperilled their life to save Franz. This led them to nightmarish concentration camps where they suffer inhumane treatment meted out to the inmates.
My Thoughts
The Edelweiss Sisters is a poignant tale of sacrifice, the resiliency of the human spirit and faith. It was my second WWII fiction set in Austria, the previous one being about Vienna. It is a single timeline book which was a refreshing change from an overdose of dual timeline historical fiction. I somehow have always been an advocate for the single timeline in historical fiction (not that I dislike the other). I enjoy the continuity and it helps me get thoroughly immersed in the story. Kate Hewitt has distinctly outlined all the characters particularly the Eder sisters. Each of them has a distinct disposition. I especially loved the character growth of Lotte, who in the face of all doom and gloom and adverse circumstances, held onto her faith with all her might. She epitomises the true meaning of sacrifice and courage. The description of the plight of prisoners of war and Jews at concentration camps like Mauthausen and Ravensbruck was so well done that it conjured up the horrific images in front of the eyes.
Malnourished inmates being subjected to gruesome abuse and beatings are sure to make you teary-eyed. On a side note, I absolutely loved the 'Sound of Music' reference about the von Trapp family.
It is definitely one of the best historical fiction I have read this year. It is a tear-jerker that I couldn't put down and still revelling in it long after it got over. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
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