The Novelist from Berlin

By: V.S. Alexander

Narrated by: Deborah Balm

Based on the remarkable true story of a mysterious German writer, V. S. Alexander's new novel spans the decades from the Nazis' ascent to power to the building of the Berlin Wall, as one woman fights for her life, her art, and her daughter.

1920s Germany: Though the world has changed in the wake of the Great War, it is still ruled by men. Even a woman as resourceful and intelligent as Niki Rittenhaus needs alliances in order to survive. Her marriage to Rickard Länger, a movie producer for Berlin's Passport Pictures, seems convenient for them both. When Rickard succumbs to increasing pressure from the Nazis to make propaganda movies, a horrified Niki turns away from her own film aspirations and instead, begins to write.

Niki's first novel, The Berlin Woman, is published under a pseudonym to great success. But Niki knows she cannot stay anonymous for long. The Nazis are cementing their power over Germany-and over her husband. Though she succeeds in escaping Rickard, he directs Hitler's Brownshirts to do the unthinkable: kidnap their daughter. With her books blacklisted, her life in danger, and Europe descending into war, Niki travels to Amsterdam, joins the Dutch Resistance, and then returns to war-torn Berlin determined to claim freedom for herself and her child, and to write her own story at last.

©2023 Michael Meeske (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

A story that sucks you in as if you were there.

I believe I enjoyed this book as much as any of Alexander's stories. I have read them all and the realistic feelings of the heroin grabbed me. A really good story.

Courageous and intriguing

I enjoy stories of historical fiction especially when when based upon real people. I am continually amazed by the courage of women in the face of fascism. The raw brutality is crushing to read but learning about the actions they took in the face of certain death makes my heart swell.

This book is a wonderful look at pre-war through post-war Germany and how some Germans not only survived but resisted the Third Reich and its brutality.

Great read/listen

A list for WW2 history lovers. It has a new perspective than most historical history books about WW2.

A totally different view of WWII

I enjoyed everything about this book! It was well written and the author described things so creatively that I felt like I was right there in the room! I never rarely listen to a book twice but I would listen to this again! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great audible listen

I enjoyed listening to this book. I love historical fiction or period pieces, but I tend to shy away from war.

I enjoyed this book, learned some things that I hadn’t considered before. Great work overall.