The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck

Many of our books, it seems, end up in historical fiction and WWII genre.  One of the first of 14 members who attended set the tone of the conversation that night, stating "It was extremely interesting and loved the author."  "It brought a different perspective, not so much of the soldier's perspective," another said.  I think most of us agree.

One member, who enjoyed the book, said that "it was built on three people's story, but I kept wanting more windows of their stories."  The three women were mothers, gave us hope.  Of the three women, Marianne was the leader of the book, the group of women.  One member said she felt that Marianne was "holier than thou" and Benita was"insipid".  But she said, she was glad that she read it. Another said  "I didn't like the ending, it was very abrupt and cold.  Marianne did have her own MeToo Movement, though.  I would like Marianne in my corner, she was the strength.  I would not have gravitated towards any of them, but  respected Marianne." 

We were given the German Resister perspective, the women's perspective in this book.  "The characters were not lovable, they were a product of what happened, they had no control over their situation, or the propaganda around them" a member commented.  Another chimed in, that "this time and place was very difficult to deal with. The women were also responsible for children."  One person also said, she believed they knew something was wrong, but out of fear people could not step up or they would be dead.  Someone said through this they have a better understanding of "why they joined Hitler's Youth Group."   Another said it showed how "it would feel like to be so powerless; it was eye-opening."  

A member said the book had chapters that were different narrators, different times flashing back in time.  Someone mentioned that they wished the characters were better developed, but the book would have been much longer.  

The book has a general  pattern of forgiveness to it.  Someone shared that "It was a book that made me think that you can put yourself in someone else's shoes."

The author wrote the book based on stories and listening to her grandparents.  We talked about that she chose not to talk all about the Holocaust, as it would have had added a lot more to the book, this had a different focus.  We did talk about that the German's were told the Jews were taking away their jobs, and some compared it to what is going on right now with immigration issues in the US.  Someone said the perspective was that the Jews had all the money, all the wealth and control.  

We talked about the three women, Marianne, Benita and Ania, all mothers but each different.  Marianne was well-educated, privileged.  Someone had said, did the others have the skills that Marianne had, the skills to rescue the others?  Benita was looking to be loved.  We talked about Ania and the farms that were a part of the Nazi government that Ania was a part of.  They were going to produce food, the be the start, improving the world after the problems after WWI.  She did love her first husband at first, before all the changes.  Their last farm, which she left, was horrible with the "boys" that were there, they were very violent.  It was hard when they came to take the babies away.  A few members in the group said the boys on the farm were being trained for violence -- like dobermans.  As Germany got desperate, the training was more cruel and mean.  Ania also had a lot of guilt.  

Were the women friends?  At the end Marianne and Ania were happy to see each other. When they were all in the castle, they had cared and enjoyed each other we felt.  They did depend on Marianne, but we felt that Marianne was above the other two, they were not equal.  Marianne could not see the shades of grey.  But, as Marianne aged, she found there was grey areas.  

We talked about Benita. At the end she reads Connie's letter, where it said "I want you to teach our son to be as happy as you are."  She had lost a lot in her life.  And then Marianne made Franz feel not worthy, because he was a Nazi.  We talked about how he must have felt knowing that Connie was a Resister.  Someone said he was the man who took the babies in the woods.  He could do right by his daughter but not right by Benita.  

Of all the three women, we said Ania was the most hardworking, most stoic and most believable character.  She made huge mistakes, but she carried on.  She was pragmatic.

We talked about the end of the story.  What compelled Marianne to write her story?   It was about the Resisters, so their story would be told, and about Peace and Justice.  It was interesting in the end, having Ania and her daughter, and then Marianne and Benita's son Martin. The two younger ones together!  And then even Franz Muller's daughter had a part there.

We had a full hour and half of discussion.  There were some who didn't like the book but it provided a lot of conversation.