Sunday Book Review - The English German Girl

This book intrigued me, having read various books, mainly non-fiction about the World War Two Holocaust, I realised that I hadn’t really read a book specifically about the Kindertransport.   Although this is fiction, it draws on many factual events and people and there has obviously been a lot of research put into the writing of this novel.  It follows the story of a 15 year old girl Rosa as she travels on the Kindertransport from Berlin to England and the trials and stress that lead up to the transport, the journey and her time in England.  The prejudices she and others faced, as well as the courageous people who put their own lives at risk to help.  It is a thoughtful and heartfelt read as you follow her journey. She writes of her struggles, love and heartbreak and also the challenges she faces as she works hard to learn the English language, a new way of life as well as her attempts to get work visas for her family.  You share in her preparations for the arrival of her younger sister, and the trauma of war breaking out and the closing of the boarders which meant her family were then unable to make it out of Berlin.  Rosie decides to undertake nursing training, something she had always hoped to do, as her father was a doctor and as such the book also gives insight into the nursing practices and training of the time which is very interesting.  Jake Wallis Simons writes sensitively with good insight into this subject and I really enjoyed his style of writing.  A book well worth a read.