The Dutch Wife Review

What is this book about?
The story follows Marijike, imprisoned in a concentration camp for being part of the resistance. She is forced to be a prostitute in a brothel. Her husband is taken to another camp. Karl is an SS officer and comes to the camp to try to make his father proud. After having to watch punishments and deaths of prisoners Karl is looking for a way escape and he meets Marijke. The meeting will change both of their lives forever. The story also flashes to Luciano, a prisoner in Argentina during the Dirty War in 1977. Luciano searches for ways to be part of the resistance from his cell. The stories of Marijke, Karl and Luciano are woven together. A story about love, survivial and heartache.

What did I think?
I really enjoyed this book. A large part of the story took place in a concentration camp which I imagine is a difficult topic to write a story about. I really enjoyed Marijike’s character and I imagine women in her place during that time very much felt some of the same things she did. I also thought it was nice to get some perspective from the SS Officer’s point of view too. It is not often that we see that in these types of novels. The other piece of the story takes place in Argentina during something called the dirty war, which I had never heard of. I felt encouraged to read and learn more about it. Overall I thought this was well written. I will continue to think about this book for a long time.