Women in the Castle (Shattuck) - Book Reviews

Book Reviews
In her beautiful, perceptive novel, Jessica Shattuck does an about-face from other World War II books. Most of those books, if not all, focus on victims of the fascists or on those opposing them. In a daring move, Shattuck takes as her viewpoint the Germans themselves — those who are left standing (barely) after the fall of Berlin.  READ MORE.
Molly Lundquist - LitLovers


Shattuck’s characters represent the range of responses to fascism. Her achievement — beyond unfolding a plot that surprises and devastates — is in her subtle exploration of what a moral righteousness like Marianne’s looks like in the aftermath of war, when communities and lives must be rebuilt, together.
Mary Pols - New York Times Book Review


[A]n intricately woven narrative with frequent plot twists that will shock and please.…[and] a unique glimpse into what the average German was and was not aware of during World War II.… A beautiful story of survival, love, and forgiveness.
Publishers Weekly


There are too many ideas in this novel; as each emotional arc builds, the narrative abruptly switches to another character's voice, confusing the reader.… [R]eaders will have to triangulate numerous characters. —Tina Panik, Avon Free P.L., CT
Library Journal


(Starred review.)The reader is fully immersed in the experiences of these women, the choices they make, and the burdens they carry…a rich, potent, fluently written tale of endurance and survival.
Booklist


[S]imple, stark lessons on personal responsibility and morality. Inevitably, it makes for a dark tale.… [The] novel seems atypical of current World War II fiction but makes sincere, evocative use of family history to explore complicity and the long arc of individual responses to a mass crime.
Kirkus Reviews