This book is set in Germany around the turn of the twentieth
century and follows the life of an orphan girl called Lilly. There are many
events in Lilly’s tumultuous life which affect the choices she makes and the
paths she chooses. After her mother is murdered during Lilly’s early childhood,
she is unsuccessfully adopted by a family who have recently lost a child the
same age and is forced to take on this child’s personality.
When she proves to be too much trouble refusing to simply
take on the role of this lost child, she then spends the rest of her childhood
in an orphanage until it is bought over and closed down. Her life then
progresses in a whirlwind of events where she finds herself in a woman’s
shelter, as a tingle-tangle nightclub girl, as a war bride and finally reaching
stardom. I cannot say much more about this books plot without giving away the
whole story, but it is a truly captivating one. It brings in other characters
and their emotional struggles as well, such as that of her friend Hanne and the
nun trying to keep the orphanage afloat. It is an eye-opening book which
explores what life was like in on the streets of Germany during this time
period. It is a very entertaining story to read, and I feel that many people
would enjoy this book although it seems to be primarily aimed at women, but I
would not discourage anyone from reading it.
The author really shows how it is possible to completely
reinvent oneself, despite whatever challenges you have faced in the past and
the circumstances you come from. If you can stick with the book throughout the quieter
chapters, you will be rewarded by seeing how much content is squeezed into a
relatively short book.
The book is also hard
to follow in places as some events happen so close to each other and in such
fervour. However, I feel that this book really picks up towards the end and
that the contrast between these quiet chapters and the livelier ones only helps
us to see the different seasons if life that Lilly is going through.
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