Cradles of the Reich: A Novel by Jennifer Coburn
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Haunting
Jennifer Coburn’s Cradles of the Reich is a haunting and thought-provoking historical novel that sheds light on the Nazi Lebensborn program—a topic that is rarely explored in fiction. Set in a maternity home in Bavaria during World War II, the story follows three women—Gundi, Hilde, and Irma—who are brought together under vastly different circumstances. Through their intertwined stories, Coburn delivers a chilling yet empathetic narrative about an unimaginable chapter of history. What stands out most in this book is the strength of the female protagonists. Gundi, a university student and resistance member, shows quiet defiance and courage in the face of her forced role in the program. Hilde, a naïve believer in Nazi ideology, is equally strong in her conviction, though her journey reveals the dangers of blind allegiance. Meanwhile, Irma, an older nurse seeking a fresh start, finds herself grappling with the moral dilemmas of her work. Each woman’s strength is unique to her situation, yet their resilience unites them in a powerful way. Before reading this novel, I knew nothing about the Lebensborn project, but Coburn’s thorough research brought this horrifying piece of history to life. By presenting the program through the perspectives of Gundi, Hilde, and Irma, the book captures the complexity of this atrocity. The Author’s Note at the end is a standout feature, offering insight into the author’s research process and clarifying the blend of fact and fiction. It not only deepened my understanding but also reinforced the importance of remembering these dark moments in history. While the novel is deeply engaging and informative, there are moments when the pacing slows or the character development feels secondary to the historical backdrop. However, the overall impact of the story makes up for these minor flaws. Cradles of the Reich is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the resilience of women. It’s a gripping read that reminds us of the importance of solidarity and moral courage in the face of oppression.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Intriguing WIi Historical Novel
I find it so interesting that I am still learning new information about Hitler and his “Master Plan”. I had not heard of the Lebensborn Society before this book. What was one of the reasons I choose to read it. The storyline was intriguing as it follows 3 women through experiences they encounter, 1 as a nurse and 2 as pregnant young women. I enjoyed each Women’s story, but would have liked more detail to their back stories. A separate trilogy of each story that overlaps, perhaps? Also I would have liked an epilogue. I appreciate the research the author did, to kept the historical facts, correct and the liberties she took on creating the engaging story. There are some trigger points, as with many WII stories; Anti-Semitic expressions, prostitution/rape, descriptive sex scenes.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
An eye-opening and historically accurate book
I’ve enjoyed numerous historical fiction novels about Germany and the Holocaust, but until reading this new novel by Jennifer Coburn, I wasn't aware of the Nazi breeding homes. The author gives a personal glimpse into the lives of three women who find themselves in residence at one, all for different reasons. If the women pass the Nazi standard of good breed, and if their baby’s father is of the same high caliber, they are coerced to live in the breeding home. What they don’t realize, in most cases, whether they want to keep their baby or not, the baby will be given to families of the Nazi hierarchy. The ceremony for this transfer is blood curdling and heartless for the new moms. And if the baby is born with the wrong shade of skin, eyes, or disproportionate nose, they are “disappeared”. The worst aspect of this home is how the girls are treated as concubines for Nazie soldiers. What better way to ensure the baby’s genetics? This is an eye-opening and historically accurate book for readers interested in learning more about the horrors of the Nazi regime. Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Based on historical events
This book is a heart wrenching look into a dark time in world history. It shows the harsh reality of the Lebensborn Society maternity homes. These were real homes that were set up to breed "racially fit" babies during World War II. I was not aware that these places existed. This story brings together three women, Gundi, Hilde and Irma. Irma is a 44-year-old nurse that has endured heartbreak and wants to start a new life. Hilde is an 18-year-old true believer and is desperate to help the cause in any way possible. Gundi is a university student that is secretly part of a resistance group. She is the perfect beauty that finds herself pregnant and sent to one of the maternity homes. Each woman has her own hopes and dreams for the future and her own trials to get through. Even though these women are fictional, this is based on historical events. That fact is chilling and heart breaking.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Realistic historical fiction
Cradles of the Reich is a very real albeit fictionalized version of the Lebensborn Society - Nazi breeding grounds during World War II. Its purpose was to produce the perfect Aryan child. The story is told though different residents of the home, each with very different Nazi allegiances. As awful as it sounds, Jennifer Coburn does a masterful job of the real lives of these women and how they survive their various fates. As hard as it is to read this truthful portrayals, you won't want to put this book down. I was given an advanced copy to review. All expressed opinions are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Lebensborn Mothers
Heim Hochland was a maternity home in Bavaria where babies were birthed and taken from their mothers to be raised by the German Elite. They were all at the home for different reasons but the babies must all be racially fit to be raised in a new Hitler Germany. The mother's and father's were screened to insure only racial purity in the children offered and no imperfections were allowed. These homes existed in several countries during WWII. It was an experiment to help Hitler realize an pure Aryan Germany through pure race children. The story follows three women, Gundi a University student who is secretly a member of the resistance and secretly carries a Jewish child, Heidi who is all in with the party and happy to be carrying the child of a high up Nazi officer, and Irma a nurse that is running from heartbreak. They all have secrets and their stay at the home will end differently than what they thought. It is a story of young women, heart breaking decisions, and great courage. An eye opening story about a little known part of WWII history. This book will keep you engaged until the end. I recommend this book. Thanks to Jennifer Coburn for writing this great story, to Sourcebooks Landmark for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Excellent research
Is anyone safe in Germany…especially the perfect female examples of the German race. Gundi is one of the perfect, gorgeous German women chosen by the Reich to bear perfect children to create the master race. She does have a secret, though. Actually she has two secrets. We meet Hilde who is a staunch follower of the Reich and one of the women who is willing to help fill Germany with perfect children. And we meet Irma a former nurse and 44 years old. She will be the one encouraging the unwed mothers to stay healthy so they deliver these perfect children. We meet these women during this dark time in history and at Lebensborn Society maternity home where women arrive already pregnant or will become pregnant by an approved German officer. Ms. Coburn did amazing, thorough research on a topic I never knew about. Historical fiction fans will enjoy CRADLES OF THE REICH. There are many sensitive and heartbreaking topics addressed, and this idea of using German women in this way is something I couldn’t believe. 4/5 This book was given to me by the author via NetGalley for an honest review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
evil empire
2 stars From the author: “In the 1930s the Nazis launched a top-secret plan aimed at producing two million "racially desirable" children for Adolf Hitler's so-called master race. The program was called The Lebensborn Society. The Lebensborn program had three tracks: it arranged sexual liaisons between German women and SS officers, kidnapped Aryan infants and toddlers from occupied countries, and built maternity homes for unwed pregnant women.” In my significant WWII reading, I had never heard of the Lebensborn program. In ten years, approximately thirty Lebensborn homes were in operation, with nearly twenty thousand children involved. Records were burned at the end of the war. Cradles of the Reich follows three German women. Gundi is a beautiful young woman, pregnant by her Jewish boyfriend resistance fighter. She is a good person and helps the resistance. Irma is an older nurse with a backstory. Main character, Hilde was a weird unlikable girl. The brief bit about her family was not helpful in understanding her. I found myself not wanting to read the Hilde chapters. From Chapter 32: “She was definitely, probably pregnant…Poor Gundi would have to wait until Christmas to marry her baby’s father. Boo-hoo for her.” (Yes, this was horrible Hilde, expressing her thoughts about goody Gundi.) Alas, my wish was granted at the end. Hilde, the worst character, was dropped like a hot potato. In the author’s end notes, she does say that Hilde was the most challenging character to develop given her Jewish background. The characters needed more nuances. The pace picked up about 80% of the way through the book, then it was suddenly over. Trigger warnings: prostitution/ abuse, descriptive sex scenes, rape Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com