This historical drama is set between 1938-45, largely during WWII and mainly in Austria during Anschluss, the annexation of Austria to the German Reich which took place on 13 March 1938. The book centres on the treatment of Jews, and other groups deemed undesirable by the Nazi hierarchy. Having done a little research, as I was very interested in it, the Writers Circle of the title isn’t really what Freud’s Circle of literati comprised; definitely poetic license including thriller writers. Passing over that the story was very interesting although it took me a good while to get the characters clear in my head and it was only in the second half of the book that I found myself completely engrossed in the story.

Briefly, meeting in a coffee house cousins Mathias and Johannes, along with other member of the circle, find their lives on hold when it’s clear that the Nazi’s are, as well as searching for Jews, are very interested in members of the circle. Their only hope is to get new papers and move away from their homes. They are helped by a group of people sympathetic to the Jewish community and their treatment by the Nazis. Local police Inspector Josef Weber is one of those who helps Mathias and Johannes, at great risk to himself. But there are always people prepared to save themselves by betraying others…

This is at times a very harrowing read in particular the torture inflicted by the local SS officials and life in the death camp of Sobibor. The book concentrates largely on the writing community and the fact they were dissidents rather than the fact they were Jewish. I think most people know about the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust but may not be so aware of others meted out the same treatment. A deep and thought provoking read with some horrifying parts but also some extreme acts of courage by other, often at great risk to themselves.

I enjoyed reading this book. It explores an area of History of great interest to me: Nazi Germany And Austria in the 1930s and 40s. Also, it uncovers an aspect with which I was hitherto unfamiliar: the Jews, Gypsies and Dissidents who changed their identities in order to escape the Nazi Concentration Camps. The focus is on two cousins, both writers and members of the group of Viennese artists who formed the circle of friends around Sigmund Freud, himself a Jew. One cousin is a 'full' Jew, the other a 'mischling', and both are subject to the extreme measures employed by the Nazis in their attempts to firstly utterly subjugate and then destroy people like them. Gypsy or Romani people were also subject to awful oppression and danger, as they were also considered to be 'non-human' by the Nazis.. The only way to survive was to leave Germany or to hide under an assumed identity, which is what the cousins, and Deya, a Romani Gypsy woman whose cousin 'Lorenzo' runs the fake identity scheme, do. Unfortunately, One cousin is apprehended and sent to a Concentration Camp: one where most people were sent immediately into the Gas Chambers. However, his life is saved by his having been working on rewriting a novel submitted by the Camp Kommandant to his own publisher. The two men form a friendship through working together, but the brutality of the Camp continues around them. The story, with quotes from the works of Freud opening every chapter, gives a good insight into the oppressions of the time, the struggles for individual survival, and it is also pacy, with interesting characters. Well worth reading.

Café Mozart, Vienna in 1938 was the place where Sigmund Freud and his circle of friends and acquaintances had always came together to chat about their writing, among other things. The ideas thrown around were helpful; the friendships ongoing. But now that the Germans were taking over Vienna, those friends knew to keep away, to destroy photos and anything pertaining to those with Jewish ancestry. Cousins Mathias Kraemer and Johannes Namal continued to meet, often with their publisher Julian. When Freud's Circle was targeted by the SS, they were determined to find those Jews who hid behind marriage, their spouse's Catholic religion. The plan Mathias, Johannes and Julian came up with was a daring one, but one which would keep them with their families. The surgery to alter their looks, the paperwork (forged) to change their names, the family's move, was meticulous. But both men knew if they were discovered, it would likely mean execution.

SS officer Heinrich Schnabel was dogged in his pursuit of Freud's contacts, to the stage of not letting his superiors know what he was doing. Mathias and Johannes both, at different times, saw Schnabel and hoped he hadn't recognised them. But the noose was tightening. Would they succeed in their efforts to evade capture?

The Vienna Writers Circle by J.C. Maetis is a well-written historical, told in the voices of Mathias and Johannes, and the local policeman, Josef. I found myself confused once the men's (and their wives and children's) names changed, so much so that I ended up just going with the flow, because it was a struggle to figure out who things were happening to. A great read though, which I recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Once I got into The Vienna Writers Circle I found the novel an interesting and new take on how groups of wartime academics and writers were able to outwit the Nazi authorities. The setting is the Cafe Mozart in Vienna where Jewish writers Mathias Kraemer and Johannes Namal, together with their literary agent Julian Reisner, meet up and discuss writing and the political events taking place around them. Once Hitler invades Austria and SS officer, Hans Schnabel, is tasked with finding hidden Jews including those Viennese connected with Sigmund Freud, Mathias, Johannes and their families have to leave their homes and change their identities while hiding in plain sight.

A most readable and moving historical novel, highly recommended. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the opportunity to read and review The Vienna Writers Circle.

Café Mozart is the middle of Vienna, here cousins Mathias Kraemer and Johannes Namal meet their literary agent Julian Reisner, they write crime thrillers, the men discuss the book market and what’s happening in the war. The three men are members of Freud’s Circle, a group of scientists, philosophers, psychiatrists, mathematicians and authors who hold secret gatherings.

When Hitler invades Austria, he joins Austria and Germany and it becomes an Anschiuss and despite this being a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Heinrich Schnabel is an SS officer and he’s in charge of finding “hidden Jews” and members of the Freud’s Circle in Vienna. Everyone in the circle have been instructed to destroy photos, as the Germans could use them to identify Jewish academics and anyone listed as troublemakers.

Mathias, Johannes and their families have no choice but to take drastic measures, they move, change their names and identities and hide in plain sight. This takes incredible courage and nerves of steel, one simple mistake could mean being sent to a concentration camp or being interrogated and executed. Despite taking every precaution and covering their tracks, eventually Heinrich Schnabel discovers one of the cousins true identities, and he finds himself aboard a cattle train and bound for a concentration camp.

I received a digital copy of The Vienna Writers Circle by J. C. Maetis from NetGalley and Penguin General UK in exchange for an honest review. At the time, ten percent of Austria’s population had some Jewish blood running through their veins, like the characters of Mathias and Johannes and they did everything they could to hide this. They sold their homes and assets prior to Anschiuss, had false identification papers made and changed their names, moved to another suburb, and some Jewish people resorted to having facial surgery. The narrative focuses not only on the bond between the cousins, you discover just how many laws and changes the Germans introduced after the 13th of March 1938 and how they targeted Gypsies.

A well written and interesting historical fiction novel about Vienna and the links the group and men had to Sigmund Freud the famous neurologist, it’s a story about war, betrayal, imprisonment and percussion, greed and how being a published author was like having a double edged sword. Five stars from me, a historical mystery and with a gripping, cleverly orchestrated and unpredictable plot.

I found this novel quite difficult to get into, but once I had read a few chapters I became interested in the characters, and keen to find out what happened to them all as they were threatened by Hitler’s regime during World War 2. I think of this as an anti-war book, and it is very appropriate for these troubled times.

A harrowing and poignant tale of Jews in Vienna following the Anschluss. However, although well written it did not add much to the historical fiction genre, slow storytelling and a narrative I struggled with. I learnt very little about the actual participants of The Vienna Writers Circle so on that level I was disappointed.

JC Maetis writes a harrowing and disturbing historical WW2 fiction with an unusual perspective, painting a gripping picture of Vienna, its culture, and the impact of the Anschluss on the Jewish community and other groups seen as 'undesirable' by the Nazis. Mathias Kraemer and Johannes Namal are writers of thrillers, cousins and belong to the well known psychiatrist Sigmund Freud’s Vienna Writers Circle, a group of thinkers and intellectuals who get together at the Cafe Mozart, engaging in stimulating discussions, sharing their thoughts and ideas, and forming strong relationships and connections with each other.

In a story which includes pertinent quotes from Freud, their lives are turned upside down with SS officer Heinrich Schnabel coming into the cafe, and the consequent unfolding horrors of the Nazi takeover of Austria that follows. With their families and their own lives at serious risk, will they be able to survive such devastating and dangerously challenging times, especially with the Nazis taking such a close interest in the group? The bold decision is made to hide in plain sight with the use of false identities. Whilst at first their writing places them under heavy threat, things take a different turn, a change which leads to writing becoming a potent weapon in a desperate battle to ensure their survival. They are helped by the bravery and courage of the likes of Inspector Josef Weber doing what he can to help protect Jews, with his personal fears heightened by what might happen to the Romani-gypsy Deya Reynes.

Maetis creates and develops a great cast of characters whose lives we follow, the novel building up to nail biting levels of suspense and tension as we see them negotiating the terrors and obstacles that come their way. This is a well researched, intriguing, heartbreaking and unsettling WW2 read that retains the much needed quality of hope and is infused with a strong sense of humanity in the face of the worst of times. It will appeal to readers who love their historical fiction, particularly with its focus in the war on writers and intellectuals who found themselves targeted by the Nazi regime, plunged into a nightmare of extreme darkness, and tested to the edges of their limits. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I’m sad to say that this book fell far short of my expectations. I won’t give a detailed review, as I feel it would be disrespectful to the author. Suffice to say that for me this novel romanticized a very dark period of Vienna’s history, with all the main characters emerging more or less unscathed, despite their ordeals. While I accept that this is a work of fiction, I would have preferred a more accurate representation of the facts. This, combined with the inaccurate use of the German language, left me unable to take the author seriously. . That said, I’m sure he will find his audience in readers looking for more escapist fiction.

This wasn't what I thought it was going to be and I struggled to get into this. I expected to learn about the Vienna Writers circle like the title suggests but instead this was more of a thriller. Although it does have an intense and important message it wasn't unique or amazing so not for me sadly.

I live in Vienna, so I've been very excited to read this one! Unfortunately, the narrative was disjointed and lacked history/context. I had hoped to learn about what it was like to be Jewish in Vienna following the Anschluss, but this book could have taken place just about anywhere in Europe during WW2. Further, the title is misleading as we don't learn about the writing circle itself, which was disappointing as it would have been fascinating to have an inside look at what Freud, Zweig, and others were doing at this time. I'll recommend this to thriller fans but not those interested in true historical fiction.

A powerful 5 star book. I love reading about this era but this book I found very hard hitting so not a light read. Seeing the authors comments at the end probably added to why it was so powerful (because of his family background) So take your time and read what the Vienna Writers Circle went through both in Vienna and the Death Camps. The Holocaust was evil and this book portrays this well However painful it must be remembered and this book does just that.
Thanks to the author and to Penguin. Also thanks to NetGalley.

Set between the years of 1938 and 1945, The Vienna Writers Circle is a very interesting book. It is very realistic and pulls on the emotions. The author's research is excellent, displaying an in-depth knowledge about the plight of the Jewish people during the Second World War.
The novel is different to a lot of other war themed books, in that it concentrates upon the lives of writers during a turbulent period in history, as well as having a unique setting.. It does not flinch from telling the truth about the horrors inflicted by the Nazis.
The circle of writers in Austria included Sigmund Freud, whose own life and that of his family were also at the mercy of the Germans. His circle of friends became the main characters in the novel, who displayed heroism and courage in their bid to stay one step ahead, often taking drastic measures. Relationships came under scrutiny, as mixed marriages were threatened, tearing families apart, and people who were once friends, became the enemy.
The murder of an SS Officer brought an additional twist to the plot, as it descended into a nightmare, with the end result being of survival. There are several disturbing passages in the story, which may not be for the faint-hearted. However, the intensity of the plot keeps the reader gripped throughout the novel.
The book would appeal to readers interested in the writing and intellectual movement in Vienna at the time, coupled with the development of the war. It is a captivating and educational read!
I have been happy to review this book for NetGalley.

1938

The Vienna Writers Circle meets at Café Mozart and share thoughts and stories . Its a difficult time and the friendships that are formed are important.
It all changes when the Nazis take control. The circle hides in broad daylight and are helped by a local policeman, Inspector Josef Weber.
Weber has his own insecurities though. Will they have the courage to see this through?

As we grow more distant from the Holocaust it becomes more and more important to remember it. Soon there will be no-one left alive who was there to bear witness to its atrocities. We will become more and more dependent on fiction to represent what happened. This novel is based partly in fact and tells the story of two men in Freud's circle who were caught up in the Anschluss in Austria.

This is a book that is worth taking time over. The characters are well drawn and on the whole it is well researched. However towards the end i was concerned that it wasn't entirely accurate in depicting how the SS would have reacted to one of their number being murdered and thought that this part of the story was unrealistic. I have read widely on WW2, both fiction and non-fiction, and it seemed that the reaction of other SS officers was too muted. Other than this though I thought it an very good read and would recommend it. Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC

Found this book hard to get into. Not sure why. Harrowing tale of survival against the odds. I'm probably not doing it justice as I struggled to get through it

A gripping World War II novel with a personal touch.

Vienna during the 1930s was not a good place to be a Jew. Sigmund Freud’s Jewish friends, known as Freud’s Circle, were a prime target for the Nazis, being such prominent people. The story centres on two of these, cousins Johannes and Mathias. Scharfuhrer Schnabel of the Austrian SS is their nemesis. The bravery of the resistance against the Nazis is outstanding, making it a gripping read, despite the grimness of the concentration camp scenes.

Reading the author’s note at the end makes you realise why he felt compelled to write this haunting book. It is so well written that you feel you have to read on,

I wasnt sure what to expect when I first started The Vienna Writer's Circle, this is a novel set in Vienna at the beginning of Anschluss, the annexation of Austria.

At the start of the novel we meet Johannes and Mathias who are cousins and also writers and are both included in Sigmund Freud's Circle. A group of famed intellectuals who routinely meet to talk about books and ideas over coffee.

The novel navigates the reader through the years of Anschluss and shows how anti-Semitism progressed in Austria and how this affected every day people. This was equally compelling and heartwrenching, an excellently written book. I would recommend this thoroughly.

Thank you to Penguin for the copy of the book to review.

This is a well written book starting in Vienna during the early days of the Anschluss when Hitler invaded and took Austria into the Reich. It was a good way of dealing with the restrictions on Jews and others in a few weeks rtaher than the prolonged enforcement after Hitler came to power in Germany. An interesting set of characters and some well thought out twists and turns. Tough stuff from the death camp scenes but nothing that readers of WW2 fiction wouldn't have come across before. With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for an advanced copy to read and review.

What a fantastic book! A slow start but soon built up tension so that it was a reluctant put down and an eager pick up again.

I’ve learned so much about this horrific time in WW2 that I was only vaguely aware of about those who suffered so much. Heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.

A great storyline, believable characters, a few twists and turns, however overall it’s a book based on fact, human survival and the price paid by so many written by an author who clearly feels so deeply about it.

Thank you to the author, Netgalley and publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review