The personal stories in this book add another layer of understanding to the history of WWII, and specifically Berlin during WWII. It will be helpful to older students who are studying the history of WWII.

Hugues uses contemporary methodologies of oral and micro-history to think about the history of C20th Germany via a single small street in Berlin. Her focus is narrow and deep but, almost inevitably, becomes unbalanced with most of the material coming from the Nazi era. On this short street alone 106 Jews were deported and that number, far more manageable in human terms than the 11 million, drives home its point with power. One of these was Lilli Ernsthaft, a Jewish woman who survived and returned to the street after the war raising important issues about restoration, reparations and how to move forward with a respect for the past.

All of this is certainly interesting but it does tend to make the book largely about the German-Jewish experience during WW2. Given the title of the book I was expecting more about the earlier part of the C20th, the impact of the First World War, and perhaps more about post-war Berlin. Hugues' street was in the American sector of the divided Berlin but we hear little about life in the divided city. Towards the end Hugues is ecstatic to hear that David Bowie lived in a neighbouring apartment during the 1970s and, again, I would have liked to have heard more about Berlin's more recent past.

The narrative can feel a bit muddled at times though Hugues writing is personable and involving: 3.5 stars for an unbalanced and uneven look at a fascinating city.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Pascale Hugues, and Polity in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all, for sharing your hard work with me. This English version was translated by Jon Delogu, with passages from the German translated by Nick Somers.

This proved to be a very compelling book, from an unusual perspective. Pascale Hugues, a French journalist living in Berlin, tells us about the residents, businesses and local attitudes of the street where she lives in modern Berlin, from 1904 when it was inhabited by the more well to do, mostly Jewish families, and follows the highs and lows of the residents of the street until 2014 when the French version of this fine tale was published by Editions es Arenes, Paris. This proves to be an excellent view of the changing norms that led to both Wars to End Wars in Europe in the twentieth century. It is also a warning look at the precursors that allowed a society based loosely on equality to fall into one that could look the other way when genocide was the new norm.

Hannah's Dress is a very interesting read, but the title is completely inappropriate. The book is about he history of a street the author resides, from 1904-2014. The dress is just one story out of many included, And completely misleads readers. The author tracked down former residents and revealed their stories, all equally fascinating. How many people actually contemplate the previous owners of their home? This author did and shares a wealth of history about a street that continuously evolved.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC Kindle version of this book
I enjoy historical fiction about WWI; however, I didn't care for this book.
If you enjoy dates and details of places and areas, you'll enjoy this book.

In Hannah's Dress Pascale Hugues, a French journalist living in Berlin, investigates the history of her street which at the beginning of the twentieth century was occupied by wealthy bourgeois families, many of them Jewish. Everything changed with the arrival of the Nazi party, of course. A few of the Jewish occupants managed to get out in time, to America or Israel, abandoning or selling properties and belongings for a pittance, but most ended up victims of the Nazi killing machine.

At the heart of the book is the poignant story of two friends, one of whom, Hannah, escapes to America. The other, who joins a queue for a permit to leave the country fifteen minutes too late, ends up being carted off on one of the special trains that took Jewish people away to their deaths.

The book is not only about the Jewish residents. Pascale Hugues finds out everything she can about the street and its residents, the ones who did well out of the Nazi era, the ones who moved into the vacated apartments the damage wreaked by Allied bombing, the architectural transformation as post-war Berliners tried to re-build the city and escape from their history, the businesses that came and went, the social and cultural changes and, with the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the flat where prog-rock band Tangerine Dream lived and where David Bowie briefly stayed, and the gentrification that has finally begun to endow the street with a modern version of its original status.

For me, the most interesting thing about the book, is the small details like the shopkeeper who assured her that the bomb damage was so great because it was orchestrated by Jews bent on revenge, or the bureaucratic labyrinth faced by those Jews who survived and struggled to reclaim some of their property or to seek compensation.

It is let down by a rather stilted translation. Nevertheless, it's an impressive piece of social history. We are so used to contemplating the horrific scale of the Holocaust. By focusing on the little indignities, Pascal Hugues makes it feel so much more personal.

I found this rather slow to start, and unfortunately, it never picked up enough speed to really engage the reader. Interesting time frame but given the virtual sunami of stories about this era, it just didn't stand out for me

A macro history made micro and, in doing so, provides a smart way in to what can be an overwhelming set of circumstances. 20th century Germany is endlessly fascinating - a very enjoyable read,

A must read. As a Holocaust researcher, I really enjoyed this book. It was a different take on things. Well written.