Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Wunderland by Jennifer Cody Epstein. Wunderland begins during Ilse and Renate’s teenage years in 1930’s Berlin. Ilse and Renate were inseparable friends until Renate found out about her Jewish heritage when trying to join the Hitlerjugen and Ilse was swept up in the frenzy and propaganda of the Nazi movement. This is a story of friendship, heartbreak, secrets, betrayal, and regret. It’s the story of how secrets between a mother and daughter (Ilse and Ava) cause estrangement and a lifetime of misunderstanding. This story offers an infrequent look at Nazi Germany through the eyes of their youth. Initially I had a hard time getting into this book but it was worth sticking with the story and the twist at the end was a nice surprise!

Wunderland explores the relationships of German citizens during the rise of the Nazis and how they effect future generations. What happens when best friends find that they are torn apart because one family suffered poverty due to the effects of WWI and they believe in the message of the Motherland that Hitler preached, the other has a Jewish father and is no longer considered a German citizen? This relationship and the twists and turns effect the daughter and granddaughter of one of the women. It was interesting to read both sides of the situation.

Unfortunately, this book was a little hard to follow as the time line skipped around. I'm okay with each chapter being from a different person's perspective, that actually helps keep things flowing in an orderly manner. However, the time line wasn't consistent, and it felt like there were other incongruities in the story, but it may have just been from the time line issue. Some readers may feel that the German words that were thrown in might be hard to follow as there aren't always English translations provided and you must use context to interpret.

The positives out weight the negatives. It is worthy of your time, and the ending ties it all together and makes it work. So if you do struggle a little with it, I suggest you stick with it, you will be glad you did.

This was a very well written historical fiction that focused on the youth of Hitler’s Germany (1933-1939)…and what it meant to those no longer accepted by their birth country and the consequences felt by all.
Renate and Ilse were best friends until it was discovered that Renate’s father was Jewish -a fact her parents kept from her. The author effectively demonstrated the isolation and hatred shown toward her and Jewish students by their teachers and classmates. They were no longer looked upon as a friend, a student, or even a person.They were dehumanized. This type of behavior happened to adults and children alike. Many of the historical fiction books I read focused on adults with children as secondary characters. Wunderland explored Hitler’s influence on Germany’s youth and this component made it an exceptional read. Highly recommended.

Absolutely, a fantastic read about two young girls in Berlin,Germany,who against all odds managed to stay friends for most of their childhood,in spite of all of the political differentiating going on in the world.
After losing touch for more than 4 decades,circumstances would touch their lives again.
A German mother,lies to her daughter,her entire life.The daughter in turn lies to her child.

Oh,what lies,we tell ourselves,to make our crimes bearable.

I like reading both WW II fiction and non-fiction and I've read hundreds.This is one of the best fiction novels that I've enjoyed reading in quite sometime.
Would highly recommend !

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've ready many historical fiction accounts of this time period, and very rarely is there such an honest portrayal of "the other side." It was refreshing. It was new and interesting. I loved it. My only negative is that I would've preferred the stories/dates in a more sequential order. It was a bit hard to follow and piece together all the parts at times. Regardless, I absolutely loved this novel and can't wait to read more from this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.
I loved this book about the war and what it took to survive
It explores friendship and I loved the ending I wasn’t expecting

This story was truly a wonderful read. It had historical fiction, drama, family, friendship and betrayal. At times I thought it was a little too long and that the switching back and forth of the years could be confusing but it has all a good book should have. It also shows what people in general did to one another during the war just to survive. Plus, the ending did take me by surprise which made the book even better. This could really be made into a great movie! Thank you netgalley for letting me give an honest review of this book.