Can readers demand a publisher translate an author’s entire backlist? That’s a thing, right? If not, can we make it a thing? 'Cause I need more Melanie Metzenthin in my life.

I know World War II is trending and the market is saturated, but A Fight in Silence not a bandwagon publication. Metzenthin is a German author and her heritage gives the novel a cultural authenticity I’ve not seen from her American peers. She is also a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy which plays to her advantage in a novel about Aktion T4.

The story candidly chronicles the rise of Nazi power in Germany and the divisive effect it had on the medical community of the day. Richard and Paula are fictional characters, but their experiences and personal challenges reflect those of real doctors caught in Hitler’s crossfire. The material is heart-wrenching, but I loved the voice this story gives those who used their positions to subvert the party’s ultimate objectives.

A Fight in Silence brilliantly illustrates the complexities of retaining one’s humanity amid overwhelming persecution and hate. A highly recommendable must read.

This was a different and unique read on WW2. it was based on more of a medical aspect during that time period and definitely was very interesting. It was a well written book on the topic that I never knew about. Very sad and heart wrenching at times but an overall good read.

When Paula and Richard meet in 1926, it seems meant to be. Their love is strong and true, and their joy is soon complete with the birth of twins. But while their daughter is healthy, their son is deaf, and is quickly marked out as undesirable by the increasingly popular Nazi party. Hitler soon seizes power, and the family will soon realise that in times of war the threat is not always the enemy...

‘A fight in silence’ spans nearly two decades, beginning when Paula and Richard first meet in 1926 and ending shortly after the end of WW2 in 1945. The novel covers the couple completing their medical training, beginning their careers, and starting a family, before moving on to focusing on the rise of national socialism in Germany and the resulting world war. The pre-war years are particularly hard to read, as these sections reflect so accurately the insidious way Hitler gradually crept into power. Paula and Richard are optimistic that the hardships they face will be temporary, and reading these sections whilst knowing how it all played out made their attempts to remain positive even more heartbreaking. Reading about the approach of the Nazi government towards the more vulnerable members of society also made for very difficult reading.

Now on principal I won’t be discussing too much of the plot, as whilst some of the events of the book are easy to predict due to their historical significance, others are true surprises, and I would hate to ruin that. What I will say though is that Metzenthin has managed to create a completely unique novel, something that is rare in the historical fiction genre. Reading about life inside Germany during this time is something I haven’t done much of, and getting to also gain an insight into the world of German psychiatry at the time was just incredible. There is not a single book I can compare this to, and that for me was probably one of my favourite elements of the novel.

I have to also recognise the fantastic work of Rachel Langton, who managed to perform a flawless translation of this beautiful book. There was none of the clunky writing or odd turns of phrase that can sometimes be found in translated novels, and I was actually surprised when I found out after reading it that it was a translation!

All in all, I’m incredibly impressed. This is a rare gem of a novel, that combines a unique plot with strong likeable characters and a clear talent for writing. I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone with an interest in historical fiction, and can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Disclaimer - I was provided with an advance reading copy of this book by NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.

Brilliant story. I love historical fiction and this story tells so much about the Hitler Regime. Some of the details are horrific. There is a lot of sadness in this book but there is also hope, friendship, family and love. It was an interesting and intriguing read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.