Another well conceived and written novel from Alexander, who continues to explore the role women played during WWII, Niki, based on a real author, is an impressive woman who defies convention and taunts the regime at great personal cost. A good read,

Well written and rich in historical detail. Irmgard’s story captured me and I couldn’t put it down.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

VS Alexander brings a fictionalized version of a real Berlin author to life in this fascinating, complex historical fictional novel. Crossing from 1930s Berlin and the rise of the Nazi party through World War II and into the separation of the city into East and West Berlin and the creation of the Berlin Wall, readers follow Marie Rittenhaus, aka Niki, from young adulthood through marriage, grandmotherhood, and a short-lived writing career. Alexander does not shy away from the horrors of this period or the complicated moralities, allegiances, and motivations of Berliners from the period through the character of Niki’s husband Rickard Langer, while she also highlights the struggles of the postwar period by following Laura, Niki and Rickard’s daughter, and her relationship with her Stasi officer husband. Alexander’s characters are the heart of the story, and readers fully experience Niki’s emotions, motivations, and challenges from this first-person perspective, and the choice of Berlin, with the political chaos and the critical twentieth-century location, plays a massive role in Niki’s story (though she doesn’t spend all of her time in the novel there). The Novelist from Berlin is a fascinating, high-stakes rollercoaster of a historical fiction novel set in a critical European city during the political peak of the twentieth century.

This is a difficult but important work to read in light of the way our world is going. Niki, aka Marie, is not a likable character at the beginning of the book, but is an opportunist at best. As the Nazis start to gain power, Niki marries Rickard Langer, and is disgusted by his acceptance of the National Socialists. There are many facets to Niki’s character, as she develops bravery and strength while facing many horrifying realities, including that she might never see her daughter again. I would recommend the book for historical fiction lovers, but be prepared for some tough reading. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Who is your favorite author? Do you ever read about their life?

Marie (Niki) Rittenhaus is a young woman in 1920’s Germany. She considers herself a “new German woman” who lives a free lifestyle moving from man to man as she tries to break into a career in film. She meets the head of a film studio, stars in his films, and falls in love. But as the Nazis take over Germany, her husband falls into step with them in order to continue with business as usual. She lives through tumultuous times and must decide what is the most important thing to her? Can she save her own life? What about the people she loves?

I really liked the time period that this book covered – from the 1920’s through the 1960’s. The book not only covered the Nazi rule, but also the takeover of East Berlin and East Germany by communist rule. The book had great moments of suspense and great characters. I really liked Niki. She was an independent and strong woman. She had great love and loss in her life. I wanted to keep reading to see where life would take her, her family and friends.

I also liked how this book followed Niki’s life as an author. Her books were daring when they were first published, but also the books that ended up on the Nazi’s fires. Nikki tried to write again later, but she lost her zest for writing a happy story. The topic of censorship was fascinating and relevant with the book banning that has been occurring in modern times.

I thought it fascinating that Niki’s story was loosely based on the life of Irmgard Keun, a writer who “was forced into exile because her novels defied the accepted norms of the National Socialists as they rose to power.” The Author’s note details what is known about Keun’s fascinating real-life story. There are also great discussion questions for a book club to use at the end of the book.

Historical Novels Review, November 2023:

Niki is a modern German woman in 1930s Weimar Berlin. She enjoys her fun evenings with friends at the Leopard Club smoking Manoli cigarettes and accepting the favors of the numerous men she attracts. But life outside the nightclubs is very different. The SA Brownshirts, with their fascist ideologies, are a menacing presence on the streets. Niki sets her eyes on Rickard Lӓnger, a movie producer, at the club, and they soon become lovers, living together in his opulent apartment.

As the power of Hitler and the Nazi party increases, those who do not live up to the Nazi ideals are intimidated into compliance or destroyed. Rickard must begin making propaganda movies or lose his movie production company. His beliefs, like many other Germans, may differ from the Nazis’, but it is easier to comply. Rickard sinks deeper into their world while Niki begins her writing career. She writes of what she knows – the life of a modern German woman. But this is not the Nazis’ ideal woman. Her first book is published under a pseudonym to great popular acclaim, but with it comes the wrath of the Nazi party. Her second book is published, stirring up more controversy and placing her life in danger if her identity is revealed.

Niki is loosely based on Irmgard Keun, an author who wrote novels about the real lives of young German women, previously not realistically portrayed in German novels. The details of Keun’s life are vague because she was not forthcoming with details, so much of the narrative is Alexander’s imaginings. But the historical events are accurate and depict the dilemma the Germans were up against – intimidation, threats, and bullying to comply, or to face serious consequences for resistance. This is an engrossing story of the people who made different choices, many times when life or death was at stake.

Janice Ottersberg

I love VS Alexander, and this book was a great read. Nikki Rittenhaus is an author as the Nazi's are coming to power. Her book becomes a best seller as the Nazi's are banning and burning books. She is married to a man who is making Nazi propaganda to survive, and ultimate Nikki decides she cannot stay with him. However, they have a child together and he has connections, and eventually uses those connections to take their daughter from her. Nikki flees to Amsterdam and joins the resistance, but never gives up hope of finding her daughter again.

The Novelist From Berlin is a dark read, full of suspense and never quite knowing where it will lead. There are many books about WW II but this one stands out for its reality and detail, perhaps because it's based on a true story. It should definitely be on your "To Read" shelf!

The Novelist from Berlin is a fascinating story about the life of Marie Rittenhaus, a character inspired by the life of Irmgard Keun. Marie, a German author, resists Nazi power by anonymously writing stories that undermine Nazi culture while her husband caves to Nazi pressure and produces anti-Semitic films to secure his safety. Marie's life is threatened, her books are banned, and her daughter is taken away from her as she seeks safety in a life separated from her husband. Through trusted friendships with like-minded individuals in Germany and Holland, Marie continues to survive, to resist the Nazis, and to try to find and reunite with her daughter.

V.S. Alexander's novel is consistently well-paced with a captivating plot and a few unexpected twists. Unlike many other WWII historical fiction novels, the story of Marie and her friends continues to unfold amid the challenges and threats of USSR-occupied East Berlin. The personalities of the characters are intriguing, but could have had more depth. At times I found myself questioning the description of the protagonist's desires and motives as though they were misinterpreted by a man who does not understand the inner life of women or what it is like to be a woman in a dangerous, male-dominated context. I also would have appreciated a more expansive presentation of the historical context and figures, thus enriching the environment of the novel's plot and character development.

Rounding up to 4, I rate the novel 3.5 stars.

I am grateful to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for the opportunity to read The Novelist from Berlin in exchange for an unbiased review.

Story of Niki, before WWII, during, and after. A strong character, a writer. FIghting for her child and against the Nazis. Some definite plot twists that made this book a page turner!

Thank you net galley for giving me this opportunity to read 'The Berlin Novelist'.
Wow, what a story
.The story is loosely based on Irmgard Keun.
The story spans from post WWI on until the Berlin wall is built.
Marie/Niki is a young woman with a desire to become an actress.
She goes to the Leopard Club and meets up with her friend Lotti. Marie spots an attractive man at the club and is introduced to him. He just happens to be a producer at Passport Pictures.
The years go by and they eventually marry and have a daughter.
Marie starts writing about women in Berlin.
The National Socialist rise to power and Marie is finding herself getting disgruntled with their ideology.
Marie flees Berlin and eventally gets to The Netherlands where she falls in with a Dutch resistance group.
Marie fakes her death so she can go back to Berlin to find her daughter whom she hasn't seen for a number of years.
These are my own opinion(s). Again thank you Net Galley. I will be looking forward to V.S. Alexander's novels.

V.S. Alexander is a fine writer of historical fiction and his latest offering, The Novelist from Berlin is another wonderful addition to his collection. As he states himself, “(I) feature strong women protagonists whose lives take them on incredible journeys in settings fraught with danger and intrigue. Along the way, they learn about life, love, and themselves.”

Once again an incredible amount of research has gone into this book covering such events as the Great Depression, Hitler, World War II, the Berlin Airlift and the Berlin Wall to name but a few. With a story that spans from the 1920s through to the 1960s and inspired by the true story of Irmgard Keun a female novelist who defied all the rules, this novel is sure to appeal to lovers of history.

‘The world is a better place, at the moment … but history warns us we’re often doomed to repeat our mistakes … read what I have to say - pay attention to my words before the next Hitler arises, before the next world war blooms.’

Told through the eyes of Berlin Woman Marie “Nikki” Rittenhaus, The Novelist of Berlin is a window into a past that was brutal, terrifying and destructive. Now as an older woman living in obscurity, enjoying what she considers relative peace for the first time in her adult life, she reflects on her life.
Commencing in Berlin in the 1920’s during the period between the First and Second World Wars, based on the story of Irmgard Keun, a female novelist who was forced to flee Germany, leaving behind her husband and daughter The Novelist from Berlin revisits the days when, to be a woman in Germany and have ideas was very dangerous.
Marie Rittenhaus is like many women in Berlin as the German economy is failing. Young, intelligent and resourceful, she finds work wherever she can, going to the local Bars at night looking for a meal and the company of men. Her friend Lottie often goes with her.
She eventually meets Rickhard Langer, a handsome, intelligent man; a movie producer for Belin’s Passport Pictures. A courtship of sorts takes place with Nikki moving in with Rickard, eventually agreeing to marry him and giving birth to their beautiful daughter.
As the Nazi Party led by Adolf Hitler is beginning to influence her husband’s work and life, Nikki begins to write. Her first novel The Berlin Woman based on what she considers is or should be the new Berlin woman, is published to great acclaim but sees her come under the watchful eye of the Nazi Party, who eventually ban her book.
Times are getting harder, the Nazi Party is now a powerful force which seems unstoppable. The conflict of what she believes is right and her husband’s increasing affiliation with Nazi’s forces her to make a decision as to how she wants to lead her life.
Eventually she has to flee to Holland where she meets Emil, another activist against the Nazi’s, becomes a member of the Dutch Underground and falls deeply, irrevocably in love.
The Novelist from Belin is an engrossing read as it details a history not often written about; the dark, destructive days of the rise of Nazism, the dread that became an accepted way of life for so many: the fear, hatred and horror of what seemed to be an unstoppable force, growing around the woman in particular, the Jews or anyone who dared to have a differing opinion.
V. S. Alexander paints a very real picture of the years of the rise and fall of Hitler and his Nazi Party, followed by the uncertain times after Germany’s defeat when the Soviet Union began rebuilding to become a force to be feared; another version of the Nazi Party philosophy. The grim days of the Belin Wall being built and the brave people who refused to accept what was happening are well described.
Ranging over forty years that changed the world and Europe, with influences still felt today, this well researched historic novel is powerful, captivating and perhaps a reminder that when charismatic, powerful men rise up to want world dominance, the World needs remember the lessons of history and take note.

The Novelist from Berlin by V.S. Alexander is Historical Women's Fiction set in 1920‘s Germany. Alexander‘s novel is based on the true life story of a novelist in post WWI Germany and her struggles. Real life in Nazi Germany, everyone lives in constant fear, even Hitler. Violent gangs rule, meting out retribution for disobedience of their rules with beatings, murders, and other unjustified punishments. The story of the war in Europe and Germany with all its ugliness and deprivation is told. One evil regime in parts of Germany is replaced by another, causing suffering of the guilty and innocent alike. Is there any improvement by replacing one socialist government with a different brand of socialism?
I thought how different things might have been if the people of Germany had fought back instead of complying. Would this not be true of any people being oppressed by an evil regime? As always an outstanding thought provoking book by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

I am a fan of historical fiction books … especially when they are set during WWII. And, because I had enjoyed several books by the author, V. S. Alexander (The Magdalen Girls and The Taster), I was looking forward to reading this one. However, I did not care for the characters or the story line. I know there were individuals who chose to align themselves with Hitler’s regime rather than risk their lives and the lives of the loved ones. And I won’t judge them. While I would hope I would have been strong enough to stand against the atrocities, I wasn’t there at that time and don’t know how I would have responded. I also did not care for Marie (Niki). Her character before she married was pretty trashy. And this is when I will be judgmental. It served no purpose other than she had low morals.

I felt like the story line was rather scattered. It did not flow easily and I had trouble staying focused and involved in the book. I will say that the author did an amazing amount of research and I appreciated learning about Niki and her determination to fight against Hitler and the Gestapo. Her character is based on the real-life character of Irmgard Keun who was also a novelist. The book does remind us that there were strong individuals who were willing to take a stand against the horrors that occurred during this time period. A different focus for WWII historical fiction than I have typically read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

The Novelist from Berlin by V.S. Alexander is a historical fiction novel that was inspired by a true story. I always love books that teach me something I didn’t know. In this case, it’s the story of Irmgard Keun, a female novelist in German after World War I.

1920s Germany: Though the world has changed in the wake of the Great War, it is still ruled by men. Even a woman as resourceful and intelligent as Niki Rittenhaus needs alliances in order to survive. Her marriage to Rickard Länger, a movie producer for Berlin’s Passport Pictures, seems convenient for them both. When Rickard succumbs to increasing pressure from the Nazis to make propaganda movies, a horrified Niki turns away from her own film aspirations and instead, begins to write.

Niki’s first novel, The Berlin Woman, is published under a pseudonym to great success. But Niki knows she cannot stay anonymous for long. The Nazis are cementing their power over Germany—and over her husband. Though she succeeds in escaping Rickard, he directs Hitler’s Brownshirts to do the unthinkable: kidnap their daughter. With her books blacklisted, her life in danger, and Europe descending into war, Niki travels to Amsterdam, joins the Dutch Resistance, and then returns to war-torn Berlin determined to claim freedom for herself and her child, and to write her own story at last.

Don’t miss this fantastic book! OUT NOW

The Novelist from Berlin
By: V.S Alexander
Review Score: 4 Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints
-The prologue hooks you immediately. I wanted to know more about the books Niki wrote.

-You can really feel the tension in the story, and the hardships Niki goes through.

-Alexander really makes you feel like you are in Berlin during all of these events.

-It was amazing to read about Niki's spirit, and how hard she fought for the people she loved.

-No spoilers, but there are some really great plot twists that keep you hooked the entire story.

——

The Novelist from Berlin was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Kensington Books. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date 9/26/23

The Novelist from Berlin takes you into the life of Niki, a woman who marries a man who makes movies. He then gets involved in the Nazis, making propaganda for them, even though he does not agree with the message. Niki then goes on to leave her husband, but at a huge cost. The story begins before World War 2, and takes you through the war and into the Cold War, where Berlin is once again trapped in the middle of a a changing world.

I loved how immersive this story was. You really feel the tension, the fear of the Nazis, and the desperation of Niki as she makes difficult decisions. The ending was amazing too, and really wrapped up a great story.

This is historical fiction, and it’s about World War 2, but it isnt JUST about World War 2, as so many novels are. That difference really makes it stand out. I definitely suggest you check this book out!

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This is the kind of historical fiction I love. It followed Niki's (Marie Rittenhaus) life after WWI when Nazis power was growing, and people were struggling to live. She married a movie director who became involved with Nazis as a matter of survival. At that time, Niki became a famous novelist acting under a pseudonym. Scared that her identity would be compromised, she fled her husband taking their daughter with her. With all power Nazis had, she was found, and her daughter was taken away from her.
The story continued through the World War II and after the war with Niki fighting for freedom and believing to find her daughter.

This was another historical fiction story that brought devastating history during Nazi regime in Germany. Alexander cleverly described complexities of the situation before, during, and after World War II with the brave heroine in stage. A page-turner with fascinating plot of mother fighting against enemy on her way to be reunited with her lost daughter. The last pages were so tense, that I wanted to rush and find out what happened, but at the same time I didn’t want this book to end.

This book was sent to me by the publisher. I usually try to stay away from WWII novels but if I'm sent a book I am going to read it. I liked that this one went beyond WWII and into the Berlin wall being built. Also, it is a WWII novel set in Germany. All Germans were not Nazis. There were many opposed to Hitler and many that just wanted to live their daily lives. So this book is loosely based on Irmgard Keun. She was a novelist in Berlin, hence the title, and the Nazis banned her books and she actually sued them. Obviously she lost the case but what guts to do that. She fled to The Netherlands but we know the Nazis ended up occupying them too. People believed she faked her death to return to Germany to be with her parents and that is pretty much what is known about her. This book obviously takes a lot of creative license and makes an engaging story of her being a part of the Dutch Resistance and taking a lot of risks. And to go from Nazi control to the Soviet Union control after the war was not much better. I ended up really liking it, although some parts were hard to read with the treatment of people and these books make me angry which is why I try to stay away from them. But reading these kind of books also make me so happy I was born in the USA.

-Who cares about fighting, the destruction of countries, the slaughter of millions, when one's stomach is empty? Starvation and poverty are persuasive motivators for political gain.

-"If my mother taught me one thing, it was that men and their political dreams can destroy the world. Hitler proved it. Stalin proved it as well. I want to live like the Americans, the British, and the French. I want liberty. If I write a book, I don't want it banned. I don't want to hide, or risk death, because I loved a Jew."

So now these quotes come under Soviet Rule:

-The veils of secrecy, retribution, and torture had created a culture of distrust so pervasive that any meeting was dangerous.

-As in Germany under Hitler's rule, people disappeared. It seemed as if the goal of the government was to imprison all of its citizens or to brand them as criminals.

Marie Rittenhaus wants to be independent, her father died in The Great War and she lives with her mother a strict Lutheran and she finds it suffocating. Marie moves to Berlin, she hangs out at the Leopard Club, her friends give her the nickname Niki, they smoke, drink and pick up men for the night. Here she meets Rickard Länger, he’s a movie producer for Passport Pictures and Niki auditions for a minor role.

Niki marries Rickard, he has a nice apartment, it gives her security and no more worrying about how she's going to pay the rent. In her spare time Niki writes a book called The Berlin Woman using a pseudonym, it becomes a best seller until the Germans start banning books and burning them and including hers.

Niki is shocked to discover Rickard is producing propaganda and anti-Jewish films, she flees with her daughter Laura and goes to stay with her mother Freida and it doesn’t take long for Rickard and the brown-shirts he’s involved with to find them.

With her books blacklisted, her identity exposed it’s too dangerous for Niki to stay in Berlin and she escapes to Amsterdam. Niki and her friend Emil know it’s only a matter of time before the Germans invade the Netherlands and they work for the Dutch resistance. Niki has to return to Berlin, she takes drastic precautions because her name is on a wanted list and she desperately wants to find Laura?

I received a digital copy of The Novelist from Berlin by V.S. Alexander from Kensington Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Mr. Alexander uses Irmgard Keun as inspiration for his own book, she’s was a novelist who wrote about the new modern German women and like the main character Niki.

A well-researched story and about everything Niki experienced during one of the most volatile times in history. The stock market crash, the night of the long knives, fleeing to the Netherlands, the allies bombing Berlin, waiting for the Russians to invade and what would happen afterwards, Germany being divided up into four zones, Berlin Airlift and the building of the Berlin Wall. Perfect for readers who enjoy historical fiction based on strong and brave women, what they will do to survive and four stars from me.

I think the cover fits the book well & along with the title would have me picking the book up from a store shelf to learn more!

The main character is Marie or Niki as her best friend Lottie names her, saying it is more fitting for the modern woman Marie wishes to be. Marie/Niki regularly frequents a local bar with best friend Lottie soon becoming firm friends with bartender Rudi. Marie/Niki considers herself a new modern German woman who doesn't need marriage and children to fulfill her, she wants more, a single, free life. Marie/Niki enjoys the single life, flirting and if she chooses sleeping with whom she pleases. Her mother Frieda is not so impressed with the life her daughter is leading, waiting for what she sees as the inevitable day she will return home single, shamed and pregnant! Though Frieda & Marie/Niki don't have what you would say a close relationship they are there for each other and offer each other support when most needed. Lottie is the other constant friend in Marie/Niki's world.

It's whilst at the bar a man, Rikard Langer, a movie producer catches Marie/Niki's eye and attention and she asks the bartender Rudi to call her the next time Rikard is in the bar. One thing leads to another and Marie/Niki end up in first an arrangement of convenience, living together, then a relationship, and finally becoming husband & wife.
Now relatively comfortably off Marie/Niki begins to write, something she has always wanted to do. At first Rikard unconditionally supports her, but then urges her to be cautious as the Nazis will not like her books as the women in them do not conform to that of a 'Good Nazis German Wife & Mother'
At the same time their happy life and potential future is interrupted by Adolf Hitler, the mad man who wants power and hates Jews.
When Marie/Niki's books are banned & burned by the Nazis she knows she is in danger and with
Rickard being coerced into making films for the Third Reich and becoming more and more drawn into 'party politics' it's too much uncertainty and danger for Marie/Niki. Despite Marie begging him to leave, Rikard believes he knows better that everything will soon be over and that Hitler will not gain the power he seeks. Marie/Niki leaves with their daughter. However Rickard has already lost a son to a previous broken marriage and is determined not to lose his daughter, so with his friends in high places in the ever gaining strengthened Nazis he takes his daughter back and Marie/Niki is warned to stay away.
Marie/Niki briefly finds happiness with a Jewish man Emil, even escaping Berlin, living with him and his Uncle, joining a small resistance group when once again the Nazis come for the Jewish population. When Emil and his Uncle disappear, probably to a work camp, then extermination camp and the Nazis becoming stronger danger is round every corner. Marie/Niki finds herself back in Berlin searching for a glimpse of her daughter, back in contact with her mother Frieda and best friend Lottie.

Even when the Nazis are defeated the war is not over for Marie/Niki, having to live with different factions ruling different parts of Berlin and Germany. Marie/Niki once again does what she has to in order to survive, trading information with those who some would consider the enemy. Finally Marie/Niki finds her daughter pregnant and trapped in an abusive marriage, being trapped along with Lottie and her family on the 'wrong side' of the Berlin Wall.

This is a mixed difficult review. I honestly disliked the main character at first, Marie seemed somewhat cold and self centred at times. I just didn't take to Marie/Niki at all but as time went on and you got to know her more and what she went through was revealed I couldn't help but warm to her. In the end I didn't want her story to end I wanted a better outcome for her, different to the one she ended up with. I really wanted her to find a happy ever after, which I know in her own way she says she does. Marie/Niki definitely lived many different lives during her lifetime, from single modern German woman, to lover & actress, the wife & mother. Marie/Niki also played her part in smaller acts of Defiance against first the Nazis then the Stasi. You could say Marie learns to use men to get what she wants and where she wants to be but it's not without costs to herself and some major losses along the way. I found myself asking how much more can this woman take many times during the book especially when she was separated from her young child by the Nazis and her then husband who went along with the Nazis for a quiet life but found himself drawn in deeper and deeper making propaganda films for them.
Throughout the book Marie/Niki always has her friend Lottie and her mother Frieda as constant support whenever she needs them. There's some seriously sad scenes, one in particular between Rickard and Marie, making you wonder if the Nazis had never got control if their life would have been different, a happier ending. Then the devastating endings for some of the characters.

Favourite characters were Lottie always there to help her friend Marie/Niki, and Emil who knew his precious time with Marie/Niki was limited because of the Nazis threat.

I enjoyed reading about the acts of Defiance the Jewish and some German people were brave enough to carry out, from printing & distributing leaflets, to courting & killing Nazis, to digging a tunnel under the Berlin wall to escape to the other side. They all added up to making this book a realistic, intriguing and at times edge of your seat read! In the end I didn't want Marie/Niki's story to end I wanted a better outcome for her, different to the one she ended up with.

Summing up, though initially a bit of a slow burner I really enjoyed reading this book. Then to find out it was loosely based on a real German woman made it all the more poignant and interesting!