3.5 ⭐️

Things I liked
- one of the things I love about this author is that she finds unique perspectives and stories to tell about a time there are many books written about . Although I had heard about the Nazi propaganda movies and Theresientstadz in passing, I loved learning more about them .

- The book is very well researched and I enjoyed the authors notes at the end ( which I rarely read tbh but I try to in historical fiction )

- I enjoyed getting two completely different perspectives- Hilde who was a character I loved to hate and Hannah ( who tbh annoyed me a bit first half of the book ) but grew on me over time

What I didn’t like so much
- the first half of the book felt really slow to me; the book picked up about half way thru but the ending felt very rushed . At min I thought Hilde needed one more chapter - her story felt incomplete to me .


Thank you to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review

4.5 stars.

The Girls in the Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn is a well-researched novel about Theresienstadt, a Nazi camp for Jewish people.

Hannah Kaufman’s grandfather Oskar is duped into believing they are going to a resort town. Instead, they become prisoners of a Nazi propaganda and transit camp. The camp is filled with Jewish people who are elderly, war veterans, artists, musicians, etc. It is also a work camp where women cut pieces of mica for the German war effort. Oskar works on the cultural committee while Hannah is initially a transcriber.

Hannah’s childhood friend Hilde Kramer completely believes the Nazi ideology. After losing her husband, she returns to work in Munich and ends up at the propaganda arm of the Nazi party. At first a secretary, Hilde aspires to become a famous director. She schemes and plots her way into making a propaganda film at Theresienstadt. There, she and Hannah cross paths while eventually planning and assisting in the making of the final propaganda film made at the camp.

The Girls in the Glimmer Factory is an eye-opening historical novel about the Nazi attempt to hide the truth about the Final Solution. The characters are richly developed and most are endearing. The horrific conditions are heart wrenching as is the realization that Theresienstadt is also a stop along the way to Auschwitz. Theresienstadt is not a well-known camp so it is very interesting to learn about the camp and its purpose. Jennifer Coburn brings the people and storyline brilliantly to life throughout this captivating novel. It is a timely warning about the dangers of propaganda and lies that are used to promote dangerous ideology.

Historical fiction readers will want to read this well researched novel about Theresienstadt, the Nazi model camp. The author does an amazing job interweaving factual accounts into a fictional story. The propaganda the Nazi fed the world during this horrible time is astonishing. The realistic characters and their stories are heartbreaking. Readers will not want to miss the author’s note. Recommended.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory is an exceptionally well researched, heart-rending story of the Theresienstadt ghetto. This ghetto was created by the Nazi's as a model camp to dispel any rumors of their mistreatment of Jewish prisoners. I loved this book, although it was difficult to read at times. The story is told in alternating chapters by Hannah, a young Jewish woman transported to the camp with her grandfather, and Hilde, a young woman who is a staunch supporter of the Reich. Hannah's daily experience within this model camp is one of constant back breaking work, food barely sufficient to sustain life, and constant fear for her life and the lives of those within the camp. Hilde is determined to further her career within the Reich, indoctrinated with the propaganda she has been subjected to since childhood. The book is a chilling tale of the horrors of the Holocaust at all levels, and a world that did not wish to probe too deeply. Through her characters, especially Hannah, Jennifer Coburn has written a memorable, completely absorbing book of the hope, resilience, determination that exists in all of us, even when the fight cannot always be won. The author's notes at the end are a must-read part of the book, on the facts of the camp, and the Glimmer Factory within it. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.

Historical fiction based on the truth of the Holocaust are always both haunting and interesting reads. The author captures a part that not many people are aware of, and that is of the Theresienstadt "model ghetto" in a Czech village. We learn of this through the eyes and chapters of two young childhood friends: Hilde who is a firm believer in the Reich and Hannah who is of Jewish ancestry and caught in the web of families whose futures were so drastically changed. by those beliefs. As we see Hannah struggle to survive, we see Hilde struggling to make her place within the ranks of the Reich as a filmmaker. As Hilde begins to realize her dreams, she comes to the camp to make films and finds her friend Hannah. While the stories of the two and their own disparate dreams are well-carried out in the story, a lost opportunity within the telling of the story is that of being more in depth as to how the outcomes of their lives became. Hilde's life takes a drastic turn as does Hannah's, and this reader would have liked to read more about that part of their stories, especially Hilde's. However, in reading the Author's Note at the end of the book, we do follow the history of many of the people introduced to us in the story, and it shows the amount of detailed research it took to write this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheGirlsoftheGlimmerFactory

What a hauntingly sad, beautiful, empowering, informative book. I am always fascinated by the history of WW2 and the Holocaust, especially after visiting Auschwitz as a teenager. It was so interesting to delve into how propaganda can influence and harm others.

This story followed two girls with separate journeys in a Jewish ghetto and how their lives intersect. The side characters were lovely and the author really made me feel for all of them.

This is a story with very heavy themes but I definitely recommend it.

3.5 🌟
First, I’d like to thank NetGalley, Jennifer Coburn, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

As a historical fiction novel set during WWII, The Glimmer Factory is a compelling and well-crafted read. I appreciated the dual perspectives of a Jewess and a Nazi and how their lives intersected in meaningful and unexpected ways. This narrative choice offered a nuanced exploration of the complexities and moral conflicts of the time.

That said, there were a few storylines I wish had been explored further. For instance, I would have liked more closure regarding what happened to Hilde's husband after the war. Additionally, Hilde’s ultimate fate felt rushed in the epilogue—I think an additional chapter dedicated to her would have provided a more satisfying conclusion. I also felt that having one of Hannah’s friends, like Radek, survive alongside her could have added more emotional depth to her story.

As for the titular Glimmer Factory, while it played an important role, it felt like only a small part of the book. Given the title, I was expecting a greater focus on the factory itself and its significance.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Glimmer Factory and would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction, especially those who appreciate multi-faceted stories set during WWII. Jennifer Coburn has created a thoughtful and engaging novel that lingers with you after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the story of Hannah and Hilde, a Jew and a Gentile growing up in the shadow of Hitler’s Reich. They were childhood friends until Hilde’s family supported the doctrine of hate against Jews, and Hannah’s family moved to Czechoslovakia from Munich, in search of better treatment. Unfortunately, this does not come to pass, and on the eve of their planned departure for Palestine, Hannah becomes ill, and the plans change. When she and her grandfather are deported to a camp called Terizen, the reader is introduced to what life truly has become for the Jewish people. Told they are going to a place where they will be well-treated, life there is anything but what they were promised. Jennifer Coburn gives an honest and well-researched depiction of camp life, while building strong relationships and a support network among people who are fighting to stay alive. I did not know anything about this camp, and the descriptions are graphic and realistic, definitely evoking an emotional response in me. I gave it four stars and not five because I felt it ended abruptly, right at what I thought was the most suspenseful part of the book. The Epilogue wrapped everything up, but it spanned a big gap in time and I felt it did not blend seamlessly with the rest of the book. Kudos though, to the author for celebrating resilience, perseverance, the will to survive and the bonds of friendship, especially during terrible times. I highly recommend this book.

This is my second book by the author- she continues to deliver well researched novels on a topic requiring sensitivity from a dark period of time.

****Publishing January 28, 2025*****

The book starts out by explaining about Theresienstadt ghetto. It was advertised that this ghetto was a free settlement for Jewish people,but in fact,it was far from that. People died, starved, and it was a slave camp. This ghetto was also used for any kind of inspections.

This book follows the lives of Hannah Kaufman,19, who was left behind when her family evacuated due to having smallpox that ended up at Theresienstadt, and Hilde, 20, who was widowed and works for the Reich. They knew each other from high school. When Hilde goes to Theresienstadt to make a propaganda film for the Reich, she realizes it is different from what she was made to believe. Hilde asks Hannah to be a translator for her film, but with Hilde being a Nazis and Hannah a prisoner will that really be allowed? Will Hilde be able to ultimately help Hannah?

From the research to the story to the characters in this book, this author created a heart-breaking and powerful story! You get the perspective of what it was like working for the Reich, through the eyes of Hilde and the perspective on what it was like living in Theresienstadt ghetto through the eyes of Hannah. This was not an easy book to read, but very well-researched and informative! I loved the author’s note at the end of her book detailing out her research! A must-read for those who love Historical Fiction!!

Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, I was provided an ARC of The Girls of the Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another well researched and well written work of historical fiction from this author, and it was hard to put down. Hilde and Hannah were childhood friends, but with the rise of the Nazis, Hannah’s family moved to Prague, thinking they were safe. Hilde became a staunch supporter of the Reich, while Hannah ended up in Theresienstadt. “Propaganda has the power to divide us, make enemies of our neighbors and even physically harm one another”. When Hilde is on the team to film the so called “model” of the detention camp, the paths of Hilde and Hannah cross again. The detailed descriptions of the camp were accurate, as I have visited there to see the horrific site myself. The stories of man’s inhumanity to man must continue to be told. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Told in alternating points of view, The Girls of the Glimmer Factory is poignant historical fiction about two former childhood friends. Years later, in 1942, one is a widowed German woman working for the Nazi propaganda machine and the other is a prisoner in Theresienstadt, a model ghetto in present day Czech Republic where the Nazis plan to make a propaganda film to convince the world that the Jewish people are living well in the camps.

This is such a heartbreaking and emotionally challenging story. I was thoroughly absorbed in Hannah’s life before & during her time in the prison camp.. Hilde’s story is less engaging perhaps because of her misguided allegiance to the Nazi party. But they were a good balance to one another under Coburn’s deft writing, revealing the true horrors of this historic period.

Unable to evacuate to Palestine with the rest of their family, Hannah and her grandfather are trying to survive in Prague. As the Nazis take over, Hannah and her grandfather are forced to resettle in the model ghetto called Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia. There, they are forced to perform slave labor, eat meager rations, there is no running water, and they must live in barracks. In truth, the ghetto is nothing more than a rundown place. When she finds out the Nazis plan to make a propaganda film to convince the world the Jewish are living well in the camps, Hannah becomes determined to show the world the truth. Working with other resistance members, they try to disrupt and derail the filming. Hilde is a German girl who is a firm believer in the Nazi cause. Working in the Reich Ministry of Enlightenment and Propaganda, she wants to create a documentary that will renew confidence in what Hitler is doing. When the film meets resistance, Hilde is determined to make a name for herself. Then, she recognizes her childhood friend, Hannah. Soon, the two’s worlds collide. Who will ultimately survive?

The plot is well written, engaging, and well researched. The characters are authentic, realistic for the time period, and believable. Readers will enjoy this gripping historical fiction as it explores both sides of history. Readers who like historical fiction, stories of resistance, and survival will want to pick this one up. Due to an on-page rape scene and other mature content, this book is best suited for an adult audience. Recommended for most public library collections. 5 stars, ADULT

Through Hannah, a Jewish woman, and Hilde, a German Nazi,
The Girls of the Glimmer Factory tells the story of the
Theresienstadt Ghetto and of the Nazi propaganda machine.
These two pieces of history intesect when Hilde makes a Nazi
film about the ghetto and runs into her childhood friend Hannah,
who is forced to toil there. What I love most about
jennifer coburn's books is how she takes little known pieces of
WWIl history and truly brings them into the spotlight in her
novels. So much of this book is based on real historical events
and people that I can almost guarantee you've never heard of
before. If you're a historical fiction fan, especially WWlI era, pick
this one up.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn is a poignant Historical Fiction with a difference and that special something. Set during WWII, two friends' lives take completely different paths. Hannah has a deep family connection, especially to her Minna. But she becomes imprisoned at the Nazi model ghetto Theresienstadt in former Czechoslovakia. There are temporary plants, grass, food to eat and smiles on the faces of the prisoners in the least worst physical condition in a bid to persuade The Red Cross of their generosity and compassion. But beneath the vibrant facade lie desperation, anger and despair. Prisoners were treated abysmally and died there but as it was not a mass-scale killing camp, some held onto tiny strands of hope. Many were also sent to Auschwitz, from one hell to the next. In propaganda film and materials, Jews were promised a "paradise settlement" but instead realized it was a labor camp with little food. In this story, though characters do not want to leave home, they do dream of paradise. A resistance rises up and babies were smuggled out. It is all Hannah can do to survive torment, starvation and disease.

Hannah's childhood friend Hilde was a Nazi activist and as such was thrilled with her job as a secretary working on the documentary film "Hitler Gives A City to the Jews". She enjoyed her creativity outlet and feeling important. Her goal was to climb the work ladder. Her complaints were so trivial in comparison to what millions endured!

Mica splitting played a role, albeit a small one. What gripped me most aside from family relationships is the extreme cruelty and calculation of the Nazi propaganda. I knew about it before but this was very impactful. I like the importance that music played in the camp. It may seem impossible to believe but when desperate, beautiful things can result even under the harshest conditions and the tiniest doses offered hope.

My sincere thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this emotive novel.

In this story we follow Hannah Kaufman and Hilde Kramer, two childhood friends. Hannah and her family who are Jewish eventually ending up at Theresienstadt together. Hilde is now working for the Nazi’s as a hand for their film production. The location is Theresienstadt, a model Nazi camp where the Nazi’s are wanting to make films and propaganda, to show that the Jewish people held here are being treated well. When the Red Cross came for tours, it showed them that the Jews were being treated fairly. This was obviously not the case. More than half the prisoners at this camp were sent to Auschwitz to be massacred.

I loved this story of unlikely friendships, resistance and the fact of propaganda. The first half of the book started out slow for me, but a little more than a quarter way through it, I couldn’t put it down. When you are done reading you must read the authors note where she states what was real and which parts were altered for the story, this amazed me. Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and of course the author, Jennifer Coburn for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you so much to @netgalley , @bookmarked , and @jennifercoburnbooks for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release date: January 28, 2025

This book took me by surprise. What an incredible story of turmoil, strength, and perseverance. This story that takes place during World War II will blow you away. The dual perspectives were incredibly well-done: one woman being a Nazi activist and the other being a Jewish girl trying to figure out how to survive the unknown in a work camp.

The immersion of the reader in this bleak time period is emotional and tangible with every turn of the page. I didn’t know anything about this specific camp and the glimmer factory so it was interesting to learn about both. I also loved how the author added a section at the end explaining all of the historical references, which enhanced the meaning of the story and added a layer of respect to those who experienced this war in their own lives.

Coburn does an excellent job of putting the reader in the story. The historic world building is incredibly descriptive and touches on more than one of your senses. You feel Hannah’s emotions and you experience Hilde’s naivety start to finish. Add Jennifer Coburn to your historical fiction author list because she has nailed immersive storytelling.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I had the pleasure of reading The Cradles of the Reich, so when I heard Ms. Coburn wrote another book about the travesties of human suffering during WWII, I had to read it. True to her work, the research is incredibly comprehensive. But the real gift is how Ms. Coburn masterfully weaves the research into a book that will capture the reader. The book opens as Hannah and her family prepare to emigrate to Palestine from Prague. Unfortunately, Hannah and her opa are unable to make it, and are eventually relocated to Theresienstadt. Theresienstadt was labeled as "Hitler's gift to the Jewish people." One can only imagine the real life there and how Hannah lives or maybe more appropriately survives.

The situation facing Hannah is juxtaposed with that of Hilde. Hilde was a friend from their days in Munich. Hilde is a cunning, selfish German who aspires to climb the ranks of the Reich. Hilde works her way into the ministry that produces film propaganda to appease the world as to the true nature of German treatiment of Jews. Together, the contrast between Hannah and Hilde is a perfect metaphor for the reality of Theresienstadt.

But what really shines thorugh is the intricate writing based on the author's thorough research. My compliments once again on a throughly engaging book!

This was an interesting look into the Terezin ghetto. Most of my prior reference to this came from Herman Wouk's The Winds of War series. This showed more of the relationships and reinforced how both Jews and Germans were misled as to the purpose of the ghetto and the work camps. I was surprised by the betrayal of Hilde but had certainly heard of family members doing such things.

This is the second novel I've read by this author and I've enjoyed both of them very much. This book is very well researched and I learned a lot. It is the story of two friends. One Jewish, just trying to survive and the other a woman who will do almost anything to advance herself. I had never heard of Theresienstadt and found it fascinating. So many artists and so much talent among such misery and deplorable conditions. The will to survive is amazing. I enjoyed every page and would highly recommend this book.