The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri

 

Family secrets come to light as a young woman fights to save herself, and others, in a Nazi-run baby factory—a real-life Handmaid's Tale—during World War II.

In a sleepy German village, Allina Strauss’s life seems idyllic: she works at her uncle’s bookshop, makes strudel with her aunt, and spends weekends with her friends and fiancé. But it's 1939, Adolf Hitler is Chancellor, and Allina’s family hides a terrifying secret—her birth mother was Jewish, making her a Mischling.

One fateful night after losing everyone she loves, Allina is forced into service as a nurse at a state-run baby factory called Hochland Home. There, she becomes both witness and participant to the horrors of Heinrich Himmler’s ruthless eugenics program.

The Sunflower House is a meticulously-researched debut historical novel from Adriana Allegri that uncovers the notorious Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany. Women of “pure” blood stayed in Lebensborn homes for the sole purpose of perpetuating the Aryan population, giving birth to thousands of babies who were adopted out to “good” Nazi families. Allina must keep her Jewish identity a secret in order to survive, but when she discovers the neglect occurring within the home, she’s determined not only to save herself, but also the children in her care.

A tale of one woman’s determination to resist and survive, The Sunflower House is also a love story. When Allina meets Karl, a high-ranking SS officer with secrets of his own, the two must decide how much they are willing to share with each other—and how much they can stand to risk as they join forces to save as many children as they can. The threads of this poignant and heartrending novel weave a tale of loss and love, friendship and betrayal, and the secrets we bury in order to save ourselves.

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About The Author

 ADRIANA ALLEGRI is a first-generation American whose parents lived in Europe before, during, and after World War II. She grew up on stories about how small acts of compassion saved lives, a theme that shows up in everything she writes, regardless of genre. A former high school teacher and educational program administrator, Adriana also served as a writer and project manager for a leading data analytics company. She spent fifteen years in the New York metro area but is happily relocated in Chandler, Arizona with two ornery rescue cats. When not at the keyboard, she enjoys painting, cooking, jewelry-making, antiquing, travel, and, of course, curling up with a favorite read.

 

My Review

 

A read that brings to light some of the atrocities that happened during the reign of terror of WWII.
This is a fictional read, based on truth, and the author brings this story alive, she gives us main characters that are fictional, but based on Lebensborn Program, a real program that was in place to make a strong Aryan race of people. The author brings to light the horrible, sterile conditions these poor babies lived in, and what happens to those that don't make the cut.
I really loved the way this story begins, and then how it is told, what a great opening to share this horrible time in the world's history.
The author also give us some great notes at the end of this book, and such insight into the horrible happenings that were occurring!
A story that would make a great movie, and should be a mandatory read!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher St. Martin's Press, and was not required to give a positive review.