Aimée & Jaguar: A Love Story, Berlin 1943 by Erica Fischer
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Book Reviews of Aimée & Jaguar: A Love Story, Berlin 1943
Book Review: An incredible experience
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1995 when I worked for HarperCollins (the hardcover publisher of Aimee & Jaguar), I had the amazing experience of co-editing Edna McCown's brilliant translation of this book from the original German. In an industry rife with commercialism, at a time when the reasons why I became an editor were becoming murky, I found myself working on this book that would remain an enormous part of who I am both personally and professionally. The story of Felice Schragenheim and Lilly Wust is a time-honored classic tale of a love that defied all obstacles, from the horrific devastation of the Holocaust, to the proscribed confines of society, to the simple passage of time. I can think of no greater gift that any one lover can give another than to tell their story, the way Lilly Wust did, after more than half a century of silence. Although she died more than 50 years ago, Felice Schragenheim will always be alive in the hearts of readers of this book, and in the hearts of all those who see the movie when it comes out here in the US. Aimee & Jaguar is at once an inside look at "underground" life in Berlin during Nazi Germany, a look at two very different women who came together under the most bizarre of circumstances, and ultimately a testament to the strength of love in the face of adversity. And I'm sure that Lilly's "Rosenkavalier" is looking down, smiling at the fact that, as she predicted, they "would always be together." I hope this story moves other readers as much as it moved and continues to move me. There is nothing quite like it.Book Review: An amazing, piquant read
Summary: 5 Stars
The most shocking-- and delightful-- aspect of this book is its refusal to sink into our notions of the conventional love story. While involving unconventional characters, I still expected it to be a 1943 Berlin version of _Love Story_. Thankfully, it is not. There are no happy endings in any sense, as Fischer does not deify either character and refuses to expunge parts of the story that sully either Lilly or Felice. There are problems, fights, questions of motivations. After reading this book, you will remain lost in a world of "why"s and "what if"s. Fischer provides an historical account that, unlike many, is inhabited by multi-dimensional people that both intrigue and frustrate.
One of the best books I have ever read. I can not stop thinking about it.
Book Review: Makes you think & rethink
Summary: 5 Stars
I think it is a deeply moving and well written book. It is a book which shows the complexity of human relations under very unfavorable circumstances, to say the least. Although I have read many books dealing with the holocost and WWII this one has made me aware for the first time that there were good Germans too. We have the rare opportunity to get an insight into the life and heart of a woman who tried to save a person she loved and some others too, regardless of the inevitable terrible consequences it would have on her life. It among other issues rises the issue of relations between the people who risked their lives to save others and the saved. This is all very relevant in my country where a boody civil war had put love and friendship to a great test.Book Review: Flawed real females makes compelling reading
Summary: 5 Stars
I liked this book. Some of the pictures, I really wish I could blow up and have as prints in my room. The story gives a lot of insight into that era. The Amazon criticism is that the author really doesn't focus much on the lesbian aspect, instead focusing more on the era, the World War II Jewish persecution, etc. Given the setting and the individuals involved, this seems understandable. I really, really enjoyed this story. The problems and personality flaws of the women aren't glossed over either which is nice.Book Review: worth the money
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this after seeing the film. I think the book does fill in a lot of the gaps that the film might leave a subtitle-reader such as myself.I loved that there are actual photos inside the book. Well researched.
I don't share the shock of some of the previous reviewers about the epilogue written by the author. The author is a German Jew and is upset. Who wouldn't be?