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The Girl from the Channel Islands
An extraordinary story of triumph against impossible odds
The year is 1940, and the world is torn apart by war. In June of that year, Hitler’s army captures the Channel Islands—the only part of Great Britain occupied by German forces. Abandoned by Mr. Churchill, forgotten by the Allies and cut off from all help, the Islands’ situation is increasingly desperate.
Hedy Bercu is a young Jewish girl who fled Vienna for the island of Jersey two years earlier during the Anschluss, only to find herself trapped by the Nazis once more—this time with no escape. Her only hope is to make herself invaluable to the Germans by working as a translator, hiding in plain sight with the help of her friends and community—and a sympathetic German officer. But as the war intensifies, rations dwindle and neighbors are increasingly suspicious of one another. Hedy’s life is in greater danger every day. It will take a definitive, daring act to save her from certain deportation to the concentration camps.
A sweeping tale of bravery and love under impossible circumstances, Hedy’s remarkable story reminds us that it’s often up to ordinary people to be quiet heroes in the face of injustice.
The year is 1940, and the world is torn apart by war. In June of that year, Hitler’s army captures the Channel Islands—the only part of Great Britain occupied by German forces. Abandoned by Mr. Churchill, forgotten by the Allies and cut off from all help, the Islands’ situation is increasingly desperate.
Hedy Bercu is a young Jewish girl who fled Vienna for the island of Jersey two years earlier during the Anschluss, only to find herself trapped by the Nazis once more—this time with no escape. Her only hope is to make herself invaluable to the Germans by working as a translator, hiding in plain sight with the help of her friends and community—and a sympathetic German officer. But as the war intensifies, rations dwindle and neighbors are increasingly suspicious of one another. Hedy’s life is in greater danger every day. It will take a definitive, daring act to save her from certain deportation to the concentration camps.
A sweeping tale of bravery and love under impossible circumstances, Hedy’s remarkable story reminds us that it’s often up to ordinary people to be quiet heroes in the face of injustice.
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2020
1224 people are currently reading
15345 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Lecoat
5 books228 followersBorn in Jersey, Channel Islands, Jenny Lecoat's parents were raised under German Occupation, and both families were involved in resistance activity. Lecoat moved to England aged 18, where, following a drama degree, she spent a decade on the alternative comedy circuit as a feminist stand-up. She was nominated for a prestigious Perrier Award in 1986. Jenny also wrote for newspapers and women's magazines (Cosmopolitan, Observer) and presented TV and radio shows, before focusing on screenwriting from sitcom (Birds of a Feather, Sometime Never) to sketch shows (The Catherine Tate Show).
The Girl from the Channel Islands (initially published as The Viennese Girl) was her first novel and was a New York Times bestseller.
The Girl from the Channel Islands (initially published as The Viennese Girl) was her first novel and was a New York Times bestseller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,340 reviews
February 5, 2021
3 stars.
This was a light and easy WWII story that was heavy on romance. I enjoyed the characters and setting. The small acts of wartime resistance and sabotage were inspiring and hopeful.
This story was entertaining and I enjoyed meeting the characters, however this book isn’t what I expected it to be. Too light on the grittiness of wartime. Too heavy on the romance storyline. I am not a fan of heavy romance themes and unfortunately this was a main focus. While I did like the characters, the focus on the romance aspect took away from the wartime focus and lacked the heaviness I would expect from a WWII novel. The characters and storyline lacked depth and didn’t quite hold my interest. As horrific as much of the wartime details were, I didn’t feel an emotional connection which prevented me from feeling invested. This comes down to me not being the right reader for this story.
This would be an excellent novel for those who enjoy historical romance and wartime stories that focus more on the characters relationships rather than the war itself.
Thank you to Edelweiss for my review copy!
This was a light and easy WWII story that was heavy on romance. I enjoyed the characters and setting. The small acts of wartime resistance and sabotage were inspiring and hopeful.
This story was entertaining and I enjoyed meeting the characters, however this book isn’t what I expected it to be. Too light on the grittiness of wartime. Too heavy on the romance storyline. I am not a fan of heavy romance themes and unfortunately this was a main focus. While I did like the characters, the focus on the romance aspect took away from the wartime focus and lacked the heaviness I would expect from a WWII novel. The characters and storyline lacked depth and didn’t quite hold my interest. As horrific as much of the wartime details were, I didn’t feel an emotional connection which prevented me from feeling invested. This comes down to me not being the right reader for this story.
This would be an excellent novel for those who enjoy historical romance and wartime stories that focus more on the characters relationships rather than the war itself.
Thank you to Edelweiss for my review copy!
March 8, 2021
Based on the true story of a young Jewish woman Hedy Bercu, she escaped persecution Vienna; she fled to Jersey in the Channel Islands and where she lived and worked in peace for two years.
But in 1940, Hedy and many of the other residents of the island discovered they couldn’t leave and were trapped. They didn’t have enough boats or time to evacuate the whole population of Jersey, many people were left behind and others decided to stay. The Germans took over the island with no resistance, Jersey was shut off from England for five years and can you imagine what it would be like?
Life on Jersey was difficult for all the residents; the Germans had so many rules, regulations and punishments. They controlled everything, which made it very hard for the remaining locals to survive, food, clothes, shoes, petrol, cars, fire wood and medical supplies all became scarce. By the time the island was finally liberated in May 1945 the people were starving, malnourished, sick and physically exhausted.
Hedy hid her true identity as best she could; she found work as a translator working for the Germans she also took a huge risk by stealing from them and she knew what would happen to her if she was caught. Hedy made two new friends one was Dorothea LeBrocq she married Anton Weber the islands baker, he was eventually conscripted into the German army and the other was Lieutenant Kurt Neumann a German officer.
Both played major roles in helping Hedy evade being captured by the Germans for eighteen months once it was discovered she was Jewish; she hid in Dorothea’s attic, Kurt had to try and smuggle as much extra food as he could to help both women survive and not be caught.
I particularly enjoyed reading about the strong friendship formed between Hedy and Dorothea in the story. At times Dory seemed like she was rather dippy, I think it was her way of coping and escaping reality. Kurt Neumann also portrayed how not all German soldiers wanted to fight in WW II, they were not evil and had no choice.
A wonderful book, I highly recommend The Viennese Girl by Jenny Lecoat, thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC, it’s a story filled with tension, suspense, revenge, friendship, love, kindness, set in Jersey during WW II and five stars from me. I have shared my review on Goodreads, Edelweiss, Amazon Australia, Kobo, Twitter, Barnes & Noble, Facebook and my blog. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
But in 1940, Hedy and many of the other residents of the island discovered they couldn’t leave and were trapped. They didn’t have enough boats or time to evacuate the whole population of Jersey, many people were left behind and others decided to stay. The Germans took over the island with no resistance, Jersey was shut off from England for five years and can you imagine what it would be like?
Life on Jersey was difficult for all the residents; the Germans had so many rules, regulations and punishments. They controlled everything, which made it very hard for the remaining locals to survive, food, clothes, shoes, petrol, cars, fire wood and medical supplies all became scarce. By the time the island was finally liberated in May 1945 the people were starving, malnourished, sick and physically exhausted.
Hedy hid her true identity as best she could; she found work as a translator working for the Germans she also took a huge risk by stealing from them and she knew what would happen to her if she was caught. Hedy made two new friends one was Dorothea LeBrocq she married Anton Weber the islands baker, he was eventually conscripted into the German army and the other was Lieutenant Kurt Neumann a German officer.
Both played major roles in helping Hedy evade being captured by the Germans for eighteen months once it was discovered she was Jewish; she hid in Dorothea’s attic, Kurt had to try and smuggle as much extra food as he could to help both women survive and not be caught.
I particularly enjoyed reading about the strong friendship formed between Hedy and Dorothea in the story. At times Dory seemed like she was rather dippy, I think it was her way of coping and escaping reality. Kurt Neumann also portrayed how not all German soldiers wanted to fight in WW II, they were not evil and had no choice.
A wonderful book, I highly recommend The Viennese Girl by Jenny Lecoat, thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC, it’s a story filled with tension, suspense, revenge, friendship, love, kindness, set in Jersey during WW II and five stars from me. I have shared my review on Goodreads, Edelweiss, Amazon Australia, Kobo, Twitter, Barnes & Noble, Facebook and my blog. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
January 22, 2022
4.5 very strong stars for this important and powerful story. I listened to the audiobook of The Girl from the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat. It was narrated by Deryn Edwards who transitioned easily from character to character. The thing that drew me to this story was that it was based on a true story and the fact that the author grew up on Jersey in the Channel Islands. Her own parents grew up there as well. They lived on Jersey during the German Occupation and many of her family members were part of the resistance. Members of her family actually sheltered and hid escaped Russian slave laborers. Some of Jenny Lecoat’s family members were sent to concentration camps for their acts of defiance. Years ago, I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society so I was aware of some of the brutalities and hardships the inhabitants on the Channel Islands faced. I did not know anything about the plight, threats, and hardships that Hedy Bercu endured throughout the German occupation. Although The Girl from the Channel Islands was written as a historical fiction novel, many of the characters in the book actually existed. All the characters were well developed and complex. It was well researched, written in a way that tugged at all my emotions and was well paced.
Hedy Bercu was born in Vienna, Austria. She fled from Austria when the Germans invaded. After the end of the war, Hedy found our that all four of her siblings escaped Austria and ended up scattered around the world. Her parents remained in Austria and were eventually sent to a concentration camp and were killed. Hedy made her way to the Channel Islands and settled on Jersey. She worked as a maid for a kind family on the island until the Germans invaded in 1940. The family that Hedy had been working for fled to England as did almost all the Jewish families that were living on Jersey at the time. Hedy, although Jewish herself, remained on Jersey. She did not have enough money to pay for her passage to England. Hedy had one friend on the island. His name was Anton and he had come from Austria as well but was not Jewish. Anton worked at the local bakery and tried to look out for Hedy. When Hedy lost her job working for the family that went to England it was Anton that suggested and encouraged Hedy to apply for a job as a translator and interpreter at the German headquarters. Hedy was forced to register as a Jew when the German occupation began. When Hedy finally relented and interviewed for the translator position, she invented a story that she was not really Jewish. The Nazis hired her and she began to work under their unrelenting scrutiny. No one realized that she was Jewish. Her looks were more Aryan. She was tall and blonde. During the occupation, Hedy always worried about starvation, imprisonment and deportation. Early on in her employment as a German translator, a handsome German officer, Lieutenant Kurt Rummele, caught her eye. Hedy knew that she was playing with fire to even think about any involvement with this officer. She had started stealing petrol coupons from the Nazis. Her job gave her access to the coupons and it was easy to slip them into a pocket and carry them out of German headquarters without anyone noticing what she had done. Hedy was determined to use her position to try and help others. She stole the petrol coupons and passed them on to doctors who needed them so badly to carry on their work. Hedy kept this activity a secret and had been successful until one day the coupons fell out of her pocket and a German officer noticed them on the ground. Her handsome Lieutenant happened to there when the other German officer demanded to know whose petrol coupons they were. Kurt took the blame for Hedy and was imprisoned. Hedy felt responsible for Kurt being put in prison and taking the blame for her. After Kurt’s release from prison, Hedy and Kurt became lovers but they kept their involvement with each other a secret. Kurt revealed to Hedy that he never wanted to become a German officer or join the German army. He had no choice in the matter. He was most sympathetic toward the hardships the people on Jersey were encountering. There were Germans who did not believe all that Hitler preached and wanted to accomplish. Kurt was one of them.
At about the same time, Anton became romantically involved with a local girl named Dorothea Weber. When Anton was forced to enlist in the German army, Anton and Dorothea (Dory) decided to get married. Hedy never really liked Dory. She found her childlike and too infatuated with movies, actors, actresses and her magazines. Dorothea’s parents refused to attend Dory’s and Anton’s wedding because of Anton’s commission into the German army. Dory’s grandmother was the only family member that attended. Before Anton left, he made Hedy promise to watch out for Dory. Little did Hedy realize at that time was how much she would come to depend on Dory for her own safety and survival. When the German’s discovered that Hedy had stolen the petrol coupons she tried to fake her own death. When that failed, she went into hiding. Dory hid Hedy for 18 months.
Hedy was a very strong minded woman which led her to do many things that were risky and even dangerous. She learned early on in the occupation that she had to depend on her own courage, her friendships and one particular German officer to survive the occupation and the war. After listening to the audiobook, I did some research of my own. I discovered that Dorothea Weber was 1 of 8 British citizens that were awarded the Hero of the Holocaust Medal. Dory hid Hedy in her apartment for eighteen months despite the consequences she would have faced if the Germans discovered what she was doing. Dorothea did what she felt was right. Hedy was her friend and that was that. What a brave and courageous thing to do. After the occupation was over, Kurt became a prisoner of war and was sent to England.
This was a very impressive historical fiction novel. It was a powerful and important story. I highly recommend this book.
Hedy Bercu was born in Vienna, Austria. She fled from Austria when the Germans invaded. After the end of the war, Hedy found our that all four of her siblings escaped Austria and ended up scattered around the world. Her parents remained in Austria and were eventually sent to a concentration camp and were killed. Hedy made her way to the Channel Islands and settled on Jersey. She worked as a maid for a kind family on the island until the Germans invaded in 1940. The family that Hedy had been working for fled to England as did almost all the Jewish families that were living on Jersey at the time. Hedy, although Jewish herself, remained on Jersey. She did not have enough money to pay for her passage to England. Hedy had one friend on the island. His name was Anton and he had come from Austria as well but was not Jewish. Anton worked at the local bakery and tried to look out for Hedy. When Hedy lost her job working for the family that went to England it was Anton that suggested and encouraged Hedy to apply for a job as a translator and interpreter at the German headquarters. Hedy was forced to register as a Jew when the German occupation began. When Hedy finally relented and interviewed for the translator position, she invented a story that she was not really Jewish. The Nazis hired her and she began to work under their unrelenting scrutiny. No one realized that she was Jewish. Her looks were more Aryan. She was tall and blonde. During the occupation, Hedy always worried about starvation, imprisonment and deportation. Early on in her employment as a German translator, a handsome German officer, Lieutenant Kurt Rummele, caught her eye. Hedy knew that she was playing with fire to even think about any involvement with this officer. She had started stealing petrol coupons from the Nazis. Her job gave her access to the coupons and it was easy to slip them into a pocket and carry them out of German headquarters without anyone noticing what she had done. Hedy was determined to use her position to try and help others. She stole the petrol coupons and passed them on to doctors who needed them so badly to carry on their work. Hedy kept this activity a secret and had been successful until one day the coupons fell out of her pocket and a German officer noticed them on the ground. Her handsome Lieutenant happened to there when the other German officer demanded to know whose petrol coupons they were. Kurt took the blame for Hedy and was imprisoned. Hedy felt responsible for Kurt being put in prison and taking the blame for her. After Kurt’s release from prison, Hedy and Kurt became lovers but they kept their involvement with each other a secret. Kurt revealed to Hedy that he never wanted to become a German officer or join the German army. He had no choice in the matter. He was most sympathetic toward the hardships the people on Jersey were encountering. There were Germans who did not believe all that Hitler preached and wanted to accomplish. Kurt was one of them.
At about the same time, Anton became romantically involved with a local girl named Dorothea Weber. When Anton was forced to enlist in the German army, Anton and Dorothea (Dory) decided to get married. Hedy never really liked Dory. She found her childlike and too infatuated with movies, actors, actresses and her magazines. Dorothea’s parents refused to attend Dory’s and Anton’s wedding because of Anton’s commission into the German army. Dory’s grandmother was the only family member that attended. Before Anton left, he made Hedy promise to watch out for Dory. Little did Hedy realize at that time was how much she would come to depend on Dory for her own safety and survival. When the German’s discovered that Hedy had stolen the petrol coupons she tried to fake her own death. When that failed, she went into hiding. Dory hid Hedy for 18 months.
Hedy was a very strong minded woman which led her to do many things that were risky and even dangerous. She learned early on in the occupation that she had to depend on her own courage, her friendships and one particular German officer to survive the occupation and the war. After listening to the audiobook, I did some research of my own. I discovered that Dorothea Weber was 1 of 8 British citizens that were awarded the Hero of the Holocaust Medal. Dory hid Hedy in her apartment for eighteen months despite the consequences she would have faced if the Germans discovered what she was doing. Dorothea did what she felt was right. Hedy was her friend and that was that. What a brave and courageous thing to do. After the occupation was over, Kurt became a prisoner of war and was sent to England.
This was a very impressive historical fiction novel. It was a powerful and important story. I highly recommend this book.
August 19, 2020
The Viennese Girl is based on a true story of a young Jewish girl named Hedwig Bercu (Hedy) during World War II. As we follow Hedy’s story we the reader are taken on a heartbreaking journey as Hedy struggles to live each day and we get to see the friendships she makes along the way.
This is a brilliantly written story which I truly enjoyed. If you enjoy reading historical fiction, then this one is a must for you. With thanks to the publishers for my ARC copy of this book to read and review.
This is a brilliantly written story which I truly enjoyed. If you enjoy reading historical fiction, then this one is a must for you. With thanks to the publishers for my ARC copy of this book to read and review.
January 9, 2022
Another top notch book about WW2. I always learn something i didn’t know before. Well written and researched
February 24, 2022
An educational and unique WWII novel.
The Girl from the Channel Islands tells the story of Hedy, who is a Jewish refugee from Austria who fled to the English Channel Island of Jersey. She finds work as a translator for the German force who is currently occupying the island. There she meets Kurt, who is a German engineer. Kurt begins to question his nation’s harsh actions, and he comes to have different views on the war.
The novel had a variety of characters with different backgrounds. However, their pasts were briefly touched on and not explained very well. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, as their emotions and inner thoughts weren’t always known to the reader. The author’s writing style is descriptive in the scenery. I didn’t quite feel like I was transported into the storyline. The story starts off slow and doesn’t pick up until the second half, where the plot becomes more action packed. I felt nervous for Hedy and her increasingly dire situation.
This novel wasn’t as captivating as other WWII books I’ve read. However, I enjoyed learning about the history of the Jersey island in WWII, including the annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938, how the small island, located near France, was cut off from England without access to food and supplies, and in a ploy at revenge, many residents were forced off the island by the Germans.
It was interesting to learn about Hedy’s perspective, being a displaced Jewish person living in Jersey and working for the Germans in order to survive. She had to hide in plain sight and defy all odds to make it through the war. Hedy is brave, rebellious, clever, and authenticity herself. She experiences severe confinement, starvation, and grief over losing her family with admirable strength. It was both fascinating and very sad to find out that this book was based on a true story.
The book is also a beautiful love story and shows how love can flourish under the most impossible of circumstances. I liked that the story had strong friendships, and the characters helped one another out.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and eye-opening historical fiction about what it was like living on the island of Jersey during WWII. Hedy shows that with much courage we can preserve through incredibly difficult times.
The Girl from the Channel Islands tells the story of Hedy, who is a Jewish refugee from Austria who fled to the English Channel Island of Jersey. She finds work as a translator for the German force who is currently occupying the island. There she meets Kurt, who is a German engineer. Kurt begins to question his nation’s harsh actions, and he comes to have different views on the war.
The novel had a variety of characters with different backgrounds. However, their pasts were briefly touched on and not explained very well. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, as their emotions and inner thoughts weren’t always known to the reader. The author’s writing style is descriptive in the scenery. I didn’t quite feel like I was transported into the storyline. The story starts off slow and doesn’t pick up until the second half, where the plot becomes more action packed. I felt nervous for Hedy and her increasingly dire situation.
This novel wasn’t as captivating as other WWII books I’ve read. However, I enjoyed learning about the history of the Jersey island in WWII, including the annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938, how the small island, located near France, was cut off from England without access to food and supplies, and in a ploy at revenge, many residents were forced off the island by the Germans.
It was interesting to learn about Hedy’s perspective, being a displaced Jewish person living in Jersey and working for the Germans in order to survive. She had to hide in plain sight and defy all odds to make it through the war. Hedy is brave, rebellious, clever, and authenticity herself. She experiences severe confinement, starvation, and grief over losing her family with admirable strength. It was both fascinating and very sad to find out that this book was based on a true story.
The book is also a beautiful love story and shows how love can flourish under the most impossible of circumstances. I liked that the story had strong friendships, and the characters helped one another out.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and eye-opening historical fiction about what it was like living on the island of Jersey during WWII. Hedy shows that with much courage we can preserve through incredibly difficult times.
January 4, 2021
Channel Islands, 1940. Hedy is a Jew who escaped Austrian Anschluss to the island of Jersey.
This story gives a good sense of place. We get to know the island. It also brings historical facts of events during WWII pertaining to the island, which was occupied by German forces and forgotten by the rest of the world. Thus, the citizens of the island were left to fend for themselves. The risk people took to save another human being.
It’s interesting, but I found the style of writing descriptive, slowing the pace.
It seems as the story is strictly focused on relating linear events, giving very short snippets (not too many) of who Hedy was or others. It doesn’t feel like you’re getting to know the characters. I also missed expression of feelings. Thus, missing a depth in this story.
I like straight forward stories. A lot of times, they turn out to be much more interesting than complex plots. But you need depth, which is brought by character development.
What I enjoyed for example was the tiny acts of sabotage by Hedy and a Nazi officer Kurt. Those are moments that give some depth. But those are very brief moments.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This story gives a good sense of place. We get to know the island. It also brings historical facts of events during WWII pertaining to the island, which was occupied by German forces and forgotten by the rest of the world. Thus, the citizens of the island were left to fend for themselves. The risk people took to save another human being.
It’s interesting, but I found the style of writing descriptive, slowing the pace.
It seems as the story is strictly focused on relating linear events, giving very short snippets (not too many) of who Hedy was or others. It doesn’t feel like you’re getting to know the characters. I also missed expression of feelings. Thus, missing a depth in this story.
I like straight forward stories. A lot of times, they turn out to be much more interesting than complex plots. But you need depth, which is brought by character development.
What I enjoyed for example was the tiny acts of sabotage by Hedy and a Nazi officer Kurt. Those are moments that give some depth. But those are very brief moments.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2024
When her employers escaped the island of Jersey, Hedy Bercu decided to stay put. Her parents and siblings were still in Vienna and she hoped that Jersey wouldn’t be occupied. But two years after her escape from Vienna, the Nazis arrived on the island and gradually took over, using their power to dominate and terrify the inhabitants.
Hedy was Jewish but kept it to herself. Her best friend Anton and his new girlfriend Dorothea kept her secret, but the hunger and deprivation caused Hedy to take a risk, gaining herself a job as a translator for the Germans. She was only earning a little, but the food coupons helped stave off starvation. Falling for the German lieutenant, Kurt Neumann wasn’t part of her plan, but soon it became apparent he felt the same way. Hedy’s acts of resistance were dangerous and could mean the end of her life, but still she continued. What would happen to Hedy in the months and years which followed?
The Viennese Girl by Jenny Lecoat is based on the true story of a young Jewish girl, Hedwig Bercu, and what happened to her during the German occupation. Heartfelt, heartbreaking but also filled with hope, the determination of Hedy was phenomenal. Starving, thin and weak, she gritted her teeth and kept on going. What an amazing young woman. Jenny Lecoat has written an excellent historical fiction novel of one more aspect of World War II and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Hedy was Jewish but kept it to herself. Her best friend Anton and his new girlfriend Dorothea kept her secret, but the hunger and deprivation caused Hedy to take a risk, gaining herself a job as a translator for the Germans. She was only earning a little, but the food coupons helped stave off starvation. Falling for the German lieutenant, Kurt Neumann wasn’t part of her plan, but soon it became apparent he felt the same way. Hedy’s acts of resistance were dangerous and could mean the end of her life, but still she continued. What would happen to Hedy in the months and years which followed?
The Viennese Girl by Jenny Lecoat is based on the true story of a young Jewish girl, Hedwig Bercu, and what happened to her during the German occupation. Heartfelt, heartbreaking but also filled with hope, the determination of Hedy was phenomenal. Starving, thin and weak, she gritted her teeth and kept on going. What an amazing young woman. Jenny Lecoat has written an excellent historical fiction novel of one more aspect of World War II and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2025
I love reading books set in the Channel Islands during the war but haven't come across that many.
Hedy is Jewish and has already fled the Nazis by escaping to Jersey and now here they are again and this time there's no escape. Her good friend, Anton, helps her out as much as he can but it's a terrible time on the Island and nothing comes easy. She hides in plain site by getting a job as a translator for the German authorities. Then she meets Kurt, a lieutenant in the German army and against her better judgement falls in love.
Life is brutal once the island falls. There's humiliation, starvation and constantly looking over your shoulder, always expecting the unexpected. Hedy survives by sheer will and help from Kurt. The Channel Islanders went through hell!! They were basically abandoned by the British and the treatment of the prisoners of war who were shipped in by the Germans for hard labour was appalling beyond belief.
The history was very interesting and the story carries you along, wondering what's coming next. It's a fast read and also contains an epilogue, which I love.
I'll be looking into more of this author's books.
Hedy is Jewish and has already fled the Nazis by escaping to Jersey and now here they are again and this time there's no escape. Her good friend, Anton, helps her out as much as he can but it's a terrible time on the Island and nothing comes easy. She hides in plain site by getting a job as a translator for the German authorities. Then she meets Kurt, a lieutenant in the German army and against her better judgement falls in love.
Life is brutal once the island falls. There's humiliation, starvation and constantly looking over your shoulder, always expecting the unexpected. Hedy survives by sheer will and help from Kurt. The Channel Islanders went through hell!! They were basically abandoned by the British and the treatment of the prisoners of war who were shipped in by the Germans for hard labour was appalling beyond belief.
The history was very interesting and the story carries you along, wondering what's coming next. It's a fast read and also contains an epilogue, which I love.
I'll be looking into more of this author's books.
May 13, 2020
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
The Viennese Girl is an amazing and well written story of hope, courage, friendship and integrity during World War II, based on the true life events of Hedy Bercu.
Hedy Bercu is a young Jewish woman who has fled her home in Vienna to the safety of Jersey in The Channel Islands to escape the Nazi’s.
It’s now 1940, some two years later and the German Army is taking possession of the Island. Some of the Islanders and Hedy’s employers have escaped off the Island so Hedy is left with no income.
This is the extraordinary story of Hedy’s struggle to survive and to hide that she is Jewish in fear of her life. She reluctantly takes on a job employed by the German authorities as a translator during which she secretly engages in small dangerous acts of defiance against the Germans. Hedy meets German Officer Kurt Neumann and dangerously falls in love with him.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, highly recommended.
I wish to thank Allen & Unwin for providing me with an advanced copy of the book to read in exchange for an honest review
The Viennese Girl is an amazing and well written story of hope, courage, friendship and integrity during World War II, based on the true life events of Hedy Bercu.
Hedy Bercu is a young Jewish woman who has fled her home in Vienna to the safety of Jersey in The Channel Islands to escape the Nazi’s.
It’s now 1940, some two years later and the German Army is taking possession of the Island. Some of the Islanders and Hedy’s employers have escaped off the Island so Hedy is left with no income.
This is the extraordinary story of Hedy’s struggle to survive and to hide that she is Jewish in fear of her life. She reluctantly takes on a job employed by the German authorities as a translator during which she secretly engages in small dangerous acts of defiance against the Germans. Hedy meets German Officer Kurt Neumann and dangerously falls in love with him.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, highly recommended.
I wish to thank Allen & Unwin for providing me with an advanced copy of the book to read in exchange for an honest review
March 7, 2022
Emotionale Liebesgeschichte .... genau diese Geschichten müssen erzählt werden.... genau JETZT!
Hedy ist vor den Nazis auf die britische Insel Jersey geflohen....denn sie ist Jüdin.
Als die Versorgungslage auf der Insel immer schlechter wird, muss sie eine gravierende Entscheidung treffen....:
verhungern....oder für die verhassten Besatzer, die Deutschen, arbeiten....
Ein Kampf um die Insel, ihr Überleben und ihre Liebe entbrennt.....
denn Kurt, ein deutscher Soldat, hat ihr Herz erobert.....
Direkt und unverfälscht kommt diese Geschichte daher...und beschreibt dabei auf intensive Weise die Schrecken des Krieges.
Eindrucksvoll und sensibel erzählt bekommt dieser Roman auf der Hitliste meiner Lieblibgsbücher einen vorderen Platz.....
Absolut lesenswertes!
Hedy ist vor den Nazis auf die britische Insel Jersey geflohen....denn sie ist Jüdin.
Als die Versorgungslage auf der Insel immer schlechter wird, muss sie eine gravierende Entscheidung treffen....:
verhungern....oder für die verhassten Besatzer, die Deutschen, arbeiten....
Ein Kampf um die Insel, ihr Überleben und ihre Liebe entbrennt.....
denn Kurt, ein deutscher Soldat, hat ihr Herz erobert.....
Direkt und unverfälscht kommt diese Geschichte daher...und beschreibt dabei auf intensive Weise die Schrecken des Krieges.
Eindrucksvoll und sensibel erzählt bekommt dieser Roman auf der Hitliste meiner Lieblibgsbücher einen vorderen Platz.....
Absolut lesenswertes!
March 16, 2023
The Girl from the Channel Islands is based on real people and real events WWII fiction set in Jersey, Channel Islands that leans heavily on the romance between an Austrian Jewish woman and a German officer.
Painful read. I would have enjoyed more of Hedy and Doretha's actions of defiance during this time period. The romance was just too eye-rolling.
Goodreads review published 16/03/23
Painful read. I would have enjoyed more of Hedy and Doretha's actions of defiance during this time period. The romance was just too eye-rolling.
Goodreads review published 16/03/23
April 1, 2021
I would not have typically read this novel, as I don't read many World War II novels (and I've already read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which is a similar story during the same German occupation of British islands) but there are a few reasons this surfaced:
-I'm trying to finish reading a book from every country in Europe this year. I realize Jersey is not exactly a country but it's also not exactly a part of the UK. (The internet says it is part of the "British Islands."
-The author was actually born on Jersey and her parents lived on Jersey during the occupation, so she has more direct experience to speak of. I think this comes across in the novel, both from the research and the placeness of it.
-The four central characters are all based on real people, and so this issue of an Austrian (Jewish) woman escaping to an island that ends up occupied by Germans is a frightening and true story.
-While the very famous book club book I mentioned above is about resistance, this novel looks more at the people who collaborated/were forced to collaborate/were seen as collaborators. One woman works for the Germans because she is fluent in German and English. One woman marries a man living on the island who fled the mainland but ends up conscripted into the German army, and suddenly she's a collaborator and her family won't speak to her. And this is only the beginning of the complicated and difficult situations the islanders find themselves in, not to mention Churchill's resistance to sending them much needed food and supplies.
Jersey is a place I'll probably never get to visit, so I spent an hour last night poking around on Google maps and looking around. Apparently most tourists that go there these days are interested in the war history so they've really emphasized those locations on the island. When you see the British Islands on a map, Jersey is practically enfolded in a French bay, so it makes visual sense that the Germans would have seen it as an easy defenseless place to conquer.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. It came out February 2nd but I came across it after that somehow.
-I'm trying to finish reading a book from every country in Europe this year. I realize Jersey is not exactly a country but it's also not exactly a part of the UK. (The internet says it is part of the "British Islands."
-The author was actually born on Jersey and her parents lived on Jersey during the occupation, so she has more direct experience to speak of. I think this comes across in the novel, both from the research and the placeness of it.
-The four central characters are all based on real people, and so this issue of an Austrian (Jewish) woman escaping to an island that ends up occupied by Germans is a frightening and true story.
-While the very famous book club book I mentioned above is about resistance, this novel looks more at the people who collaborated/were forced to collaborate/were seen as collaborators. One woman works for the Germans because she is fluent in German and English. One woman marries a man living on the island who fled the mainland but ends up conscripted into the German army, and suddenly she's a collaborator and her family won't speak to her. And this is only the beginning of the complicated and difficult situations the islanders find themselves in, not to mention Churchill's resistance to sending them much needed food and supplies.
Jersey is a place I'll probably never get to visit, so I spent an hour last night poking around on Google maps and looking around. Apparently most tourists that go there these days are interested in the war history so they've really emphasized those locations on the island. When you see the British Islands on a map, Jersey is practically enfolded in a French bay, so it makes visual sense that the Germans would have seen it as an easy defenseless place to conquer.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. It came out February 2nd but I came across it after that somehow.
February 2, 2021
Hedy left Vienna for the Channel Islands to escape German Occupation during WWII, but her safety is in jeopardy since the Germans are now occupying this British territory.
While settling in, Hedy has kept her identity hidden, but when they were questioning residents, the Germans found out she was Jewish.
Since Hedy speaks both English and German, she keeps herself safe or safe for the most part by working as a translator in the German offices. Only the hiring officer knows she is Jewish.
She is always in danger of being discovered and deported to the concentration camps since she works with the German officers, and someone is always ready to reveal information.
While working there, Hedy falls in love with a German officer causing danger for both of them. Will their love survive?
THE GIRL FROM THE CHANNEL ISLANDS is based on true events and has tension throughout especially because you are amazed at how Hedy kept herself under the radar.
I didn't know of this occupation, deportation of the citizens of Jersey by the Germans, or Churchill's ignoring of this territory.
Ms. Lecoat did a marvelous job of describing events, feelings, and the hope and desperation the residents of the Channel Islands lived with.
A beautifully written, well-researched read.
FANTASTIC DEBUT!! 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While settling in, Hedy has kept her identity hidden, but when they were questioning residents, the Germans found out she was Jewish.
Since Hedy speaks both English and German, she keeps herself safe or safe for the most part by working as a translator in the German offices. Only the hiring officer knows she is Jewish.
She is always in danger of being discovered and deported to the concentration camps since she works with the German officers, and someone is always ready to reveal information.
While working there, Hedy falls in love with a German officer causing danger for both of them. Will their love survive?
THE GIRL FROM THE CHANNEL ISLANDS is based on true events and has tension throughout especially because you are amazed at how Hedy kept herself under the radar.
I didn't know of this occupation, deportation of the citizens of Jersey by the Germans, or Churchill's ignoring of this territory.
Ms. Lecoat did a marvelous job of describing events, feelings, and the hope and desperation the residents of the Channel Islands lived with.
A beautifully written, well-researched read.
FANTASTIC DEBUT!! 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2020
When I first heard about this book I thought, another book about the war. But I was pleasantly surprised to find this was a different angle to the ones that I had read before.
Set in the Jersey Isles this is about the Nazi occupation (I had no idea) and a young Jewish woman called Hedy, who managed to escape the occupation in her home city of Vienna only to find herself in a terrifying situation yet again.
This really captures the fear and predicament of the people of Jersey during this time. Hedy was caught between two groups, the Germans who hated Jews and the locals, who upon hearing her accent assumed that Hedy was German and on 'the other side'.
I flew through this book which combined, historical fiction, drama and romance.
Thank you Allen & Unwin for the paperback ARC that I won.
Set in the Jersey Isles this is about the Nazi occupation (I had no idea) and a young Jewish woman called Hedy, who managed to escape the occupation in her home city of Vienna only to find herself in a terrifying situation yet again.
This really captures the fear and predicament of the people of Jersey during this time. Hedy was caught between two groups, the Germans who hated Jews and the locals, who upon hearing her accent assumed that Hedy was German and on 'the other side'.
I flew through this book which combined, historical fiction, drama and romance.
Thank you Allen & Unwin for the paperback ARC that I won.
May 29, 2020
The Viennese Girl is a fantastic Historical Fiction by Jenny Lecoat set in the British Channel Islands. This story is based on the true story of Hedy Bercu, a Jewish woman from Austria and her friend Dorothea Le Brocq, a local resident. In the early 1940's the Channel Islands were under German Occupation and Hedy had to work as a translator for the German authorities. She becomes involved in a relationship with Kurt, a German Officer. Life for Hedy, Kurt and Dory becomes dangerous and difficult as the war rages on. Thanks to Allen & Unwin for my paperback ARC.
March 21, 2021
This is an entertaining, well-written romantic WII novel based on a true story. It has likable, engaging characters, heartbreak, deprivation, resistance, a heart-warming romance and a happily ever after ending.
August 23, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
I’m continually amazed at the sheer amount of World War II stories that continue to be released in the publishing world. The Viennese Girl is author Jenny Lecoat’s first novel. A story inspired by real life figures and true events, this tale will astound you. With the focus on the German occupation in the Chanel Islands region of Jersey, The Viennese Girl shocks, pulls at the heartstrings, educates and inspires the reader.
Hedy Berkus is the central character of Jenny Lecoat’s debut novel. This young Jewish woman has escaped her dangerous former life in Vienna, for a relatively safe existence in Jersey. As the war makes it presence known, Hedy realises that she is permanently stuck in Jersey. As Hedy weighs up her options, she knows she must do everything to stay under the radar and avoid any unwanted attention from the Nazis stationed on Jersey. This is easier said than done. Hedy finds herself at the very centre of Jersey’s German operations. Hedy is employed by the German authorities and in an act of defiance, she risks it all to obtain much needed rations. These dangerous acts bring her into the arms of a handsome German officer named Kurt, who shows Hedy a love that she never thought would be possible in these incredibly trying times. But will Hedy’s identity be exposed and what implications will this bring for the young Jewish runaway?
One of my favourite wartime novels is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Not only do I love the story itself and the equally delightful cast, I adored the setting. The Viennese Girl first caught my eye due to the similar wartime setting to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I am definitely interested in more World War II stories from this part of the world, so Jenny Lecoat’s novel drew immediate appeal. I’m glad this one came my way, as I really appreciated the author’s novelisation of a compelling true story.
Jenny Lecoat does a superb job of bringing wartime Jersey to life for the reader. We are immediately thrust into this uncertain, dangerous, occupied, restricted and German dominated locale. The fear is written all over the characters faces and their anxiety levels are high, especially for lead of this story. Lecoat is clearly very well versed in this time period and specific location. I loved learning more about the general way of life of the ordinary citizens of Jersey and how their lives were impacted by the presence of the Germans. The rations and threats the Germans imposed during this time was visibly moving. I was also taken aback by prisoners brought to the island. Even a small island locale like Jersey wasn’t immune to the Nazi regime.
Hedy Berkus is the lead of The Viennese Girl, who is inspired by a real life figure. I thought this heroine was brought to life very well by the penmanship of Jenny Lecoat. Hedy is a young woman who has suffered a great deal in her life, she is lost soul who finds herself stuck in Jersey. However, Hedy doesn’t despair, she seems to take it in her stride and she makes of it what she can. This personal drive leads Hedy to a dangerous but lucrative position working with the German authorities. I thought Hedy was brave, determined, enterprising and resilient. Hedy did have her flaws, especially in her treatment of some of the other characters in the story, namely Dorothea, a supporting protagonist. But I was sympathetic to Hedy’s trust issues and high anxiety levels. Living on the edge and avoiding capture for such a length of time would be a true test to the human spirit.
Lecoat introduces a forbidden style romance between this Jewish woman in hiding and a German officer. Full of danger, intrigue, stolen moments and high emotion, this love story will pull at the heartstrings. While I enjoyed the romance between Hedy and Kurt, I don’t think it quite went the distance, it seemed like further investment was needed on my behalf as a reader to really lose myself in this love affair. Nevertheless, it provides an essential layer to this historical narrative.
The Viennese Girl is full of dangerous plots, troublesome situations, tests to the human spirit and character building moments. Through the lives of Hedy, Kurt, Dorothea and the support cast, the reader is swept up in this dramatisation of real life events from our not too distant past.
A considered and carefully written tale, seeped in rich historical detail, I enjoyed Jenny Lecoat’s debut. The Viennese Girl will be of significant interest to readers of World War II based fiction.
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
I’m continually amazed at the sheer amount of World War II stories that continue to be released in the publishing world. The Viennese Girl is author Jenny Lecoat’s first novel. A story inspired by real life figures and true events, this tale will astound you. With the focus on the German occupation in the Chanel Islands region of Jersey, The Viennese Girl shocks, pulls at the heartstrings, educates and inspires the reader.
Hedy Berkus is the central character of Jenny Lecoat’s debut novel. This young Jewish woman has escaped her dangerous former life in Vienna, for a relatively safe existence in Jersey. As the war makes it presence known, Hedy realises that she is permanently stuck in Jersey. As Hedy weighs up her options, she knows she must do everything to stay under the radar and avoid any unwanted attention from the Nazis stationed on Jersey. This is easier said than done. Hedy finds herself at the very centre of Jersey’s German operations. Hedy is employed by the German authorities and in an act of defiance, she risks it all to obtain much needed rations. These dangerous acts bring her into the arms of a handsome German officer named Kurt, who shows Hedy a love that she never thought would be possible in these incredibly trying times. But will Hedy’s identity be exposed and what implications will this bring for the young Jewish runaway?
One of my favourite wartime novels is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Not only do I love the story itself and the equally delightful cast, I adored the setting. The Viennese Girl first caught my eye due to the similar wartime setting to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I am definitely interested in more World War II stories from this part of the world, so Jenny Lecoat’s novel drew immediate appeal. I’m glad this one came my way, as I really appreciated the author’s novelisation of a compelling true story.
Jenny Lecoat does a superb job of bringing wartime Jersey to life for the reader. We are immediately thrust into this uncertain, dangerous, occupied, restricted and German dominated locale. The fear is written all over the characters faces and their anxiety levels are high, especially for lead of this story. Lecoat is clearly very well versed in this time period and specific location. I loved learning more about the general way of life of the ordinary citizens of Jersey and how their lives were impacted by the presence of the Germans. The rations and threats the Germans imposed during this time was visibly moving. I was also taken aback by prisoners brought to the island. Even a small island locale like Jersey wasn’t immune to the Nazi regime.
Hedy Berkus is the lead of The Viennese Girl, who is inspired by a real life figure. I thought this heroine was brought to life very well by the penmanship of Jenny Lecoat. Hedy is a young woman who has suffered a great deal in her life, she is lost soul who finds herself stuck in Jersey. However, Hedy doesn’t despair, she seems to take it in her stride and she makes of it what she can. This personal drive leads Hedy to a dangerous but lucrative position working with the German authorities. I thought Hedy was brave, determined, enterprising and resilient. Hedy did have her flaws, especially in her treatment of some of the other characters in the story, namely Dorothea, a supporting protagonist. But I was sympathetic to Hedy’s trust issues and high anxiety levels. Living on the edge and avoiding capture for such a length of time would be a true test to the human spirit.
Lecoat introduces a forbidden style romance between this Jewish woman in hiding and a German officer. Full of danger, intrigue, stolen moments and high emotion, this love story will pull at the heartstrings. While I enjoyed the romance between Hedy and Kurt, I don’t think it quite went the distance, it seemed like further investment was needed on my behalf as a reader to really lose myself in this love affair. Nevertheless, it provides an essential layer to this historical narrative.
The Viennese Girl is full of dangerous plots, troublesome situations, tests to the human spirit and character building moments. Through the lives of Hedy, Kurt, Dorothea and the support cast, the reader is swept up in this dramatisation of real life events from our not too distant past.
A considered and carefully written tale, seeped in rich historical detail, I enjoyed Jenny Lecoat’s debut. The Viennese Girl will be of significant interest to readers of World War II based fiction.
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
January 18, 2021
4.5 stars. How have I never heard this story before?? So good.
March 4, 2021
The characters felt distant, emotional moments happened off the page, characters fell into instalove, and I never felt one ounce of what the characters were going through... the classic example of “telling, not showing.” I wish the author had chosen to show me more of what a character was FEELING, and not just what they were DOING.
It’s a shame because there must have been a lot of research that went into this story, and the writing has the potential to be strong, but the lack of connection with the characters killed it for me.
It’s a shame because there must have been a lot of research that went into this story, and the writing has the potential to be strong, but the lack of connection with the characters killed it for me.
May 17, 2020
It started in 1940, the German army invade the Jersey island where Hedy Bercu lived, having fled here to escape the Nazis two years earlier. Being a young Jewish girl, her whole existence was threatened again.
She fights to hide who she is until she is outed by the officials. This meant she had to abide by the rules set out for the Jews on the island.
She has one friend on the island, Anton, and when he introduces her to his new girlfriend she offers the suggestion of a job working for the Germans. Money being scarce she applies for a job as a translator. It is here she meets and falls in love with a German lieutenant, Kurt Neumann.
This book was set in a very terrible time but it showed great courage and strength in it's characters, who you couldn't help but like. I actually found myself laughing at points which I didn't expect in this time setting but it was written so well and with some classic lines.
The fact that this was based on a true story makes this story all the more appealing.
Thanks to Allen&Unwin for this ARC to enjoy and review. I appreciate it greatly as this book was a definite 5 star for me.
She fights to hide who she is until she is outed by the officials. This meant she had to abide by the rules set out for the Jews on the island.
She has one friend on the island, Anton, and when he introduces her to his new girlfriend she offers the suggestion of a job working for the Germans. Money being scarce she applies for a job as a translator. It is here she meets and falls in love with a German lieutenant, Kurt Neumann.
This book was set in a very terrible time but it showed great courage and strength in it's characters, who you couldn't help but like. I actually found myself laughing at points which I didn't expect in this time setting but it was written so well and with some classic lines.
The fact that this was based on a true story makes this story all the more appealing.
Thanks to Allen&Unwin for this ARC to enjoy and review. I appreciate it greatly as this book was a definite 5 star for me.
January 15, 2021
This is the kind of book that grabs my interest quickly and makes me want to do more research right away. The fictionalized story took place on the island of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands who to this day are loyal to Britain while having their own currency and government. In 2015 my husband and I chose to visit the Channel Islands, drawn there primarily by my interest in the history of the Second World War as it affected these Islands. The British made the decision to withdraw all forces from the Islands at the onset of the war basically leaving the door open for the Germans to walk right in and take over. It could have been done without a shot being fired, but somehow the Germans failed to get the message leading to bombings in the harbours and death of locals. Through the years of Occupation, the Germans always believed the British would try to get the islands back and they built extensive fortifications around the coasts that can still be seen and explored to this day. During our visit there we learned a lot about what life was like, visited the underground hospitals, stayed in the hotel mentioned in the novel where the Germans had been. We were able to speak to an old woman who had been evacuated from the island at the age of five and to an older gentleman who had been a young teen who stayed throughout the occupation. He spoke of the starvation that both islanders and Germans faced as the war dragged on and told how they would never have survived without the Red Cross boxes, many of which came from Canada.
Although this story is fictionalized, it tells the story of real individuals and is extremely well researched. It was originally published in Europe under the title Hedy's War. Hedwig Bercu Goldenberg was a Romanian Jew who came to the Channel Islands to escape the persecution Jews were facing in Europe. As the novel begins, the evacuation of many Islanders to England is past and Hedy's employers are also gone leaving her on her own. Her heritage made it so that she could not go with them and the bombing of the harbour is underway. She has one friend, Anton Weber, a man from Austria who is also fairly new to the Islands and who works as a baker. He becomes involved with a local girl, Dorothea Le Brocq, who he eventually married just as he is conscripted by the Occupying forces. In the novel, the reader gets a real feeling of how such a marriage would have been treated by locals.
Hedy is forced to register with a member of the local States (government), and the islander refused to accept her explanation that she was not Jewish, only her step-father was, thus she ends up with papers labelled with a red J. Dorothea suggests she apply to work as a translator for the Germans and although Hedy hates the idea, her need for income gave her little choice. Upon being hired she decided to steal petrol coupons as a form of resistance and as a Mitzvah, gives them to a local doctor so he can visit his patients. Through her job Hedy also meets Kurt, a German officer, also conscripted and certainly not a Nazi. Their story as it unfolds is fascinating and terrifying. The accuracy of the details provided by the author add areal depth to the tale. None of the characters are perfect. They have their flaws (as do we all), but the main characters all chose to resist in their own way.
Some reviewers found cause to critique because Dorothea is painted as flighty and Hedy is at times seen as arrogant. I think it is important to remember while reading that Hedy's life was always at risk once the Germans arrived so any of what she perceived as lack of discretion on another's part would have been terrifying. She had to stay out of the limelight. Also, although the bones of the story are true, it was impossible for the author to know exactly what the relationships were like. What is true is that both women were in relationships with men who were perceived as enemy and when Hedy's life was in imminent danger, Dorothea hid her for 18 months in her home sharing starvation rations with her. As a reader I found this book very hard to put down.
As soon as I finished reading I started searching the internet. I came across pictures of both women and lots of information including that Dorothea Le Brocq Weber was posthumously named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem and was also honoured by the UK. You can read more about it here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe...
I would highly recommend this book to others and, once one can safely travel again would recommend the Channel Islands as a great place to visit!
Many thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and advanced copy. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Although this story is fictionalized, it tells the story of real individuals and is extremely well researched. It was originally published in Europe under the title Hedy's War. Hedwig Bercu Goldenberg was a Romanian Jew who came to the Channel Islands to escape the persecution Jews were facing in Europe. As the novel begins, the evacuation of many Islanders to England is past and Hedy's employers are also gone leaving her on her own. Her heritage made it so that she could not go with them and the bombing of the harbour is underway. She has one friend, Anton Weber, a man from Austria who is also fairly new to the Islands and who works as a baker. He becomes involved with a local girl, Dorothea Le Brocq, who he eventually married just as he is conscripted by the Occupying forces. In the novel, the reader gets a real feeling of how such a marriage would have been treated by locals.
Hedy is forced to register with a member of the local States (government), and the islander refused to accept her explanation that she was not Jewish, only her step-father was, thus she ends up with papers labelled with a red J. Dorothea suggests she apply to work as a translator for the Germans and although Hedy hates the idea, her need for income gave her little choice. Upon being hired she decided to steal petrol coupons as a form of resistance and as a Mitzvah, gives them to a local doctor so he can visit his patients. Through her job Hedy also meets Kurt, a German officer, also conscripted and certainly not a Nazi. Their story as it unfolds is fascinating and terrifying. The accuracy of the details provided by the author add areal depth to the tale. None of the characters are perfect. They have their flaws (as do we all), but the main characters all chose to resist in their own way.
Some reviewers found cause to critique because Dorothea is painted as flighty and Hedy is at times seen as arrogant. I think it is important to remember while reading that Hedy's life was always at risk once the Germans arrived so any of what she perceived as lack of discretion on another's part would have been terrifying. She had to stay out of the limelight. Also, although the bones of the story are true, it was impossible for the author to know exactly what the relationships were like. What is true is that both women were in relationships with men who were perceived as enemy and when Hedy's life was in imminent danger, Dorothea hid her for 18 months in her home sharing starvation rations with her. As a reader I found this book very hard to put down.
As soon as I finished reading I started searching the internet. I came across pictures of both women and lots of information including that Dorothea Le Brocq Weber was posthumously named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem and was also honoured by the UK. You can read more about it here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe...
I would highly recommend this book to others and, once one can safely travel again would recommend the Channel Islands as a great place to visit!
Many thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and advanced copy. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
January 24, 2021
Love and bravery at a time of war is never easy. That certainly proved true when it came to Hedy Bercu and the man she loved. Hedy was a young Jewish girl who fell in love. This loved proved tragic time and again. For starters, she had to flee Vienna during the Anschluss while World War II was raging. Even though she managed to flee, she was indeed captured by the Germans.
Things were beyond difficult - if not impossible - for Hedy. However, serving as a translator helped her to hide among the Germans. However, her love affair might prove to be the cause of her death and capture. The reason why is the man she was desperately in love with,, and this man was a German officer. Their love was tested time and again, and loyalty and bravery truly came into play. Their love was impossible, no doubt, and their choice to persevere proved dangerous more than once.
Not only did they have to fight for their love, but hunger become a dire factor. Hedy was blessed with good friends for her protection and safety. This is one of the best historical fiction stories I have read. Forbidden love is never easy, but this book showed how love truly triumphed over the greatest of difficulties.
Many thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Things were beyond difficult - if not impossible - for Hedy. However, serving as a translator helped her to hide among the Germans. However, her love affair might prove to be the cause of her death and capture. The reason why is the man she was desperately in love with,, and this man was a German officer. Their love was tested time and again, and loyalty and bravery truly came into play. Their love was impossible, no doubt, and their choice to persevere proved dangerous more than once.
Not only did they have to fight for their love, but hunger become a dire factor. Hedy was blessed with good friends for her protection and safety. This is one of the best historical fiction stories I have read. Forbidden love is never easy, but this book showed how love truly triumphed over the greatest of difficulties.
Many thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 8, 2020
The Girl from the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat is an excellent historical fiction novel that takes place in the Channel Islands during WWII and the experiences and events that the local inhabitants experienced during the German Occupation.
This book is so unique in presenting its perspective of the inhabitants of the British islands and the difficulties they experienced. There are very few books that I have been able to find that present the plights of these citizens during occupation.
I enjoyed the character cast. I thought Hedy, Dorothea, and Kurt were excellently developed. It was interesting to see all three change, grow, and find themselves during times of war and self-sacrifice. None were exempt from flawes and imperfections, but I think those kinks in the armour helped the reader to be able to identify with them and see a part of themselves reflected into the character. I was better able to place myself onto their situations and reflect on how I would feel and respond if I lived on the Island in a time of terror, occupation, persecution, deprivation, and fear. Despite all of the depressing and difficulties, Hedy, Kurt, and Dorothea were able to lean on one another, bring moments of happiness amongst the gloom, and a glimmer of hope that one day this would end and a better life would return again. All were incredibly brave. I also felt the chemistry and passion between Hedy and Kurt. They definitely work well together.
I enjoyed the plot, pacing, and I was definitely drawn in during moments of high stress. I was able to breathe a sigh of relief numerous times. I truly loved the ending.
I also enjoyed the Author’s note at the end to reference what part of the novel was inspired by true events and heroism.
A wonderful read. 5/5 stars
Thank you Graydon House/for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
This book is so unique in presenting its perspective of the inhabitants of the British islands and the difficulties they experienced. There are very few books that I have been able to find that present the plights of these citizens during occupation.
I enjoyed the character cast. I thought Hedy, Dorothea, and Kurt were excellently developed. It was interesting to see all three change, grow, and find themselves during times of war and self-sacrifice. None were exempt from flawes and imperfections, but I think those kinks in the armour helped the reader to be able to identify with them and see a part of themselves reflected into the character. I was better able to place myself onto their situations and reflect on how I would feel and respond if I lived on the Island in a time of terror, occupation, persecution, deprivation, and fear. Despite all of the depressing and difficulties, Hedy, Kurt, and Dorothea were able to lean on one another, bring moments of happiness amongst the gloom, and a glimmer of hope that one day this would end and a better life would return again. All were incredibly brave. I also felt the chemistry and passion between Hedy and Kurt. They definitely work well together.
I enjoyed the plot, pacing, and I was definitely drawn in during moments of high stress. I was able to breathe a sigh of relief numerous times. I truly loved the ending.
I also enjoyed the Author’s note at the end to reference what part of the novel was inspired by true events and heroism.
A wonderful read. 5/5 stars
Thank you Graydon House/for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
October 30, 2024
DNF about 1/3 of the way through. The storyline was interesting, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the language started to get more pervasive as the book went along. There were also getting to be more innuendos and bedroom scenes. There are too many other good books to read, to waste my time on a mediocre one.
May 30, 2024
This novel is loosely based on a true story of resistance, heroism, friendship, and love this is hard to put down!
Hedy Bercu is a young Jewish girl who had been living and working in the Channel Islands when World War II begins. When the island is invaded by the German forces, everyone's life slowly begins to change.
Hedy has to register as a Jewish resident with the authorities. However, since she is bilingual and can speak and write German and English, she is hired to work for the German military in one of their offices. While there, she meets a German officer who is secretly not supportive of the Nazi regime. They clandestinely begin to see each other and fall in love. But as the war drags on, each of them fear that their forbidden relationship may be discovered...
Thank you to Net Galley, Harlequin Books and author Jenny Lecoat for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this historical fiction book.
Hedy Bercu is a young Jewish girl who had been living and working in the Channel Islands when World War II begins. When the island is invaded by the German forces, everyone's life slowly begins to change.
Hedy has to register as a Jewish resident with the authorities. However, since she is bilingual and can speak and write German and English, she is hired to work for the German military in one of their offices. While there, she meets a German officer who is secretly not supportive of the Nazi regime. They clandestinely begin to see each other and fall in love. But as the war drags on, each of them fear that their forbidden relationship may be discovered...
Thank you to Net Galley, Harlequin Books and author Jenny Lecoat for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this historical fiction book.
January 14, 2021
Screenwriter, Jenny Lecoat’s debut novel, The Girl From The Channel Islands, to be published February 2, 2021, is inspired by the true story of Hedwig Bercu and Dorothea Le Brocq. In 2016, Dorothea was posthumously awarded the Hero of the Holocaust Medal for acts of courage and self-sacrifice to help Jewish people.
Born in Jersey, Lecoat masterfully brings Jersey alive for her readers as she clearly knows the coast, tide patterns, the layout of the island and the little-known backstreet accesses. Despite being a native, Lecoat has written a neutral account of her island community struggling under the force of Nazi oppression. Missing from her writing is the vilification of the Germans and the veneration of the British. It’s a refreshing outlook as we all know there is both good and evil on both sides of the war. Highlighting Kurt’s (a real-life figure) actions, Lecoat brings to light that ordinary people are capable of cruelty or courage depending on what choice they make.
Lecoat writes about a Romeo and Juliet forbidden romance between Hedy, a Jew in hiding, and a German officer, Kurt Neumann. The plot is full of stolen moments, emotion, intrigue, and danger. As you can imagine, their relationship is a dangerous one, and the consequences of being caught are a matter of life and death. Avoiding capture for 18 months is a true test of the human spirit. Hedy’s acts of resilience were phenomenal; she was starving, weak and yet she kept going. This love against all odds story will maintain your interest.
Wonderfully written and steeped in rich historical detail, this novel is of significant interest to historical fiction lovers and readers of WW2 based fiction. A five-star read.
*This book has previously been published as ‘Hedy’s War’ and ‘The Viennese Girl.’
I have read ‘The German Nurse’ also set in the Channel Islands during WW2, but this far surpasses my previous read in terms of characterization and its ability to maintain investment in the plot.
Born in Jersey, Lecoat masterfully brings Jersey alive for her readers as she clearly knows the coast, tide patterns, the layout of the island and the little-known backstreet accesses. Despite being a native, Lecoat has written a neutral account of her island community struggling under the force of Nazi oppression. Missing from her writing is the vilification of the Germans and the veneration of the British. It’s a refreshing outlook as we all know there is both good and evil on both sides of the war. Highlighting Kurt’s (a real-life figure) actions, Lecoat brings to light that ordinary people are capable of cruelty or courage depending on what choice they make.
Lecoat writes about a Romeo and Juliet forbidden romance between Hedy, a Jew in hiding, and a German officer, Kurt Neumann. The plot is full of stolen moments, emotion, intrigue, and danger. As you can imagine, their relationship is a dangerous one, and the consequences of being caught are a matter of life and death. Avoiding capture for 18 months is a true test of the human spirit. Hedy’s acts of resilience were phenomenal; she was starving, weak and yet she kept going. This love against all odds story will maintain your interest.
Wonderfully written and steeped in rich historical detail, this novel is of significant interest to historical fiction lovers and readers of WW2 based fiction. A five-star read.
*This book has previously been published as ‘Hedy’s War’ and ‘The Viennese Girl.’
I have read ‘The German Nurse’ also set in the Channel Islands during WW2, but this far surpasses my previous read in terms of characterization and its ability to maintain investment in the plot.
March 15, 2022
It was quite a remarkable tale overall as my heart aced for those treated so harshly during that occupation.....the near starvation while being cut off was pitiful. Hedy and Kurt were brilliant in their deceptions of the Germans at times along with their loyal friend Dorothea. I have read the Guernsey book awhile ago but it was interesting to read another as always. The drawbacks however were the f bombs,using the name of jesus often and the crude language.....I know it's said++ and apart of life but I would rather not read about it as well. Otherwise an engaging story.
December 13, 2022
DNF around page 80.
What a terrible story of a blonde Jewish woman changing a Nazi’s ways by………sleeping with him? This book is offensive and stereotypical. The Jewish “seductress” combined with the the “secretly soft” Nazi mixes to make a terrible story and a disgusted reviewer. (I did throw up a little bit reading this.) Ugh. 0/10
Update (December 13, 2022): I was just reminded that earlier this year I had to DNF a book because the “seductive” blonde Jewish girl fucks a Nazi out of his antisemitic, fascist views! Fun times, fun times. I love it here.
What a terrible story of a blonde Jewish woman changing a Nazi’s ways by………sleeping with him? This book is offensive and stereotypical. The Jewish “seductress” combined with the the “secretly soft” Nazi mixes to make a terrible story and a disgusted reviewer. (I did throw up a little bit reading this.) Ugh. 0/10
Update (December 13, 2022): I was just reminded that earlier this year I had to DNF a book because the “seductive” blonde Jewish girl fucks a Nazi out of his antisemitic, fascist views! Fun times, fun times. I love it here.
May 4, 2021
4.5 stars
I loved this story of a courageous young Jewish woman. Hedy Bercu was a real person, and as in this story, she escaped the Nazi invasion of her home in Vienna to flee to the Channel Islands. She has been living on Jersey for two years when this story opens in 1940, just as the Nazis have occupied the island, with no resistance. In this novel that is built around Hedy's life during the Nazi occupation, Hedy becomes a translator for the German's, "hiding in plain sight", with very few realizing she is Jewish. Her safety depends in part on her very close friend Anton, and his girlfriend, Dory, as well as a German Lieutenant, Kurt Neumann. For five long years the Germans remain on Jersey, and as time passes the situation for all the residents grows more and more dire, with little food or fuel for heating homes. The author does a great job of capturing the fear and desperation that grows increasingly to be a threat to Hedy, and those who are trying to protect her. There is also a love story told here, which also is apparently part of the truth behind the novel. Knowing that these people had really lived, and that the author was portraying much of what really happened in their lives, as well as adding her own creative elements, lent authenticity to this novel, and deepened my reading experience.
My thanks to Jenny Lecoat, Graydon House publishers, and the Goodreads Giveaways program, for the ARC I received.
I loved this story of a courageous young Jewish woman. Hedy Bercu was a real person, and as in this story, she escaped the Nazi invasion of her home in Vienna to flee to the Channel Islands. She has been living on Jersey for two years when this story opens in 1940, just as the Nazis have occupied the island, with no resistance. In this novel that is built around Hedy's life during the Nazi occupation, Hedy becomes a translator for the German's, "hiding in plain sight", with very few realizing she is Jewish. Her safety depends in part on her very close friend Anton, and his girlfriend, Dory, as well as a German Lieutenant, Kurt Neumann. For five long years the Germans remain on Jersey, and as time passes the situation for all the residents grows more and more dire, with little food or fuel for heating homes. The author does a great job of capturing the fear and desperation that grows increasingly to be a threat to Hedy, and those who are trying to protect her. There is also a love story told here, which also is apparently part of the truth behind the novel. Knowing that these people had really lived, and that the author was portraying much of what really happened in their lives, as well as adding her own creative elements, lent authenticity to this novel, and deepened my reading experience.
My thanks to Jenny Lecoat, Graydon House publishers, and the Goodreads Giveaways program, for the ARC I received.
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