Saving Amelie Paperback – June 1, 2014

There should be a way to give more than 5 stars. Saving Amelie is a compelling read of events in Nazi Germany that threaten to totally destroy a family, a family who didn't realize they even were a family.Rachel Kramer goes on a trip to Germany in 1939 with her eugenics scientist father, unaware that there are shocking secrets he has been keeping about her very life. Then she receives a secret, desperate plea from an old friend, now married to an SS officer, asking Rachel to save her little girl, Amelie. Amelie is deaf and will not comply with the perfect Aryan bloodline of her Nazi father.Rachel risks everything to help this child, accepting the help of an American journalist, Jason Young, in Germany to cover the war. Jason has connections to the resistance movement and hopefully they will manage to save Amelie.They are forced to hide in Oberammergau, a Bavarian village that puts on a Passion Play every decade.Rachel is constantly on edge, walking a tightrope, trying to fulfill her promise to protect this child. More lives are at stake, too, than just hers and Amelie's. Others are asked to help, putting themselves at risk in this now torn apart country seething with anger at everything and everyone not of the perfect 'Aryan' race.Cathy Gohlke writes so convincingly of this time period and her research to historical detail is impeccable. So rich does she describe the events in the era in which she writes, that it sent me to google to refresh my own history lessons! I loved this.This is an impressive emotional and thrilling story, keeping the reader turning the pages until the last page is turned and the book finished. There is conflict, intrigue, romance, tremendous faith and also ugliness, sadly, in this book. It is a book you will remember long after you turn the pages.It is a book that also challenges the reader to let go of any prejudices they may have against anyone. How could anyone disdain and purposely destroy an entire people as Hitler did? It totally baffles the mind that anyone could be so totally heartless.There is a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in the book that goes, "The Church has only one altar, the altar of the Almighty..before which all creatures must kneel..He who seeks anything other than this must keep away; he cannot join us in the house of God...The Church has only one pulpit, and from that pulpit faith in God will be preached and no other faith, and no other will than the will of God, however well intentioned."This is not a feel good Christian novel. It will bring you to tears, but it will also bring you joy as you read how many sacrificed that others could live and be free. This is a book that will stay with you, I think, forever.Cathy Gohlke's books are like that. They minister and make you feel richer for having read them. I am looking forward to her next book already! The cover of this book impressed me greatly the moment I saw it, too. It is totally compelling and poignant. This book should be in every library. The expression on the little girl's face is absolutely priceless.

I absolutely loved Saving Amelie. What a fantastic, page-turning, soul searching story, with amazing depth. The tapestry of major and minor characters in this work of historical fiction was very engaging.Rachel was taught the wrong ideology her whole life, that church is a crutch, faith is not real, and some people are better than others, but as she learned the evil ways of the Nazi's and eugenics, she understood by witnessing the people she had come to love, that their faith was real.For American reporter Jason Young, reporting the news in propagandist Germany was difficult. Once he was exposed to Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his sermons, he was challenged to grow in faith and really live that faith. He began to understand the ultimate sacrifice our Lord made for him. He learned grace and that he had a choice to sacrifice for the good of others during this awful time in history.This quote is just as important today as it was in Nazi Germany: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing".I absolutely love what Author Cathy Gohlke says at the end of the book: "History is one thing. The current, urgent questions are ours: What have we learned? How do we make sure we are not taken unawares, that we are not seduced into giving up our rights and taking away the rights of others? Where do we find the courage to rise from our apathy, our indifference, from political correctness and fear of offending to stand for God's truth?"I highly recommend Saving Amelie.

I really enjoyed the historical details in this novel. I got to explore stuff that I've never encountered or have only encountered rarely in historical fiction, and all in one work. Ms. Gohlke gives us a look into Nazi Germany like no other: the fate of the physically handicapped in this racial purity obsessed society, intimate details on eugenics and experiments in pursuit of that perfect genetic individual, and a glimpse into the rebellious Confessing Church and their endeavor to stand up for right and protect the oppressed of Nazi society. The reader is sucked into Nazi Germany, not to be let go until the very last page.I enjoyed the characters for the most part. Lea especially won my heart. I loved how flawed she was, yet how strong she was at the same time. She seemed very human with her inadequacy issues concerning Rachel, her stubborn will to protect those she cared about, and her constant worrying over those same people.Now Rachel on the other hand.... *sigh* I think the author was trying to make her flawed like any ordinary person so that the reader could relate to her. But dang, did the author go too far! I can't think of one thing about Rachel I liked. She was self-centered, shallow, and her head was always in the clouds about the dangers around her. I can see where this might have been OK in the beginning of the novel. But, I, for one, did not see any change in her. She was just as shallow in the end as the beginning. It's kinda hard to really enjoy a novel when one of your heroines is a real bitch throughout the entire thing!I do have to commend the author on the pacing of her novel. She was able to balance the world-building and the suspense of hiding in Bavaria with aplomb. Not once was I slogging through excessive paragraphs of atmospheric description nor was I feeling like I was on a roller coaster with endless action. For a book this length, this aspect of storytelling is key so the reader doesn't become exhausted or bored. Kudos to Ms. Gohlke for being able to balance the two extremes for a very enjoyable middle.I enjoyed the historical details, the fantastic world-building, the brisk story-telling, and most of the characters in this lovely novel. While Rachel drove me up a freakin' wall and made me actually want the Gestapo to catch her (just to get her out of the story!), I was able to get over that and enjoy the rest of the book. Definitely check this one out if you enjoy WWII/Nazi Germany fiction. It's a great overall book.

What a story about Amelie. I am still reading it and it is spellbinding. Twists and turns to especially from the Nazis

As I have said in other similar books I have reviewed...we must never forget the heinous actions of those who think they have a right to end the lives of others because they are not worthy of life for whatever reason. A whole generation of Jewish people were murdered and we must keep the story real.for those who come after us. This story has some true to history parts and some fiction...but the truth far out ways the fiction. Little Amelie was a sweet little girl who did not live up to her Aryan fathers Nazi standards...read on...

Gostei bastante do livro principalmente pela originalidade na abordagem do tema da segunda guerra. Leio muitos livros sobre o tratamento aos judeus, diários, fugas, assassinatos, mas pela primeira vez li relatos do que se passava com os alemães arianos e a campanha para a purificação da raça. O estilo é envolvente, prende a atenção do primeiro ao ultimo capítulo. Os personagens são marcantes e por muito tempo permanecem na nossa memória após o término da leitura.

Wow, just finished this book and just loved it! Cathy Gohlke writes such a good story that you are so sad to see it end. Its set in Germany during WWII and will break your heart when you hear all the awful things that were done, just not to the Jewish people but anyone that did not meet Aryan standards. So many innocent people were killed but this story gives you hope for all those that were saved by brave , wonderful people all over Europe!

Excellent ,this book is very good,with a really good plot,at time it has you gripping your seat,and would make an excellent film,very thought provoking,family ties,and history all come into this excellently well written book