THE GERMAN HOUSE

Finding answers and hope through post-Holocaust fiction is a challenge, yet this gripping audiobook succeeds because of the power of the dialogue as delivered by narrator Nina Franoszek. From the beginning, Annette Hess's novel uses an unusual approach to the 1963 Auschwitz war crimes trials in Frankfurt. The story focuses on Eva Bruhns, a naïve 24-year-old who accepts a job as a translator at the tribunal. As Eva does her job, she begins to question her own family's conduct during and after the war, and comes into conflict with Jurgen Schoormann, whom she plans to marry. Franoszek captures Eva's emotions with intensity and, at times, a surprisingly realistic tone of wonderment, both of which highlight the questions and anger bottled deep inside Eva. The result is a powerful performance by Franoszek that complements the novel superbly. D.J.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2020]