The Kommandant's Girl

by Pam Jenoff

Book Overview

In her luminous and groundbreaking debut, New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff shows the unimaginable sacrifices one woman must make in a time of war

Nineteen-year-old Emma Bau has been married only three weeks when Nazi tanks thunder into Poland. Within days Emma's husband is forced to disappear underground, leaving her alone in the Jewish ghetto. In the dead of night, the resistance smuggles her out and brings her to Krakow, where she takes on a new identity as Anna Lipowski, a gentile.

Emma's already precarious situation is complicated by her introduction to Kommandant Richwalder, a high-ranking Nazi official who hires her to work as his assistant. As the atrocities of war intensify, Emma must make unthinkable choices that will force her to risk not only her double life, but also the lives of those she loves.


Don't miss Pam Jenoff's new novel, Last Twilight in Paris, a gripping mystery and an unforgettable story about love and survival.


Read these other sweeping epics from New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff:
Code Name Sapphire The Lost Girls of Paris The Woman with the Blue Star The Orphan's Tale The Ambassador's Daughter The Diplomat's Wife The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach The Winter Guest

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0778323420
• ISBN13: 9780778323426
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Mira Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Well written. A great flow to it.

For a first novel I couldn't put it down. It has a great flow to it and is well written.

I could not put it down!

A beautifully written novel that I initially bought to read later after a few other books I had purchased. Turns out I grabbed this one first and gobbled this book from cover to back in less than 48 hours and was instantly transported to Krakow where the story takes place. Emma has to assume the identity of Anna after making an escape from the Jewish Ghetto and live with her husband's aunt. After a dinner party, a man known as the Kommandant takes an interest in her and asks if she will be his personal assistant. Her life takes an unexpected dangerous turn when she knowingly joins the Resistance and begins an affair with the Kommandant while secretly providing information on the Nazis movements and plans. The story unfolds effortlessly and thrusts you amongst the angst and panic that Anna feels when she embarks on her dangerous missions leading her all the way to a showdown with the Kommandant that leaves you speechless. This novel was so wonderful and I look forward to reading more Pam Jenoff's books in the future. Few authors have the power to render such anxiety and emotion from readers yet this novel holds you by the edge of your seat anxiously awaiting to turn the page. By far the best novel I have read in years and that is amongst many!

Captivating Story

This book had me from the first page--I read it in less than 2 days. Ms. Jenoff creates a tale that could very well have been true in the days of Nazi-occupied Poland. Her story is of a courageous young Jew who would do anything to save her captured family and her husband serving in the resistance. Her insight into Anna's (aka Emma's)thoughts and feelings are so real that the book seems like an autobiography. Her descriptions of war-time Krakow, Poland helped me imagine what it must have been like for the Jews--a paranoia like no other. It is an amazing story. I can't wait to read her next book.

A beautiful and touching read!

What a beautiful book, i litterly could not put it down, I read it in 2 days, its just one of those books that have you mesmerised! I was sad when it ended, but I can't wait to read the sequal 'The Diplomats Wife'! I really felt for Emma and Jacob, they adored one another but had to part for fear of their lives, and even through the horror and torment, their love remained as strong as it was before they parted! 'The Kommandant's Girl' is a must read, just be prepared for a wonderful journey!

Wonderful story

I read this book in 4 days! I could not put it down. The story is not too heavy with historical facts to sift through, so it is an easy read if you are looking for something quick. It is an amazing story and I would recommend it to anyone.

Book Review: The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff

In Pam Jenoff's novel The Kommandant's Girl, newlyweds Emma and Jacob have only been married for three weeks when Nazis invade their homeland of Poland. Jacob soon disappears to aid the resistance and Emma is left to pack up and move back in with her parents in the Jewish Ghetto. Emma is awakened in the middle of the night and smuggled out of the Ghetto to reside with her husband's Catholic cousin, Krysia, in Krakow. Emma takes on the persona of Anna Lipowski, a gentile woman recently arrived to visit Krysia. Soon after arriving, Anna is introduced to Kommandant Richwalder, a striking man she knows she should hate, but is nevertheless drawn to. Kommandant Richwalder offers Anna a position as his personal assistant. In order to keep up appearances as a gentile and Nazi supporter, Anna accepts the position. She earns the Kommandant's trust, providing information she gleans as his assistant to the resistance. Anna is then asked by the resistance leaders to get even closer to the Kommandant to learn what plans are in place for the Jews of Krakow. Will Anna put her safety -- and her marriage -- in danger for the cause of the greater good? The Kommandant's Girl is a riveting tale of what life was like for the Jewish population of Poland during the Nazi occupation. Jenoff is a gifted writer who brings the character of Emma/Anna alive, develops a sympathetic character in the Kommandant and weaves a tale that won't let the reader put it down.