The Sunflower House: A Novel

By Adriana Allegri

Book Overview

Family secrets come to light as a young woman fights to save herself, and others, in a Nazi-run baby factory--a real-life Handmaid's Tale--during World War II.

In a sleepy German village, Allina Strauss's life seems idyllic: she works at her uncle's bookshop, makes strudel with her aunt, and spends weekends with her friends and fianc . But it's 1939, Adolf Hitler is Chancellor, and Allina's family hides a terrifying secret--her birth mother was Jewish, making her a Mischling.

One fateful night after losing everyone she loves, Allina is forced into service as a nurse at a state-run baby factory called Hochland Home. There, she becomes both witness and participant to the horrors of Heinrich Himmler's ruthless eugenics program.

The Sunflower House is a meticulously-researched debut historical novel from Adriana Allegri that uncovers the notorious Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany. Women of "pure" blood stayed in Lebensborn homes for the sole purpose of perpetuating the Aryan population, giving birth to thousands of babies who were adopted out to "good" Nazi families. Allina must keep her Jewish identity a secret in order to survive, but when she discovers the neglect occurring within the home, she's determined not only to save herself, but also the children in her care.

A tale of one woman's determination to resist and survive, The Sunflower House is also a love story. When Allina meets Karl, a high-ranking SS officer with secrets of his own, the two must decide how much they are willing to share with each other--and how much they can stand to risk as they join forces to save as many children as they can. The threads of this poignant and heartrending novel weave a tale of loss and love, friendship and betrayal, and the secrets we bury in order to save ourselves.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250326524
• ISBN13: 9781250326522
• Release Date: November 2024
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.2" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A Wonderful Addition to Your Home Library!

It’s rare to find a book that not only captures your attention right from the start, but has you hanging on every word and waiting with bated breath to find out what happens next. Because of my own family’s history it was sometimes triggering thinking of family who perished during the Holocaust, but at the same time bringing me closer to understanding the incredible strength and courage it took for those who survived. Not only did I read the words, but I saw it clearly in my mind….the characters and the buildings, the rooms they spent their time in, and of course the beautiful Sunflower House. I heard their voices in my head and felt all of their joys and pains. I became emotionally attached and fully invested in their lives. I held my breath through most of the chapters and by the final few I felt the dampness on my cheeks as tears flowed involuntarily. The grief was real. The story was beautiful and I applaud and thank this gifted author for allowing us the opportunity to experience this wonderfully written historical novel.