I found "The Baker's Daughter" to be one of the most satisfying stories I have read in a very long time. Not only was the time line one I have studied for many years, but also the "cooking and baking" thread brought home to me so many memories. The desperate need to resolve our past "demons" resonates clearly to me.

And I must ask....did anyone else break into open and heartfelt sobs at the beginning of Chapter 48? I anticipated this scene but had become so intertwined with the characters that I "felt" this with such intensity.

I really liked the German part of the story - I thought it was well-plotted and the characters were well developed, and I had a real sense of the various ways in which Elsie was pulled by her feelings (or lack thereof) for Josef and Tobias and her family and the situation in which she was placing them by hiding Tobias. But the Texas part of the story did not work for me. It felt tacked on. I thought the interconnections between Reba's story and Elsie's story were poorly developed, so I felt like I was reading two stories, only tangentially related to one another, in the same book. That was frustrating.

I really liked the German part of the story - I thought it was well-plotted and the characters were well developed, and I had a real sense of the various ways in which Elsie was pulled by her feelings (or lack thereof) for Josef and Tobias and her family and the situation in which she was placing them by hiding Tobias. But the Texas part of the story did not work for me. It felt tacked on. I thought the interconnections between Reba's story and Elsie's story were poorly developed, so I felt like I was reading two stories, only tangentially related to one another, in the same book. That was frustrating.

I agree and disagree with laurap. I especially liked the regular people German side of the story. We think if WWII and think only of Nazis. The majority of Germans, the regular people so to say, really didn't believe genocide was happening, many had friends, neighbors & co-workers that were Jewish. When they did realize what was happening it was really to late to protest, they themselves were struck with fear. I think the Germany/Texas relationship was good. Our countries immigration situation has so many sides to it and is causing conflict to many states, especially border states. Although we are not (hopefully) killing the immigrants, there is much resentment and hatred involved. It is a very hard subject to look at only one way.

I found reading the fine "cursive"type used for the letters very tedious. Even the size type used in the book could have been upped a few sizes. But then, I'm no teenager and wear glasses now! I was often confused until I learned the letters and chapters weren't in consecutive order. Basically I guess my main feeling about the book were pretty much my own and physical. Also I felt Reba's sections didn't connect with Elsie's story and it became a fluff story. (Kristen Hannah's writing style comes to mind.) Not sure how much I liked the German names identifying all the pastries--I'll never remember them. I had the feeling the author tried to impress the reader with her research. Lydiamercer: no I didn't cry. I was being too critical to be that absorbed!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a sweet treat for my soul. I know the story is about two women and their respective life journeys, but Elsie's story just melted my heart. What an amazing and courageous woman! I have the utmost respect for people who stand by their convictions no matter what the circumstances. Elsie is my hero, because at the end of it all, her actions made me want to be a better human being.

Ditto Suzanne on the typeface for the sisters' letters. It's a shame when the physical characteristics of a book interfere with the reading of it.

Lynn R.: I think the immigration story had tremendous potential as a stand-alone. My problem with this book, though, was that the two stories seemed connected to each other only by the fact the characters were in the same bakery on occasion. The characters never seemed to drawn the parallels. While I'm able to do that, in the end I felt like I had read two separate books, switching back and forth between them. And since the German story seemed primary, I felt like the Texas story was there only to give us a location in the present. It might have had a lot of plot value, but the author didn't take advantage of it.

Lynn R. and laurap: I think that the "German story" and "Immigration story" are interconnected because they are stories about tolerance. Through these two stories, the author is trying to tell us that we are all apart of one race - the human race- and when we can understand and respect each other histories, cultures and customs, the world is a better place.

This book got a really good rating in my reading journal. I was not bothered at all by the going back and forth from past to present, nor the differences in the characters lives as I thought they were integral to making each life time more real and believable. Also this style seems to have become pretty common in a lot of books in the past several years and I think I have come to find it quite comfortable. This is one of those stories that deals with really horrific stuff and to follow the characters who lived through it and see them end up in productive and comfortable lives feels really good but in no way mitigates the horror or loss of those that did not survive. Like others I am not sure the change in type for the letters was necessary though. I am a very fast reader and it did slow me down a bit but that may have been a good thing as it probably made me absorb them better.

I have read several books lately that jump back and forth in time and/or place. I thought The Baker's Daughter did this quite well -- as long as you remembered to read the time/place at beginning of each chapter! There were only a few times when I found the time/place jump disruptive. Occasionally - especially at emotional points in the story line - the time/place jump was a relief. I actually felt the author was using the jump as a "breather" for emotions.

I too thought the type face for the letters was too small and difficult to read. I read a paperback version and would like someone who read a hard back version to comment, often the two forms have different type size. This might make a real difference.

I enjoyed the book, especially the German section, since I like reading about the people behind the front lines during WWII. I didn't mind the time shifts throughout the book; I don't think the story would have been as suspenseful if all the questions had been answered the way they would have been in a straight chronological format.

No, Lydia, I didn't cry over Elsie's death, although I thought it was sad. What I thought was even sadder is that she never made a connection with Tobias before she died.

I also would have liked to see the script font larger, but that didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the book.

I agree with Larap. I too really enjoyed the German story but found that I had very little interest in the current story. I didn't find Reba's character to be interesting or even particularly likeable and Riki was even less interesting. I also found the font type and size of the letters to be terribly frustrating and I don't wear glasses. It surprises me that the editors wouldn't have thought it to be a problem. All in all I would give the book a 3.

I enjoyed both parts of this novel. I have also read several books (beckyh) that jump from one time period to another and I felt this book did it particularly well. I don't know that it affected me on a deep emotional level, but considering the topic I was relieved about that. I recently read a book that was so graphic in its depiction of violence that I was nearly nauseous and had to walk away from it more than once.

I appreciated the courage of the German women, but also found Reba's character interesting in a less historical way.

I would have to say that I liked this book a great deal.

I fully enjoyed this book. I do love reading stories re World War II - there are so many varied stories of what happened during that time and the people's struggles to survive. I did not like the typeface for the letters as well. It was very difficul to read them I would definitely recommend this book.

I believe the writer's style of weaving the story of Elsie's live in Germany during the war back and forth between Reba's and Elsie's current lives in Texas added an interesting dimension to each character and the secrets they held. I am a historical fiction fan so learning more about life in Nazi Germany from the perspective of a German. The story told appeared to be realistic and while painful it addressed very emotional topics. The author was able to convey a strong sense of love and humanity which soften the painful aspects. It clearly projects that no matter how hard you may attempt to forget or run away from your past it is always part of you and these experiences no matter how painful or tragic shape you as a person.

Travelling back and forth through time didn't bother me at all and in some ways piqued my interest as I was always eager to get back to the German portion which was more developed than the Texas portion. While it's interesting to see how the common German suffered and found themselves in the grips of a government that they never bargained for, I found the juxtaposition of the current illegal Mexican immigration thought provoking. I think this could make for a very interesting discussion. Being emotionally involved in the Holocaust, I was surprised by my sympathetic reaction to this German family. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in two sittings.

Would have preferred to have read about Elsie, period. I was totally captivated by her early years in Germany and the enigma she became in America. It was easy to feel her pain, desperation and fear as a real flesh and blood person. Whereas, I felt Reba & Riki seems like cardboard characters---something to fill in the American side of the story. I wanted to know more about how Elsie traveled to the US and her life here---all those missing years that the author skipped over. Elsie's story, marrying an American and moving to the US, is plausible. However, Tobias' journey I found less believable. The US was hardly welcoming Jewish families with open arms at that particular time. It felt as though the author was tying up unfinished storylines.

I agree that the comparison of prejudice against Jews in the Nazi era and prejudice against illegal Mexicans in our current society is an interesting topic. Also a bit of a hot button issue, especially lately. Can we compare genocide to a more generalized prejudice against an ethnic group within a country? Or maybe what she's emphasizing is that's how it starts out - not that I expect America to turn into Nazi Germany. I certainly hope we've learned from the past...

I did think that the two parts were both moving. I was especially drawn to the divided feelings of the characters. To me they were realistic, especially Riki and Josef, who both faced tensions between their feelings and the positions they were in. I thought that Elsie acted older than her age, but that could have been the time. The letters helped create emotion. (I wish they had been in larger print)
Pegh

I completely agree with Laurap. Loved the German part of the story and the Texas part didn't work for me at all. I thought a lot of the dialog was annoying. I found myself skimming the Texas parts so I could get back to Germany. I love a story told through letters. A note to the publisher....the font used for the letters was too small.

I loved this book; it left me in tears. The back and forth in time was much easier in this book; some keep me confused. I felt there should have been more background on Reba. On my recommendation my book club has selected The Baker's Daughter for our November selection.

I felt very drawn into the German part of the story and not particularly involved with the Reba story. Much of that story seemed contrived to reveal Elsie's story. It could just have been Elsie's story and I would have enjoyed the book more with development of the missing years and her marriage. After reading the book, I tried to find similarities in the two stories to see why they were juxtaposed with each other. The interview ploy seemed a way to tell Elsie's story which could have been told anyway. As a result of the interview (we are never given background as to why Elsie is chosen except that she is an immigrant and businesswoman), Reba does change and evolve. I think the book would have been more compelling if Elsie's story was the only focus and we were not constantly sidetracked by the younger generation and particularly Reba and Riki

I enjoyed the book and I enjoyed the characters, but I wish that there had been a development of Elsie's life after Germany and before the Reba story. The situation with Tobias was so meaningful and it would have been a great piece to explore; I also felt that I would have liked to have delved into Elsie's marriage.

The German aspect of the book established characters that were well-developed; the part devoted to post-war Germany did not match that intensity. The Texas section did not balance with the first section of the book. I do realize that this would probably point to two books: one focusing on Germany and one targeting Elsie's American life with the inclusion of a relationship with Tobias.

I do not mean to sound critical because I did enjoy the book. Maybe that is why I wanted more.

I enjoyed the book very much. The tension built throughout the book which kept up my interest. I enjoyed both story lines but found the jumping back and forth during the war years a little confusing. I did learn some things about issues during WWII that I was not aware of (the program). I particularly enjoyed Elsie's story but felt Reba's was weaker. Thank you for the opportunity to preview this book.

I really enjoyed every aspect of this book, but had difficulty with the small print of the letters. I enjoyed all of the characters & was pulling for them all, even Josef, because he had such deep feelings for being responsible for Peter's death. I think he committed suicide because of his remorse, more so then fear of being punished. I also was fascinated by learning something of the Lebensborn Program. I had vaguely heard about it before & I did research on it. I also found it interesting that Lillian did her thesis on the program & wondering when she found out that she was part of the program.
I think this book would make a great book club selection, so much to discuss.