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Cradles of the Reich


Three women, a nation seduced by a madman, and the Nazi breeding program to ...
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Which of Gundi's close calls made you the most nervous?

Created: 10/13/22

Replies: 14

Posted Oct. 13, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Which of Gundi's close calls made you the most nervous?

Gundi's escape from Heim Hochland almost fails several times. Which close call made you the most nervous?


Posted Oct. 13, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Marcia S

Join Date: 02/08/16

Posts: 514

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

I was very frightened for her when the baby was born and her secret was revealed. The escape from the home to Switzerland was filled with scary moments from the young soldiers who wanted to take advantage of her, to hiding under the truck's floorboards, to driving across the border.


Posted Oct. 13, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mceacd

Join Date: 07/03/18

Posts: 132

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

Gundi had several close calls, including her first experience of attempting to escape the Lebensborn program, but I held my breath when she flagged down the car she assumed was for her when escaping Heim Hochland. Certainly she was young, but she certainly should have been aware of the danger. Throughout the book, Gundi did not seem to take the care she should have, both for her own and others’ safety. I guess I should acknowledge that this, at least, shows a character consistency and makes me rethink my prior criticism concerning character development.


Posted Oct. 14, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Jessica F

Join Date: 05/23/20

Posts: 165

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

The close call that had me on the edge of my seat was when she comes out of the woods to meet the car and in it were the German officers. Luckily, the resistance man came quickly and the officers "let his daughter" go.


Posted Oct. 14, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
terriej

Join Date: 07/28/11

Posts: 436

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

The close call at the birth of her baby. Anticipating what would happen when they discovered the baby was part Jewish had me very worried.


Posted Oct. 14, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
deeh

Join Date: 03/03/12

Posts: 251

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

The close call that had me most on edge was when she flagged down the wrong truck.


Posted Oct. 15, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carolt

Join Date: 03/25/17

Posts: 190

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

I agree - flagging down the wrong vehicle. Once Nadja is born, her life is really in danger. Before that, the Reich saw her as valuable.


Posted Oct. 15, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susanr

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 201

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

Once she had her baby, she was in danger but the scariest part of her escape was when she flagged down the wrong care.


Posted Oct. 15, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
darleneb

Join Date: 09/04/22

Posts: 2

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

I agree with several of the other commenters.I knew when Gundi's baby was born that she was going to be in peril. There was no way she was going to be able to hide her secret any longer.


Posted Oct. 15, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dorothyl

Join Date: 04/15/12

Posts: 146

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

For me, the two close calls were when the baby was born and when she flagged down the wrong car during her escape


Posted Oct. 18, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 936

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

The whole end of the novel was rather frightening - one scare after another after the baby was born. I think perhaps the most concerning for me was when their driver fell asleep at the wheel & ran off the road. I could imagine her hidden away, not knowing what was happening.


Posted Oct. 19, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cathyt

Join Date: 08/14/22

Posts: 29

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

I am with those that think flagging down the wrong vehicle was frightening. There was so much horror that could have happened to her and subsequently to her baby and Irma. She had so much to learn and was not prepared for the realities of the new Reich. Thank heaven for the real guy showing up.


Posted Oct. 28, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
juliep

Join Date: 04/07/12

Posts: 265

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

Once the baby was born, there were quite a few close calls. The action really picked up at this point. I feared for their lives at this point.


Posted Nov. 01, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
caroln

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 107

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

Once the baby was identified as a possible target, I knew she had to go soon. I agree with other readers, the action picked up and I then became worried about if or when the two of them could escape. Did not see Dorothea as the vehicle, however. I was most concerned when she approached the wrong vehicle after having traveled through the woods, I thought it was over then, until the truck arrived for her rescue.


Posted Nov. 01, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gvieth

Join Date: 02/26/21

Posts: 57

RE: Which of Gundi's close calls ...

Flagging down the wrong vehicle was the most tense moment for me.


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