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Book Jacket

Shadows of Berlin

A captivating novel of a Berlin girl on the run from the guilt of her past and ...

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Excerpt
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Discuss Shadows of Berlin by David R. Gillham

Had you heard of Jews living as "U-boats" during the war before reading the book? How did hiding in plain sight provide safety, and how did it increase danger?

17

May. 25, 2022
by sharalynnep

The author frequently uses phrases in German and Yiddish. Do you enjoy reading foreign phrases?

12

May. 25, 2022
by sharalynnep

Why do you think Rachel puts up with Feter Fritz and continues to go out of her way to maintain his affections?

22

May. 25, 2022
by sharalynnep

Did your opinion of Angelika change as you learned more of her story? Why do you suppose she was so determined to take Rachel under her wing? In Rachel’s position, would you have accepted her help?

13

May. 25, 2022
by sharalynnep

What does Aaron expect Rachel to get from her appointments with her therapist? What does she actually achieve through therapy?

11

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

Do you think there's any way Aaron could understand what Rachel has been through? How do you think she helps or hurts his ability to sympathize with her experiences?

15

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

Angelika tells Rachel that she "make[s] her [so-called-crime] such a terrible transgression that it stops you from living. You hide behind it, hide from life." Do you believe this is true?

3

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

What prevents Rachel from feeling "worthy" of her struggles with mental health?

13

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

Rachel says, "There is no such being, in my opinion… as an 'innocent' German." Given the current Russia/Ukraine conflict, how do you feel this statement is true or untrue today?

17

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

How do you contribute to the legacy of your ancestors?

7

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

"Don't embarrass yourself with Yiddish in front of other Jews. What do you think, this is the Ukraine?" What do you think Rachel's parents meant?

5

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

Aaron is extremely impatient for children. Why do you think this is? Why is Rachel reluctant to start a family?

16

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

Rachel tells her therapist, "...No one cares about history or truth." Do you think that was true of the United States in the mid-1950s? How is it the same or different today?

14

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

Do you believe Aaron loves Rachel? Do you think she loves him? How do you know if one person loves another?

12

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

Do you agree with Eema's mother's view that "You cannot rescue what cannot be rescued. You cannot save what cannot be saved."

10

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

Overall, what do you think of Shadows of Berlin? No spoilers in this thread, please

26

May. 23, 2022
by beckys

Rachel's therapist accuses her of using racism as a distraction "from other troubling issues that you're facing." Do you think this is true?

1

May. 18, 2022
by pstep50345

Why do you think Rachel seeks out Tyrell at the chess match in Washington Square?

9

May. 16, 2022
by nancyh

What is at the root of the rivalry between Aaron and Ezra? What does their rivalry say about Aaron? How does Rachel react to it?

3

May. 13, 2022
by nancyh

Healing Intergenerational Jewish Trauma

2

May. 11, 2022
by gloriak

Angelika states, "[T]he world resents the unhappy but indulges those who know how to take joy from their surroundings." What do you think she means? Do you agree?

3

May. 11, 2022
by skagitgrits

What do you think the American Dream entailed in the 1950s? Is it defined differently today? Do you feel it's still achievable?

8

May. 11, 2022
by CarolRS

How do Rachel, Aaron and Aaron’s family approach their faith? Why do you think Rachel’s experience of Judaism is different than Aaron’s?

5

May. 10, 2022
by melissa c.

Why does Rachel become so invested in Naomi and Tyrell's relationship? Do you think she helps them?

6

May. 05, 2022
by susanr

Do you agree with Aaron's father's description of the two kinds of people in the world? How does this sentiment affect Aaron's life?

4

May. 01, 2022
by terriej

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