*I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity.
Title: The First Spark Of Fire
Author: Marion Kummerow
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: ★★★★★
Germany, 1930s:
Edith holds the letter in a trembling hand, her eyes fixed on the eagle
carrying the terrifying symbol in its claws. The summons from the Gestapo is
everything she has dreaded for months. She tells herself she has nothing to fear.
She has done nothing wrong…
In this
heartbreaking story based on real events, it will be up to one woman to fight
for her love in a world that wants to destroy it.
When beautiful,
shy Edith married her elegant, banker husband Julius, she
believed that their union would be forever. In spite of her humble background,
they have loved each other since the minute they met at a dance. As she learns
how to behave in the high society world Julius has opened to her, she is
determined to enjoy every moment.
But the Nazi party
is growing in power, and her marriage comes under increasing strain. Julius is
of Jewish origin—and even some of Edith’s closest family believe their
relationship is an abomination, demanding she divorce him.
Julius refuses to
see the risk, insisting his powerful friends will protect him. But Edith finds
herself scared that her husband may be declared her enemy. And if that happens,
how will she protect him?
Soon, she finds
herself plunged into a world of revolution and danger, where everything she
knows can be changed at the stroke of a pen—or the strike of a fist. As the
peril grows, can she find the fire in her heart to fight for what is right, at
the cost of her own safety?
The First Spark
of Fire is the latest gripping historical fiction novel by Marion Kummerow and
the first in her new ‘German Wives’ book series. It is a gripping and fast paced
exploration of the Nazi rise to power and the impact it had on German citizens,
focusing on two fictional housewives Edith and Helga.
The narrative
opens in Munich in 1923 and we’re taken on a journey through the 20s and 30s as
the Nazi Party take control of Germany and move Europe towards another world
war. Although the novel is less than 300 pages long, it provides a deep dive
into many key events in Germany during the inter-war period. This includes the
Beer Hall Putsch, the Reichstag fire (and the political consequences of the
fire such as the Reichstag Fire Decree and Enabling Act), the Night Of The Long
Knives, the 1936 Summer Olympics and Kristallnacht. This was all clearly
meticulously researched and history is seamlessly woven into the story. As
an avid reader of historical fiction focused on the Second World War and the
years building up to it, I’ve read a large number of books set during this era
but never before have I read something which covered so many crucial historical
events in such depth whilst still creating a captivating and emotive story.
The First Spark
Of Fire provides an unique perspective on the rise of antisemitism in Germany
through its focus on non-Jewish women who were supporting their Jewish husbands
(and in Helga’s case, also her half-Jewish children) through the introduction
of antisemitic laws and were determined to keep them safe. We have two strong
female characters in both Edith and Helga and it was nice to see a strong
female friendship represented through the two old school friends reconnecting
in adulthood. The choice to give the women contrasting family backgrounds (through
their relationships with their husbands, whether or not they had children and
also how affluent they were) was really impactful and allowed us to explore the
impact rising antisemitism had on a range of different members of society.
Alongside Edith
and Helga, we also get some chapters sharing the perspective of Edith’s brother
Joseph as he joins the SS and rises through its ranks. I was conflicted on the
choice to give Joseph his own chapters as it does ultimately really humanise the
SS but on the other hand I do also recognise the importance for historical fiction
to explore how ordinary Germans such as Joseph were sucked into the Nazi
ideology and became willing to commit such atrocities. Sharing Joseph’s
perspective also allowed us to explore how families could have really opposing
views on Hitler and the Nazi party and the impact it would have on their family
relationships.
In The First Spark of Fire, Marion Kummerow has found a powerful balance between creating a story which is educational and historically accurate whilst also capturing the raw and emotional experiences of German citizens at the time. The characters are all beautifully written and perfectly capture the courage shown by Jewish people and their non-Jewish spouses during the rise of antisemitism. The ending to this book is rather abrupt, paving the way for the next book in the series. After reading the entire story in a single sitting I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
Overall, The First Spark of Fire is a powerful and incredibly gripping piece of historical fiction which is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and those with an interest in Second World War history.
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