Synopsis

Germany, 1934. Surrounded by beautiful wedding china, we share our first dinner alone as husband and wife. But, instead of sharing affections, all he talks of is his admiration for Hitler. I force a smile, but my blood runs cold. How can I stay with him, now I know what he truly is?

Six years later. When Anna is approached by the Polish resistance while sheltering in Warsaw, she is eager for the chance to fight against German occupation. Managing a network of spies behind the façade of a café for enemy soldiers will mean risking everything. But, after fleeing her fanatical Nazi husband only for war to follow close behind, Anna can’t run any more.

Every conversation she overhears between the unsuspecting officers at the café brings back awful memories of the Nazi her husband became and makes her more determined to do what is right. Spending more time with the resistance behind the scenes, she grows close to them all—especially a brilliant young doctor with deep hazel eyes called Mateusz, who shows her a kindness she has never known.

As they work together, Anna can’t help imagining what life would be like with him, instead of the man she is tied to. But one day her dreams of a future with Mateusz, and freedom for her country, are shattered. Her husband has tracked her down.

Terrified, Anna knows that living as his wife again is her chance to gather information that could help end the war. But can she keep her nerve long enough to spy on her own husband? And with such a high-ranking enemy officer watching her every move, can she protect Mateusz, the man truly she loves, from the firing line?

Review

What would you do if your husband was a Nazi?

In The Polish Wife, Anna flees Germany to escape her abusive husband. Several years later she has made a new life for herself as an actress, but war is coming and the Nazis have their eyes set on Poland.

Another fantastic read from Gosia Nealon that looks at family, relationships and love amidst the harsh backdrop of war. Nealon also asks us to consider how we would act in a similar situation – would we fight for what we believe to be right, or stay silent to protect those we love?

It’s a difficult read at times, with tragedy, brutality and betrayal, but it’s also full of hope and courage. Anna is an excellent character, and seeing her journey from scared wife, to independent actress, nurse and resistance fighter is extremely inspiring.

The relationship between Anna and her father is particularly interesting as we see how war can divide families in many ways, but those with whom we disagree can still surprise us.

An interesting, well-researched and beautifully written book.

Thanks to the author for my proof copy. Opinions my own.

Other books by Gosia Nealon: The Last Sketch