By: Jennifer Coburn
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
Recorded Books
ISBN: 9781728277318
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: 01/28/2025
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
From the author of Cradles of the Reich comes a poignant and inspiring tale of resistance, friendship, and the dangers of propaganda, based on the real story of Theresienstadt, for fans of The Forest of Vanishing Stars and The German Wife.
Hannah longs for the days when she used to be free, but now, she is a Jewish prisoner at Theresienstadt, a model ghetto where the Nazis plan to make a propaganda film to convince the world that the Jewish people are living well in the camps. But Hannah will do anything to show the world the truth. Along with other young resistance members, they vow to disrupt the filming and derail the increasingly frequent deportations to death camps in the east.
Hilde is a true believer in the Nazi cause, working in the Reich Ministry of Enlightenment and Propaganda. Though they're losing the war, Hilde hasn't lost faith. She can't stop the Allied bombings, but she can help the party create a documentary that will renew confidence in Hitler's plans for Jewish containment. When the filming of Hitler Gives a City to the Jews faces production problems due to resistance, Hilde finds herself in a position to finally make a name for herself. And when she recognizes Hannah, an old childhood friend, she knows she can use their friendship to get the film back on track.
My Review
From the bestselling author Jennifer Coburn (Cradles of the Reich comes her latest moving, terrifying, and inspiring tale, THE GIRLS OF THE GLIMMER FACTORY —inspired by the real story of Theresienstadt, a moving historical tale of two childhood friends, from resistance, art, survival, friendship, and dangers of propaganda in a horrific time in our history.
About...
Hannah is a Jewish prisoner who wants to reunite with her family. She was once free and now a Jewish prisoner at Theresienstadt, a model ghetto where Nazis plan to make a propaganda film to convince the world that Jewish people are living well in the camps.
The Theresienstadt ghetto was opened in Nov 1941 and set up in a former military fortress in the Czech village of Terezin, north of Prague.
Hilde is a Nazi-ambitious filmmaker who has clawed her way onto the crew for the sham documentary "Hitler Gives a City to the Jews." A true believer in the Nazi cause.
The two former childhood friends are on opposite sides. When they face off, they could change the course of one another's lives.
Hannah's determination to reveal the truth is awe-inspiring. Along with other young resistance members, they vow to disrupt the filming and derail the increasingly frequent deportations to death camps in the east, showcasing their bravery in the face of unimaginable danger.
My thoughts...
THE GIRLS OF THE GLIMMER FACTORY is meticulously researched and beautifully written. Hauntingly, in reality, Theresienstadt was a ghetto where prisoners provided slave labor for the German war effort. They survived on starvation rations and lived in squalor. It also served as a way station to death camps in the east, primarily Auschwitz.
As the author mentions in her notes, a vibrant cultural life emerged despite these conditions. A testament to the resilience of artists, musicians, and intellectuals imprisoned at Theresienstadt. Embracing joy was an act of resistance, a beacon of hope in the darkest times.
However, it was a seriously horrific and terrifying time in history, with thousands of prisoners spending years at Theresienstadt, and thousands were deported to death camps and died of starvation and disease in the ghetto.
Thanks to the author for telling this powerful, insightful, and captivating story and how propaganda was used as a weapon of war. It is a gripping story of human values tested under the most horrific of circumstances
From themes of friendship, courage, bravery, self-interest, consequences, strength, family, sacrifice, community, and loyalty to hope, love, and redemption.
From good versus evil, the author explores the traumatic, vivid setting, and these two childhood friends (on opposite sides) and how friendships can carry us through even in the darkest of times.
It is a timely novel and retelling in today's world with parallels of dictators that continue to deny facts and replace them with their self-serving agendas. This book serves as a valuable lesson for our times, enlightening us about the dangers of propaganda and the importance of truth.
Audiobook...
In addition to the e-book, I listened to the audiobook narrated by a favorite narrator —Cassandra Campbell, a perfect voice for the characters. It elevated the story and brought it to life for an outstanding performance and listening experience—genuinely spellbinding.
Recs...
The novel is for fans of the author and those who enjoy well-written compelling historical WWII fiction based on events and women that have help shape our lives. For those who enjoy works by Pam Jenoff, Kristin Harmel, and Heather Morris.
An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions. (A Reading Group Guide included a fascinating conversation with the author.)
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Jan 28, 2025
Praise
"Jennifer Coburn, an exceptional writer, has crafted a suspenseful and captivating historical fiction novel. The protagonists’ character development is excellent; and her plot, dialogue, and use of tension and release is masterful…a thrilling novel about a terrible time in history."
― New York Journal of Books
"The Girls of the Glimmer Factory is an incredibly well-researched story of two former friends on different sides of Nazi oppression during WWII. A powerful piece of literature that highlights what prisoners of Theresienstadt endured and the insidious nature of Nazi propaganda. Jennifer Coburn has done it again with this gripping historical fiction that readers will love!"
― Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop of London
"In The Girls of the Glimmer Factory, Jennifer Coburn illuminates a tale of once-friends caught on opposite sides of the war against the backdrop of the Theresienstadt concentration camp. Vividly researched and memorably written, this book offers an original and unflinching look at loyalty, choices, consequences and redemption."
― Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of Codename Sapphire
"A gripping, powerful read. A valuable lesson for our own times."
― Heather Morris, New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
"A haunting page-turner of a story about friendship, bravery, and resistance, The Girls of the Glimmer Factory brilliantly illustrates the need to combat propaganda as it threatens to gloss over evils. Written in shimmering prose, this deeply-researched, must-read historical novel is acutely relevant to our present day."
― Jennifer Rosner, author of Once We Were Home and The Yellow Bird Sings
"A timely story about the dangers of propaganda and the life-or-death fight for truth, The Girls of the Glimmer Factory exposes a little-known aspect of WWII that will enthrall readers. Coburn delivers a heartfelt story of courage where two women film-makers use their talents to take their destinies, and the lives of millions of innocents, into their own hands. Gripping!"
― Heather Webb, USA Today and international bestselling author of Queens of London
"When an unexpected illness puts an end to Hannah Kaufman's plans to flee Czechoslovakia and the Nazi's Final Solution, she becomes a prisoner at Theresienstadt, the so-called model Jewish ghetto. After her path crosses with Hilde Kramer, a German friend from Hannah's youth who's now firmly ensconced in the Nazi Party, Hannah spots an opportunity to turn the Nazi propaganda film Hilde's making on its head. The Girls of the Glimmer Factory delivers to readers a compelling and moving tale about the power of propaganda to foster and perpetuate malevolence?and the ability of even the most unlikely people to fight back."
― Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie and The Other Einstein
"Family ties, religious belief, and the sustaining power of the arts in the face of oppression are explored in a story of human values tested under the most horrific of circumstances. An unvarnished portrait of ugliness, bravery, and banal self-interest."
― Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
Jennifer Coburn is the author of The Girls of the Glimmer Factory and Cradles of the Reich, historical novels about the strength of women's friendship and the connections that can be forged during even the most harrowing of times.
She has also published a mother-daughter travel memoir, We'll Always Have Paris, as well as six contemporary women's novels. Additionally, Jennifer has contributed to five literary anthologies, including A Paris All Your Own.
Jennifer lives in San Diego with her husband, William. Their daughter, Katie is currently in graduate school. When Jennifer is not going down historical research rabbit holes, she volunteers with So Say We All, a live storytelling organization, where she is a performer, producer, and performance coach. She is also a volunteer with Reality Changers, a nonprofit that supports low-income high school students in becoming the first in their families to attend college. She specializes in college essay development, interview prep, and nagging. WEBSITE
