The Aftermath by Rhidian Brook

Hamburg, 1946. Thousands remain displaced in what is now the British Occupied Zone. Charged with overseeing the rebuilding of this devastated city and the de-Nazification of its defeated people, Colonel Lewis Morgan is requisitioned a fine house on the banks of the Elbe, where he will be joined by his grieving wife, Rachael, and only remaining son, Edmund.

But rather than force its owners, a German widower and his traumatized daughter, to leave their home, Lewis insists that the two families live together. In this charged and claustrophobic atmosphere all must confront their true selves as enmity and grief give way to passion and betrayal.

The Aftermath is a stunning novel about our fiercest loyalties, our deepest desires and the transformative power of forgiveness.

I don’t usually read books set during or right after World War II because they tend to depress me, but this one seemed so intriguing that I just had to pick it up and I’m glad I did.

I love the premise of it. A British colonel and his family relocate to Germany to help rebuild the country and are given a manor in which to live. This manor is occupied by a German family who the colonel feels too guilty forcing them to leave. The two families, British and German, move in together. This makes for a really compelling read, since both families have prejudice issues with the other. We get to see both sides of that difficult time in history.

The dialogue, in particular, caught my attention. It is very well written, with a flow to it that makes it easy to read, even when there are German words included. The historical details are prevalent, though not becoming overwhelming or slowing the action down.

There is a tremendous amount of thought and feeling into this book’s every page. It is not a long book, especially for a historical one, but it leaves a lot to think about. If you love historical dramas, then this one is a great choice.