Overall, what did you think of The Lilac People? (no spoilers, please!)
I think it is a very well written book about an unusual topic and one that is very timely
I enjoyed it! Very interesting view into the world of that time period.
It took me a little bit to get into this book, but once I did, I enjoyed it tremendously. I found it very interesting can the characters compelling, and like @Susan_U wrote, “very timely” and relevant today.
I’ve read many books surrounding WW II but this is the first about the plight of sexual others. We tend to forget that they were also imprisoned and killed. The book is an important reminder that non Jews were also killed
I loved this book. It’s rare that I find WWII fiction that covers a piece of history that I knew so little about. While I was aware that gay men were sent to the prison camps, there was so much else I didn’t know. I was unaware of the fact that those who didn’t conform to male or female had a modicum of freedom before Hitler, for example, nor did I know that the Allies treated these people so horribly.
I also appreciated that this wasn’t a feel good, happily-ever-after book. The fact that there was not pat ending felt right, and it’ll have me thinking about it for a very long time. The book made quite an impression on me.
I thought that it was a fabulous read, but not an easy one. This is a part of the war time actions of which I was unaware.
WOW - this is a powerful and important book! The Lilac People is beautifully written, the dual timeline is easy to follow, the main characters are well developed. It was a tough read … but I could not put it down. I cannot stop thinking about this book, it is one of the best books I have read in a while and I read a lot!
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This book was a win for me. I already have two other friends reading it. Just when I thought, I would not want to read another European WWII book, I discovered new information, and I was all invested!
It is such an important topic that I want this book to get the recognition it deserves. I know this book is not for everyone, no book is, but I do think we need to have an awareness of the past for our vulnerable populations. Without knowing our history, we don’t learn.
The Lilac People introduced me to yet another chapter of the cruelty of World War II. I have read hundreds of novels set during the war, this is the first one that focuses on the third sex and the cruelty that trans and other sexed people endured. The fact that the Americans continued the discrimination when they liberated the camps is shameful.
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This was the hardest book on ordinary people in the war I have ever heard read. I was shocked to know our country continued the hatred of LGBTQ+ people to the extent that we’d hunt them down to put into prison, especially since we gave passes to Nazis! What had we fought for anyway!? Freedom for all, except the ones we’re not comfortable with?? Where is that said in the constitution??
I loved The Lilac People! This was new knowledge for me. It was well written and the author seemed to give the reader enough background info on this time period. Characters were well developed.It should be a good bookclub read.
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I enjoyed reading the book especially because it concerns a topic I had not been familiar with. The characters are well developed and distinctive, making me care about what happened to them.
I had a similar reaction to the book, Kim. I’d also known that gay men were sent to the prison camps, but I didn’t know about the pre-war identity cards, the Institute of Sexual Science and more.
My attention was captured from the first chapter. Todd created sympathetic characters and did a good job of weaving their stories into the events of WWII. I got very invested in Bertie, Sofia and Karla surviving, even knowing that getting out of the country only meant their struggles would begin again on another continent.
Really loved it. I learned a lot and also felt very connected to people whose lives were so different from mine. Definitely a thought-provoking read.
This is one of the more difficult books I’ve read this year. The topic and the dilemmas facing those who consider themselves Lilac People continue in our political and social environs today. I was reminded of the horrors of bigotry when it is taken to extremes. Nonetheless, I would recommend the book to others.
i enjoyed the lilac people very much. i could be friends with bertie . the topic is a little close to home right now - our country "s policies are going backwards and altho i really enjoyed the book and would reccomend to my friends it was sad to think we have not come very far - if at all.
I found it a compelling read, even though I had to stop every once in a while just to absorb and accommodate my sadness as I read. Milo Todd had a firm grip on the tension, bringing it up and down in just the right proportion. The caring and compassion of the characters shone through. When I finished it I picked up another historical novel I’d started reading and that second book was so lackluster by comparison that I gave up on it.
Welcome, Carla. I’m glad you enjoyed the book. I was pleased by the depth of historical knowledge the author was able to share while creating characters who were easy to care about.
I enjoyed this book very much! I think the author did a remarkable job with his research. The book is very timely in these uncertain political times of our country. As many others said, this spin on a WW2 story is a unique perspective; one that hasn’t been written about often.
At first I was confused with the concept of transvestite.
Here’s what I think (please correct me if I’m wrong)…Bertie was born a woman but had breasts removed and trained himself to “behave like a man”. He was sexual with men and women.
Sofie was born a woman and was attracted to men and women.
Gert had the same situation as Bertie.
Karl was a female but bound his breasts and trained to “behave” like a man.
What were the inverts?