The Secret Letter

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 8,666 ratings

Price: 18.12

Last update: 11-09-2024


About this item

Germany, 1939. A tumbledown farmhouse, on the outskirts of a close-knit village in the heart of the rolling hills of Bavaria. A once happy family home torn apart by Nazi rule. And one young girl who refuses to give up on what she believes in....

London, 2018: When 94-year-old Imogen receives a letter addressed to her in neat, unfamiliar handwriting, she notices the postmark is stamped from Germany - and it sends shivers down her spine....

Germany, 1939: Thirteen-year-old Magda is devastated by the loss of her best friend, shy and gentle Lotte, cruelly snatched from her and sent to a concentration camp – the Star of David sewn on her faded, brown coat. As the Nazi’s power takes hold, Magda realises she’s not like the other girls in her German village - she hates the fanatical new rules of the Hitler Youth. So Magda secretly joins The White Rose Movement and begins to rebel against the oppressive, frightening world around her.

But when an English bomber pilot crashes in a field near Magda’s home she is faced with an impossible choice: to risk the safety of her family or to save a stranger and make a difference in the devastating war that has claimed the lives of so many. Little does she know, her actions will have the power to change the life of another girl, on the other side of enemy lines, forever....

Inspired by a true story, this is a heart-wrenching, gripping and absolutely unforgettable tale of the strength of human kindness in a time of unimaginable heartbreak. Fans of Orphan Train, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Book Thief will be utterly gripped by this beautiful, sweeping, World War Two novel.


Top reviews from the United States

Jayrb
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific historical fiction with memorable characters and story
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2022
As a baby boomer whose Jewish dad served in WW II at the Battle of the Bulge and its aftermath as part of Patton’s 3rd Army, I found this book totally engrossing. I particularly like the choice to portray two families, one British and one German, to understand some of the nuances of what was happening in the West and Germany from the outset of the war. This is also a coming of age story of two young women, British and German, growing into adulthood during the war covering their very unique experiences and circumstances. I definitely learned some new and fascinating information about the times, while put in the context of really good story telling. I highly recommend!
Tiffany Usher
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2023
Engaging and very descriptive makes you feel like you’re there along with all the characters, I would definitely recommend it.
pt
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling WW1 story of two women; based on real people
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2021
After reading and being quite impressed with Rix's "The Italian Girls", I purchased "The Secret Letter". Again, I was gratified and so glad I did. To be concise and simple - if you are interested in women who played roles in WWII or just want a well-crafted story with characters that will draw you in, I believe you will like this book very much. By the way, the audio book is good, better than good, the narration being spot on.
Beverly Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars The Secret Letter
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2024
I liked this book, even though I didn't really like the events that happened in WW2. I'm glad that Imogen and Magda's life was intertwined, and they finally met, at last.
AshleyL
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice story- it’s a small world
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2020
I started this book a half dozen times and just couldn’t get into it. Thankfully, over vacation I picked it up again. It is a really nice story about strong women. These two women had a variety of connections yet never met- thus, “it’s a small world”. I liked ready Magda’s perspective of a German girl who did not agree with what the govt. was doing but had no chance but to play along. My husbands family has a similar story- you just had to do what was forced upon you to stay alive. I really liked all the main characters and after reading several ww1 books, this was a nice change in pace.
C Woods
3.0 out of 5 stars Eh!
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2019
I found the book to be just okay...the plot is good but the characters are wooden.

The story of two teenaged girls, one English and the other German, during WWII switches back and forth telling their stories. The best thing about the story is the comparison between the lives of these two girls as the war goes on. The life of Imogen in England is very different than the life of Magda who lives on a farm in Germany and is a sympathizer who abhors the Nazi movement and Hitler. You get a feel for what life was like for youngsters in the Hitler Youth corps and the Nazi dogma forced on these young Germans. The complete takeover of church and state is disgusting and frightening.

I've read many books on WWII to date, and this story was apparently based on a true story of an RAF officer captured in Germany after his plane crashed. I have nothing but total respect and admiration for him and his courageous service.

Much is covered in this book regarding the war and its affect on the lives of average people in both England and Germany then, but I think the attempt to bring 90-year-old war survivors together is a stretch.

I would recommend to readers of historical fiction, but I would add that it gets a bit boring as the story drags out and bogs down in unnecessary minutiae. Probably a third of the story should have been edited out on my opinion.
lover of reading
5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring book about courage in the face of opposition.
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2024
This book is about the courage of people who oppose the evils of war. The useless killings and acts of hate. The writer did an excellent job of holding your interest. I would highly recommend it.
Kate.Heinz
5.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous piece of history and an ode to the fighters
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2019
I read this book through Kindle Unlimited. With two separate stortlines, The Secret Letter offers a different perspective on WWII, unlike anything I've read before. Following the letters of her parents during the war, Debbie Rix brings to life her parents' journey throughout the war and the dangers they both faced. Coupled with that, Ms. Rix introduces a family in Germany, a fictional component to represent the German anti-war groups that fight tooth and nail against the Nazi ideology. I was thoroughly gripped by this story and found myself unable to put the book down. Written with poise, dignity and thoughtfulness, The Secret Letter is a poignant read. If any criticism, I so wanted the story in Germany to be completely real. That said, it remains a testament to those who fight back.

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