The German Girl

There's lots to like about Amrando Lucas Correa's debut novel, The German Girl. It's the story of the Rosen family and their exile in Cuba.

The Rosenthals were a wealthy, influential family in pre-WWII Berlin. They are persecuted by the ogres. After laws making them non-persons in Germany, they are given the opportunity to escape Berlin on the luxury liner, The St. Louis. Alma, Max and their daughter, Hannah, make their plans. They'll go to Cuba temporarily until they are able to get into New York City. They've transferred large amounts of money to a trust in Canada that they plan to live off of. They have an apartment ready for them in NYC. Alma and Hannah get their papers to go right away. Eventually, Alma is able to purchase "Benitez papers" for Max. Accompanying them on the trip are Hannah's best friend, Leo, and his father.

Hannah and Leo enjoy their crossing. The cruise ship is their world and they are free to explore as they wish. Their relationship grows even stronger. They make promises to each other.

When the ship makes it to Havana, most of the 937 passengers on board have had their papers invalidated. Including Max, Leo, and his dad. Hannah and pregnant Alma are two of the very few who are able to disembark. We eventually do learn about what happened to Max and Leo and his dad, but the bulk of the story is about Hannah and Alma's time in Havana.

Fast forward to 2014. In New York City, 12 year old Anna Rosen is struggling to take care of herself and her mother after her father was killed on September 11th. They receive a package full of photos from Anna's great aunt, Hannah, living in Cuba. This prompts Anna to ask if she and her mom can go to Havana to meet Hannah and to learn more about her father.

I'd heard about the St. Louis before. I knew that it was turned away from the USA with many refugees on board. But I didn't realize that the ship was bound for Cuba and that the folks on board had papers that they believed would let them into Cuba. I also didn't realize that this was a luxury liner and that the passengers enjoyed more or less a cruise experience during the crossing. I learned quite a bit about that.

The book left me with many questions, though. I had specific questions about Alma and Hannah's life in Havana as well as life for the Jews in Havana. That might be something I need to research.

I'd recommend this book.