A staggering love illuminating the dark corners of a Nazi prisonRenowned German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer is famous for his resistance to the Nazi regime and for his allegiance to God over government. But what few realize is that the last years of his life also held a love story that rivals any romance novel.Maria von Wedemeyer knows the realities of war. Her beloved father and … of war. Her beloved father and brother have both been killed on the battlefield. The last thing this spirited young woman needs is to fall for a man under constant surveillance by the Gestapo. How can she give another piece of her heart to a man so likely to share the same final fate? Yet when Dietrich Bonhoeffer, an old family friend, comes to comfort the von Wedemeyers after their losses, she discovers that love isn’t always logical.
Dietrich himself has determined to keep his distance from romantic attachments. There is too much work to be done for God, and his involvement in the conspiracy is far too important. But when he encounters a woman whose intelligence and conviction match his own, he’s unprepared for how easy it is to give away his heart.
With their deep love comes risk–and neither Dietrich nor Maria is prepared for just how great that risk soon becomes.
Based on detailed historical research, this true love story is at once beautiful and heartrending. My Dearest Dietrich sheds new light on a world-famous theologian . . . and the woman who changed his life.
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I’ve been looking forward to the release of My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Lost Love since I first saw author Amanda Barratt‘s post that she’d signed a contract for the novel. Well folks, the wait is over and I can honestly say the book was everything I’d hoped for and so much more.
The depth of research that Barratt undertook to write this novel is staggering. It takes a talented writer to bring the love story of a well-known hero of the Christian faith to life even when the ending is inevitably known. Using numerous excerpts from the private love letters exchanged between Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his young fiancée, Maria von Wedemeyer, Barratt gives the reader a glimpse into the deep faith and tender romance between these ill-fated lovers.
Barratt doesn’t paint an overly-romanticized version of their relationship either. The nearly twenty year difference in their ages raises concern on the part of Maria’s mother as well as Dietrich’s involvement in subversive activities that, if discovered, could bring not only heartache to Maria, but danger for everyone she holds dear. Nor does the author avoid the dark circumstances surrounding Nazi Germany when the two inexplicably fall in love. She accurately portrays the horrific realities of WWII and life in Tegel prison—atrocities, heartbreak, endless interrogations, and constant surveillance, yet seemlessly weaves hopeful threads of triumph, strength, courage, endurance, and the ever present faith that carries the main players through all that stands in their way.
As a writer of historical romantic fiction myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the numerous historical details Barratt employed throughout making the setting and time period come alive without bogging the story down . From black out curtains and rations, to air raid sirens and secret plots, Barratt never lets us forget who her characters were and what was at stake for them. I especially appreciated the sprinkling of German words—mutter, vater, kaffe, and kuchen (just to name a few), that were not overdone or distracting from the story. I often found myself reading many of the other lines with my own feeble German accent.
It’s not uncommon for characters to stay with me long after I’ve finished a novel, but My Dearest Dietrich is a story I cannot stop ruminating over. With heart-wrenching angst and gut-twisting turmoil, Barratt kept me turning the pages and left me completely undone. I can honestly say that I’ve only reread a few books in my adult life, but I’m confident My Dearest Dietrich has earned a coveted spot among those rare titles whose story I will want to revisit time and time again.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
When I saw that Amanda Barratt was tackling a novel about Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s ill-fated love, I knew I wanted to read it! While I was familiar with the pastor’s part in the conspiracy to kill Adolph Hitler and his ultimate martyrdom, I had no idea he’d been engaged.
Let me begin by saying this was a HARD book. In the best possible way. Any reader paying attention will enter the story knowing it’s not going to be a happily-ever-after romance.
And yet . . . this is a beautiful story. Maria von Wedemeyer was just 19-years-old when she became engaged to the 37-year-old bachelor. Her mother was not in favor of the engagement, thinking Maria too young and Dietrich’s involvement with the conspiracy too risky. Like many mothers, she was probably right.
Still, the couple, mostly through letters and occasional prison visits, shared what I would describe as a passionately appropriate love. Who knew a stodgy theologian could write such gorgeous letters? “Wait with me, I beg you! Let me embrace you long and tenderly, let me kiss you and love you and stroke the sorrow from your brow.”
Ultimately, though, what struck me most about this story is not how romantic the couple were and how they stayed true to one another in the face of the Gestapo and Nazi Germany–it was how real they and the horrors of that war became to me. Bonhoeffer no longer seemed like an idealized man of God–stronger and more holy than I could ever hope to be. He became a man in love with a woman who simply chose to put his love for God ahead of everything else. Including his own life.
Excellent writing, and a poignantly beautiful WWII story based on truth!
This book has taken me over two weeks to write a review because I just couldn’t put my thoughts on paper. Based on a true story, author Amanda Barratt has done an incredible job of researching Dietrich and Maria’s lives. So rich with facts intertwined with “what may have happened”, this story must be read if you have an interest in history.
To see how Christians struggled with what to do during Nazi Germany was painful for me, an American Christian who hasn’t faced such things. I knew there were plots against Hitler but hadn’t seen the human interest side of them. “A dictatorship is like a snake. If you step on its tail, it will bite you.” Barratt doesn’t shy away from the heartache of this terrible time. Yet woven throughout is hope and love and the knowledge that come what may, God is always good.
And knowing what was to come I still had to continue reading. This book wasn’t a quick, easy read for me. I had to periodically put it down so I could reflect on the happenings. Yet for this type of book this isn’t a bad thing but a necessity so the reader can understand the depth of what these very real people lived with.
Written with real letters, devotionals, and sermons included, we get a true picture through a novel. As you can tell, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves history.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
No history geek worth his or her salt hasn’t heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Including me. I knew the bare bones of his story, but there was a lot I didn’t know. I knew nothing about Maria von Wedemeyer. Now I do!
I’d been looking forward to this story since I first heard that it was going to release. I’ve read several of Amanda Barratt’s historical romance novellas and enjoyed them. This book did not disappoint. Barratt did a great job of putting the flesh on these historical figures. She shows a side of Bonhoeffer that the history books never could.
You don’t have to be a WWII buff, or even that much of a history buff, to enjoy this novel. This story is about the people – not the history. If you know history, then you know the ending, but the getting there is a very good read.
“The world knew Dietrich Bonhoeffer. But they did not know him as she had. No one else did. Together, they had shared the most earthly and the most ethereal of emotions. Love. During a time history would remember as horrific, they’d experienced moments of beauty and joy.”
How can a book with a known ending cause me to cry so much? I haven’t read another historical fiction like this book – one that feels like a biography with its meticulously researched details yet also like an old nostalgic black and white romance movie to be savored with the incredible swells of emotion. Each sentence is so beautifully and lovingly crafted, each page precious in its sorrow and hope. Amanda Barratt will take you into the heart and soul of Dietrich and Maria in the war-torn Germany to experience first-hand what they were seeing and feeling.
Their friendship that slowly morphs into love is challenged on every side, first by Maria’s mother then by Dietrich’s arrest and imprisonment. Dietrich is drawn to Maria’s fresh innocence and youthful delight. Maria is drawn to Dietrich’s brilliant mind, unshakable faith, and deep sense of loyalty and honor and justice. Their love is so achingly tender, pummeled by loss and sorrow, yet grounded in the hope that is eternal and everlasting. This book will stay with me for a long time to come. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s stance on what a true follower of Christ looks like is branded on my heart.
I received a copy of the book from Kregel Publication and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
“Nein, Maria. Nothing is ever godforsaken. He is in everything … In the giving and taking of life. In all of our moments, even this one.”
It’s so hard to find the words to do this book justice. It’s such a wonderfully beautiful and haunting story of love and loss. Amanda Barratt did such a great job telling the love story of Dietrich and Maria. Their story came to life right on these pages. There was so much going on. It’s best to read this book slowly so you can savor each moment. This book filled my heart and challenged me. I found myself asking if I could stand strong in my faith if it gets tested. I definitely recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Amanda Barratt penned a beautiful and heartfelt story within the pages of My Dearest Dietrich. I had been waiting to read this novel since I first heard about it and I can tell you it was well worth the wait.
This is the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer the German pastor who was known for his staunch resistance to Nazi Dictatorship and the young and spirited Maria von Wedemeyer and the love they had for each other. Their love was pure but certainly not easy for them due to their age difference and the time they lived in. The pain and loss they suffered through seems unimaginable but sadly it’s all very true.
I knew a little about the lives of Dietrich and Maria but once I started reading this book I wanted to know more about them, their families and friends. So the countless trips to my local library will continue until I have read everything they have to offer.
My Dearest Dietrich is artfully written, well researched and one of the best novels I have had the pleasure of reading which is why I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Barratt’s work.
I received a copy from the publisher but was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own.
I haven’t the words to describe the emotions I felt while reading this amazing book. Nor do I have words that will do it proper justice in a review.
So very well written and researched by Amanda Barratt, this is the fictionalized story of Dietrich and Maria but based on fact and actual letters. I knew some of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life story as a theologian, I did not know of his story as a man, until now.
It is a true love story like no other. Knowing that there is no happily ever after caused me to feel the words more deeply than I ever have before. I read the entire book in a single day, sobbing several times ’till the end.
The story is moving, heartrending, tragic, haunting, and beautiful all at the same time. The letters, the brief meetings, the single hour at a time allowed for visiting (under the watchful eye of Gestapo guards), their last hour together. This is a book that must be read and felt in your own hearts.
I do recommend this book. It will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
*I received an advanced e-copy of this book from the publisher. No review was required. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
My Dearest Dietrich is one of the most intimate and individual historical reading experiences of my life. The absolute stark reality of these two lives (and the lives of their countrymen and women) strikes a poignant chord within my reader heart.
From the weight of an unseen gaze, the heat of a Gestapo agent’s breath, the deep pang of desperate hope, and the courage required to fully surrender to the Father’s will, this book pulls deeper than heartstrings and plucks at the very fibers of humanity. The authenticity of life during the war is woven into every page and drapes each moment with significance.
Although there is fiction sprinkled among the pages of this story, the author had to remind me of that fact in the note at the end of the book. These are pages to be savored and read with care. Amanda Barratt reverently honors the lives lived and sacrifices made by these people in the story we refer to as our collective history. I highly recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Usually when reading a romance, a happy ending is expected. A reader with a knowledge of history will know from the beginning that will not happen in this book since the characters really lived. Nevertheless, this is a story well worth reading, one of courage, faith, hope, and love. I knew of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a theologian but did not know much of his involvement in the German resistance, nor that of his family. I also did not know of his engagement to Maria von Wedemeyer. The book is well researched, and though the subject matter is often heavy, it is beautifully written. MY DEAREST DIETRICH has lessons for us to ponder and will not be quickly forgotten. I highly recommend this book, but have tissues close by since it is a very emotional read.
What a beautiful story of love and devotion. I’d never heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer before and I’m wondering how that can be, his is such an amazing story. Although WWII and the Holocaust is a very difficult time in history to read about, Amanda Barratt does a fantastic job of giving enough facts to understand what’s happening without completely overwhelming you with details. This story is incredibly researched and so well written, it could easily fit into historical categories. She lays the facts out just beautifully while adding in fictional moments that make the story flow. Maria was an incredible person. Her story stands tall next to Dietrich’s and adds such a warmth and love to his that you can’t help but adore her. I continually find myself thinking over this story and am so pleased with how well it’s written and the absolute beauty of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maria von Wedemeyer’s love story and the testimony of their faith is God was a joy to read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.
Prost to all the strong-willed women of the 1930-1940s! And let’s not forget all the men and women who retaliated against Hitler from inside Deutschland–not everyone believed in what he did nor did they stand for it. And I found it interesting to read a WW2 book from that perspective.
While I admit it took me a bit to get into the book, once I was hooked, I read it all in one fell swoop. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the novel, and the author, Amanda Barratt, even includes a notes section in the back to explain what happened to the characters in real life. But I also enjoyed the fictional liberties Barratt took to bring the story to life and fill in any gaps left behind in the past.
Maria von Wedemeyer is not a force to be reckoned with. She’s strong, stubborn, and a wonderful person. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is kind and thoughtful. I enjoyed the formatting of the book with the switching narrators between the two and getting to intimately know each one of them. Take note: Pay close attention to dates and locations at the beginning of each chapter! Barratt also tucks in German words in the midst of the English in such a way that I noticed and appreciated, but it wasn’t forced. I feel it helped authenticate the story, and I liked it!
If you’re interested in love, WW2, and a sucker for a good historical fiction, “My Dearest Dietrich” is your next read.
When you begin reading this book, please be aware that you will need to pause often so that you can wipe your eyes and if you’re like me, you may experience a tightness in your chest during some of the described events. No, it wasn’t a heart attack but it was an attack on my heart strings!
I was aware of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his determination to keep the true gospel message alive during the nightmare of Adolf Hitler’s evil regime but I didn’t know about the deep love that he shared with Maria von Wedemeyer. My Dearest Dietrich is the account of their relationship that began as a friendship in June 1942, evolved into their engagement in 1943, and continued to his execution in 1945. Yes, this is a novel but Dietrich and his fiancee Maria actually experienced many of the events described in this book. They didn’t have a “happily ever after” romance but Dietrich and Maria experienced a deep and beautiful love in those few years. And, as we read in the author’s notes, even though Maria married two other men she never loved another man like she loved her ‘dearest Dietrich’. There are many touching moments that are beautiful and bittersweet. Maria gets help from prison guards to drag a Christmas tree up three flights of stairs in her effort to provide Dietrich with a special Christmas while he is in prison; Maria gifting him with her late father’s watch and telling him “Before I met you, it was owned by the man I loved best. It’s only right you should have it now”; and in their last time together, Maria teaching Dietrich to dance.
Many people will say that Bonhoeffer’s life didn’t have a happy ending either but Christian believers will disagree. The extraordinary life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer certainly wasn’t easy but it can never be labeled as wasted. He served His God, he was true to his convictions, and he never doubted where he would spend Eternity. “Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am Thine.”
Author Amanda Barratt devoted several years to researching and writing this book and it certainly shows. This is a book that will most certainly be on TBR (To Be Read) lists everywhere and I will be very surprised if it isn’t named to award lists also. My Dearest Dietrich is not a book to be taken lightly and it is a book that you will never forget!
Historical fictions fans—Christian fiction fans—Romantic fiction fans: This book is for you!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Amanda Barratt’s beautifully penned love story based on the lives of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maria von Wedemeyer is truly a work of art. Her impeccable and detailed research, combined with her gift of story, add up to an exquisite and heart-wrenching tale which is a must-read for historical fiction lovers. Because this story is based on actual people, and because history had already determined the ending, there is an added poignancy to it.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a brilliant theologian who could not compromise his beliefs in the face of Hitler’s Nazism. He and many others conspired against Hitler and his atrocities knowing that the tiniest hint of conspiracy could bring the ultimate sacrifice. My heart broke for him and Maria and their families that were torn apart by the war and “man’s inhumanity to man.” The letters written between the two give a glimpse of their lives and feelings during this bleak time in history. The characters, both main and secondary, are vividly drawn and come to life on the page.
The cover/book jacket is beautiful and striking and drew me in immediately. I enjoyed the author’s notes at the end of the book, which included updates on the lives of some of the characters and gave additional information on the book.
My Dearest Dietrich has easily made the list of my favorite reads of the year and is bound for my keeper shelf. I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction based on fact.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
A couple days after finishing this book, I am still wrecked. Words cannot do this novel justice because it’s such a heart-level story, but I’m going to try anyway.
As someone who grew up in the church, I knew of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as well as bits and pieces of his life and death. But in My Dearest Dietrich, Amanda Barratt’s immaculate research and stunning prose puts skin on this man, this paragon of faith. Seriously, how can an author write such a beautifully moving novel at twenty-three?
I admit, it’s hard to start a book when you already know there will be no happily ever after—at least not until eternity. But, as someone who would also never pick up a 600 page non-fiction tome about the man, this was an excellent education into the life of Dietrich—his faith, his family, his work in the resistance movement to rid Germany of Hitler and his tyranny, and his romance with young Maria von Wedemeyer. And don’t the people who sacrificed everything—those they loved most, their hopes and dreams of a future, their lives—deserve to have their stories told as much as, maybe even more than, those who survived?
Yes, I realize I am sharing very little about the actual content of this novel. One, because it’s one you have to savor, to experience, and to reflect on where your own heart and faith stand. It’s a book that will make you question if you would put everything on the line for the lives of others who have had their voices stolen away.
Do yourself a favor and block out an afternoon or evening to sit down with Dietrich and Maria because you will come out the other side with a full heart. And, like me, your list of people you hope to meet in heaven may grow by at least two (mine grew to include the entire Bonhoeffer and von Wedemeyer families).
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I’m still sitting here absorbing all the feels and emotional storm that this book takes you through. Words cannot do it justice. This story is woven so beautifully that tears come to my eyes even thinking about the love and struggles Dietrich, Maria and so many others endured during this time of our history. Gritty reality of war in the middle of the horrific time in Germany is portrayed so well that you will be immersed and part of the story. You will feel the hurts, sorrows, happiness and joy that all these amazing characters go through. The gentle love between these two is what keeps you reading – wanting to know there was some sweet pure moments still alive in an era of so much sadness. I highly recommend this book to ALL! I know I will keep coming back to it for years. Never has a book moved me so much as this.
Thank you to the publisher for this book. These opinions are my own.
My Dearest Dietrich
I am not a fan of sad love-story novels. I am an avid fan of novels that transport the reader to a time and place in history. This was a book I was unable to read without an elevated pulse and a tissue- and I loved it. So many wonderful actual quotes and the author’s delightful insightful phrases made this like watching a musical with dramatic music and soft lighting. Amanda Barratt skillfully composed the touching and tragic story of two unlikely people to start a romance during the turbulent, dark days of uncertainty during WW2. Yet the faith of these two shines brighter than the dark prison cell where Dietrich wrote letters to Maria. Inspiring, because it makes me question how much I would risk doing the right thing. When I need a dose of courage, I will re-read this captivating novel.
I received this book from the publisher without a review required. I freely give it a gold 5 star.
“Overhead, there was no sky.” So begins this haunting and heart-wrenching tale of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maria von Wedemeyer. Amanda Barratt pens a novel borne of years of research and meticulous attention to factual details. That she holds great respect for the subjects of her book shines through in every riveting sentence.
How does one tell a story where the end is known to many, yet still hold your interest from the very first page until the last? Though I knew what was coming, my heart was broken to see the end of the story. From the beginning we see glimpses of the love the two had for each other, sensing the tremendous odds against their love coming to a joyful conclusion.
I’ve not read many novels set in World War II. Perhaps growing up during a time when movies about this horrifying era were endless, made me leery of reading more. But this novel captured my heart and made me want to know more about the heroic, selfless people who dared to stand up against Hitler and his inhumane acts against innocent men, women, and children. I am honored to have had the privilege to read this stirring account.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author and was asked only for my honest opinion. All thoughts were my own.
It took me a few days to digest what I read, like when I went to the Holocaust Museum it is almost to much to take in. This book is a treasure trove of nuggets waiting to be mined and applied to your life. It has the ability to change you and make you a better person, because of what Christ can do when we face the hard times. Ms. Barratt tackled a difficult subject with the ability to draw you in and immerse you in the lives of Dietrich and Marie. You will need tissues, especially during the dance scene, which is one of the most tender, haunting scenes I have ever read. This book deserves an award of excellence for its research, accomplished writing, and interpretation of the characters. This is an emotional and prismatic journey that leaves you thinking about it for days afterwards. Recommended reading for everyone.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.