My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Lost Love
Hardcover – ebook
June 9, 2019
- Hardcover: 360 pages
- Publisher: KREGEL
- ISBN-13: 978-0825446054
A staggering love illuminating the dark corners of a Nazi prison
Renowned 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 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.
Renowned 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 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.
My thoughts: MY DEAREST DIETRICH is rich in vivrant detail that enables the reader to see, smell, hear, touch and taste whatever the character is and also experience every emotion, from acute embarrassment at being caught covered in mud to the anger, dismay, and fear when as a prisoner, Dietrich "got lost" in Nazi Germany.
The story begins with Marie attempting to visit her lover in prison, then goes back in time to when they actually notice each other and progresses from there. The story is mostly historically accurate, but fictionized enough to make it readable as a novel. This is a WWII novel like none other.
There is no happy ever after in this book. It ends with heartbreak. The real life Dietrich gave his life to follow Christ. That alone made me hesitate to read this book. I do love HEA. Those curious about the nonfictionalized account might want to read Love Letters from Cell 92 or perhaps a biography about this renowned and much loved theologian.
I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.
1 comment:
This book filled with history will be worthwhile even with the heartbreak at the end. Thank you for sharing.
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