Sarah Freethy

I have read more than my share of WWII/Holocaust novels and now only read those that present me with a fresh perspective. Freethy accomplished this with the story of the Porcelain Maker of Dachau.

This is a story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of art, spanning decades from pre-World War II Germany to contemporary America. Inspired by the real-life Allach porcelain factory in Dachau, the novel is set against the backdrop of the Bauhaus movement in 1929 Weimar. Max, a talented Jewish architect, and Bettina, a celebrated avant-garde painter, find themselves drawn together in a whirlwind romance. However, their love is quickly overshadowed by the rising threat of Nazism, forcing them to navigate a dangerous world where survival depends on loyalty, strength, and the ability to distinguish friend from foe.

Fast forward to 1993 Cincinnati, where Clara, Bettina's daughter, embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about her father, a man shrouded in mystery. Through Clara's quest, I was transported back in time to the horrors of Nazi Germany, where Max and Bettina's love is tested amidst the darkness of Dachau.

Freethy skillfully intertwines dual timelines, blending past and present to unravel a tale of resilience and the enduring search for identity. The characters are vividly portrayed, their struggles and triumphs resonating with authenticity. Art is used as a form of resistance, thus adding depth to the story and shedding light on the persecution faced by artists under Nazi rule.

"The Porcelain Maker" is a moving debut that will resonate with fans of historical fiction, offering a compelling glimpse into the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity.… (mais)

This novel is center around porcelain that was made at the concentration camp Dachau and the artisans who were enslaved there and made to create what were essentially material propaganda for the Nazi state. Clara Vogel, a character from the more recent past, begins to investigate this porcelain as part of her own search for her mother's past and her father's identity. All of the these elements make for a compelling story. I would highly recommend this novel to fans of WWII-era historical fiction.… (mais)

In 1929 Germany, Max, a Jewish architect, and Bettina, a painter, meet and instantly forge a connection. Years later, when the Nazi's come into power, their relationship is threatened. When Max is arrested, he is sent to Dachau, where he works at a porcelain factory. Bettina, determined to survive, marries a Nazi official for safety, and works to find her way into the porcelain factory. In the 1990's, Clara, Bettina's daughter, begins searching for the identity of her father, and the secrets that her mother kept from her.

I enjoyed the WWII storyline, but felt that the modern storyline was unnecessary. It took focus away from Bettina and Max, and slowed everything down. The modern day story unraveled in a very expected manner and did not contribute to the story. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.… (mais)

For a debut novel, this was impressive. I knew nothing about the Allach porcelain factory housed in the Dachau concentration camp during WWII. The author managed to create a sweeping dual time period story that tugged on the heart strings and brought to life an often overlooked aspect of WWII.

Bettina and Max were endearing characters who despite guessing the outcome you really wanted to see succeed. They’re two artists studying at the Bauhaus modern art school in 1929 Germany. Max is a talented Austrian Jewish architect while Bettina is a celebrated, innovative painter. They’re surrounded by decadent, bohemian culture and those on the edge of society. They fall deeply in love almost immediately after meeting at a party. Together they weather the most difficult hardships, as Hitler rises in power and suddenly the art they’ve created is deemed “degenerate.”

Because Max is Jewish he’s constantly in danger. One evening, he’s kidnapped only to arrive at Dachau where his talent for creating beautiful porcelain is the one thing keeping him alive. Without Max, Bettina is forced to make an impossible choice. When she finds Max again in the concentration camp, she hatches a plan to rescue him. Will she succeed?

In 1993, Clara is on a mission to find her father. Her mother kept his identity a secret from her until on her deathbed she reveals he was a porcelain maker near Dachau. This starts her quest to discover the truth and why her mother kept him a secret for so long.

I was completely engaged in this story and found it hard to put down. There was palpable tension throughout with everyone seemingly walking on a tightrope not knowing if the art they created or secrets they harbored would get them killed. It’s hard to reconcile the dichotomy of beautiful porcelain figurines with the horrors of WWII. I felt for Clara and her mission to learn more about her father. The reasons the truth was kept from her are still hard to understand. The history was fascinating and I ended up looking up the Bauhaus Movement and the Allach porcelain factory established by Himmler in Dachau. I really wish the author had included a note at the end explaining the history and research behind her story.

Sensitive readers should know there’s a somewhat descriptive love scene near the beginning that can easily be skipped. There’re also some language, mention of brief nudity, descriptions of a miscarriage, and violence that may be disturbing to some readers. All in all, a thought provoking, well written debut novel. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.… (mais)