By Saskia Sarginson
Published by Piatkus (13 August 2015)
ISBN: 978-0349403380
Publisher's description
Eliza Bennet has the life she's always dreamed of. She's who she wants to be, and she's with the man she loves.
But Eliza is living a lie. Her real name is Klaudia Myer. And Klaudia is on the run. She's escaping her old life, and a terrible secret buried at the heart of her family.
This is the story of Eliza and Klaudia - one girl, two lives and a lie they cannot hide from.
My verdict
From the blurb, I was expecting a psychological thriller. But instead this is actually an excellent holocaust-themed novel about coming to terms with your family's past.
Otto Meyer in 1930s Germany is heavily involved in Hitler Youth, while his brother Ernst Meyer is in love with a Jewish girl. In the 1970s, Klaudia Meyer, living in England with her German father and Welsh father, is being teased at school for having German roots. In 1990s England, Eliza Bennett is busy spinning a web of lies, ashamed of who she really is.
The Other Me is an emotional journey, with details about pre-war Germany and the Holocaust. It's very well written and is highly thought provoking, keeping the story flowing and moving at a fast pace. I loved all of the main characters, with their flaws, beliefs and regrets. Klaudia had a difficult relationship with her father, following her discovery about his role in WW2. But not everything was clear-cut as she thought. The ending was perfect for me, not only tying up all the loose ends but also with some unexpected twists.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
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