Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Wunderland
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
An intimate portrait of a friendship severed by history, and a sweeping saga of wartime, motherhood, and legacy by an award-winning novelist It's 1989 in New York City and Ava Fischer is a mess: she's broke, her teenage daughter is barely speaking to her, and her estranged mother's ashes have just arrived from Germany by mail. Things were never easy between Ava and her mother, Ilse. Throughout Ava's childhood in Germany, first in an orphanage after WWII and then in Ilse's care, too many unspoken secrets hovered between them: Who was Ava's father? Why won't her mother tell her anything about him? And what exactly was Ilse doing during the war? In a trove of unsent letters that arrive with Ilse's ashes, written to Ilse's childhood best friend, Renate, Ava begins to find her answers, sending her spiraling deep into the past of the mother she never truly knew. It's 1933 in Berlin. Two young girls, Renate and Ilse, meet at school and become inseparable friends. Bonded by their mutual bookishness, Ilse is the confident mischief-maker to Renate's brainy klutz. But as the Nazi party tightens its grip on the city, the two girls find their friendship torn apart by the Nuremberg Laws. As Ilse is increasingly drawn in by the Hitler Youth movement and its promise of a Germany restored to greatness, Renate is forced to confront a family secret long since buried, and leaving one friend catastrophically betrayed by the other, with reverberations that will be felt for generations to come.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
JulAnna
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

This was a different type of WW2 novel. It was mainly the story of two girls in pre-war Germany and the paths that they took. It went back and forth between the 30‘s, the 60‘s, and the 80‘s, so I was glad I had a print copy so I could flip pages. For me it was disturbing in a different way than other WW2 novels. Lots to think about here.

31 likes1 stack add
review
S3V3N
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

An excellent book! I loved the format of alternating between the past and present. The storyline was powerful.

blurb
S3V3N
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

It's been a great year!

blurb
megnews
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

Just got home from training in Columbus and look what arrived!!! Can‘t wait to read everyone‘s comments in my first #LMPBC book!

Kaila-ann We read this one in our group as well and I can imagine there was some pretty good discussion 😊. 4y
Crazeedi I had quite a bit to say, as you will see, 😍 4y
38 likes2 comments
blurb
suvata
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

#LMPBC Round 6 - #GroupB @Hooked_on_books

I received Wunderland back yesterday. In the package, there was also a sweet note and a bonus book from my TBR. Littens are the kindest and most giving people I know. The rest of the Internet could learn some lessons from us.

Crazeedi ❤❤❤ 4y
48 likes2 comments
review
Crazeedi
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

4⭐ #LMPBC #round06 @suvata
@megnews @Kdgordon88 @robinb
The book is on it's way back to you Megan. This was a really heartbreaking but good book. So much to understand and remember, because a nation can fall under the spell of evil if we arent always living be values and principles

67 likes1 stack add
review
Hooked_on_books
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

A story spanning decades, Wunderland follows Ava and Ilse separately through time as we learn about their mother-daughter relationship in post-WWII Germany and the US. We also hear from Ilse‘s friend Renate pre-war. This is a devastating book that reveals the poison of lies and the consequences of treating other humans as “other.” It is historical fiction that speaks to today between the lines. Excellent.

33 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Crazeedi
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

Partway through the last #LMPBC round 6
The book is fascinating!
@robinb @megnews @Kdgordon88
@suvata
Hope to be done over weekend and get sent back home!

megnews I can‘t wait to see everyone‘s notes! 5y
Crazeedi @megnews I must tell you I'm almost done, but this has been a gut wrenching book to read, and I've had to set aside at times, but it's very very good. Giving lots of comments too 4y
58 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
Crazeedi
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

@kdgordon88 the book arrived! Someone didnt keep a bookmark, I put one in for everyone!
@megnews the book will be on it's way, I've been sick ever weekend, so sorry I'm late
@robinb @suvata #LMPBC round 6

megnews @Crazeedi no problem there‘s lots of sickness going around. Feel better soon! 5y
robinb Feel better @Crazeedi ! 🤗 5y
Deblovestoread Glad it arrived! I didn‘t even think about the bookmark. Life has been hectic and I had a nasty head cold on top of it. Hopefully, by mid October life will get back to its normal pace. Hope you are feeling better. 5y
58 likes3 comments
blurb
Kaila-ann
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

Just in the nick of time . . . Wunderland is off to Hawaii.

Tracking 9505511762449273461625

#lmpbc #groupb #round6

Hooked_on_books I just mailed mine Saturday! I‘ll let you know when it arrives. 5y
Hooked_on_books The book has arrived! 5y
15 likes3 comments
review
Kaila-ann
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

Finished this one #lmpbc #round6 #groupB today and wow, what a story. Heartbreaking, eye-opening and definitely thought provoking. A tale of love, friendship, betrayal, loss and family. I don‘t want to give too much away as it still has one more round but a great pick @suvata

It will be on its way to @Hooked_on_books this week.

DebReads4fun I really enjoyed this book! 5y
23 likes1 comment
blurb
Kaila-ann
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

The September #lmpbc pick got here today along with some #litsylove letters/birthday wishes. Looking forward to digging into this book and responding to same letters during my long weekend.

29 likes1 stack add
review
HeathHof
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

On it's way to you @kaila-ann. I really enjoyed this one. I don't want to give anything away since this is for #lmpbc but I will say that it was very suspenseful at times and a wonderful pick! @suvata

suvata I‘m so happy you liked it. 5y
robinb We have this one as well as a #LMPBC...wonderful story! 5y
HeathHof @robinb I agree! It was also a nail biter 😬 5y
robinb @Mynameisacolour Definitely! 😱 5y
50 likes4 comments
blurb
HeathHof
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

Back home and spending my last day of vacation finishing up this months #LMPBC with my reading buddy, Katniss, Aka the tortie bowling ball. This books is so good and so heartbreaking.💔
#littenkitten
#groupb

57 likes1 stack add
blurb
robinb
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

@Kdgordon88 your next #LMPBC book is on its way...arrival by next Wednesday. 😊 Happy Reading!

@megnews @Crazeedi @suvata

Crazeedi Yay!!😍 5y
Deblovestoread Can‘t wait to read it. I will finish The Other Alcott this weekend and get it on its way early next week. @Crazeedi @megnews @suvata 5y
Deblovestoread @Crazeedi @megnews Just letting you know Wunderland arrived today. The Other Alcott was mailed to Diane today and should arrive on the 3rd. @suvata 5y
robinb @Kdgordon88 Thanks for letting me know. Glad it arrived safely! Happy Reading! 5y
Crazeedi @Kdgordon88 will be waiting! 😊 5y
44 likes5 comments
review
robinb
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

Just finished up this month‘s #LMPBC pick, and I read even slower than I normally do as I wanted to savor the beautiful writing. It was a tough one for me to get through because of the subject matter, but I read it in small increments, and it was an amazing story of friendship gained and lost, choices right and wrong and impossible strength in adversity. 4.5/5⭐️

Good choice, @megnews !

Thanks for the bookmark @Crazeedi , @Kdgordon88 , @suvata

robinb Thanks for the 🍫 @megnews ! 🤤🤗 5y
MrBook Nice! 👍🏻👍🏻 5y
robinb @MrBook thank you! 😊 5y
See All 11 Comments
MrBook Thank YOU! I‘ve added this now. Great...along with the other 3,000+. 😂👏🏻🙌🏻 5y
robinb @MrBook We‘re obviously in the same boat! 🤷🏻‍♀️😩🙄🤣 5y
Deblovestoread Boy, you are on the ball! Started my staycation today with The Other Alcott. 5y
robinb @Kdgordon88 😂😂 I‘ve got like 4 ARCs I need to read by the first week in September, so I wanted to go ahead and get this one read first. Not rushing you...I probably won‘t get this in the mail to you until next week at the earliest. 5y
megnews @robinb you‘re welcome and I‘m glad you enjoyed the book! (edited) 5y
Crazeedi @robinb @megnews @Kdgordon88 I'm almost finished with Finding Dorothy, and I am enjoying it. I think we all did a great job with the choices, and I look forward to the next 2 books!! 5y
robinb @Crazeedi 👍😊 5y
robinb @megnews 👍😊 5y
52 likes3 stack adds11 comments
review
MelindaOtt
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A heartbreaking novel about secrets, mothers and daughters, and friendship. Told through the voices of three unique women, this story will bring out all the feels. It covers Germany before and after World War II (although very little about the war itself) and America of the late 80s. While jumping back and forth in time might be off-putting for some readers, I found it an effective storytelling technique. Highly recommended!

blurb
robinb
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Crazeedi Looks good! 5y
robinb @Crazeedi 👍😊 5y
58 likes2 comments
blurb
HeathHof
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

Planning on staying up well past my bedtime with this months #LMPBC. Excited for this one! 💕

Crazeedi We are doing that one too!! 5y
61 likes1 comment
blurb
megnews
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

14 books this month.
1 middle grade
1 short story collection (Was that really this month? Feels so long ago)
2 audio
2 comics
3 poetry
Tagged book came in a twitch above Lucky Us for favorites this month. My Name is Lucy Barton was really good too.
#JulyTotals #JulyStats

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Looks like a fabulous month! 💕📚😁 5y
29 likes1 comment
blurb
robinb
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

@megnews Your #LMPBC book arrived safely today. Thanks to you and @Crazeedi for the goodies that came along with it! 💕😘 That was so sweet of you both!

Looking forward to reading it!

@Kdgordon88 , @suvata

megnews Wow that was quick!! 5y
44 likes1 comment
review
scowler1
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

Powerful and beautifully written story about growing up in Nazi Germany. Incredible description of Kristallnacht, still so hard to believe this actually happened but this really made it real for me. Tearjerker ending, superb.

review
megnews
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

Wunderland tackled Nazi Germany from a different angle than I‘ve experienced before. Sometimes heartbreaking, at times infuriating, Wunderland was a 4.5 ⭐️ read for me. I hope my fellow #LMPBC readers agree.

Wunderland will be making its way to @robinb early next week. I am hibernating and reading during the unbearably hot weekend. 😂

Book 215/265 7/19/19

Crazeedi Sounds good!! 5y
39 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
suvata
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

Read for Litsy Markup Postal Book Club (#LMPBC) Round 6 - Group B.

I picked a fantastic WWII novel (if I do say so myself). I hope the rest of the group likes it as much as I did. If so, you are in for a treat.

@Mynameisacolour it‘s off to you next week!

sherri Ooh! I think I may have this one on my Kindle. I'll have to go find it! 5y
Cathythoughts Sounds really good ! Stacked 5y
suvata @Cathythoughts I don‘t think you‘ll be disappointed 5y
suvata @Sherri definitely put this one at the top of your list 5y
kspenmoll Sounds really good! 5y
58 likes2 stack adds5 comments
blurb
suvata
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

#LMPBC Round 6 - #GroupB
@mynameisacolour @Kaila-Ann @Hooked_on_books @suvata

I‘m just five chapters into this book and I‘m loving it. I think I picked a good one this time.

Cathythoughts Looks good 👍🏻I just started my pick for #LMPBC , I think it‘s going to be a good one too (edited) 5y
suvata @Cathythoughts It does sound good 5y
Kaila-ann Yay! 5y
62 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
megnews
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

I have to share the most bizarre coincidence. This story goes back & forth in time & place. Yesterday, 7/13, I read about a NYC Blackout in 1977. I didn‘t know it was real, thought it was part of the fiction. That evening my daughter texted a screenshot about 7/13 being the 42nd anniversary of the NYC Blackout. I wouldn‘t have known unless she texted that. On top of there was a blackout in NYC yesterday on the anniversary. She later sent a ⬇️

megnews screenshot of someone saying they came out of the subway after being stuck for an hour to civilians directing traffic and a Carnegie Hall concert going on outdoors after evacuation. That energy is what I love about NYC. Nothing can stop it. It will go on. However I am glad we are back from our trip, for not even a week! 5y
Crazeedi I remember the NYC blackout in 77!! It was a big deal!! 5y
37 likes2 comments
blurb
megnews
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

Hello #LMPBC reading buddies. It‘s halfway thru July. Just checking in to see how everyone‘s doing on their book. I‘m almost halfway through mine and the pace is going quick.

Crazeedi I'm halfway through mine as well, its rough going because it's making me mad/sad! It's good though, I just have to stop once in a while, know what I mean?? 5y
Deblovestoread I am half way through mine as well. I am reading it a bit slower than normal making it a different type of reading experience for me. I am loving the book and hope you all will too. 5y
robinb I haven‘t started mine yet. I got bogged down in a chunkster that I should finish today. I plan to start my pick tomorrow and think it will go pretty quickly. 😊 5y
32 likes3 comments
blurb
megnews
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

#LMPBC Round 6 Group I, I chose Wunderland. Just ordered the book and it should come in just in time to pack it in my suitcase and head to NYC.
Here‘s our TBR lineup so far. I‘m really excited about these titles. Excited to see what @Crazeedi comes up with.
#TBRtreasure #JazzyJune

robinb I‘m excited about all of these! 🎉🎉🎉 5y
Eggs These all sound so good!! 5y
35 likes2 comments
blurb
suvata
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

#LMPBC Round 6 - #GroupB
@mynameisacolour @Kaila-Ann @EmilyM @suvata

Hey, y‘all. Let me know when you choose a book and I will fill-in our graphic. No hurry we have until July 1st.

Kaila-ann This is going to be my choice 5y
33 likes1 comment
blurb
suvata
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

Greetings fellow members of #LMPBC Round 6 - #GroupB
@mynameisacolour @Kaila-Ann @EmilyM @suvata

Here‘s the book I have been thinking about using for our group. Any thoughts?

megnews It‘s so funny because I was going to suggest this to my group too. 5y
Kaila-ann I vote yes! I‘ll have to look through my books to see which one I want to volunteer lol. 5y
suvata @meganews @Kaila-ann It does sound interesting. And, it‘s got good ratings on Goodreads. 5y
See All 6 Comments
HeathHof Yes!! This sounds good. 5y
EmilyM Yes! I have been wanting to read this! 5y
suvata @mynameisacolour @Kaila-Ann @EmilyM Great! Since we are all in agreement, this is the book I am going with. (edited) 5y
42 likes6 comments
review
DebReads4fun
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

How did so many of Germany‘s young people get caught up in supporting Hitler and his agenda? Reading this book has helped me to understand. So much was done for the sake of party loyalty. Lives were ruined and relationships were destroyed. The line between good and evil was not only blurred, but obliterated. This book told skillfully woven together stories of people just wanting to belong and others just wanting to survive. So very well done!

43 likes2 stack adds
review
beccamlvn
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

This book is why I read.
Just... Wow.

Friendship and tragedy, love and lies... tragic. Stunning. Raw. Confrontational. Beautiful. Eloquent. Outstanding.

I'm... speechless. I can't find the words that will do it justice. If I ever find them, I won't be able to sing this book's praises enough!!

Just... wow.

#pulledanallnighterforthisbook #worthit

scowler1 Well I have to read it after that review! 5y
beccamlvn @scowler1 let me know what you think of it whenever you get around to reading it! I'm doing to talk about it with someone ha 5y
beccamlvn *dying 5y
scowler1 @beccamlvn On order at the library, #17 in the queue ☹️ 5y
beccamlvn @scowler1 ahhh I got lucky and was one of the first to get access to the ebook from my library. 5y
52 likes3 stack adds5 comments
blurb
beccamlvn
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

2 posts in one day, oops! But I can't help it! It's just such a lovely day outside, how can I not share my joy?

It's a porch reading kinda day! At 68°F with partly cloudy blue skies and lots of sunshine, my heart is just bursting after so many days filled with rain and grey skies and blahhhhh. It's going to get hotter in the coming days so I am taking full advantage of this perfect day.

Happy reading, my friends!

BooknerdsLife Happy reading 🙌🏼📚 5y
Angitron Sounds absolutely perfect! 5y
DebReads4fun Are you enjoying this book? I am currently reading it too. 5y
beccamlvn @DebReads4fun I'm loving it! I can barely put it down! It's so raw and vulnerable, extremely well done! 5y
64 likes4 comments
review
Zbayardo
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

Another side of the WWII story I love to read so much. A story of friendship tested and torn apart due to blind allegiance. This read really takes you into the Nazi party brainwashing of the youth using fear mongering and the degrading of an entire group. But it also tells the story that not everything is so black and white. There are so many colors to the same story and the same character and hate is a powerful contaminant to all sides.

review
sophierayton
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Mehso-so

I think it's important to see things from other people's perspectives, which this book did, but in my opinion it wasn't executed very well and was quite confusing at times. Also, the Alice in Wonderland link was so tenuous it might as well not have been there.

blurb
Lauren.Archer
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

I have heard wonderful things about this one.

JenReadsAlot I loved it! 5y
74 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
DarcysMom
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#Netgalley

blurb
DarcysMom
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
54 likes1 stack add
blurb
Samplergal
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

I started this tonight as it‘s being published soon. #arc. So far it‘s really good.

Melissa_J This sounds good. I really liked 5y
JenReadsAlot I loved it!! 5y
77 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
ReadingSusan
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

Wow this book was not an easy read. I read a lot of books about WWII but this one felt so much more personal than a lot of books. It was quite devastating. Ilse‘s POV made me feel ill with her justifications and reasoning. I liked how it skipped around through POV and years. This book was really well-written and captivating.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

92 likes4 stack adds
review
JenReadsAlot
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

This book was amazing. Painful story of friendship during the Nazi rise in Germany. Highly recommended! #arc #netgalley

LaraReads This looks excellent! 5y
JenReadsAlot @LaraReads I hope you enjoy it! 5y
29 likes4 stack adds2 comments
review
quirkyreader
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image
Pickpick

I think this is going to be one of the best books of 2019. Here is the link to my gr review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2727045727

34 likes1 stack add
blurb
quirkyreader
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

Thank you @Crownpublishing @PenguinRandomCa @penguinrandomhouse @penguinusa for this ARC. I can‘t wait to dive in.

blurb
quirkyreader
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

This is my latest ARC. Thank you @Crownpublishing @PenguinRandomCa @penguinrandomhouse @penguinusa for this one. I can‘t wait to dive in.

blurb
Rhondareads
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

Lovely cover a story line that is drawing me in sounds perfect to climb into my reading chair& sail into this book. @Crownpublishing

blurb
LeafingThroughLife
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

Got some exciting book mail today. I enjoyed The Painter from Shanghai, so I‘m looking forward to this new one from Jennifer Cody Epstein! #bookmail

quote
ChrisBohjalian
Wunderland: A Novel | Jennifer Cody Epstein
post image

Really excited to have found this in my galley mail. New novel moving back and forth in time between Nazi Germany and Manhattan four decades later from the preternaturally talented Jennifer Cody Epstein. On sale in April from @Crownpublishing

44 likes2 stack adds