The Novelist from Berlin

V.S Alexander

Sep 2023 · Highbridge Audio · Narrated by Deborah Balm

About this audiobook

Based on the remarkable true story of a mysterious German writer, V. S. Alexander's new novel spans the decades from the Nazis' ascent to power to the building of the Berlin Wall, as one woman fights for her life, her art, and her daughter. 1920s Germany: Though the world has changed in the wake of the Great War, it is still ruled by men. Even a woman as resourceful and intelligent as Niki Rittenhaus needs alliances in order to survive. Her marriage to Rickard Länger, a movie producer for Berlin's Passport Pictures, seems convenient for them both. When Rickard succumbs to increasing pressure from the Nazis to make propaganda movies, a horrified Niki turns away from her own film aspirations and instead, begins to write. Niki's first novel, The Berlin Woman, is published under a pseudonym to great success. But Niki knows she cannot stay anonymous for long. The Nazis are cementing their power over Germany-and over her husband. Though she succeeds in escaping Rickard, he directs Hitler's Brownshirts to do the unthinkable: kidnap their daughter. With her books blacklisted, her life in danger, and Europe descending into war, Niki travels to Amsterdam, joins the Dutch Resistance, and then returns to war-torn Berlin determined to claim freedom for herself and her child, and to write her own story at last.

About the author

V. S. Alexander is an acclaimed historical fiction author whose novels include The Taster, The Irishman's Daughter, The Magdalen Girls, and The War Girls. Some of his writing influences include Shirley Jackson, Oscar Wilde, Daphne du Maurier, or any work by the exquisite Brontë sisters. Visit him at vsalexander.com.

Deborah Balm is a British female narrator with over sixty audiobook credits. Born in Yorkshire, she now lives in Cambridge following an indirect route via Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Wales. Her voice is warm, intriguing, and engaging. She loves narrating historical romance, crime thrillers, and fantasy novels.