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The Vienna Writers Circle

A compelling story of love, heartbreak and survival
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( 988 ratings, 159 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Vienna Writers Circle by J. C. Maetis is set against the backdrop of World War II in Austria. The novel explores the intertwined lives of a group of writers who navigate the challenges of censorship, political threats, and the constant struggle to maintain their identity and voice in a perilous time. Their collective resilience and the power of the written word play central roles in this gripping historical fiction.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to historical fiction set in the vibrant yet tense atmosphere of 1938 Vienna, where two authors navigate the perilous challenges of Nazi occupation while striving to save their friends. This novel offers a compelling blend of suspense, camaraderie, and the power of storytelling against the backdrop of a city on the brink of war.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A gripping tale of love, resilience and courage set against the backdrop of WWII, as two writers rely on their storytelling and their friendship to save their lives.

The Vienna Writers Circle meets at Cafe Mozart to share hopeful stories during a hopeless time. Mathias and Johannes—fellow writers, cousins, and close as brothers—thrive within this creative group of friends.

But when the Nazis take over Austria, everything changes. With their families' lives now under threat, the men hide in plain sight using false identities. The safety of their loved ones and their writing is their only salvation.

A local policeman, Inspector Josef Weber, walks a dangerous line, helping 'hidden Jews' like Mathias and Johannes. But Weber faces conflicts of his own, having declared his love for a beautiful Romani-gypsy girl, Deya Reynes, he fears that she too will be sent to her death.

When all they have left is courage, will they survive?

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Vienna Writers Circle is praised for its themes of loyalty, love, and courage, described as a page-turner with a heart-breaking undertone. Reviewers highlight its compelling narrative of bravery and survival amid the backdrop of Hitler's influence, emphasising its thrilling plot and well-drawn, empathetic characters. It's regarded as a top-tier thriller, with an atmosphere of tension pervasive throughout.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241998892

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 April 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 416

About the Author

J.C. Maetis is better known as British thriller writer John Matthews whose books have sold over 1.6 million copies and been translated in 14 languages. Maetis is the name of his father's Jewish family, who left Lithuania for London in 1919 in the wake of Jewish pogroms. However, many of his extended family sadly died when Hitler invaded Lithuania in 1941, and so this book is a tribute to them. Maetis now lives in Surrey, England.

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