By: Adriana Allegri
Narrators: Barrie Kreinik, Dallin Bradford, Saskia Maarleveld
Macmillan Audio
ISBN: 9781250326522
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 11/12/2024
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 5 Stars + (ARC)
Family secrets come to light as a young woman fights to save herself, and others, in a Nazi-run baby factory―a real-life Handmaid's Tale―during World War II.
In a sleepy German village, Allina Strauss’s life seems idyllic: she works at her uncle’s bookshop, makes strudel with her aunt, and spends weekends with her friends and fiancé. But it's 1939, Adolf Hitler is Chancellor, and Allina’s family hides a terrifying secret―her birth mother was Jewish, making her a Mischling.
One fateful night after losing everyone she loves, Allina is forced into service as a nurse at a state-run baby factory called Hochland Home. There, she becomes both witness and participant to the horrors of Heinrich Himmler’s ruthless eugenics program.
The Sunflower House is a meticulously-researched debut historical novel from Adriana Allegri that uncovers the notorious Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany. Women of “pure” blood stayed in Lebensborn homes for the sole purpose of perpetuating the Aryan population, giving birth to thousands of babies who were adopted out to “good” Nazi families. Allina must keep her Jewish identity a secret in order to survive, but when she discovers the neglect occurring within the home, she’s determined not only to save herself, but also the children in her care.
A tale of one woman’s determination to resist and survive, The Sunflower House is also a love story. When Allina meets Karl, a high-ranking SS officer with secrets of his own, the two must decide how much they are willing to share with each other―and how much they can stand to risk as they join forces to save as many children as they can. The threads of this poignant and heartrending novel weave a tale of loss and love, friendship and betrayal, and the secrets we bury in order to save ourselves.
About the Author
My mother read to me when I was in the womb. That’s likely why I was born loving books. I believe in the healing power of words and the long-lasting impact of a great read.
As a first-generation American with parents who lived in Europe during World War II, I grew up on stories about how small acts of compassion and kindness saved lives. That theme shows up in everything I write, regardless of genre.
I’ve had three great careers: The first in education, as a high school teacher and program administrator, the second as a writer/project manager for a leading data analytics company, and the third as an author. 2015 was my Big Risk Year, as I left my corporate job to concentrate on writing. The Sunflower House is the result — and I’m thrilled that it will be published by St. Martin’s Press in the fall of 2024.
I completed a second book (Late Bloomers, Romantic Suspense) last year, and am currently working on a third (For Love of Ben, Women’s Fiction) and fourth (Child of Fire, Supernatural).
I’m grateful to be repped by my amazing rock star of an agent, Lizz Nagle at Victress Literary. You can connect with Lizz on Twitter at @VictressLizz and @VictressLit.
I spent fifteen years in the New York metro area but am happily relocated in Chandler, Arizona. I love the desert sun. When not tapping away at the keyboard, you’ll find me cooking, painting, gardening, day-tripping, or cozying up with a favorite read. I’m also the proud mom to two ornery rescue cats, whose hooligan antics sometimes find their way into my writing.
Connect with the Author
Twitter: @adrianaallegri
Instagram: @adrianaallegri
TikTok: @adrianaallegri
Facebook: adriana.writes
Exceptional Authors. Standout Books. Elevator Talk.
INTRIGUING QUESTIONS. INQUIRING READERS WANT TO KNOW.
"Behind the Book & The Author"
With debut author, Adriana Allegri
and THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE!
Welcome to the November 2024 #AuthorElevatorSeries! Special guest author Adriana Allegri joins us today with her dazzling and powerful debut novel, THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE. (Nov 12)
Join us as Adriana shares some fascinating behind-the-scenes exclusives from the book and up-close and personal fun moments from this talented new voice in fiction!
Welcome, Adriana!
Behind the Book
Q. DEBUT/ GENRE: You mention in your acknowledgments that this novel was more than twenty years in the making. Congratulations on this impressive debut! The horrific events and material had to be haunting. I cannot imagine the amount of meticulous and detailed research involved.
What draws you to this historical fiction genre and what kept you coming back to this story?
AA: As strange as it sounds, this book didn’t start out as a Lebensborn story. The seeds of this novel came in two vivid dreams involving family secrets, a box engraved with a swastika, and a mother-daughter relationship that needed to be healed. Those dreams haunted me, so I decided to do some research and find a story worth telling.
A few short Internet articles about Lebensborn homes led to additional research and the purchase of a heartbreaking book (Master Race, by Clay and Leapman) at a used bookstore. I was horrified by what that book uncovered: Heinrich Himmler targeted all Germans but particularly youth groups with propaganda, proposing ‘biological marriages’ to produce a ‘master race’ of perfect Aryan children that would then be adopted out to Nazi families.
At facilities like Hochland Home, the setting for my novel, women were heralded as heroes, given the best medical care and food, and reduced to broodmares. Their babies, in turn, were neglected and treated like inventory, with tragic results. Anger and horror made me push on with research that involved dozens of books and resources—not only to learn more about Lebensborn facilities but also to build the world with as much rich detail as possible. But quitting wasn’t an option. It’s essential to bring stories like this to light so history doesn’t repeat itself.
Q. TAKEAWAY: What important message, theme, or takeaway would you like readers to be left with when reading your book?
AA: No matter how badly someone is broken, the choice to heal, to love, and to act with compassion is always open to us. It’s our capacity to love that heals.
Q. GOOD/EVIL: How did you find the middle ground between a haven for some women and sinister?
AA: It came down to the characters, since Himmler’s eugenics plan was utterly ruthless and corrupt. I wanted to find the truth behind each character and their motivation—to highlight different women, why they might find themselves in such a place, and how they would interact. The power dynamic was also very intriguing to me, as women were horribly marginalized at the time and under that regime.
For example, Rilla is a pregnant teenager, sure she’ll marry the SS officer she fell in love with. Berta is a true believer and master manipulator in search of power and influence. Marguerite was likely an excellent, caring nurse during World War I, but destroyed herself, bit by bit, as she gave her life to The Reich.
Allina, who lost everything before arriving at Hochland Home and must hide her Jewish identity to survive, tries to improve the circumstances of the babies in her care. They’re children, and innocent, but this is no small thing given her perilous situation. Allina represents hope and healing at a time when both were scarce. Karl, a very unlikely ally with secrets of his own, is part of that journey for her.
Q. ADAPTATION: For fun, do you have any cast of stars in mind for any of your leading roles for a movie or TV series?
AA: Someone like Lily James would be great for young Allina—she has such an expressive face. There’s a wonderful German actor called Alexander Fehling who has the look of Karl. Chloë Grace Moretz for Rilla, Florence Pugh for Berta, Meryl Streep for Marguerite. I had Mandy Patinkin in mind when I wrote Rabbi Guttman. Finally, my dream director is Patty Jenkins. I love the feminist themes in her films, and she reveals the hearts of her characters so beautifully.
Q. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Where can people learn more about the Lebensborn program or sources you recommend?
AA: An extensive list of resources, organized by category, is in both the Author’s Note and on my website: www.adriana-allegri.com/resources
Q. UPCOMING: Can you share what you are currently working on or what is next in ten words or less (or more)?
AA: A feminist/historical/supernatural trilogy about La Strega—immortal Italian witches.
Thank you, Adriana! I love your cast selections and your upcoming book sounds fascinating.
Continue reading below for more up-close and personal (get to know) this talented debut author.
Behind the Author
FAVORITE COLOR?
Red
FAVORITE MAKEUP/HAIR TIP
Skin care is more critical than makeup as we age, but always do your brows and lips.
MORNING/NIGHT PERSON?
Morning—up at 3:00 a.m.
DOG/CAT LOVER?
Cats, always rescues. They take extra TLC, but it’s worth it!
YOUR FAVORITE LIFE LESSON QUOTE?
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
FAVORITE SONG OR ARTIST?
Steve Perry – with or without Journey. He will always be The Voice for me.
FAVORITE TV SERIES? (Or Movie/Video) binge-watch, series, etc.?
I will be a Star Trek fan until the day I die.
WHAT WOULD IT BE IF YOU COULD ELIMINATE ONE THING FROM YOUR DAILY LIFE?
Housework.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS OR LESS.
Independent. Introverted. Compassionate.
A FAVORITE INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE?
The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale
IF YOU COULD CURE ONE DISEASE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Cancer
WISH STATE OR COUNTRY? (Where you would love to live)
California or Italy, by the sea
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF A BOOK?
Characters and their arc/development. No matter how interesting the plot is, if I don’t care about the characters, I can’t find a reason to keep reading.
WHAT IS YOUR WRITING PROCESS LIKE?
Pantser here! I rarely know what will happen in a scene until I sit down, but when I’m in the flow, it’s like dictation. I never research and write on the same day as research interrupts the flow. Finally, I use music to get into a character or scene. I’ll play a song(s) on repeat to get into the right place emotionally. Once I feel it in my body, I cut the sound and write.
IF YOU COULD GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Stop worrying about what might go wrong and enjoy the rollercoaster ride that is life.
A WRITING IDOL?
Diana Gabaldon
BOOKS YOU LOVED AS A KID THAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER?
The Anne of Green Gables series, Little Women, The Little House on the Prairie series, A Wrinkle in Time
THANK YOU, Adriana, for spending time with us today!
While this book is set during one of the darkest times in modern human history, The Sunflower House is a hopeful story and a reminder that one person can make a difference. Isn't this perfect for today's time?
My Review
Adriana Allegri has created a masterpiece! Her powerful and meticulously researched debut, THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE, is a stunning 'winner out of the gate'.
Family secrets are unraveled as a young woman fights to save herself and others while in a Nazi-run baby factory, uncovering the horrors of the Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany during WWII.
Something rare and beautiful can grow in the darkest shadows.
About...
Allina Strauss resides in a German village and works at her uncle's bookshop. However, darkness follows as Adolf Hitler controls. Her family hides a secret (her mother was Jewish, making her a Mischling).
After losing it all, she is forced into working as a nurse at a state-run baby factory, Hochland Home, giving her a front-row seat to the horrors of the Lebensborn Program.
Will Allina and Karl be forced to make a choice? Will they be able to keep their secrets, join forces and save the children?
1939: Alina's story (mother)
2006: Katrine (daughter)
It all starts when Katrina finds a box with a swastika among her mother's belongings, and Allina begins to tell her story to her daughter and the secrets of her life.
My thoughts...
Wow! What a debut. THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE is Extraordinary!
Allegri pulls out all the stops in this compelling, meticulously researched, and brilliantly written tale of love, sacrifice, survival, redemption, generational secrets, and identity. Alina was a beloved wife and mother who lived an extraordinary life. A woman of strength, compassion, and grace. It makes you want to discover more about your parents and grandparents.
Even though we have two timelines, Katrine (daughter in New Jersey) and Alina (mother's past in Germany), the author concentrates on Allina's story.
Despite the secrets that kept them apart for years, the truth eventually brought them back together. This is a story of a mother's love and sacrifice, of resilience in the face of adversity. A love story. Allina, a Hochland Home nurse, served under the ruthless eugenics program, despising it yet managed to save dozens of children from medical experiments and extermination.
The author beautifully balances the harsh realities of the Nazi regime with the warmth of love and hope in this essential work of historical fiction. Sunflower metaphors add a poignant touch to the narrative, making it an emotional journey of healing and love that readers will deeply connect with.
Prepare to be emotionally invested in Allina's journey. Her story is a moving and poignant exploration of love and loss. The memorable characters are so vividly portrayed that they will stay with you long after you finish the book.
THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE is a compelling read and an excellent choice for book clubs. The story's rich themes and complex characters provide ample material for stimulating discussions. The author even includes additional resources to enhance your reading experience.
Exquisitely written, THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE is remarkable and inspiring. My pick for debut of the year and is included on my Top Books of 2024. If this is a debut, I cannot wait to see what comes next. Adriana Allegri is an author to watch!
Recs...
THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE is for fans of Kristin Hannah, Hazel Gaynor, Lynda Cohen Loigman, Patti Callahan Henry, Pam Jeoff, Heather Morris, Ronald H. Balson, and Meagan Church.
Audiobook...
I had the pleasure of reading the book and listening to the audiobook which was superb, narrated by the talented cast of stars and favorites— Barrie Kreinik, Dallin Bradford, and Saskia Maarleveld, making the characrers come alive and drawing you into their worlds.
Thank you...
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for a digital advanced review copy via NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC ( #MacAudio2024). I also pre-ordered the hardcover copy for my home library. #CoverLove
Get this gem on your TBR list, and thank me later.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Pub Date: Nov 12, 2024
Praise
"The Sunflower House is an unforgettable story of love and sacrifice. Written with heartfelt compassion for people facing choices no one should be made to make, this novel draws you in and leaves you a better person for knowing this story. Allegri is an author to watch, and this is an exceptional debut."
- Heather Morris, #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
"[A] stirring debut . . . Allegri keenly depicts her characters’ moral calculations, and she convincingly portrays the horrors of the Lebensborn program. This will stay with readers." — Publishers Weekly
“Adriana Allegri’s impressive debut is a riveting, heartrending story of love, sacrifice, and redemption set amid the horrors of the notorious Nazi Lebensborn Program. Immersive and full of compelling characters, The Sunflower House is a moving tribute to the power of ordinary people to resist and to overcome.”
―Jennifer Chiaverini, New York Times bestselling author of Resistance Women
"A remarkable debut inspired by unimaginable events during WW2. Heart-wrenching and yet full of tenderness and hope, The Sunflower House is emotionally propulsive from first page to last, transporting the reader to the 1930s and into the heart and mind of a young woman whose bravery and selflessness carries the story to its heart-rending conclusion. Meticulously researched and written with a keen sensitivity to the difficult subject matter, I was captivated by the characters and by a piece of history I knew nothing about. Adriana Allegri is an exciting new talent in historical fiction."
- Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Lifeboat
"The Sunflower House is an emotional and captivating read that peels away the secrets surrounding the Lebensborn program in Germany. Adriana Allegri has written a spectacular debut that will make a splash in the world of WWII historical fiction."
- Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London
"The Sunflower House is a gripping tale about the horrors of the Lebensborn Program, told through the eyes of Allina, a half-Jewish woman who must hide her heritage as she confronts the terrible reality behind the Nazis' twisted drive to become the so-called 'master race.' With rich prose and complex characters, The Sunflower House is one you won’t be able to put down."
- Bryn Turnbull, internationally bestselling author of The Woman Before Wallis
"This chilling novel sheds light on a little-known WWII atrocity through the eyes of its reluctant heroine. Heartbreaking and beautifully written, The Sunflower House is a story about a woman upended by trauma and secrets, who must ignore her conscience and become part of the lie she loathes most in order to survive, go forward and love again. An inspirational read that will linger long after you’ve finished the last page."
―Shelly Sanders, bestselling author of Daughters of the Occupation
"In her debut historical novel, Adriana Allegri transports readers into the heart of a story that is both poignant and evocative...The novel is a brilliant debut."
- Mary Calvi, 14-time New York Emmy Award-winning journalist and author of If a Poem Could Live and Breathe
"Stunning...a heartbreakingly brilliant piece of historical fiction... Rich in historic details and full of unforgettable characters, The Sunflower House has all the makings to become a classic."
—Apple Books, Best Books of November
"Allegri imbuses her characters with a depth of feeling that's bright emergency flare of a story sent up from history's darkness."
—Kirkus Reviews
