Germany 1943. World War II. The 'wolf' at the table' is Hitler and 26 year old Rosa Sauer has been ensnared, as one of 9 women, who is a 'taster' for Hitler. Three times a day, she must taste the food before Hitler does, to assure that it is not poisonous. Its a revolving daily process; after eating, she then waits an hour to see if there is a fatal reaction, and if not, she returns the next day.
"we know Hitler is there. They called it the Wolfsschanze, the Wolf's lair. Wolf was his nickname. A legion of hunters was out looking for him, and to get him in their grips they would gladly slay me as well."
It is a compelling read. Rosa's parents are gone and her husband is away fighting in World War II. One morning the SS arrive and inform her that she has been conscripted to be one of Hitler's tasters. "Fear comes to me three times a day, always without knocking. It sits beside me and if I stand up it follows me, by now its practically a constant companion." Within the sisterhood that develops, secrets and resentments grow to reach a dramatic climax.
The story evolves as Rosa begins to realize that she is on the wrong side of history.
"I couldn't have known then about the mass graves, about the Jews who lay prone, huddled together, waiting for the shot to the back of the head... But I was afraid and couldn't speak and didn't want to know."
Rosella Postorino is an internationally bestselling author and editor. This is her first novel to be translated into English.
Joan Boswell (Reviewer)
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