A story about a trans man who must relinquish the freedoms of prewar Berlin to survive first the Nazis then the Allies while protecting the ones he loves.
Breathtaking ... Well-paced and expertly crafted, the novel’s shifting timelines and intricate plot structure are reminiscent of Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See ... Its propulsive narrative, at times heart-stopping in its suspense and dramatic reveals, is interwoven with rich descriptions and historical passages that give context to a society held in the brutal grip of fascism ... In the vast canon of World War II historical fiction, The Lilac People is wholly unique and original. The novel offers a fresh and timely perspective.
Exhaustively researched, gorgeously crafted and presciently timed, The Lilac People exhumes a buried history that could leave us mourning our lost democracy if we don’t learn from, and act on, its tragic lessons.
Humane ... Unwavering in its queer representation, the book’s portrayal of transgender men and their community is multifaceted ... The book’s descriptions of Nazi atrocities are heartbreaking, and Karl’s blunt, graphic recounting of surviving Dachau is haunting ... Rais[es] tough but necessary questions about complicity with persecution ... Exuberant, nerve-wracking, and heart-wrenching.
