My Dearest Dietrich

Discover the true love story of the world-famous theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer . . . and the incredible woman who changed his life

Maria von Wedemeyer knows the realities of war. Her beloved father and brother have both been killed on the battlefield. The last thing this spirited young woman needs is to fall for a man under constant surveillance by the Gestapo.

Dietrich himself has determined to keep his distance from romantic attachments. There is too much work to be done for God, and Dietrich's involvement in the conspiracy is far too important.

But when these two brave, intelligent people encounter each other, they discover that deep love can happen unexpectedly--and, despite the danger, may be worth the risk after all.

Based on detailed historical research of both Maria's and Dietrich's lives, this true love story is at once beautiful and heartrending.

"Barratt humanizes eminent German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer in this gripping historical romance. . . both dramatic and tragic. . . . [This] moving romance will appeal to readers of Bonhoeffer as well as fans of WWII espionage thrillers." --Publishers Weekly

"As beautiful as it is brave. . . . This is a multifaceted story of the highest stakes and the deepest loves." --Jocelyn Green, award-winning author of A House Between Two Shores

BUY THE BOOK

360 pages

Average rating: 9.5

2 RATINGS

|

1 REVIEW

Community Reviews

Renee Emerson
Jun 01, 2023
9/10 stars
My Dearest Dietrich by @amandabarrattauthor published by @kregelbooks 📚 "Based on detailed historical research into both Maria's and Dietrich's lives, this true love story is at once beautiful and heartrending” (Blurb) ✍️ 'My Dearest Dietrich', by Amanda Bassat is a delicate and melancholy historical fiction novel inspired by the story behind Dietrich Bonhoeffer's lost love Maria von Wedemeyer, who was the eighteen-year-old daughter of an anti-Nazi Prussian land-owner. This story expertly weaves together actual historical events from World War II while using plausible fiction and imagination to fill in the missing pieces to Dietrich and Maria love story. Featuring excerpts of letters between the lovers and Dietrich's writings, Amanda humbly creates a beautiful picture of what might have been. One of the most complex parts of reading this book is that I craved the traditional romantic happy ending. My heart flip-flopped between wanting the fairytale and desiring to know the truth behind how such a powerful love endured through such tragic circumstances. I knew the ending... I kept telling myself, "You know how this story ends". But it wasn't until I'd reached the novel's conclusion that I reminded myself, "Yes, I know how this story ends on earth, but more importantly, l know how this story ends eternally". Although here, in this beautiful and terrible world, their love was lost, never consummated and ended in death; we fix our gaze heavenward to the eternal happy ending, where a hero of the faith, who gave his life to follow Christ, is now living amongst the saints, with his truest love, Jesus. This story is worthy of your time, but ensure you've got the tissues ready! Hauntingly Beautiful - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.