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    Hitler’s Taster: A captivating story of history, danger and risking it all for love
    Unavailable
    Hitler’s Taster: A captivating story of history, danger and risking it all for love
    Unavailable
    Hitler’s Taster: A captivating story of history, danger and risking it all for love
    Audiobook10 hours

    Hitler’s Taster: A captivating story of history, danger and risking it all for love

    Written by V.S. Alexander

    Narrated by Elka De Wit

    4/5

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    Unavailable in your country

    Unavailable in your country

    About this audiobook

    Forced to protect him. Determined to bring him down…

    Previously published as Her Hidden Life

    ‘An absorbing, well-researched story that brings to life an extraordinary period in history’ GILL PAUL, bestselling author of The Secret Wife

    Germany, 1943

    Magda Ritter longs for a peaceful life. But war is drawing closer, and soon she is forced to serve the one man she hoped never to encounter – Hitler.

    Taken to his mountain retreat, she is assigned the most dangerous job of all. She is to be the Führer’s ‘Taster’ and check his food for poison. Desperate to escape, Magda joins an underground resistance group intent on ending Nazi rule.

    To stop the atrocities around her, Madga must risk everything – her position, her family, and even her life.

    A poignant tale of hope, danger and betrayal from the heart of history’s darkest moments.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins Publishers
    Release dateMay 3, 2018
    ISBN9780008262877
    Unavailable
    Hitler’s Taster: A captivating story of history, danger and risking it all for love
    Author

    V.S. Alexander

    V. S. Alexander is an ardent student of history and the arts and loves writing historical fiction with strong women protagonists. The author of several novels and short stories, Alexander’s first novel for Kensington Publishing was The Magdalen Girls, an Amazon best seller, set in 1962 Dublin. The author lives in South Florida where summer is never far away.

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    Reviews for Hitler’s Taster

    4/5

    64 ratings11 reviews

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    • 4/5
      I decided to listen to an audio version of The Taster by V. S. Alexander as I had previously read a book by this author and although it was an interesting story, I was not taken with the author’s writing. I was hoping that an audio version would be more pleasing and thankfully it was. The Taster is about Magda, a young German woman who is recruited to be one of the tasters of Adolph Hitler’s food. It was 1943 and she had been sent to Bavaria to keep her safe from the allied bombs that were starting to fall on Berlin. Needing a job she applies for the civil service and was astonished to be assigned to the Berghof, Hitler’s mountain retreat. Although not a member of the Nazi party or even a particular fan of Hitler, she is trained and soon finds herself in a position as a taster, offering herself as a shield to keep Hitler from being poisoned. She meets and falls in love with a handsome S.S. officer, and together they start to realize the atrocities that the Third Reich is responsible for and that Hitler is a madman who is only out for himself. Magda is drawn into a plot to kill Hitler and for her the last year of the war is one that tests her loyalty and safety as she follows her quest to bring about Hitler’s downfall.I was totally captivated by the story but I was unsure of how accurate it was. When I had finished listening, I read a little further about the author and the research done for the book. I found that it is loosely based on the life of an actual taster, and that the author’s timeline was accurate as to where Hitler was during the last couple of years of the war. There were however all too many areas where the history was not recorded and it is these areas where the author relied upon imagination to fill in the blanks. I feel that the concept of this story was outstanding but I am not sure that the author actually delivered a believable book.
    • 1/5
      Hindsight is 20/20 wish fulfillment porn. An average WWII novel that completely jumped the shark at the climax. Rolled my eyes so hard I couldn't even finish. Thank you... Next
    • 3/5
      She is a Taster for Adolf Hitler. Sees things from within Hitler's retreat. Non-Jewish, German perspective of the war. Written well, interesting
    • 2/5
      This was a book club pic, otherwise I wouldn’t have finished it. This is a fictional account of one of Hitler’s personal food tasters. Despite working for the Führer, she hates him and wants to kill him. The story is incredibly repetitive while also not making a lot of sense. There are moments when she is close to Hitler, and does nothing, and others where it would make no sense to attempt murder and she thinks about carrying a butcher’s knife. Moments that should be terrifying are written with a clinical distance which make the action unbelievable. The plot sounds like it would be interesting, but it’s not well written. I know the book was inspired y the true experience of one of his food tasters, but the characters don't feel real and the writing is stilted: “I pushed past the revelers, many of whom could barely stand up after drinking numerous libations.” No one talks like that, even in the 1940s! SPOILERSA few major plot points that made no sense:- They sent her off to a concentration camp and then when she finds her way back they act like nothing ever happened. Even though they think her husband attempted to murder Hitler, they ask her to be in their wedding? It makes no sense. - Everyone always remembers exactly who she is, but no one ever seems to try to find her when she is gone? - Ava and Hitler decide that these lowly servant should be the only person in the bunker with them when they commit suicide. Then she chooses that moment (when Hitler has already poisoned himself, to shoot him? Just why?- She has the chance to return to Berlin and look for her father and she decides not to, because she doesn't know where he is and it would be too hard. In real life, anyone who had one remaining family member and was in the same city as them, would not stop searching for them!SPOILERS OVER BOTTOM LINE: The book was an eye-rolling exercise in frustration. The premise is fascinating, but it's badly executed and the ending is ridiculous.
    • 5/5
      During WWII, Hitler's life was always in danger. One concern was that someone might poison his food. For this reason, he had food tasters, young women who were doing a service to The Reich. When Berlin was becoming dangerous to live in because of Allied bombing, Magda Ritter's father sent her to live with his brother and his wife. They needed Magda to get a job, as they could not afford to feed another person. When she found nothing, her uncle told her to apply to work for "The Party" and he would put in a good word for her. Imagine her surprise when she was hired to be one of Hitler's food tasters. Magda’s story was loosely based on a real taster, Margot Woelk who at the age of ninety-five finally told her story. Magda is not a member of “The Party,” and her sentiments do not lie with Hitler. When she meets Karl, an SS captain, she begins to envision her life with him. He is not a Nazi Sympathizer either, so you can imagine, some unrest and drama ensues. Magda's service takes her from Berghof, the Fuhr's mountain retreat, to the Wolf's Lair and finally his bunker in Berlin. Magda is constantly worried about her safely, her father's safety (her mother was killed during the allied bombing) and the survival of her beloved Germany.

      Magda is a strong character and made the read worthy for me. She stood up for herself and others in the story, showing what everyday German's thought about Hitler and his inner circle. The story was well-written and interesting. I really enjoyed this book, especially because of the fresh perspective on WWII. It was a part of the war that I had heard about along the way, but this gave me much more information. It is important to read the Author's notes at the end of the book. They give valuable insight into V.S. Alexander’s research, as well as what really happened and where he took liberties. There were places where the history was not documented, but were believed to have happened, and he explored some of those things with Magda’s character. This is where the author's conjecture came in, it is not necessarily truth, but it could have happened that way. This was a great read and I enjoyed this book immensely. I would definitely recommend it to those who are interested in reading historical fiction, specifically surrounding WWII. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
    • 4/5
      When Magda's Uncle finds her a job with the third reich, the last thing she imagines is that she will be tasting Hitler's food for poisons. Work at the Berghof seems almost glamorous, until it becomes obvious that Germany is losing the war. As Magda falls in love with an SS officer, she is both excited and terrified to find out that he is one of many plotting an assassination attempt. This was a quick read and interesting story. Some of the secondary characters felt a bit bland and stereotypical. However, Magda's relationship with other staff at the Berghof and with Eva Braun was well developed. Overall, four out of five stars.
    • 5/5
      Amid the turbulence of World War II, a young German woman finds a precarious haven closer to the source of danger than she ever imagined–one that will propel her through the extremes of privilege and terror under Hitler’s dictatorship . . .In early 1943, Magda Ritter’s parents send her to relatives in Bavaria, hoping to keep her safe from the Allied bombs strafing Berlin. Young German women are expected to do their duty–working for the Reich or marrying to produce strong, healthy children. After an interview with the civil service, Magda is assigned to the Berghof, Hitler’s mountain retreat. Only after weeks of training does she learn her assignment: she will be one of several young women tasting the Fuhrer’s food, offering herself in sacrifice to keep him from being poisoned.Perched high in the Bavarian Alps, the Berghof seems worlds away from the realities of battle. Though terrified at first, Magda gradually becomes used to her dangerous occupation–though she knows better than to voice her misgivings about the war. But her love for a conspirator within the SS, and her growing awareness of the Reich’s atrocities, draw Magda into a plot that will test her wits and loyalty in a quest for safety, freedom, and ultimately, vengeance.Vividly written and ambitious in scope, The Taster examines the harrowing moral dilemmas of war in an emotional story filled with acts of extraordinary courage.Out January, 2018BIO“V.S. Alexander is an ardent student of history with a strong interest in music and the visual arts. Some of V.S.’s writing influences include Shirley Jackson, Oscar Wilde, Daphne du Maurier, or any work by the exquisite Brontë sisters. V.S. lives in Florida and is at work on a third historical novel for Kensington.”MY THOUGHTS:I received this book in exchange for my honest review.What a fresh perspective on a subject that’s so difficult to write about! I absolutely love the MC, Magda. She was strong and brave and unbelievably admirable. I couldn’t wait to read this book based on the premise alone, but as I got in to the story, I devoured the pages in one sitting! It was that good! I think the attraction was also credited to the fact that this was a unique approach to a WWII, especially about Hitler, story.A taste tester for Hitler… what a job! The most interesting thing about this book is that although it is a fictional piece, it’s loosely based on the notes and memoirs of an actual taste tester for Hitler, named Margot Woelk who recently released her account of her experiences as a taster for Adolf Hitler. This woman didn’t release her notes until she was in her nineties, and you can bet I will be hunting down a copy of her book for review!The relationship between Magna and Karl was fully fleshed out along with many of the other characters in the story. Even Hitler’s charisma was written well showing the conniving worm that he was and how he managed to get people to do atrocities and diabolical things. Magna’s character was written so well, you felt everything she did, held your breath when she almost trips up and cheer for her when she’s at risk of being exposed for the fraud that she actually is. She is German and she hates Hitler. So from this perspective you see a horribly conflicted girl shoved in to the middle of a nightmare as a taster for Hitler.Every day she has to pretend to be a true follower of Hitler when all she really wants is for him to die.One thing you must remember when reading this book, this is fiction based on facts, so there are some elements of creativity that are obviously fictional. There’s a section by the author that explains his thoughts when researching and some explanation why he did what he had done when writing this book. I wish it had been fifty pages more since I didn’t want the story to be over so quickly. I became very invested in the characters and story-line.Plot moved along easily and smoothly transitioning from one plot point to the next. Pace was steady and enthralling, and setting was incredibly written.I highly recommend this book to all.
    • 4/5
      I see mixed reviews here and really don't understand it. It's fictional folks. Alexander made up a character and her story revolving around life as an employee of Hitler....and she did a fine job of it. Through circumstances not in her control Magda Ritter winds up being chosen to work in the kitchens of Hitlers homes, Wolfs Lair and the Berghof, at the height, and end of WW2. Trained as a 'taster' she should be honored to put her life on the line to ensure that Hitlers food is never poisoned! I found the writing to be captivating! The transitions she went thru, horrors endured and 'friendships' created are written about to draw you in and hold your attention. Well done. An author i would put on my list of thumbs up :)
    • 5/5
      This is an exceptionally well done work of historical fiction. I love WWII historical fiction but I want it done well, like Stones from the River or The Book Thief. I want WWII historical fiction that is going to have me completely immersed in time and place and I really love it when the story is told from an unexpected POV. This book did both of those things so very, very well. I found the descriptions of the bombings and destruction to be some of the best I have read and found them to pack a pretty strong emotional punch as well. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a very unique perspective on WWII. Many thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
    • 4/5
      When she goes in search of a job, Magda finds herself assigned to be a taster for Adolf Hitler. Though she had little political inclination herself, she slowly comes to see just how inhumane the war is. Somehow, she must keep her true opinions to herself as she lives in the heart of the Reich.To be honest, this left me with mixed feelings. The story is well researched and, for the most part, well written. Magda starting off with no real opinion about the war was a brilliant move, as it makes it easier to follow her journey. She did change her mind very quick merely because the man she was attracted to showed her pictures, but they were graphic images.I especially liked the approach of "what-if" that the author used to tell this story. The telling of the story, how it ends, made it seem likely it could have happened in a similar manner.There is a sex scene, though thankfully it is not detailed. There is also a rape scene which was in more detail. Towards the end, Magda's journey did seem a little far-fetched, and the end was even more unbelievable. Overall, I found it interesting if not exactly an instant favorite. I receieved a free copy from NetGalley for reviewing purposes.
    • 5/5
      This is a different look at World War II than readers are used to reading. The Taster is from the perspective of a young German girl and is about life inside Germany during the war. It's a coming of age story for a young girl with little to no interest in politics and war to a young woman who begins to see the moral dilemmas of the war and the inhumanity of the Nazi party.Magda's parents send her out of Berlin because the allies have started bombing and they fear for her safety. She goes to live with relatives and they feel that it is a German woman's role to have a job that will help the country. After several interviews, she gets a job at Hitler's mountain retreat as a taster - she tastes every food that he will be served at his meal to make sure the food hasn't been poisoned. She is willing to sacrifice her life to save the life of the ruler of Germany. The longer Magda is at the German headquarters, the more she sees about the inhumanity of the war and once she falls in love with a conspirator, she really begins to have questions.This is fantastic war story about a subject that we don't usually read about. It's a story about love and courage in the face of war.Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.