The Bride's Trunk

A Story of War and Reconciliation

Non-Fiction - Historical
226 Pages
Reviewed on 04/22/2019
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Dawn Weaver for Readers' Favorite

The Bride’s Trunk by Ingrid Dixon is a remarkable story centering on a seemingly inconsequential piece of luggage, which actually contains a fascinating history. Beginning with the arrival of the author’s British father, Jim, coming to collect his German fiancée, Minny, in post-war Germany, the tale flashes back to the years before the war. It skillfully tells of the conditions existing in Germany between the wars and of the mentality leading up to Hitler’s rise to power. We see Minny’s struggles and triumphs as the war progresses and the suffering experienced by her and her family as the world around them crumbles. Finally, we witness the beginning of their love story, eventually leading us back to where we started—the packing of the bride’s trunk.

History sometimes hides in plain sight. The Bride’s Trunk by Ingrid Dixon explores just such a piece of history—her mother’s bridal trunk. This is a fascinating tale that helped me to see the other side of the German experience, that of the simple families and their experiences and struggles during the horrors of World War II. This is more than a history, though; it is a love story told with great attention to detail and accuracy that will leave you appreciative of the similarities of war experiences for both victor and vanquished. Even beyond that, it is a story of courage, resourcefulness, compassion, and triumph. The pictures and documents were incredible, giving glimpses into the faces, circumstance, and realities of a time long ago!