—Helen Simonson, New York Times bestselling author of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand

“The Women in the Castle is haunting, a beautifully written and painfully vivid glimpse into one of the most horrific times in world history.”

—BookPage, Top Pick

“A smart, sad rumination on the pursuit of happiness. . . . With her elegant prose, Shattuck manages to make her characters’ stories feel both engrossing and utterly real.”

—Entertainment Weekly on Perfect Life

“Well-researched. . . . Shattuck manages to be both morally tough-minded and remarkably empathetic.”

—Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee)

“The reader is fully immersed in the experiences of these women, the choices they make, and the burdens they carry. . . . A rich, potent, fluently written tale of endurance and survival.”

—Booklist (starred review)

“In this primer about how evil invades then corrupts normal existence, Shattuck delivers simple, stark lessons on personal responsibility and morality. . . . Neither romantic nor heroic, [The Women in the Castle] seems atypical of current World War II fiction but makes sincere, evocative use of family history to explore complicity and the long arc of individual responses to a mass crime.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Sharp characterizations, a lively narrative line and wry observations. . . . [Shattuck] dares us to flex our social consciences with questions that include ‘who deserves to be happy?’ even as she reminds us that not just breeding but life itself can be hazardous.”

—NPR on Perfect Life

“A vivid, beautifully written novel about the sacrifices and consequences of war and the brave survival of those left behind. With extraordinary skill, knowledge, and insight, Jessica Shattuck transports us to Germany in the aftermath of World War II and into the lives of three powerfully drawn and memorable women. Compelling and very satisfying.”

—Jill McCorkle, New York Times bestselling author of Life After Life

“Shattuck is a wonderful writer. . . . She has Austen’s eye for social comedy. . . . A gracefully choreographed novel that shines a sharp, clear light on a dying world and brings it to vivid life.”

—Boston Globe on The Hazards of Good Breeding

“Compelling . . . a tableau of how war and its aftermath affect ordinary people. While each woman is a vivid character, Shattuck also enables us to lift these women out of fiction and see them as representative of so many survivors who peered into the future with guilt and relief—and bewilderment at their role in history.”

—Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

“A vivid and gripping tale of endurance in the wake of World War II. Set primarily in Germany, Shattuck’s arresting novel focuses on three very different women who are forced to rely on one another as they attempt to survive the past and reclaim hope. The writing is magnificent, as is Shattuck’s ability to render unimaginable circumstances with tremendous clarity and compassion. A joy to read, this is a beautiful and important book.”

—Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of The Nest

“Smart and engaging. . . . Stylish story-telling and sharp social commentary.”