Hitler's food taste

It's one of those stories that might seem like a product of the author's imagination, but it's actually a true story left to us by history. Postorino, while preparing her novel, mentions that she learned one of Hitler's food tasters was still alive and had revealed her secret at the age of ninety. She intended this novel to be a tribute to her.

In the autumn of 1943, Hitler was secluded in the Wolf's Lair, his bunker in East Prussia, surrounded by a circle of loyal followers and guarded by a large contingent of SS troops. Fearing poisoning, he forcibly employed ten women to taste his food before it was served to him.

Among these women is the narrator, a young Berliner named Rosa, whose husband was considered missing in action. Besides the difficult mission imposed upon her and her companions—an ordeal she recounts from within—her own situation was precarious: Lieutenant Ziegler had fallen in love with her. She, in turn, found herself experiencing conflicting feelings toward him, feelings she couldn't even admit to herself.

This captivating novel, winner of eight awards including the prestigious Italian Campiello Prize, portrays the instinct for survival, explores the complexities of relationships, and questions the meaning of love and resilience. A remarkable novel that blends power and tenderness. An unforgettable read.
***

"This book, which speaks of love, hunger, regret, and the struggle for survival, remains engraved in the heart."
-Marie Claire Italy- (less)