The Devil in Vienna (Puffin story books) [Paperback]

Doris Orgel (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Puffin story books

This powerful novel about two friends, one of Nazi influence, the other Jewish, has surprising truths to tell about individual acts of bravery and love in the face of mass betrayal.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a book that arouses anguish and fury, Orgel writes of Vienna in 1938, as a Jewish girl and a member of the Hitler Youth struggle to maintain their friendship. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (April 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014032500X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140325003
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,282,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Book, July 25, 2002

By 

monkey123 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Devil in Vienna (Puffin story books) (Paperback)

The Devil in Vienna by Doris Orgel is a very good book. The main character is 13-year-old Inge Dornenwald, who lives in Vienna, Austria, in 1938. Inge is Jewish. However, Inge's best friend, Lieselotte Vessely, is not Jewish. The two girls have been best friends since they were in first grade, and they plan to be best friends forever. But then Lieselotte moves to Germany. Her father and older brother are Nazis and they forbid her to continue her friendship with Inge. Inge's parents also say that she shouldn't be friends with Leiselotte, since her father is a Nazi. But Inge and Lieselotte remain friends. After all, they are best friends, and even blood sisters. They will do everything they can to struggle against the Devil in Vienna to remain best friends forever. This book, written in diary form, was very interesting. It not only tells about what life was like for the Jews during World War 2, but also anti-Nazis and even some Nazis. I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes to read about World War 2.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Devil in Vienna, April 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Devil in Vienna (Puffin story books) (Paperback)

I thought that 'The Devil in Vienna' started out slow, but once I got into it I loved every minute of it! It takes place in Austria during WW2 and tells the story of two girls, Inge and Lieselotte, who are best friends. Inge is Jewish and Lieselotte is Catholic. This doesn't really affect them until Lieselotte moves to Germany to be part of the Hitler Youth. This is her father's choice, not hers. Several months later, Lieselotte returns to Vienna (not long before Hitler does) and continues her friendship with Inge in secret. As Hitler gains control in Austria, the girls' friendship becomes more and more dangerous. Inge's family decides to flee to another country to save their lives. It takes a while for them to make plans since the Nazis didn't want to let Jews out of Austria, but when they do manage to evacuate, Inge and Lieselotte part as best friends. This story showed how strong true friendship really is, and all that it can endure. I learned a lot from 'The Devil in Vienna' about acceptance, forgiveness, and history. Inge and Lieselotte were able to overlook their contrasting religions and positions, and respected each other's differences. All in all, this is a powerful book that tells a moving story.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A New Understanding, December 23, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Devil in Vienna (Paperback)

We all feel that we understand the Holoquast. Jews were seperated from thier families and tortured in concentration camps. While we can all imagine this as being horrible, most don't see the story behind the eyes in the pictures of thin, ghostly looking faces of the victims, it seems as if skin was just draped over an empty skeleton. Which, by all means is understandible because it seems as if there is nothing to look at... at all. But I have to say, although this book has not much to do with the Holoquast, it brings a new meaning into the way I think about it. I feel able to comprehend it on a new level. With the personal story of Inge unwinding, the "What If" factor comes into play as you watch Inge's family struggle for survival in thier good health. With a completley rivoting, bittersweet twist in the middle and in the end, the book will have you leaning on your chair, gasping for air as if you feel that you may be next to Dachau. AS horrible as this story sounds, the true, honest friendship of Liselotte and Inge will always put a smile and tears on your face. Orgel also incorporates the culture of Austri and Vienna specifically into the story to create a more vivid, likely story and picture. If you're looking for a book that is a stretch from the average, I strongly suggest this story. The words have provided me with a new comprehension of Hitler and his victims. I truly enjoyed this book but it's bittersweet ending has me jerking back tears. Please read this book.