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Orphans of war: Once the Deed is Done, by Rachel Seiffert, reviewed

Interlinked stories of displaced children in Germany in 1945 capture this devastating moment in history. But amid the pain and trauma there is hope and resilience, too

3 May 2025

9:00 AM

3 May 2025

9:00 AM

Once the Deed is Done Rachel Seiffert

Virago, pp.464, 22

In Rachel Seiffert’s searingly beautiful fifth novel, the author returns to Germany, 1945 – ground she previously explored in The Dark Room, her Man Booker-shortlisted debut. Once the Deed is Done opens with a boy, Benno, looking out of his window at night, having been woken by sirens from the munition works.

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