Die Vikarin

In 1938, Elly from Schwenningen travels to Vienna to support her sick aunt and meets the Jewish woman Lea Grünfeld, with whom she becomes friends. Through Lea, Elly comes into contact with theologian Margarete Hoffer, who introduces her to a whole new perspective on the Bible. When the Nazis come to power, Elly helps Margarete assist Jews in fleeing. Back in Schwenningen, Elly becomes involved in the church struggle and falls in love with the watchmaker Jochen.

In 1941, Elly has a surprising reunion with Margarete Hoffer, who is assigned as a vicar to Schwenningen for the duration of the war. Together with Jochen, the two women attempt to smuggle Jews across the Swiss border and provide refuge to the persecuted in the parsonage as part of the so-called Württemberg Parsonage Chain. Brigitte Liebelt tells the story of Margarete Hoffer's courageous faith and actions in this biographical novel, painting a vivid picture of that challenging time.