kjulie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is true historical fiction - a story based on actual events, and by then end there are moments that read more like non-fiction history telling than story telling. I also found the book about 100 pages too long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Injury/injury detail, Racism, Violence, Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Antisemitism
Minor: Rape
sjanke2's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Plot-heavy, quicker read than it seems at 450 pages. Heavy-handed Christian vibes.
RIYL Kristin Hannah.
RIYL Kristin Hannah.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Vomit, War, and Xenophobia
faith1426's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5/5🌟
I had no expectations of this going in, I had it as a gift and had never heard of it before... but I'm so glad I read it!!
This is an intense, hopeful and painful exploration of a family fleeing the Soviets in the height of World War Two... and it's based on a true story!! It was harrowing, beautiful, raw and tragic whilst also feeling down to earth and unapologetically kind. Sullivan's writing is clear and concise but never boring, and the plot is quite frankly bonkers, I could not stop reading- I needed to know the full story.
Overall a 4.5/5🌟 for me I think, there were just a few tiny little things that stopped it being an all time favourite, BUT, I would highly recommend, as long as you have a stomach for true war stories. It's not indulgent in details, but it also definitely does not sugar coat anything, so be warned.
I had no expectations of this going in, I had it as a gift and had never heard of it before... but I'm so glad I read it!!
This is an intense, hopeful and painful exploration of a family fleeing the Soviets in the height of World War Two... and it's based on a true story!! It was harrowing, beautiful, raw and tragic whilst also feeling down to earth and unapologetically kind. Sullivan's writing is clear and concise but never boring, and the plot is quite frankly bonkers, I could not stop reading- I needed to know the full story.
Overall a 4.5/5🌟 for me I think, there were just a few tiny little things that stopped it being an all time favourite, BUT, I would highly recommend, as long as you have a stomach for true war stories. It's not indulgent in details, but it also definitely does not sugar coat anything, so be warned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and War
Moderate: Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Injury/injury detail
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