jdwrightson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
yuliapgrlv's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
This book is a deeply moving account of the author’s Jewish family members who died in concentration camps during the Second World War. It is quite a page-turner from start to finish but is not without its flaws, though. The author did an amazing job researching and putting together all the facts, details, and memories of her family’s past, but at same time the book struggles to maintain the right balance between research and storytelling. I also found the writing rather uneven, even simplistic at times, which might detract from an emotional connection to the story (but I do realize it might be just a me-problem). But overall, The Postcard is not only a poignant exploration of family trauma and one’s identity, but also a powerful and timely reminder of the anguish and horror of genocide and Why We Must Never Forget.
“It’s incredible how much is still there in the archives, like an underground world, a parallel world, still alive. Like the embers of a fire . . . all you have to do is blow on them to rekindle the flame.”
“It’s incredible how much is still there in the archives, like an underground world, a parallel world, still alive. Like the embers of a fire . . . all you have to do is blow on them to rekindle the flame.”
mimima's review against another edition
4.0
Billed as Historical Fiction, it reads as if (and really is,) narrative non-fiction. I guess it's called autofiction. Be that as it may it's odd and difficult to get your arms around at times. Having said that, it is sad and horrific, details how reality slowly twisted around the Jews of France, and the way that the end of the war didn't end the trauma. On that level, it pairs well with my recent read, Jacqueline in Paris.
haleyflan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
lisao's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
elemar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
minanonim's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
While the topic is very important and well-presented, the writing style just didn't suite me. Unlike many other reviewers I have read from, I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary-feeling for many parts of the book. I felt that the whole postcard prlot was unnecessary and I really couldn't connect with the emotionality of the second part of the story. Again, this is subjective, and more on me for being pretty cold and emotionless, but I got downright frustrated at some points in the story. However, the biographical parts were great for me, and my overall ratimg is a sort of average between the good parts and the grating parts.
slugabed's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0