isabellarobinson7's review
3.0
Rating: 3 stars
The story of White Rose itself is utterly remarkable when you remember it is completely true! Each aspect, from the romance to the drama feels like it is pulled straight from an author's imagination, not from real events. However, I don't think the way White Rose was told was the best way to convey the story. The various poems were good and all, but it felt like only a glimpse into the story, before moving on to something else. That being said, the writing style does make the book available to and appeal to a wider range of people, so more people learn about the story of White Rose and the historical events.
As well as this, I don't like reading historical fiction particularly from a first person perspective. I'm not sure what it is (and it is possible for me to like a historical fiction book told from first person, like Ruta Sepetys' Salt to the Sea) but I never feel like the retelling feels as real when it's told that way. Not sure why, just know that I do.
All that being said, Kip Wilson did do an amazing job with the poems in White Rose, and her language was really appropriate to the poem format and first person perspective.
The story of White Rose itself is utterly remarkable when you remember it is completely true! Each aspect, from the romance to the drama feels like it is pulled straight from an author's imagination, not from real events. However, I don't think the way White Rose was told was the best way to convey the story. The various poems were good and all, but it felt like only a glimpse into the story, before moving on to something else. That being said, the writing style does make the book available to and appeal to a wider range of people, so more people learn about the story of White Rose and the historical events.
As well as this, I don't like reading historical fiction particularly from a first person perspective. I'm not sure what it is (and it is possible for me to like a historical fiction book told from first person, like Ruta Sepetys' Salt to the Sea) but I never feel like the retelling feels as real when it's told that way. Not sure why, just know that I do.
All that being said, Kip Wilson did do an amazing job with the poems in White Rose, and her language was really appropriate to the poem format and first person perspective.
karimorton33's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book! The style made it easy to read, but I wish there had been more detail at the same time. I wanted to know more about Sophie and the resistance. It was especially interesting to read about her relationship with her boyfriend. (Read for Central Book Club)
jarh198's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hereistheend's review
4.0
White Rose tells the story of Sophie Scholl, a teenage German girl who fights Hitler's fascism alongside her brother by spreading pamphlets. I've long admired this girl, using paper and words to resist, so I was so excited to see a book about her... but this book fell flat for me, mostly because of the way time jumped around. It wasn't particularly powerful, to me.
librarymaus's review
1.0
Ok, this is on me.. Always do research first when it comes to reading a book you know Very little about. I came in thinking this was going to be a Novel about Sophie Scholl! Yes, I noticed that the page count was on the small side, but I didn’t think anything about it. But you can understand my confusion when this book started out in Poetry. Now even if I didn’t start out thinking this book would be a Historical account, I still would be disappointed with this book.
First of all, even someone like me with a limited knowledge of poetry can see that this is not great. It just sounds Bland and not poetic at all. It also bounces All over the Place, which just makes it So confusing to read.. And for someone to really understand What is going on in this book it feels like you need to First do research on Sophie and Hans. Because the Author doesn’t Explain ANYTHING going on until the Very End! The Only reason I was even able to understand what was going on in this book was because I had already Binge read all that Wiki had on the subject about two years ago.. Which is not good when you label this book as “Historic”.
All of this to say I’m Very disappointed with this book, I thought I was going to learn more about Sophie and her brother Hans (two people I admire So much.) But that hope flew out the Metaphorical Fenster as soon as I started this book. Now there were two things I liked about this book. The usage of the German language, And the “I’m not like other German girls” verse for Sophie (even though I hate saying it like that because of how much respect I have for her, but it did make me laugh just a bit..) If you really want to learn about these amazing people, just read Anything but this book. You’ll thank me later..
First of all, even someone like me with a limited knowledge of poetry can see that this is not great. It just sounds Bland and not poetic at all. It also bounces All over the Place, which just makes it So confusing to read.. And for someone to really understand What is going on in this book it feels like you need to First do research on Sophie and Hans. Because the Author doesn’t Explain ANYTHING going on until the Very End! The Only reason I was even able to understand what was going on in this book was because I had already Binge read all that Wiki had on the subject about two years ago.. Which is not good when you label this book as “Historic”.
All of this to say I’m Very disappointed with this book, I thought I was going to learn more about Sophie and her brother Hans (two people I admire So much.) But that hope flew out the Metaphorical Fenster as soon as I started this book. Now there were two things I liked about this book. The usage of the German language, And the “I’m not like other German girls” verse for Sophie (even though I hate saying it like that because of how much respect I have for her, but it did make me laugh just a bit..) If you really want to learn about these amazing people, just read Anything but this book. You’ll thank me later..
ghost_cat99's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kcbatts's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death
Moderate: Antisemitism
olivia_balderstone's review
4.0
it was good, i really enjoyed the way the story was set out and the writing style gave the book life in a way i didn’t originally expect
cajunliterarybelle's review
5.0
Reread:
Plenty of people today would do well to read this book and learn the fight the White Rose gave until forced to stop. Sophie and Hans Scholl and their fellow White Rose members deserve to be remembered and the principles they stood for cemented for everyone. Sadly, freedom is not free.
Original review:
This is a powerful story told in verse of Sophie Scholl, one of the leaders of the White Rose anti-nazi resistance group during the 1940s. The novel is not told chronologically but catches up to itself as events happened and the capture, trial, conviction of Sophie and her brother, Hans, is underway. That method worked geniusly for me, because it allows an understanding of what history knows happened to Sophie and how she as a person arrived at the choices she made. While not made a hero at her time, Sophie is a hero for standing up for what she knew was right and keeping her voice when she knew speaking out could get her imprisoned or killed. Modern activists could learn from Sophie and the White Rose group. The platforms we have today to speak out against the injustices of the world are much larger than the White Rose had.
Plenty of people today would do well to read this book and learn the fight the White Rose gave until forced to stop. Sophie and Hans Scholl and their fellow White Rose members deserve to be remembered and the principles they stood for cemented for everyone. Sadly, freedom is not free.
Original review:
This is a powerful story told in verse of Sophie Scholl, one of the leaders of the White Rose anti-nazi resistance group during the 1940s. The novel is not told chronologically but catches up to itself as events happened and the capture, trial, conviction of Sophie and her brother, Hans, is underway. That method worked geniusly for me, because it allows an understanding of what history knows happened to Sophie and how she as a person arrived at the choices she made. While not made a hero at her time, Sophie is a hero for standing up for what she knew was right and keeping her voice when she knew speaking out could get her imprisoned or killed. Modern activists could learn from Sophie and the White Rose group. The platforms we have today to speak out against the injustices of the world are much larger than the White Rose had.