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bookishfreedom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
idk if I will ever learn not to pick up a WWII era book and expect it to NOT destroy me… but i guess today is not that day
At the Wolf’s Table follows Rosa, one of ten women conscripted as Hitler’s food taster during WWII. Rosa has lost everything to this war: her parents are dead, and her husband is sent to the front lines. And now she is brought to the Wolf’s Lair, where every bite could be her last.
this book is heart-wrenching an insightful and raw. it gets off to a bit of a slow start, as we get to know rosa and the predicament she’s found herself in. but things quickly accelerate from there, and I couldn’t put it down after that.
the story takes many unexpected twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat. rosa’s relationship with her fellow tasters is in turn fraught and intimate, and every moment, every bite, is ripe with danger. do be warned, this story handles some pretty dark and heavy topics.
this book is translated from its original Italian, and oh so beautifully written. it’s been a while since i’ve read a novel in translation, and I found myself thinking: if I’m this devastated by the translation, how much would this hurt in the original Italian??
i’ve seen some reviews of this book that complained about the time jumping being a bit jarring - which i can understand, but it didn’t bother me - and also it seems some people don’t like the ending, which was possibly my favorite part. my jaw DROPPED.
At the Wolf’s Table follows Rosa, one of ten women conscripted as Hitler’s food taster during WWII. Rosa has lost everything to this war: her parents are dead, and her husband is sent to the front lines. And now she is brought to the Wolf’s Lair, where every bite could be her last.
this book is heart-wrenching an insightful and raw. it gets off to a bit of a slow start, as we get to know rosa and the predicament she’s found herself in. but things quickly accelerate from there, and I couldn’t put it down after that.
the story takes many unexpected twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat. rosa’s relationship with her fellow tasters is in turn fraught and intimate, and every moment, every bite, is ripe with danger. do be warned, this story handles some pretty dark and heavy topics.
this book is translated from its original Italian, and oh so beautifully written. it’s been a while since i’ve read a novel in translation, and I found myself thinking: if I’m this devastated by the translation, how much would this hurt in the original Italian??
i’ve seen some reviews of this book that complained about the time jumping being a bit jarring - which i can understand, but it didn’t bother me - and also it seems some people don’t like the ending, which was possibly my favorite part. my jaw DROPPED.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Antisemitism, Abortion, and War
nuuamuikkunen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I felt like the beginning of the book was slow - perhaps because English isn’t my mother language, perhaps because of the writing. But I nearly did not finish it because I didn’t find the characters or plit that interesting.
But I think about half way the story finally picked up pace and I couldn’t stop reading. For me there is always an uneasy feeling present whenever I read a book I know is based on actually historical events, eventhough the story in the book is fiction. But it’s important to not sugar coat the history eventhough the actual story might not have happened af all the way it’s written in the book. And I think Rosella really did a great job with this.
But I think about half way the story finally picked up pace and I couldn’t stop reading. For me there is always an uneasy feeling present whenever I read a book I know is based on actually historical events, eventhough the story in the book is fiction. But it’s important to not sugar coat the history eventhough the actual story might not have happened af all the way it’s written in the book. And I think Rosella really did a great job with this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Vomit, Abortion, and War
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Miscarriage
reemgaga's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
“They called it the Wolfsschanze, the Wolf’s Lair. “Wolf” was his nickname. As hapless as Little Red Riding Hood, I had ended up in his belly. A legion of hunters was out looking for him, and to get him in their grips they would gladly slay me as well.”
It’s my first time reading a book by Rosella Postorino, i am unfamiliar with her style of writing. It was weird at first and im not sure if it’s the author or the translator, however i go accustomed to her style of writing. I was going to give this a soild 2 or maybe 3 stars, but the more i read the more I enjoyed this book.
I loved the characters, not sure about Rosa and her actions sometimes but she’s a complex character, hated the men.
To sum up, despite the style of writing, i enjoyed it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Abortion, and War
lucy12345's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Blood, Antisemitism, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Rape, Sexual violence, and Abortion
Minor: Vomit
alexture's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Antisemitism
Moderate: Confinement, Death, and Rape
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