kath61's review against another edition
3.0
A well written book with solid themes of grief and reconciliation, about a period in German history that I knew nothing about. However, I did not really become engaged with the characters, hence 3 stars for my enjoyment rather than for the quality of the book.
thefearlessfrock's review against another edition
I just gradually lost interest. I didn't have a specific reason, this book might be just the right one for some, but for me it was far too dull. It's intended to be more of an emotional journey than a war story, but it stayed on the surface for that. (Or at least that was my impression.)
lola_mayan07's review
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
clairesomebody's review against another edition
3.0
I like that the story was told through so many narratives, at once divergent and connected. I enjoyed the writing as well, particularly this one sentence: “The mind remembers what the soul can bear.”
mazza57's review against another edition
2.0
I admit to being disappointed with this. It had promised much but for me the whole was short of hitting the mark. There were parts where it felt like nothing was happening. I hated the characters especially Rachel she didn't fit with what i had expected.
melc's review against another edition
4.0
Really well written book with intelligent prose, vividly believable yet profoundly poetic characterisation, and beautiful, abundant symbolism.
This book captures a moment of history we rarely stop and consider and gives us a glimpse of Germany which is challenging to our over simplistic bias towards Britain and the allied forces.
It is beautiful in its simplicity, profoundly moving without sentiment, and challenging without force.
This book captures a moment of history we rarely stop and consider and gives us a glimpse of Germany which is challenging to our over simplistic bias towards Britain and the allied forces.
It is beautiful in its simplicity, profoundly moving without sentiment, and challenging without force.
katiecatbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Book to film. Post WW2 Germany. Family drama.
Story : As war orphans storm the streets and forests looking for food, British colonel Lewis awaits the arrival of his wife and son. They've been given a home in Hamburg, a big house in a nice neighborhood. The catch is that it's the home of a German family, and they don't want to leave.
Language: Set in post-war Hamburg, the book is told in third person from various perspectives. The atmosphere is bleak, with little hope for the future, troubles and problems everywhere, and the challenge of rebuilding.
Characters: the main story focus around Colonel Lewis, his wife, his son, and the German family they live with.
A surprisingly fast read, interesting that it's based on a true story (the premise, at least) and a lot of make you think moments.
Story : As war orphans storm the streets and forests looking for food, British colonel Lewis awaits the arrival of his wife and son. They've been given a home in Hamburg, a big house in a nice neighborhood. The catch is that it's the home of a German family, and they don't want to leave.
Language: Set in post-war Hamburg, the book is told in third person from various perspectives. The atmosphere is bleak, with little hope for the future, troubles and problems everywhere, and the challenge of rebuilding.
Characters: the main story focus around Colonel Lewis, his wife, his son, and the German family they live with.
A surprisingly fast read, interesting that it's based on a true story (the premise, at least) and a lot of make you think moments.
imanreads's review against another edition
3.0
Had its moments, but overall I didnt really enjoy it like I hoped I would. I did appreciate how things turned out, but I kinda wanted more from that ending.
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
4.0
The Aftermath
The book is good and the story a unique angle on the war time story. Families often did have to stay in the homes which had been requisitioned by the Germans. How this must have felt is something I can’t even begin to imagine. The grand house in this book is maybe not the best example as many homes the Germans took over were ordinary homes of ordinary people.
The characters despite the emotion in the story are surprisingly flat. I think for the depth of the story, the book is far too short. The faltering love story between Rachel and Herr Lubert happens too quickly for me but it was an interesting story to follow. How would you feel if the enemy stayed in the house where you were living? How would he feel by his house being requisitioned? What about his young daughter? Already damaged by the loss of her mother, she is struggling with the changing situation right in the heart of her home.