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katrinaburch's review
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
This is my second book from this author and I enjoyed this one much better than the first. The writing is easy to read, the story has its twists and turns. Hetty's character showed so much change which was nice because I wasn't sure I was going to like the book.
I do have a couple of complaints (which is why it's not a five story rating)
- not translating non-english words! Drives me absolutely nuts when authors don't do this.
- I do wish the author had spent more time on what happened between 1939 and 1994 other than the small wrap up given. That was very unsatisfying, especially for her parents...
- the author also recommends "The Boy in the striped pajamas" which is an awful book and should never be recommended as a good book for Shoah books
I do have a couple of complaints (which is why it's not a five story rating)
- not translating non-english words! Drives me absolutely nuts when authors don't do this.
- I do wish the author had spent more time on what happened between 1939 and 1994 other than the small wrap up given. That was very unsatisfying, especially for her parents...
- the author also recommends "The Boy in the striped pajamas" which is an awful book and should never be recommended as a good book for Shoah books
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Death, Hate crime, Violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
hannah2186's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and War
Minor: Sexual assault
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This story is very well researched and beautifully written but it's a tough and heavy read. It's told from the perspective of the daughter of a high ranking Nazi official and covers the lead up to WWII, not the actual war years (1929-1939). The early parts of the book are incredibly hard to stomach because you can see the indoctrination happening. Hetty has so much growth and becomes a truly formidable woman, and while this journey was hard I was glad to take it with her.
I love Walter and that's all there is to it.
There are some truly despicable characters in this book that do awful things and leave you with this horrible pit in your stomach. But there are also beautiful characters who show you there is always a car for humanity even in the worst of times.
If you enjoy historical fiction and WWII stories and are searching for a slightly different perspective, I highly recommend this one.
I love Walter and that's all there is to it.
There are some truly despicable characters in this book that do awful things and leave you with this horrible pit in your stomach. But there are also beautiful characters who show you there is always a car for humanity even in the worst of times.
If you enjoy historical fiction and WWII stories and are searching for a slightly different perspective, I highly recommend this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity and Suicide
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