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blaisesbookshop's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
hanniematilda's review against another edition
5.0
This book. Wow.
Two Brothers is one of those books that is impossible to put down, yet equally difficult to read. The story is heartbreaking and moving, and I had to stop reading many times, only to find myself reaching for it again seconds later. A true tour de force.
Two Brothers is one of those books that is impossible to put down, yet equally difficult to read. The story is heartbreaking and moving, and I had to stop reading many times, only to find myself reaching for it again seconds later. A true tour de force.
garbuziarb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
j4nep's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
milly_in_the_library's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this :-)
Thanks for the loan, Becca!
Cried buckets!
Thanks for the loan, Becca!
Cried buckets!
aaronboyes19's review against another edition
3.0
Although I gave this 3/5, it is really more of a 3.5/5. For anyone who has studied or even encountered the history of the Jews in Germany during the 1930s-1940s, this book is somewhat predictable and not as shocking as it would be for someone who hasn't. The plot development, while interesting, is tied to the fact that it is a work of historical fiction and thus the events happen naturally. While it did not have the "shock factor" for me, it was still a good and enjoyable read. You connect with the characters - and it has a good mix of characters, from those whom you love and those whom you grow to hate - and you feel for them as they go through their trials and tribulations. While I knew what was coming I still felt that connection because what Elton describes, and he does so quite well, actually happened to real people. I would recommend this to anyone who would like to experience this terrible time in human history but in novel form.
clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
4.0
Compelling read. Yes the language is a bit modern and too "English" but that's just a minor flaw. I know some other readers detested the Dagmar girl. However I see her as a necessary plot device to build up the characters of Paulus, Otto and Silke. And frankly Dagmar is quite successful as a character you love to hate. ;)
dozylocal's review
4.0
3.5 stars. I found it really hard to rate this book. There were things I really liked about it (the twists and cleverness, for example) and things I didn't (e.g. the narrative sometimes dragged). It definitely kept me reading and in the parts that I felt dragged a bit, I even got quite frustrated because I wanted to know what happened next. Oddly, for some reason I didn't form an emotional connection with any of the characters at all. I don't really know why not. It was interesting to read at the end how some of the stories were based on actual events/people. It is scary to think how out of control everything got, almost before anyone realised it, even with all the foreboding signs.
leemac027's review against another edition
5.0
If you want a book that will take you on a complex journey, with an intricate plot across 70 years, then this it is. Ben Elton has woven an intriguing narrative about 4 people who grow up together in Germany before World War II and how their lives unravel across the years.
As the war approaches and Nazi Germany becomes more dangerous the story of these four gets quite entwined. The plot jumps between 1950s London and 1940s Berlin and you are never let in to what is really happening, except in tiny steps when a snippet of information is revealed.
What happens to the Jewish twin boys, their princess love and the budding communist may not be what you'd expect.
Ben Elton again demonstrates what a great author he is. His books are always engrossing, easy to read and his talent for creating a complex narrative but in an entertaining and easy-to-read style is impressive. I found this book very hard to put down.
As the war approaches and Nazi Germany becomes more dangerous the story of these four gets quite entwined. The plot jumps between 1950s London and 1940s Berlin and you are never let in to what is really happening, except in tiny steps when a snippet of information is revealed.
What happens to the Jewish twin boys, their princess love and the budding communist may not be what you'd expect.
Ben Elton again demonstrates what a great author he is. His books are always engrossing, easy to read and his talent for creating a complex narrative but in an entertaining and easy-to-read style is impressive. I found this book very hard to put down.
bhictoria's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence