Scan barcode
cocacolor's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This is an important book that reads like something that's two-thirds fairy tale and one-third history text, both genres that miss the depth of character that fiction readers are used to. Reviewers praise the humanity of this novel, but it seems to me that there's very little humanity at all: the characters are all pure of heart and action, more like archetypes than people, the world around them is unrelentingly, factually, evil, and there's very little in between, which is where I would say humanity lives. As a fairy tale and history text, it doesn't allow us to savor the moments when Hoffman's plotting shines; Ava's stratagem to keep Azriel away from Lea, in the last chapter, reads more like a dream than a thriller. The writing is extremely beautiful and the history vivid; this would probably work best for fans Paulo Coelho's writing style and a certain kind of teenager reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, Hate crime, Death, and Deportation
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Police brutality, and War
Minor: Child death
ofpagesandparagraphs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-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? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Death, Genocide, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Violence, and War
whatsheread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Alice Hoffman and I have a love-hate relationship. I want to love her books, but most of the time I either do not finish them or finish them under duress. However, with The World That We Knew, I found an Alice Hoffman novel I love. Even though it occurs during World War II, her exploration of what makes us human resonates in today’s fractious environment.
While World War II is the backdrop of the story, The World That We Knew is not a World War II novel. Rather, it is a novel that explores love and sacrifice as key aspects of one’s humanity. Told through various narrators, we get an understanding of what it feels like to be prey among a country of predators, always watchful, always anxious. We also get a glimpse of how people survive in such impossible situations, fighting through action, survival, and love. Never pontific, Ms. Hoffman allows her characters to show the integrity and fortitude required to keep going after horrific losses and the love that binds past to present.
The World That We Knew is an unassuming story with a quiet message. That message, however, loudly resonates within a world in which overt displays of hatred and bigotry become more commonplace and society becomes increasingly ideologically and politically divided. As we enter a new presidential era, The World That We Knew brings a reminder that hope and love will always win.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Antisemitism
More...