jazpb's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps I read this book at the wrong time. If I waited a few years, I may have found it better. On its own merit, I mostly enjoyed the story and the characters. The writing is lovely. The problem is that it's another WWII historical fiction in the ever-growing sea of WWII historical fictions. I think it's safe to say that another wasn't necessary, especially when there are better ones out there. For that alone, I gave it a biased lower rating. I would like to read another book by Binder that isn't WWII. I'm sure her skill would translate better with a different subject.
supergirls_2008's review against another edition
2.0
Odd writing style. Very flowery and flows freely between present, past, and imagined occurrences.
One thing I thought was interesting was how the young German boys in 1945 believed all the propaganda and thought Hitler had masterminded the retreat and losing was actually part of his plan to win. It reminded me of far right conspiracy nuts in 2021
One thing I thought was interesting was how the young German boys in 1945 believed all the propaganda and thought Hitler had masterminded the retreat and losing was actually part of his plan to win. It reminded me of far right conspiracy nuts in 2021
jillbo89's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Hate crime, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, War, and Antisemitism
jordanthebiblipohile's review against another edition
4.0
Overall: ☆☆☆☆ (3.6)
Writing style: ☆☆☆☆
Entertainment :☆☆☆
Characters:☆☆☆
Plot:☆☆☆☆
Ending:☆☆☆☆
Writing style: ☆☆☆☆
Entertainment :☆☆☆
Characters:☆☆☆
Plot:☆☆☆☆
Ending:☆☆☆☆
mgwalker8's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
districtreads's review against another edition
4.0
Lately, I’ve been pretty tired of WW2-period historical novels - but luckily THE VANISHING SKY takes a different angle on the time period. Based on journals from the author’s family, this debut novel explores the life of a German family, the Hubers. One son is a shell-shocked soldier on leave, while another son attends a school for Hitler Youth. The book explores their mother Etta’s deep love, the darkness and damage of war and how it changes innocents, and a look at everyday German citizens’ participation and complacency during the Nazi regime.
I appreciated the sensitivity towards the topic, and the in-depth character development each member of the Huber family undergoes. The father, while nationalistic, is also suffering from dementia. Etta, the Huber family matriarch, will do anything to protect her children from the Nazis - culminating in a moving ending I honestly didn’t see coming.
My favorite character was Georg, the youngest Huber, who becomes a reluctant soldier amidst the discovery that he is gay. He struggles with the ongoing nationalism, dreams of becoming a magician, and makes a poor soldier.
In case you’re worried, there is no sympathy for the Nazis in this book, which doesn’t flinch from the horrors of war, genocide, famine and indoctrination. Yet, it’s written with a dreamlike quality, with Binder deftly painting dark scenes into beautiful, grim tableaus.
I found the entire novel heartbreaking, a compelling and sensitive look at a part of history that is underrepresented, and would recommend it to history buffs, those who enjoyed All The Light We Cannot See, and All Quiet on the Western Front.
I appreciated the sensitivity towards the topic, and the in-depth character development each member of the Huber family undergoes. The father, while nationalistic, is also suffering from dementia. Etta, the Huber family matriarch, will do anything to protect her children from the Nazis - culminating in a moving ending I honestly didn’t see coming.
My favorite character was Georg, the youngest Huber, who becomes a reluctant soldier amidst the discovery that he is gay. He struggles with the ongoing nationalism, dreams of becoming a magician, and makes a poor soldier.
In case you’re worried, there is no sympathy for the Nazis in this book, which doesn’t flinch from the horrors of war, genocide, famine and indoctrination. Yet, it’s written with a dreamlike quality, with Binder deftly painting dark scenes into beautiful, grim tableaus.
I found the entire novel heartbreaking, a compelling and sensitive look at a part of history that is underrepresented, and would recommend it to history buffs, those who enjoyed All The Light We Cannot See, and All Quiet on the Western Front.
lizzyzo's review against another edition
2.0
The Vanishing Sky is an ambitious book. How else can you describe a book written about WWII about a German family where both sons and the father are fighting for the Third Reich? Binder works hard to give the characters depth and stir empathy for them, but all of them are pitiful creatures in their own rights. I find the idea of writing a story about Germany during WWII and only alluding to the Nazi atrocities to be insulting, at best. Yes, Mutti and Josef and Georg and Max refer to people who are taken away, but not acknowledging where they were going--and continuing the facade that the German people didn't know what was going on--is a slap in the face to the 6 million people who died during the Holocaust.
I think the book had potential. I understand Binder's goal was to write about an average German family just trying to survive WWII, but basically ignoring the overarching issues around WWII is ridiculous. The writing was lovely, and Binder was able to really flesh out the characters and the misery of living in a war-torn country with great detail. While I enjoyed Binder's prose, I can't give it more stars because the lack of discussion about the social, political, economic, issues that were overwhelmingly prevalent at the time, and continue to be relevant today.
I received an early copy from Net Galley.
I think the book had potential. I understand Binder's goal was to write about an average German family just trying to survive WWII, but basically ignoring the overarching issues around WWII is ridiculous. The writing was lovely, and Binder was able to really flesh out the characters and the misery of living in a war-torn country with great detail. While I enjoyed Binder's prose, I can't give it more stars because the lack of discussion about the social, political, economic, issues that were overwhelmingly prevalent at the time, and continue to be relevant today.
I received an early copy from Net Galley.
bookishbulletin's review against another edition
3.0
Initially, I was sceptical about reading this book. For one thing, it's a story being told from a German perspective. So I expected that this could easily go wrong in so many ways. And yes, there were multiple issues that the narrative deals with where the author could have floundered but managed not to. Reading this book and all its dramatic descriptions, I was swept back to a war-stricken Germany - with rubble on the streets and ash-covered fences. I heard the rumbling of planes and felt the suppressed pangs of hunger in my belly. Short sentences and shorter chapters made this book a quick read. Read the full review here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMmjjh7LYyP/?igshid=1miwayi6ae3oz