Reviews

A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne

alonsonm's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

saartjedegroot's review against another edition

5.0

And he did it again

abbyjohnsn's review against another edition

4.0

I ❤️ John Boyne this is tragic and light hearted all at once.

lisettemarie's review against another edition

5.0

Whoa. Just when you think a character can't get any lower, Maurice Swift just keeps digging that hole deeper. I loved this book. The varied viewpoints, the foreshadowing that leaves you think "he wouldn't really, would he?" Only to find out you're right, he would. The ending was perfect and just leaves you sitting wide eyed, wanting to laugh and cry at the same time

shaneindeglia's review against another edition

5.0

I was roped into Boyne’s writing with The Heart’s Invisible Furies and, wow, he definitely followed through with another incredible book to which I was completely hooked.

logantea's review against another edition

5.0

Wow, what an absolutely stunning and captivating look at one man's desperate ambition and the destruction it leaves in its wake. I think one of the things that makes this book so special is that the specific story it is telling draws you in, but at the same time you can see how universal it is. You've probably seen situations like this play out in your life and if not you've heard about them from friends or seen them on the news.

There were definitely moments where this book was a bit hard to read, and I found myself experiencing intense anxiety at the abuse being suffered by the character's Maurice draws towards himself (who spend the first two thirds of the book as narrators), but I couldn't look away, and ravenously read forward, hoping for the best and fearing the worst.

miamia1's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Loved this book. I was hooked from page one. Loved the writing, hated the main character but that was a good thing

leonibg's review against another edition

4.0

Wat een boek! Zo goed uitgewerkt, hoe de drie verhaallijnen samenkomen en alle facetten pijnlijk blootleggen. Zelden een hoofdpersoon meegemaakt die ik zo intens kan haten. Hoe knap is dat?

sannesbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Masterful writing, gorgeous! Loved the insight into the literary world. Maurice is the character you love to hate! 

I also loved that you first see different people's point of views before seeing Maurice's point of view. Lastly, giving you an insight into his mind.

This book also makes a great discussion on 'when is a story yours'? This might be a good book for a book club. 

izzyhardern's review

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I love an entirely irredeemable character. He is just truly awful.