clairelynn's review against another edition
3.0
This book reminds me a lot of "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". It's told from a very young innocent perspective, from within Germany. The difference being that while The Boy was the son of a German officer, the family that Beatrice is living with is very against the war and Hitler.
The interesting part of this book was seeing what life was like in Germany during the war. These were VERY wealthy people surving on dandelions and whatever else they could find in the forest. I also appreciated that this book didn't end when the war ended. We got to see a little of what Germany was like AFTER the war, and how the people (even those that were against Hitler!) were treated by the Russians.
Not my favorite book, but interesting.
The interesting part of this book was seeing what life was like in Germany during the war. These were VERY wealthy people surving on dandelions and whatever else they could find in the forest. I also appreciated that this book didn't end when the war ended. We got to see a little of what Germany was like AFTER the war, and how the people (even those that were against Hitler!) were treated by the Russians.
Not my favorite book, but interesting.
wordnerdy's review against another edition
1.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2012/10/2012-book-281.html
purlscout's review against another edition
2.0
haunting in its cold and impersonal tone more than its content, although it was interesting to examine the horrors of WWII germany from an unusual perspective. the novel, though given solid bones, feels unfinished.
koberle21's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mholles's review against another edition
5.0
Beatrice is a young Irish girls who wants more excitement in her life. She naively leaves her village with a woman she barely knows who promises her an exciting life. She ends up living with Felix and Dorothea Metzenburg in Germany on the eve of WWIi. The story is a study of how important objects can be in our life. Felix chooses to move the household and his beautiful things to the country and passes up several chances to flee the country. Beatrice chooses to stay with the family instead of fleeing herself. Beautifully writing . I felt such sadness as Felix kept choosing things over people.
oh2mdreader's review against another edition
I was very bored with this book and quit reading about halfway through as I just didn't care anymore.
dreesreads's review against another edition
2.0
Beatrice, an Irish teenager, is desperate to get out of her small town and away from her cold parents. While working in her parents' store, she teaches herself lacemaking. A worldy woman comes through town, and takes Beatrice to Germany, where she leaves her with wealthy landed friends, as their own lacemaker.
But it is 1938. Beatrice is naive and clueless. The couple she is left with have no need nor desire for a lacemaker. And war is coming to Germany.
This novel chronicles the next 7 years of Beatrice's life, as essentially a servant in a wealthy household, to a friend and confidante and servant in a household with no young men and quite a few refugees; through bombings and people disappearing' through times of plenty and starvation.
Sounds like it should be good, but it is long, and slow; boring and exhausting. As people disappear, this household stays put and refuses to believe the truth, and gives away their best chance to leave. And Beatrice, an Irish citizen, chooses to stay with them. Mystifying, infuriating, and just plain boring.
But it is 1938. Beatrice is naive and clueless. The couple she is left with have no need nor desire for a lacemaker. And war is coming to Germany.
This novel chronicles the next 7 years of Beatrice's life, as essentially a servant in a wealthy household, to a friend and confidante and servant in a household with no young men and quite a few refugees; through bombings and people disappearing' through times of plenty and starvation.
Sounds like it should be good, but it is long, and slow; boring and exhausting. As people disappear, this household stays put and refuses to believe the truth, and gives away their best chance to leave. And Beatrice, an Irish citizen, chooses to stay with them. Mystifying, infuriating, and just plain boring.
sagacious's review against another edition
3.0
Somewhere between "okay" and "I liked it" but I'll round up.
susannam's review against another edition
4.0
There are so many, many books written about WWII it may seem like no more should be added. But The Life of Objects offers a new space in which to imagine what it was like to live through it. It is a quiet book, and effective.