sadhbhaine's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
3.75
suetrav's review
3.0
This one was just "okay" for me. I had a hard time connecting with the two main characters and the dynamic between them. I wanted more as I really have enjoyed other books by this author.
Would have liked more back story on both of them. What could have been removed to make room for more character development you ask? How about these:
- details of the food they ate (so much detail went into their eating patterns it was tiresome - we get that he is a kid and likes "American" food
- science/chemistry lessons throughout the book (did not really serve any purpose)
- speculation about what the photos were about (so much time wasted thinking one thing only to have it turn out a totally different way
There were other things that could have been omitted as well to allow for time to delve into what really happened to Michael's dad. I would have found that a lot more satisfying/interesting.
Would have liked more back story on both of them. What could have been removed to make room for more character development you ask? How about these:
- details of the food they ate (so much detail went into their eating patterns it was tiresome - we get that he is a kid and likes "American" food
- science/chemistry lessons throughout the book (did not really serve any purpose)
- speculation about what the photos were about (so much time wasted thinking one thing only to have it turn out a totally different way
There were other things that could have been omitted as well to allow for time to delve into what really happened to Michael's dad. I would have found that a lot more satisfying/interesting.
trishl's review
4.0
Listened on audio - very entertaining story of an old man thrown together with a young relative he's never met. It was sort of a cross between An Old Man Called Ove & A Gentleman in Moscow.
kategolledge's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
always_need_more_books's review against another edition
5.0
79 year old retired New York professor and widower Noah is just days away from a trip to Nice, his birth place. Having not been back since he left as a child, he is looking forward to the trip. When a social worker gets in touch asking if Noah can provide a temporary home for Michael, his 11 year old great-nephew, he has his reservations especially as he has not met the boy before. Michael is the son of Noah’s nephew Victor who died of a drug overdose. The boy’s mother is in prison and his grandmother has just died. A passport is rustled up and before they know it, this unlikely pair find themselves on a place to France.
Michael has had a tough life and is very street-smart for a kid of 11, but typical of his age group, he always has his nose stuck in his phone and is pretty good with technology. Noah has recently discovered some old photographs in his sister’s belongings which appear to have belonged to their mother Margot, who stayed behind in France for a couple of years after Noah and his father left for New York during World War 2. Margot’s father was a famous photographer but these photo’s seem to have been taken by his mother. Michael’s tech skills come in handy with helping Noah try and solve the mystery of the photographs.
Noah and Michael clash a lot – Noah is determined that Michael has a good diet and doesn’t drink too much soda and tries his best to limit screen time. He tries to engage with him by telling him facts he has picked up in his years as a chemist and also by taking him around Nice and explaining the history of the town and his memories. Occasionally they find common ground and that is where the book touched my heart.
Although set in the present day, the book looks a lot into the history of Nice during the Second World War mentioning the Marcel Network, a group of brave people who managed to save over 500 Jewish children from concentration camps by hiding them around Nice from 1943 to 1945. There is also the discovery of the informants who turned against their own countrymen. Noah is troubled by the photographs he finds and wonders what his mothers role was during this time.
This book was just wonderful – I think Donoghue captured both Noah and Michael perfectly. Noah is a kind but lonely old man, having no family left and I found the bits where he “hears” his wife’s opinions on things really touching. I felt so sad for Michael – he has had a tough life and I couldn’t help but compare him to my own son who is a similar age. I really wanted the two of them to bond.
I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop but because the book was also about Noah trying to discover what he can about the photographs and about his mother’s role in the war, that isn’t the sole focus of this book and that’s what makes it all the more interesting.
Filled with wonderfully detailed observations, this book is a brilliant study of relationships which at times made me sad but also made me smile. Beautifully written, this is one to savour.
Michael has had a tough life and is very street-smart for a kid of 11, but typical of his age group, he always has his nose stuck in his phone and is pretty good with technology. Noah has recently discovered some old photographs in his sister’s belongings which appear to have belonged to their mother Margot, who stayed behind in France for a couple of years after Noah and his father left for New York during World War 2. Margot’s father was a famous photographer but these photo’s seem to have been taken by his mother. Michael’s tech skills come in handy with helping Noah try and solve the mystery of the photographs.
Noah and Michael clash a lot – Noah is determined that Michael has a good diet and doesn’t drink too much soda and tries his best to limit screen time. He tries to engage with him by telling him facts he has picked up in his years as a chemist and also by taking him around Nice and explaining the history of the town and his memories. Occasionally they find common ground and that is where the book touched my heart.
Although set in the present day, the book looks a lot into the history of Nice during the Second World War mentioning the Marcel Network, a group of brave people who managed to save over 500 Jewish children from concentration camps by hiding them around Nice from 1943 to 1945. There is also the discovery of the informants who turned against their own countrymen. Noah is troubled by the photographs he finds and wonders what his mothers role was during this time.
This book was just wonderful – I think Donoghue captured both Noah and Michael perfectly. Noah is a kind but lonely old man, having no family left and I found the bits where he “hears” his wife’s opinions on things really touching. I felt so sad for Michael – he has had a tough life and I couldn’t help but compare him to my own son who is a similar age. I really wanted the two of them to bond.
I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop but because the book was also about Noah trying to discover what he can about the photographs and about his mother’s role in the war, that isn’t the sole focus of this book and that’s what makes it all the more interesting.
Filled with wonderfully detailed observations, this book is a brilliant study of relationships which at times made me sad but also made me smile. Beautifully written, this is one to savour.
nicmedia123's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kdtoverbooked's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A story that follows a grumpy old man on a trip back to his hometown in Nice, France when he is suddenly given temporary custody of his 11 year old great nephew. There is a lot of language but I felt that was pretty authentic to the character. I liked all the side stories as well. I enjoyed how the nephew’s cleverness helped him put things together. One I’d recommend to historical fiction fans but probably not great for someone who needs a heavy plot.
aelillie's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0