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grafe_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dvorakd's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Loved Hanna, hated Max. Not his character just the story line. To me I needed to know more when reading Maxs chapters.
bookapotamus's review against another edition
4.0
In the years leading up to World War 2, tension is high and hate is becoming rampant, but in a little town in Germany, two people are falling in love. It’s a tumultuous time, and an equally tumultuous relationship at times, but Hanna - a violinist, and Max - a bookshop owner, seem destined to be together. Spanning countries, against laws, and even defying time.
When these two meet, a German and a Jew, their love grows at the same steady rate as Hitler’s power. Their relationship is tested over and over as Hanna struggles to let Max in when her focus has always been simply playing the violin and taking care of her mother. They struggle to make Hanna’s mother understand that their love is true and real, despite their backgrounds or what religion they are. And then there is Max’s secret. So inconceivable - he struggles to tell her. When it could save them from the fuhrer’s dictatorship, but could also potentially tear them apart forever.
I adored this story. The unrequited love of Max and Hanna is so frustrating though at times, I just wish Max would spill his secret and make everything better. But the secret is haunting and heavy, and if he told her- well, it’d be a much different story! There’s a bit of a mystery to it also... We follow Max before the war, learn how these two meet and watch the relationship bloom as the country unravels. But then we follow Hanna - almost 15 years later, when she wakes up in field with no memory of the past 10 years, and has no idea where Max is. The war is over, she’s missed it all. What could have possibly happened, and will she ever remember?
The story is stunning, the settings and timelines so real and cleverly written. It’s an epic journey of love and loss in a time of horrible conflict, with a healthy dose of human spirit and a touch of magic. And I may have cried. A lot.
Thank you to Jillian Cantor , Get Red PR and Harper Perennial for the advanced copy of this beautiful story!
When these two meet, a German and a Jew, their love grows at the same steady rate as Hitler’s power. Their relationship is tested over and over as Hanna struggles to let Max in when her focus has always been simply playing the violin and taking care of her mother. They struggle to make Hanna’s mother understand that their love is true and real, despite their backgrounds or what religion they are. And then there is Max’s secret. So inconceivable - he struggles to tell her. When it could save them from the fuhrer’s dictatorship, but could also potentially tear them apart forever.
I adored this story. The unrequited love of Max and Hanna is so frustrating though at times, I just wish Max would spill his secret and make everything better. But the secret is haunting and heavy, and if he told her- well, it’d be a much different story! There’s a bit of a mystery to it also... We follow Max before the war, learn how these two meet and watch the relationship bloom as the country unravels. But then we follow Hanna - almost 15 years later, when she wakes up in field with no memory of the past 10 years, and has no idea where Max is. The war is over, she’s missed it all. What could have possibly happened, and will she ever remember?
The story is stunning, the settings and timelines so real and cleverly written. It’s an epic journey of love and loss in a time of horrible conflict, with a healthy dose of human spirit and a touch of magic. And I may have cried. A lot.
Thank you to Jillian Cantor , Get Red PR and Harper Perennial for the advanced copy of this beautiful story!
user7139's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I generally don’t care for magical realism, but this book sucked me in. It was not the feel good, happily ever after book I expected (I mean I guess it kind of is, just not the ending I expected), but I enjoyed it.
kthomas4415's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the writing style and most of the storyline. Was thrown off a bit by the time travel aspect. 3-3.5 stars
bibliopage's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this WWII novel! It had drama, excellent characters, a thrilling plot, and an unexpected twist!
maryloofficial's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
new_mon's review against another edition
3.0
Slightly miffed by the time travel storyline but happy that it had a semi alternate ending
clairebartholomew549's review against another edition
5.0
I really, really loved this book. I'm a sucker for World War II historical fiction, and especially for stories about Germans in World War II, because I don't think their stories are talked about nearly enough, and I certainly don't know enough. Tracing the rise of Nazism chronologically was fascinating, and it was interesting to see the perspective of Max, who as a Christian didn't have much to worry about but was terrified of what might happen to Hanna, and Hanna, who as a Jew had the most to worry about but tried to forge on as normal anyway. Their love story was vivid and tangible, and I really rooted for them and felt for them. I felt like the parallel timelines really worked - there was just enough mystery about what happened to Hanna during the war that I was intrigued, but it wasn't frustrating because I was really invested in her story after the war as well. The payoff when it was all revealed was also very satisfying and felt earned and true to the characters. I also loved the relationship between Hanna and her sister Julie, perhaps because of it reminded me of my own relationship with my sister; they're very different and they often clash when they're younger, but as they get older they forge a genuine and true friendship. I loved this book and the serious questions about what it means to survive through unspeakable horrors, and what it means to live afterward. Every character approached these questions so differently, and that was eye-opening. Definitely one of my favorite books I've read in a while!