mimima's review against another edition
4.0
Billed as Historical Fiction, it reads as if (and really is,) narrative non-fiction. I guess it's called autofiction. Be that as it may it's odd and difficult to get your arms around at times. Having said that, it is sad and horrific, details how reality slowly twisted around the Jews of France, and the way that the end of the war didn't end the trauma. On that level, it pairs well with my recent read, Jacqueline in Paris.
haleyflan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
lisao's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
elemar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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? No
4.25
minanonim's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
While the topic is very important and well-presented, the writing style just didn't suite me. Unlike many other reviewers I have read from, I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary-feeling for many parts of the book. I felt that the whole postcard prlot was unnecessary and I really couldn't connect with the emotionality of the second part of the story. Again, this is subjective, and more on me for being pretty cold and emotionless, but I got downright frustrated at some points in the story. However, the biographical parts were great for me, and my overall ratimg is a sort of average between the good parts and the grating parts.
slugabed's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
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? No
5.0
aislinglucy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation, Abandonment, Drug use, Antisemitism, Drug abuse, Death, Dementia, and Genocide
littleashes99's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
housefullofbooks86's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.25
janmaj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Interesting storytelling, alternating between telling the story of her ancestors and talking in real time to her mother. The first half tells the story of her Jewish ancestors, traveling throughout Europe and trying to become French citizens as hatred towards Jews is increasing. Ultimately, all but the author’s grandmother are killed at Auschwitz. The second half deals with the mystery of who sent the mysterious postcard that inspired the author to research her family’s history. Many details made it slow-going at times, but excellent.