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maddieabbott's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
dwd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
4.0
You realise from the start that when you read a book about the Holocaust, it's going to be emotional. This one is particularly so.
In 1942,s Prague, two women meet on the most horrendous train journey as they are picked up and transported to the Nazi camp in Auschwitz. They have both been separated from their family and loved ones and have to try and find them. Thrown together in such circumstances, they befriend each other and try to help eachother out. Eva has only been married for 6 months before he was taken away and she's sure he's in the dreaded camp. Sofie has been betrayed by a cousin and her baby is missing.
If the train journey was hard to read about, then when they get to the camp, you realise things are going to get worse. Their time here is horrendous and the everyday reality is hard to take. They are two ordinary women in very unusual circumstances and it's admirable to see their bravery whilst realising how hard it must have been to be in such a place and not know what is going on. Life in the camp is horrific as we know from history, but in the novel it seems all the more tragic as we see the women go about the laundry duties and taking the clothes and belongings from the 'newcomers' When you read this knowing exactly what was going on, it's all the more heartbreaking. The guards are evil personified and one even takes this further with one of the women which broke my heart.
How cam people even think of getting through something like this? How can they even cope day to day with the unknown? Well this novel is all about that and more and it's a deep and thought-provoking novel.. It's remarkable in so many ways and heartbreaking in equal measure.
A unique read about the Nazi camp but what shines is the determination and strength of the women (and men) there who refused to be victims.
In 1942,s Prague, two women meet on the most horrendous train journey as they are picked up and transported to the Nazi camp in Auschwitz. They have both been separated from their family and loved ones and have to try and find them. Thrown together in such circumstances, they befriend each other and try to help eachother out. Eva has only been married for 6 months before he was taken away and she's sure he's in the dreaded camp. Sofie has been betrayed by a cousin and her baby is missing.
If the train journey was hard to read about, then when they get to the camp, you realise things are going to get worse. Their time here is horrendous and the everyday reality is hard to take. They are two ordinary women in very unusual circumstances and it's admirable to see their bravery whilst realising how hard it must have been to be in such a place and not know what is going on. Life in the camp is horrific as we know from history, but in the novel it seems all the more tragic as we see the women go about the laundry duties and taking the clothes and belongings from the 'newcomers' When you read this knowing exactly what was going on, it's all the more heartbreaking. The guards are evil personified and one even takes this further with one of the women which broke my heart.
How cam people even think of getting through something like this? How can they even cope day to day with the unknown? Well this novel is all about that and more and it's a deep and thought-provoking novel.. It's remarkable in so many ways and heartbreaking in equal measure.
A unique read about the Nazi camp but what shines is the determination and strength of the women (and men) there who refused to be victims.
elenaia's review against another edition
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? No
5.0
tatraeileen's review against another edition
4.0
This book was incredibly powerful. The themes of hope, friendship, friends that become family are enormous. Especially in the light of such horrible events.
I love stories of triumph from WWII, people who survived. It's always been so intriguing to me.
I gave this four stars because- I feel like the story could have been twice as long. Some parts were barely touched. Huge events took only two sentences. I would have liked to know more about certain things. Also, there was some confusion about who was "speaking". It would switch POV from Eva to Sophie, and then back, all in the same chapter, which was a little confusing. I wish I could send it back, have the author bulk it up more, and then re-read it.
Overall, a great story. Definitely recommended, if you can stomach WWII concentration camp stories.
I love stories of triumph from WWII, people who survived. It's always been so intriguing to me.
I gave this four stars because- I feel like the story could have been twice as long. Some parts were barely touched. Huge events took only two sentences. I would have liked to know more about certain things. Also, there was some confusion about who was "speaking". It would switch POV from Eva to Sophie, and then back, all in the same chapter, which was a little confusing. I wish I could send it back, have the author bulk it up more, and then re-read it.
Overall, a great story. Definitely recommended, if you can stomach WWII concentration camp stories.
dennyhb's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
mbutler's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? N/A
4.0