mbasford's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, and Antisemitism
Moderate: War, Death, Hate crime, and Genocide
Minor: Grief
kktaylor11's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I did NOT expect this. I'll be honest, having never heard of this, I grabbed it because one of my current reading challenges asks for a book with letters or emails, so this one (which is entirely letters back and forth between to people) seemed like a quick and easy way to check it off.
The book was published in 1938 - the same year as the Munich Accords, Chamberlain's "Peace in Our Time" speech, Appeasement, and Kristallnacht. There's no surprise it deals with Hitler and the Nazis. The surprise is how presciently it does so.
Then the part that sticks with me...Max begins writing letters to Martin - knowing they are being read by the censors - with what sounds like codes embedded. Even I, reading them, thought "oh, Martin is really not a Nazi and he's communicated with Max outside the letters we've read and he's helping Jews escape." It never crossed my mind that it wasn't true. Until Martin's desperate letter and the realization that Max was doing it intentionally -- sending letters directly to Martin to make it LOOK like he was helping Jews intentionally so the Germans WOULD come and take him away. The simple tragedy of it was breathtaking. In the end we are left with the reality that there are no "innocents" in this story - no "good guy." We are left debating -- what is evil? Is evil Martin letting her die at his doorstep? or supporting the Nazis and articulating that the Jews deserve to die? Is evil Max intentionally sending his friend to his death? Can you excuse Martin's actions through fear? Does self preservation fit into things? Are there degrees of evil? Max is heartless in his actions - but he is also personally wounded by the death of his sister essentially at the hands of Martin.
For such a short book this is MASTERFULLY written and will definitely stay with me for a long time.
The book was published in 1938 - the same year as the Munich Accords, Chamberlain's "Peace in Our Time" speech, Appeasement, and Kristallnacht. There's no surprise it deals with Hitler and the Nazis. The surprise is how presciently it does so.
Spoiler
The letters back and forth seemed to follow a very predictable pattern -- Max, the Jew in America, emphasizing how awful the Nazi's are, and Martin, the German back in Germany, embracing the Nazi propaganda bit by bit. I was ready to sigh and move on. But then the twist happens - Max's sister flees Berlin and comes to Martin for protection, arriving at the very moment the Nazi Stormtroopers following her arrive. He is in an impossible situation - allow her into the house and put his entire family including his wife who has just given birth at serious risk of death, or refuse her and protect himself. He tells her to run and she does - but is caught and quickly killed. Her death is a foregone conclusion either way the moment she knocks on the door with the SS right behind her. Does that excuse Martin's actions? No way. But it makes them understandable.Then the part that sticks with me...Max begins writing letters to Martin - knowing they are being read by the censors - with what sounds like codes embedded. Even I, reading them, thought "oh, Martin is really not a Nazi and he's communicated with Max outside the letters we've read and he's helping Jews escape." It never crossed my mind that it wasn't true. Until Martin's desperate letter and the realization that Max was doing it intentionally -- sending letters directly to Martin to make it LOOK like he was helping Jews intentionally so the Germans WOULD come and take him away. The simple tragedy of it was breathtaking. In the end we are left with the reality that there are no "innocents" in this story - no "good guy." We are left debating -- what is evil? Is evil Martin letting her die at his doorstep? or supporting the Nazis and articulating that the Jews deserve to die? Is evil Max intentionally sending his friend to his death? Can you excuse Martin's actions through fear? Does self preservation fit into things? Are there degrees of evil? Max is heartless in his actions - but he is also personally wounded by the death of his sister essentially at the hands of Martin.
For such a short book this is MASTERFULLY written and will definitely stay with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War, and Xenophobia
sextance's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and War
karimachquiry's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, War, Violence, Genocide, Gun violence, Infidelity, Murder, Police brutality, and Racism
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