kirstenpod_'s review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: War, Gun violence, Death, Violence, Genocide, Child death, Antisemitism, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Bullying, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
raineydayreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: War, Antisemitism, Gun violence, Cancer, and Death
Minor: Rape and Vomit
viceveritas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Antisemitism, War, and Death
Moderate: Rape
eed8's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, War, Death of parent, and Antisemitism
bookshelfhannah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, War, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Antisemitism, and Rape
kk_gotit_goinon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Violence, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Genocide, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, and War
philippaoderso's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: War, Violence, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Death and Rape
megb64's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Antisemitism, Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Violence, Rape, Gun violence, Death, Sexual assault, War, and Murder
eberzy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War
Moderate: Antisemitism, Child death, Death, and Violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Cancer, and Rape
Not to be dramatic, but one of the best books I've ever read. No wonder it won a pulitzer The many characters, careening timelines, historical accuracy, pacing, and building of narrative with minimal dialogue absolutely blew my mind. I have never read a book crafted like this. I had my doubts at first with the poeticism and jumping timelines that I could not follow, but when it all came together at the climax, it was all so perfect. The characters--I really appreciate von Rumpel as a villain. His plight from geologist to conspiracy-obsessed nazi is very realistic and compelling. One of my favorite book villains perhaps. The intricacies resulting from Marie's disability were unique and created much of the book's tension. It made me contemplate what times of war were like for people with disabilities. Werner's story of being drawn/forced into the charms of nazi Germany was so realistic. For me, this explained more easily than the history books how this war began. I could go on and on about all the other characters. I love that we saw each one through to the essential end of their story. It is so rare to be able to connect with this many secondary characters without it getting confusing. The ending--This book could have ended much earlier than it did and I would have been happy. I like the stylistic choice to follow the characters post-war. I like that it showed that war promises happy endings to no one.sxndaze's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Antisemitism, Death, and Grief