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lesserjoke's review against another edition
3.0
There are some lovely individual moments in this novel about characters in 1940s Europe evading and resisting the Nazis, but I'm ultimately dissatisfied by the overall shape of the narrative and by how little author Alice Hoffman has developed the various elements of Jewish mysticism that she introduces along the way. (I hesitate to label the story as magical realist, but it certainly fits a tradition of fabulism amidst the mundane within the literature of Judaism.)
Certain individual threads work well, like the female golem a rabbi's daughter creates to protect a young girl on the journey out of Germany, or the angel of death who appears to people on the verge of their fated hours. But other aspects are too vague to make much of an impact, and the plot is so disjointed that I struggle to feel invested in any particular angle. So although I appreciate the #ownvoices perspective of our common heritage that Hoffman continues to bring to such projects, this book is a real letdown after her exquisite earlier piece of historical fiction The Dovekeepers.
[Content warning for sexual assault of a child as well as historical Holocaust atrocities.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
Certain individual threads work well, like the female golem a rabbi's daughter creates to protect a young girl on the journey out of Germany, or the angel of death who appears to people on the verge of their fated hours. But other aspects are too vague to make much of an impact, and the plot is so disjointed that I struggle to feel invested in any particular angle. So although I appreciate the #ownvoices perspective of our common heritage that Hoffman continues to bring to such projects, this book is a real letdown after her exquisite earlier piece of historical fiction The Dovekeepers.
[Content warning for sexual assault of a child as well as historical Holocaust atrocities.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
t_barnett207's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
bink_64's review against another edition
3.0
Not your typical WWll story. Filled with magic, golems, the Angel of Death hovering in the trees, a heron who can communicate with with the Ava. the golem, through dance and yet through it all the horrors of war and what was done to the Jewish people comes through.
There were a lot of characters and side stories that almost make it seem like separate books when in fact the main story is about Ava, the Golem, Lea the child she was created to protect and Julien the boy Lea falls in love with. I felt that the story was a little muddled and difficult to follow with all of the characters.
I have to say the magic and creation of the golem scared me!
There were a lot of characters and side stories that almost make it seem like separate books when in fact the main story is about Ava, the Golem, Lea the child she was created to protect and Julien the boy Lea falls in love with. I felt that the story was a little muddled and difficult to follow with all of the characters.
I have to say the magic and creation of the golem scared me!
bookishmagpie's review against another edition
Intertwining the horror of the holocaust with magical realism and fantasy elements is not something I am interested in.
mjhoke68's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
dinah56's review against another edition
5.0
I love Alice Hoffman. She creates characters that draw you to them in their sorrows, struggles, and and strength. Beautiful book.
read_cindy_read's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
books_inthewild's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve read SO many books set in WW2, and specifically so many about the Holocaust and Jewish history.
This book was a unique and deep perspective on this time in history- and I loved every second.
As Jodi picoult reviewed, this “novel will break your heart, and then stitch it back together piece by piece.” I think that happened to me multiple times during this novel!
Heart breaking, historically accurate, and absolutely stunning character development…. HIGHLY recommend!
I loved how she wove Hebrew language throughout, and included so much about Jewish faith & religious beliefs.
This book was a unique and deep perspective on this time in history- and I loved every second.
As Jodi picoult reviewed, this “novel will break your heart, and then stitch it back together piece by piece.” I think that happened to me multiple times during this novel!
Heart breaking, historically accurate, and absolutely stunning character development…. HIGHLY recommend!
I loved how she wove Hebrew language throughout, and included so much about Jewish faith & religious beliefs.