A review by lindzlovesreading
All That I Am by Anna Funder

4.0

Generally when you read a novel set in early 1930's Europe with a heavy dollop of Germany, you know how it is going to end. You can't help but know, a short ambitious man, who likes ranting, uniforms and Charlie Chaplin's moustache, and does not like ethnic food, smoking or Jews decides to take over Germany. No matter how many times Neville Chamberlain holds up that piece of paper and declaring peace in our time, there will be a European map covered in a scary red colour. Of course with any map image from world war two there has to be accompanied by 'You've got to be kidding Mr Hitler' (Dad's Army) and for some reason, 'Yes, we have not bananas.'?

We all know it. The famous speeches, 'We shall fight them on the beaches, fight on the landing strip, we shall, never, surrenda'. The millions and millions of documentaries of tanks, spitfires, tanks, bulges, guns, and did mention tanks?

We have seen those grainy black and white images of people herded like cattle, of emaciated concentration camp victims. We have seen the multiple television shows, movies, read the countless books. We know how this story goes.

But back in 1933, could you actual comprehend what was about to happen. Even those brave men and women who dared to stand up to the Reich.

Thank Christ Funder wrote a bloody good novel! Read it it's really good.