A review by aconant
Cloud and Wallfish by Anne Nesbet
4.0
I should have written a review right away. I've read a few books since then so some of the details will be lost at this point.
I really enjoyed this book. It has elements from so many different genres that I think it will appeal to a wide audience. It starts with realistic fiction, then you realize you are reading historical fiction, then you realize, no wait it's a mystery, oh, wait again, it's a spy book. Wow! A lot going on here. This book will require your complete attention.
I never like to give summaries because Goodreads takes care of that better than I could anyway, so why bother. I will tell you what I think and what I liked.
I'm a historical fiction reader so I like history and learning a little with my stories. I was a little disappointed to find out the time period was near the end of the fall of the wall. I thought I was going to be getting more of A Night Divided (when the wall goes up) which was fascinating to me (see my review on that one, loved that book!). In the end, I was glad that I read two books about the Berlin Wall one from the time it went up and this one Cloud and Wallfish about when it starts to come down.
The history didn't seem over the top in your face to me (but I am a history reader). I think the story was compelling enough and the action and mystery will keep non-historical fiction readers turning the page.
The perspective of an outsider on the inside of the of a socialist country was amazing. There are a lot of learning opportunities for students who probably have very little to no information about this time in history.
Understanding what it is like to live without the freedoms that Americans often take for granted is a good reality check anyone.
All that wonderful knowledge and history aside it's also a story of a deep friendship forged by two outsiders.
I really enjoyed this book. It has elements from so many different genres that I think it will appeal to a wide audience. It starts with realistic fiction, then you realize you are reading historical fiction, then you realize, no wait it's a mystery, oh, wait again, it's a spy book. Wow! A lot going on here. This book will require your complete attention.
I never like to give summaries because Goodreads takes care of that better than I could anyway, so why bother. I will tell you what I think and what I liked.
I'm a historical fiction reader so I like history and learning a little with my stories. I was a little disappointed to find out the time period was near the end of the fall of the wall. I thought I was going to be getting more of A Night Divided (when the wall goes up) which was fascinating to me (see my review on that one, loved that book!). In the end, I was glad that I read two books about the Berlin Wall one from the time it went up and this one Cloud and Wallfish about when it starts to come down.
The history didn't seem over the top in your face to me (but I am a history reader). I think the story was compelling enough and the action and mystery will keep non-historical fiction readers turning the page.
The perspective of an outsider on the inside of the of a socialist country was amazing. There are a lot of learning opportunities for students who probably have very little to no information about this time in history.
Understanding what it is like to live without the freedoms that Americans often take for granted is a good reality check anyone.
All that wonderful knowledge and history aside it's also a story of a deep friendship forged by two outsiders.