Scan barcode
duskk_novels's reviews
47 reviews
Songbirds by Christy Lefteri
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
They walk through our world unseen, unheard, unnoticed. Yet, they are woven into the fabric of our lives and exist as the beating heart of our existence. This is the riveting, yet soul-splitting story of Nisha Jayakody, a Sri Lankan domestic worker in Cyprus. Through the perspectives of Petra and Yiannis, we unearth the layers of Nisha's mysterious character and life, including the loss of her sister, husband and making the decision to leave her only living child in Sri Lanka. The harrowing events that shaped her existence exposes the traumatic realities and the severe abuse endured by foreign domestic workers by employers. This is the tale of a mother's unyielding and indestructible love for her child and the worlds she is forced to live in-between. This is the story of one woman, and at the same time, lived by millions of foreign women across oceans and mountains.
A simply-written novel intertwined with poetic, yet powerful prose that unveils the brutal fates imposed upon foreign maids as the price to pay for their family's survival. Before reading this, I was ignorant to the abuse they experience and the hidden torment they sustain, all to ensure their families back home are cared for. Although fictional, the cruelty depicted reflects real-world horrors and the chain of events that ensued was paralysing. My favourite element was the contrasting imagery and the magnetic personalities of the characters that enhanced the narrative beautifully and intensified the lessons it conveyed. It was these literary devices, especially imagery and symbolism, that left me with enduring emotions. The vivid imagery and metaphoric use of animals and colour symbolism were my favourite aspects, alongside Nisha and Yiannis being two of the kindest souls I have met in a fictional world.
The only reason this did not get 5 stars is because the ending was rushed. Whilst I appreciate mystery and ambiguity, the intense build-up of the story warranted more closure and felt like a significant part of the story was missing, undermining the theme of educating readers about the mistreatment of foreign workers. However, the unforgettable feelings I had outweighed this, and songbirds stands as one of the most soul-awakening novels I have read in my life.
A simply-written novel intertwined with poetic, yet powerful prose that unveils the brutal fates imposed upon foreign maids as the price to pay for their family's survival. Before reading this, I was ignorant to the abuse they experience and the hidden torment they sustain, all to ensure their families back home are cared for. Although fictional, the cruelty depicted reflects real-world horrors and the chain of events that ensued was paralysing. My favourite element was the contrasting imagery and the magnetic personalities of the characters that enhanced the narrative beautifully and intensified the lessons it conveyed. It was these literary devices, especially imagery and symbolism, that left me with enduring emotions. The vivid imagery and metaphoric use of animals and colour symbolism were my favourite aspects, alongside Nisha and Yiannis being two of the kindest souls I have met in a fictional world.
The only reason this did not get 5 stars is because the ending was rushed. Whilst I appreciate mystery and ambiguity, the intense build-up of the story warranted more closure and felt like a significant part of the story was missing, undermining the theme of educating readers about the mistreatment of foreign workers. However, the unforgettable feelings I had outweighed this, and songbirds stands as one of the most soul-awakening novels I have read in my life.
The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
War Doctor: Surgery on the Front Line by David Nott
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Prayer by Philip Kerr
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I won't bother summarising the plot of this book and making it sound captivating because it does not deserve that credit from me. How can I put into words my perpetual fury and disappointment of this book especially one written by one of my favourite writers?
Let's just get straight to it. The point of a murder mystery is to devise a series of events in which intrigue develops and thickens as the plot unfolds. Why go through achingly long hours of writing, build-up, and research to construct an enthralling story with mysterious characters in which there is no murderer but in fact, SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT, God is the murderer?
A revolting element of this was the cruel misrepresentation of Muslims and women. Why would you make the only Muslim character in your book non-practising (which added nothing to the story) and even suggesting that Muslim women are oppressed by Islam? I am nauseated to think that you spent hours researching and did not even bother looking at Islam's principles on the treatment of women. You included at the end of your book, two complete pages of biblical quotes and Christian scriptures that you selected yourself, but could not bother educating your ignorant mind about what Islam says about women and their respected status among humankind. Instead you decide that including Islamophobia was the better option for your work. Additionally what was the purpose of the oversexualisation of women in your story ? What did that add ? Not only was that extremely unconformable but I realised that your intention was to objectify women and portray them in a sickeningly sexual light. As a Muslim woman, I am disgusted that I ever called you one of my favourite writers and am baffled as to how you have written amazing pieces of work and then spat out this?
Another reason why you might want to avoid this because it is severely anti-God and anti-Christ. The main character slanders the name of God in Christian context. And you might think oh you mean atheism? No, I mean anti-God as in the character believes in God because he believes God to be a hateful evil divinity. Religion is one of my favourite areas to read about, especially Islam and Christianity and I was excited to see how the writer would integrate religion into a murder mystery. It was promising then became abhorrent, to the degree where it became anti-God/Christ. And that was his purpose because his Author's note explained his detestation for God, representing him as pure malevolent evil. I am not saying that a book cannot contain atheism or a character with differing views about God as our world holds real people like this, some who even have a dislike towards God. And I believe that a qualified writer would place a character's fear of God or even their hatred into the correct words that did not border malevolence and defamation
I will not bother commenting on the enjoyable aspects of this because I think the elements explained above diminishes all amusement found in this. I'm sorry if I come across dramatic or oversensitive but I guarantee you will agree with every word of my passionate hatred if you read this. What a disheartening waste of potential this was
PS: there was some unfiltered 0ral seggs scenes which eradicated any innocence I had left. Can someone pay for my therapy please ? x
Let's just get straight to it. The point of a murder mystery is to devise a series of events in which intrigue develops and thickens as the plot unfolds. Why go through achingly long hours of writing, build-up, and research to construct an enthralling story with mysterious characters in which there is no murderer but in fact, SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT, God is the murderer?
A revolting element of this was the cruel misrepresentation of Muslims and women. Why would you make the only Muslim character in your book non-practising (which added nothing to the story) and even suggesting that Muslim women are oppressed by Islam? I am nauseated to think that you spent hours researching and did not even bother looking at Islam's principles on the treatment of women. You included at the end of your book, two complete pages of biblical quotes and Christian scriptures that you selected yourself, but could not bother educating your ignorant mind about what Islam says about women and their respected status among humankind. Instead you decide that including Islamophobia was the better option for your work. Additionally what was the purpose of the oversexualisation of women in your story ? What did that add ? Not only was that extremely unconformable but I realised that your intention was to objectify women and portray them in a sickeningly sexual light. As a Muslim woman, I am disgusted that I ever called you one of my favourite writers and am baffled as to how you have written amazing pieces of work and then spat out this?
Another reason why you might want to avoid this because it is severely anti-God and anti-Christ. The main character slanders the name of God in Christian context. And you might think oh you mean atheism? No, I mean anti-God as in the character believes in God because he believes God to be a hateful evil divinity. Religion is one of my favourite areas to read about, especially Islam and Christianity and I was excited to see how the writer would integrate religion into a murder mystery. It was promising then became abhorrent, to the degree where it became anti-God/Christ. And that was his purpose because his Author's note explained his detestation for God, representing him as pure malevolent evil. I am not saying that a book cannot contain atheism or a character with differing views about God as our world holds real people like this, some who even have a dislike towards God. And I believe that a qualified writer would place a character's fear of God or even their hatred into the correct words that did not border malevolence and defamation
I will not bother commenting on the enjoyable aspects of this because I think the elements explained above diminishes all amusement found in this. I'm sorry if I come across dramatic or oversensitive but I guarantee you will agree with every word of my passionate hatred if you read this. What a disheartening waste of potential this was
PS: there was some unfiltered 0ral seggs scenes which eradicated any innocence I had left. Can someone pay for my therapy please ? x
While Paris Slept by Ruth Druart
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
'There’s more to a book than just the words on the page.. '
1944, and the bleeding streets of France have become a place where even the angels cry. Man’s inhumanity against man has left a wounded country, picked open its scars and left its people piling up on the roadside. Railway worker Jean-Luc is torn between working under the Nazis and saving his country from them. So when the day comes where he silently sabotages the train tracks heading to Auschwitz, he sees for the first time the tormented emaciated souls of the last remaining Jews of France, pouring out from the cattle wagons. As Sarah Lafitte stumbles out of the bursting wagon, she holds her new-born baby close like an anchor against the endless sea of prisoners. A month old and already the love she bears him could split the skies open. So it guts her to her core because she loves him too much to hold on, and she pushes her baby into the arms of the railway worker standing in the middle of the sea like a lighthouse. ‘Take my baby!’ she screams. She knows so fragile a life could never survive the hell-ravaged grounds of Auschwitz
1944, and the bleeding streets of France have become a place where even the angels cry. Man’s inhumanity against man has left a wounded country, picked open its scars and left its people piling up on the roadside. Railway worker Jean-Luc is torn between working under the Nazis and saving his country from them. So when the day comes where he silently sabotages the train tracks heading to Auschwitz, he sees for the first time the tormented emaciated souls of the last remaining Jews of France, pouring out from the cattle wagons. As Sarah Lafitte stumbles out of the bursting wagon, she holds her new-born baby close like an anchor against the endless sea of prisoners. A month old and already the love she bears him could split the skies open. So it guts her to her core because she loves him too much to hold on, and she pushes her baby into the arms of the railway worker standing in the middle of the sea like a lighthouse. ‘Take my baby!’ she screams. She knows so fragile a life could never survive the hell-ravaged grounds of Auschwitz
Through a heart-wrenching series of events, we watch how Jean-Luc and his wife Charlotte scale forbidden territories and walk through oceans to save the little miracle of life nested in their hands. Through multiple narratives, we unearth the deep, painful reality of human sacrifice and the moral and ethical dilemmas that come with surviving war. We focus on cultural identities, where they stop and start, and unravel the layers to the meaning of ‘home’ – who or what is ‘home?’
Jean-Luc and Sarah were outstanding, admirable characters who embodied different versions of love and sacrifice. It was fascinating and achingly beautiful reading the opposing POVS and understanding the undying love they had for the child, one who carried him and one who raised him. However, the prose was unbearably poor and at times, triggering. The wording and narrative style was underwhelming with a depressing lack of depth, emotion and rushed tones especially for such a tragic plotline. Charlotte’s POV was the ABSOLUTE WORST! I didn’t pick a deeply moving novel to read the POV of a vain, shallow, overgrown child who did not seem to change as the character aged. Additionally, the chapters centring on Jean-Luc and Charlotte’s relationship were cringing with an annoying lack of action at the start. The book wasted so much potential and I only recommend solely for its series of events and nothing more. Unfortunately I was let down by this one
I'm sorry Ruth Druart xx
PS : I want to see how Jennifer Saint would write this. Now there's a writer who knows how to build emotion and imagery using words
I'm sorry Ruth Druart xx
PS : I want to see how Jennifer Saint would write this. Now there's a writer who knows how to build emotion and imagery using words
The Pale Blue Eye by Louis Bayard
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
'...she was his consolation from God.
And every time he faltered in his undertaking, every time he fretted for his soul, he realized he had nothing to fret over.
God had taken her. God had nothing more to claim from him'
Through the whimsical narrative of police constable, Gus Landor, we are immersed into the harrowing yore of October 1830, where a US cadet, Leroy Fry has been found swinging from a noose near the Hudson river. A devastating suicide that rendered the US military academy incapable of protecting its young men. And it seems the dead do not fare well here either, as Fry's body had been stolen...and found with his chest hacked open and his heart brutally carved out
Tasked with solving this unfathomable act of savagery, Landor dives into the haunting past of Leroy Fry and uncovers the unforgivable secrets that once harboured in this heartless, mangled mass of decay. And enlisting the assistance of another cadet, the soon to be famous poet Edgar Allen Poe, they tear down the Academy's subterfuge and find multiple sickening, silent shows of inhumanity concealed underneath
A gut-churning murder mystery with mystifying characters, dark imagery and intrigue that thickened as the plot unfolded. Integrated with vivid poetry and built with a majestic lyrical prose that gave it the ambiance of a Charles Dickens classic. Its most striking feature to me was its elegant, atmospheric writing that made me feel like I was reading a novel produced in the 19th century. I relished every word and had my soul destroyed with the diabolical plot twists that came with it. I have never read a novel that contained so many dark twists and truths, transforming the entire book and plunging me into a deeper and more disturbing perspective
Landor was my favourite and I loved his calm and mysterious demeanour. His way of explanation and description of events were absorbing and understanding his deep-rooted relevance to the whole plotline was overwhelming
Definitely one for the murder mystery, classics and thriller fans !
And every time he faltered in his undertaking, every time he fretted for his soul, he realized he had nothing to fret over.
God had taken her. God had nothing more to claim from him'
Through the whimsical narrative of police constable, Gus Landor, we are immersed into the harrowing yore of October 1830, where a US cadet, Leroy Fry has been found swinging from a noose near the Hudson river. A devastating suicide that rendered the US military academy incapable of protecting its young men. And it seems the dead do not fare well here either, as Fry's body had been stolen...and found with his chest hacked open and his heart brutally carved out
Tasked with solving this unfathomable act of savagery, Landor dives into the haunting past of Leroy Fry and uncovers the unforgivable secrets that once harboured in this heartless, mangled mass of decay. And enlisting the assistance of another cadet, the soon to be famous poet Edgar Allen Poe, they tear down the Academy's subterfuge and find multiple sickening, silent shows of inhumanity concealed underneath
A gut-churning murder mystery with mystifying characters, dark imagery and intrigue that thickened as the plot unfolded. Integrated with vivid poetry and built with a majestic lyrical prose that gave it the ambiance of a Charles Dickens classic. Its most striking feature to me was its elegant, atmospheric writing that made me feel like I was reading a novel produced in the 19th century. I relished every word and had my soul destroyed with the diabolical plot twists that came with it. I have never read a novel that contained so many dark twists and truths, transforming the entire book and plunging me into a deeper and more disturbing perspective
Landor was my favourite and I loved his calm and mysterious demeanour. His way of explanation and description of events were absorbing and understanding his deep-rooted relevance to the whole plotline was overwhelming
Definitely one for the murder mystery, classics and thriller fans !
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Scroll down if you came here from my Instagram @duskk_novels :)
Three hundred years. And no one remembers you. You have walked 300 years on this earth, watched wars rage, centuries rise and fall, empires collapse and revolutions unfold and yet, no one remembers you. You have time without limit. You live life without rule. You are untethered, unbound, unable to leave your mark on the world. That is the invisible life of Addie Larue, who struck a deal with the darkness. To live life as she pleases, anchored to nothing and none, but forgotten by every face and life she touches. So it's strange when the day comes and she walks back into a bookshop where the bookseller, Henry Strauss, remembers her
But the devil never plays fair. As henry and Addie's lives merge, they must confront their haunting pasts and the decisions they made that created this war between time and memory. But memory fades and time is emptying. There are prices waiting to be paid and when a deal is made, it is binding. And the devil waits for no one
An intriguing, gripping thriller written in a poetic prose. With magnificent world-building and interesting characters, I loved and enjoyed this with its innovative concepts. The chapters set between the 18-20th centuries were my favourite. It was alluring, watching fragments of history unravel and understanding the reality of life at that time and how Addie was living hers. I also loved the integration of art and its significance to the plot and Addie's character. A perfect blend of art with literature to produce a wonderful story explaining the importance of leaving a mark on the world
Unfortunately, the first half of chapters set in modern years was not enjoyable for me. The events were mundane and repetitive and I found them boring. There was a lack of action and the story was not pulling me in. But the last half were riveting and unravelling rapidly with tension and action which I enjoyed immensely. I would definitely recommend this but will warn that the start of the story is tedious, but soon transforms into a splendid novel. Another thing is I wish we had some POVs from Luc or 'the darkness'. I would have loved to explore his motives behind helping humans and to understand his business with human souls. What makes him so different to the other gods and what is it about a human life that makes him decide that now is the right time for him to intercede?
MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED ! MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED ! MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED ! MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED !
I loved the enmity between Luc and Addie. This game between humans and the darkness was entertaining to watch and seeing them trying to destroying each other was thrilling. I binge read most of the end because I was so excited to see the final moves they had to win the 300 year war and history between them
So it was disheartening when it was revealed that Luc loved and wanted Addie. I just do not understand why a supreme, supernatural being would develop human impulses and have sexual relations with a girl who he was intent on tormenting and breaking (a word the character used himself)
I felt like his attraction to her was insincere and was created just to add more layers to the story which was not needed. I believe it would have been more entertaining if the romance was just confined between Henry and Addie (even thought them falling in love only knowing each other for a short time was unrealistic and implausible) and watching how Luc would destroy Addie without being sexually attracted and forcing a romantic relationship with her. I understand Addie will use this to her advantage to break the terms that bind him to her, its the sexual impulses of this powerful, paranormal being I have an issue with
You are literally a demon, why do you suddenly want this specific human girl by your side and want to have sexual relations with her? Baby please, this is not a Greek mythology novel x
PS: what kind of name is 'book' for a cat ??
Three hundred years. And no one remembers you. You have walked 300 years on this earth, watched wars rage, centuries rise and fall, empires collapse and revolutions unfold and yet, no one remembers you. You have time without limit. You live life without rule. You are untethered, unbound, unable to leave your mark on the world. That is the invisible life of Addie Larue, who struck a deal with the darkness. To live life as she pleases, anchored to nothing and none, but forgotten by every face and life she touches. So it's strange when the day comes and she walks back into a bookshop where the bookseller, Henry Strauss, remembers her
But the devil never plays fair. As henry and Addie's lives merge, they must confront their haunting pasts and the decisions they made that created this war between time and memory. But memory fades and time is emptying. There are prices waiting to be paid and when a deal is made, it is binding. And the devil waits for no one
An intriguing, gripping thriller written in a poetic prose. With magnificent world-building and interesting characters, I loved and enjoyed this with its innovative concepts. The chapters set between the 18-20th centuries were my favourite. It was alluring, watching fragments of history unravel and understanding the reality of life at that time and how Addie was living hers. I also loved the integration of art and its significance to the plot and Addie's character. A perfect blend of art with literature to produce a wonderful story explaining the importance of leaving a mark on the world
Unfortunately, the first half of chapters set in modern years was not enjoyable for me. The events were mundane and repetitive and I found them boring. There was a lack of action and the story was not pulling me in. But the last half were riveting and unravelling rapidly with tension and action which I enjoyed immensely. I would definitely recommend this but will warn that the start of the story is tedious, but soon transforms into a splendid novel. Another thing is I wish we had some POVs from Luc or 'the darkness'. I would have loved to explore his motives behind helping humans and to understand his business with human souls. What makes him so different to the other gods and what is it about a human life that makes him decide that now is the right time for him to intercede?
MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED ! MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED ! MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED ! MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED !
I loved the enmity between Luc and Addie. This game between humans and the darkness was entertaining to watch and seeing them trying to destroying each other was thrilling. I binge read most of the end because I was so excited to see the final moves they had to win the 300 year war and history between them
So it was disheartening when it was revealed that Luc loved and wanted Addie. I just do not understand why a supreme, supernatural being would develop human impulses and have sexual relations with a girl who he was intent on tormenting and breaking (a word the character used himself)
I felt like his attraction to her was insincere and was created just to add more layers to the story which was not needed. I believe it would have been more entertaining if the romance was just confined between Henry and Addie (even thought them falling in love only knowing each other for a short time was unrealistic and implausible) and watching how Luc would destroy Addie without being sexually attracted and forcing a romantic relationship with her. I understand Addie will use this to her advantage to break the terms that bind him to her, its the sexual impulses of this powerful, paranormal being I have an issue with
You are literally a demon, why do you suddenly want this specific human girl by your side and want to have sexual relations with her? Baby please, this is not a Greek mythology novel x
PS: what kind of name is 'book' for a cat ??
The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz by Jeremy Dronfield
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
How do you win a war that never ends ?
From these pages emerge the soul-crushing, mind-shattering history of a father and son who spent the entirety of WW2 in a war of their own against Germany's concentration camps. In this harrowing account, we relive Gustav and Fritz Kleinman surviving 5 different concentration camps, Fritz willingly boarding the Auschwitz train that contained his father to protect him and the inexplicable turns of fate that have kept their body and soul together. With a powerfully moving prose, haunting imagery and world-building, we meet a diverse set of people who played a role in the Kleinmann's survival and their place among the resistance against the twisted ideology and puppets of the Reich. We also learn of the life led by the Kleinmanns before and after the war, their attempts at escape and the tragic experiences and ends met by family and fellow prisoners. This story was supported and supplemented by Gustav's diary that contains his real-time thoughts and the horrifying series of events that unravelled during his prisoner years
With educational insights into Anschluss, the strategic operations of concentrations camps and the unbelievable scope of human evil, this is undoubtedly, one of the most disturbing accounts of the holocaust. I have learnt so much from this book including the 'cold clockwork execution' of the SS and the camps, the diabolical 'programmes' infused to commit mass murders and the incredible events that led up to liberation. A phenomenal, unforgettable story and educational tool, unveiling prisoner-life, camp operations, human suffering and survival, and the irreversible damage left on the world by Hitler's Reich
From these pages emerge the soul-crushing, mind-shattering history of a father and son who spent the entirety of WW2 in a war of their own against Germany's concentration camps. In this harrowing account, we relive Gustav and Fritz Kleinman surviving 5 different concentration camps, Fritz willingly boarding the Auschwitz train that contained his father to protect him and the inexplicable turns of fate that have kept their body and soul together. With a powerfully moving prose, haunting imagery and world-building, we meet a diverse set of people who played a role in the Kleinmann's survival and their place among the resistance against the twisted ideology and puppets of the Reich. We also learn of the life led by the Kleinmanns before and after the war, their attempts at escape and the tragic experiences and ends met by family and fellow prisoners. This story was supported and supplemented by Gustav's diary that contains his real-time thoughts and the horrifying series of events that unravelled during his prisoner years
With educational insights into Anschluss, the strategic operations of concentrations camps and the unbelievable scope of human evil, this is undoubtedly, one of the most disturbing accounts of the holocaust. I have learnt so much from this book including the 'cold clockwork execution' of the SS and the camps, the diabolical 'programmes' infused to commit mass murders and the incredible events that led up to liberation. A phenomenal, unforgettable story and educational tool, unveiling prisoner-life, camp operations, human suffering and survival, and the irreversible damage left on the world by Hitler's Reich
I loved every word of this story, especially Fritz and his courage and unbreakable devotion to his father that extended to him putting his number in to board the same train that would condemn them both to endless suffering and nightmares