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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Honest and unflinching. Fascinating look at layers of family and war trauma, and a reminder of the questions we sometimes wait to ask until it's too late.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
An absolutely stellar way to explore one's family history! I thoroughly enjoyed following along with Nora's journey discovering the nuances of her family's past - as hard as it was for her at times. This is an incredibly important book for anyone interested in WWII, family history and the German perspective.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
I have never read a graphic novel that has affected me as this one has. It opened/broke/helped heal my heart and deepened my understanding of human nature.
Nora Krug, a German emigré to the US, uses the form of mixed media graphic novel to tell the story of her search for the truth of her family’s possible roles in WW2.
This work of art is like a scrapbook, with Krug’s own beautiful writing and impactful illustrations mixed with memorabilia, documents and other ephemera.
I hesitate to describe the format in any more detail, because discovering how Krug uses visuals and text is part of the journey (I went in knowing nothing).
There is an underlying poetry; Krug uses German objects/words as a framework in the different sections and these become multi-layered concepts during her journey. The concept of Heimat is at the heart. Homeland. Like the best poetry it is deceptively simple at first but works on many levels.
This novel resonated with me in many ways. Being an emigré, doing genealogical research to try to understand the past, family secrets buried for years. A reckoning with one’s homeland’s history.
Absolutely amazing book and I will seek out everything Nora Krug creates.
I really liked this graphic memoir, it reminded me a bit of books by Maira Kalman, and also of documentaries by Ross McElwee (Sherman’s March and Bright Leaves) very different subject matter, but investigating - and trying to understand- history through a personal lens.
Interesting and very enjoyable to read with all the scrapbook type illustrations.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
The use of ephemeral collage -- with photographs, comics, artwork, archival materials -- brings Krug's exploration of her family's past to a new level.
Reading 2023
Book 213: Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home by Nora Krug
A graphic memoir for my #nonfictionnovember reading. This book found its way to me via a friend recommendation.
Synopsis: Nora Krug's story of her attempt to confront the hidden truths of her family’s wartime past in Nazi Germany and to comprehend the forces that have shaped her life, her generation, and history.
Review: As I have said in the past, my rating for a memoir is my connection to the story. It is hard to rate someone else’s experiences. The art in this book did not draw me in to start, it distracted me a bit. I could not connect with the author, not sure why. I liked the history of her family. Not the right book at the right time. My rating 3.5⭐️.
Book 213: Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home by Nora Krug
A graphic memoir for my #nonfictionnovember reading. This book found its way to me via a friend recommendation.
Synopsis: Nora Krug's story of her attempt to confront the hidden truths of her family’s wartime past in Nazi Germany and to comprehend the forces that have shaped her life, her generation, and history.
Review: As I have said in the past, my rating for a memoir is my connection to the story. It is hard to rate someone else’s experiences. The art in this book did not draw me in to start, it distracted me a bit. I could not connect with the author, not sure why. I liked the history of her family. Not the right book at the right time. My rating 3.5⭐️.