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willowcat's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed this book but it felt was a bit superficial perhaps because of its origins as a screenplay. Although it did a good job of presenting the complexity of post war Germany and the difficulty of defining people as good or bad under the kind of conditions that the war imposed on them, I kept thinking that I wanted more details of the thoughts and feelings of the main characters. Overall a 3.5 star read for me.
carlybarly6's review against another edition
2.0
I read this novel just so I could see the movie. By the time I finished this story I was ready to move on all together. My favorite part of this novel was the premise itself. Set in post-WWII, it tells of a British family living in the British Occupied Zone of Germany. Catch is, they’re living in a requisitioned German home...and they’re living with the German family who once owned it. Author Rhidian Brooke brings the focus directly to the demolished state of life by covering the vastly different approaches and philosophies held by those living in Post-WWII Germany - all of which were dependent on the parts played by country or party loyalties, grief, wealth, propaganda, status, expectations, and more. In this sense, this story was insightful. Beyond that, though I had compassion for the characters’ hardships, I struggled to feel connected to them. Overall, I would label this story a solid “semi-interesting”. Nothing more, nothing less.
twentystitches's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
A unique and interesting premise, focusing on the aftershocks of the war, especially British occupation and how it affected Germans and Brits. Not very well executed. Not much happened in the first 300 pages. The ending was alright, and overall it did pose some interesting moral questions
jlo615's review
4.0
I won this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.
This was an intriguing and heart-wrenching look into a part of WW2 that was previously unknown to me. The characters were full of flaws but unpacking them through the book was mesmerizing. There are some images that will haunt me, but this is a book worth reading for anyone remotely interested in history or compelling characters.
This was an intriguing and heart-wrenching look into a part of WW2 that was previously unknown to me. The characters were full of flaws but unpacking them through the book was mesmerizing. There are some images that will haunt me, but this is a book worth reading for anyone remotely interested in history or compelling characters.
labtracks's review against another edition
3.0
I love historical fiction, but this one was focused a bit too much on the libidos of the characters than the history surrounding them. I did enjoy the descriptions of the historical aspects here, but the characters and the story woven there were not to my liking.
littlemisscass's review against another edition
5.0
This was an excellent novel. Impressive writing, flawless transitions between characters, incredible historical basis and overall enthralling read.
Early on, the process of classifying Germans as white, black or one of many many shades of grey is brought up for the first time. And the bleak but hopeful story in this book reflects all those many shades of grey in people - Rachael, who has been frozen since the death of her son; Lewis, who wants to rebuild Hamburg without harming the Germans further; Lubert, who didn't want a war to begin with; Freida, who is angry and hurt after her mother's death; Edmund, who approaches his new life with an innocence reminiscent of Bruno in Boy and the Striped Pyjamas; and Ozi, who leads a band of orphans both angry at and enthralled by the British. Throughout, there is the importance of seeing the nuance in situations and in people, appreciating shared emotions, and moving forward when there seems no other option but to stop.
Early on, the process of classifying Germans as white, black or one of many many shades of grey is brought up for the first time. And the bleak but hopeful story in this book reflects all those many shades of grey in people - Rachael, who has been frozen since the death of her son; Lewis, who wants to rebuild Hamburg without harming the Germans further; Lubert, who didn't want a war to begin with; Freida, who is angry and hurt after her mother's death; Edmund, who approaches his new life with an innocence reminiscent of Bruno in Boy and the Striped Pyjamas; and Ozi, who leads a band of orphans both angry at and enthralled by the British. Throughout, there is the importance of seeing the nuance in situations and in people, appreciating shared emotions, and moving forward when there seems no other option but to stop.
eleganthedgehogs's review against another edition
Interesting story family home requisitioned & both families live there.
Our second covid meeting and first meeting on Zoom.
Our second covid meeting and first meeting on Zoom.
rebeccatc's review against another edition
4.0
For the 2019 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge: Book Becoming a Movie in 2019.
claudiavds's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
karenmr1601's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting
I enjoyed this book right up until the end. My favourite character was Edmund, trying to negotiate being a teenager whilst trying to get accepted by his father. I might watch the movie to see if much has changed.
I enjoyed this book right up until the end. My favourite character was Edmund, trying to negotiate being a teenager whilst trying to get accepted by his father. I might watch the movie to see if much has changed.