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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Although WWII historical fiction, couldn't be more appropriate for 2023!!!
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
If you are a reader, love books, and/or believe that people have the right to choose what they want to read, you don't want to miss this book.
In my lifetime, there has never been an instance that I can remember of when I couldn't read a book, I wanted to read and the thought of that ever happening is very scary.
The backdrop of this story is told at two different timeframes. One is in Berlin and Paris during the 1930's, when it is decided to burn books considered anti-German or might undermine the Reich. The other timeframe is in New York City in the 1940s. where one of the main characters, Viv, is fighting against the possible restriction of the types of books that can be sent to Americans during WWII. Ironically, two of the other main characters, Hannah and Althea, who observed the book burnings, become major advocates for Viv's attempts to stop the censorship.
As with many books set during this time period, you see the best and the worst in people. People who will sell out their family, friends or even strangers, to be on the side of those they consider to be in power. You will also see those who stand up for what is right even if it isn't the popular opinion, or they have to suffer or sacrifice their own lives.
This book was very thought provoking and made me feel fortunate to live in a world where I can read what I want to read, when I want to read it. The one quote that stood out to me that really sums up the entire book was "how easily atrocities could happen when good people look away." This book reminded me of the importance of always standing up for what is right even when it isn't easy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest reviews. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.
In my lifetime, there has never been an instance that I can remember of when I couldn't read a book, I wanted to read and the thought of that ever happening is very scary.
The backdrop of this story is told at two different timeframes. One is in Berlin and Paris during the 1930's, when it is decided to burn books considered anti-German or might undermine the Reich. The other timeframe is in New York City in the 1940s. where one of the main characters, Viv, is fighting against the possible restriction of the types of books that can be sent to Americans during WWII. Ironically, two of the other main characters, Hannah and Althea, who observed the book burnings, become major advocates for Viv's attempts to stop the censorship.
As with many books set during this time period, you see the best and the worst in people. People who will sell out their family, friends or even strangers, to be on the side of those they consider to be in power. You will also see those who stand up for what is right even if it isn't the popular opinion, or they have to suffer or sacrifice their own lives.
This book was very thought provoking and made me feel fortunate to live in a world where I can read what I want to read, when I want to read it. The one quote that stood out to me that really sums up the entire book was "how easily atrocities could happen when good people look away." This book reminded me of the importance of always standing up for what is right even when it isn't easy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest reviews. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.
I am a teacher in Florida, so the current state of book challenges and fear generated to intimidate educators is in the forefront of my mind. I could not resist delving into this novel as a means to think about the place of books in the world and why they are important. I learned a lot about what happened in Germany, America, and France at this time. The story really took off about halfway through, and the last 20 pages or so bringing the fire! If you are a book lover concerned with the state of censorship today, this is recommended reading.
I loved this one! Such complex interactions between characters, & allegory that subtly(?)weaves through the story & America today! There was such a pure a-ha moment for me towards the end when the author so elegantly gave a character words to describe how we move forward from wrongdoings great and small to offer up forgiveness to those who were in a position to, but didn’t know, were willfully (or otherwise) ignorent, & didn’t do better at the time, but once they did know better or have their eyes opened to see what was occurring, immediately begin to take steps toward remediation, apology, better choices, whatever they could to counteract and make the lives of others that much better. How can people who were not alive or could not have known better atone for their past or a collective past? A lot of food for thought beyond the horrors of war. Moving on from choices we made in the past and cannot change…still working through that in an attempt to make the world a better place with what we now know-that definitely hit home and left me hopeful. Great recommendation from NY Public Library!
I usually do not read books that have holocaust references/themes as I am a daughter of survivors. But this book is my exception and I recommend it.
Also, I do not usually read books that follow three distinct people in different time periods. This book stretched my reading in a good way.
Also, I do not usually read books that follow three distinct people in different time periods. This book stretched my reading in a good way.
Holy __________.
I could have been reading about politics TODAY.
Parts of it were hard to follow - I had to keep looking at the chapter title to be reminded of the year.
REALLY good. REALLY REALLY good.
I could have been reading about politics TODAY.
Parts of it were hard to follow - I had to keep looking at the chapter title to be reminded of the year.
REALLY good. REALLY REALLY good.
" ... an attack on books, on rationality, on knowledge isn't a tempest in a teacup, but rather a canary dead in a coal mine."
4.5 stars. It's a little heavy-handed on the message; it's about as subtle as a brick through a window. Not that that's a complaint - it's appropriate for these times. Rounded up for bringing attention to the Armed Services Editions - a program that distributed books to American soldiers overseas in WWII - both as entertainment and to educate them on political and historical issues.