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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A fascinating (and at times horrific story) of two real people in a dark period of mankind. It must have been difficult to frame a novel around real events and characters but unfortunately I didn’t think this novel did this very well. The characters were pretty static and spoke in a serious and straightforward tone even though their spirits would’ve been quashed and their moral so low. Even when characters joked they were stilted and awkward. I know there has been a lot of publicity on the factual errors of the book; I think the subject matters is too close to fact to pass this as a fictional retelling of the story, and I felt at times as though the main characters meandered around the camp like schoolchildren in a playground - which I’m certain wasn’t the case in reality.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I don't know what to say about this. I went into it thinking it would be a solid historical fiction but felt that it was insensitive very early on. This book does go into some tragic details but for the most part, it romanticizes an event that many people would agree is the most horrific large scale event in civilized world history.
Everything in this story felt very simplified for what it was. Sure, there are terrible things that happen around the main characters, but the writing style and intent of this book is to be a romance, when the real events of the holocaust require any attempt at recollection to be horrific.
I understand that it's based on real people but there's a difference between real humans sweetening the most traumatic moments of their life by looking at the relationships that came out of it, and someone unrelated making money off of those traumatic moments by writing a love story set in it.
In my opinion, if the author wanted to pen a romance they should have chosen any other setting whatsoever than a concentration camp. It's not inspiring or cute; it's dismissive and disrespectful.
Anyway these are my own opinions but I also did some googling and it looks like these reasons cause others to find the book problematic too.
Everything in this story felt very simplified for what it was. Sure, there are terrible things that happen around the main characters, but the writing style and intent of this book is to be a romance, when the real events of the holocaust require any attempt at recollection to be horrific.
I understand that it's based on real people but there's a difference between real humans sweetening the most traumatic moments of their life by looking at the relationships that came out of it, and someone unrelated making money off of those traumatic moments by writing a love story set in it.
In my opinion, if the author wanted to pen a romance they should have chosen any other setting whatsoever than a concentration camp. It's not inspiring or cute; it's dismissive and disrespectful.
Anyway these are my own opinions but I also did some googling and it looks like these reasons cause others to find the book problematic too.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to love this book since it is such an incredible story, however the writing is just not good at all. The story behind it is really beautiful and an amazing story about love and perseverance. It’s unfortunate that the telling of it leaves a lot to be desired. It’s a very fast read (took less than a week while reading in my free time). It reads like someone just telling you what happened instead of setting the scene and building a story. There isn’t much development or description of what’s going on. Scenes change and major things shift with little or no transition.
The experiences and obstacles these characters overcome are absolutely incredible and I wish the writing of this book had done it justice.
The experiences and obstacles these characters overcome are absolutely incredible and I wish the writing of this book had done it justice.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My god. I cannot remember the last time I cried reading a book, but I shed real tears. The unforgivable atrocities that these people faced, and yet the way that gentle humanity persisted even in the darkest moments was nothing short of astounding. I expect I will reread this book in a number of years. Truly an excellent work of history and art and love.
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow! A true story that is heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. (Language is used occasionally.)