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4.3 AVERAGE

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Had never heard of this book before, but it's scarily relevant. It's also scary how commonplace it felt. The number of people who support a politician that is hostile to a minority group they claim to love, hearing "I love you despite your [race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc] is far to common to me. Would liked to have got more time with the characters, esp before.
challenging emotional inspiring sad fast-paced
challenging dark sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: N/A
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
kaitlynisliterate's profile picture

kaitlynisliterate's review

4.0
challenging dark sad fast-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: Yes

This book made me angry at the behaviour of one of the characters, annoyed by the heavy wording and clunkiness, and the letters itself had no real backbone or substance. Too much telling and not enough showing. Could’ve done with a lot more story, depth, and character development. I wanted to be captivated by this book but in the end it was lacklustre.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional informative sad fast-paced
dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dustilane's profile picture

dustilane's review

5.0

"I did not expect you would take up arms for my people because they are my people, but because you were a man who loved justice."

Two friends and business partners write letters back and forth when one of them moves back to Germany. One is German and one is Jewish. What unfolds is a haunting tale that you won't ever forget.

This book really stabs you in the heart. It's so short and simple, yet beautifully written. What makes it so memorable is how it echoes the truths of the past, a terrible past that we must never forget for fear of repeating it. I think something that is often looked over when discussing Hitler is the power he held over people and the charismatic way he spoke to them. He managed to convince perfectly normal people that what he was doing was the only way. This book really hits you with this.

It's incredibly short and sad but very powerful. I recommend this book highly!