Scan barcode
ppnt's review
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
4.25
readymadereader's review
fast-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? Yes
2.75
elerieto's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual content, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Antisemitism, Xenophobia, Violence, War, Death, Murder, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Dementia, and Child death
Moderate: Blood, Xenophobia, Vomit, Alcohol, Gore, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
panikos's review
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a strange one. I started and abandoned it a few years ago - not because I didn't like the story, but because I just couldn't get past the formatting of the dialogue. I'm glad I took a second crack at it. It's quite a manic book, and definitely not the easiest story to follow, because it jumps all over the place and the narrative style is pretty rambling. But I think the disorientated writing was a stylistic choice - you definitely feel like you're reading the account of an old, traumatised person with an inconsistent memory. Gloria's voice is spot on, and her character is fascinating if not especially likeable.
I think the short length of the book is both to its benefit and its detriment. The odd narrative style probably would've been tiresome if it had been spanned out across 300 pages, but I also felt the story did need more room to breathe in places. Most of the threads are wrapped up fairly well, but I'd have liked a bit more information about Bill and Grace, and about how Jill found Gloria again.
On the whole, though, it was a good book. I really like the female perspective on World War 2, and the juxtaposition of the broader war with the private war that Gloria experienced at home. I like how unflinching it was in portraying Gloria's character - she wasn't softened or made more palatable, and her terrible actions are only ever explained, not justified. It's a strange but worthwhile read.
I think the short length of the book is both to its benefit and its detriment. The odd narrative style probably would've been tiresome if it had been spanned out across 300 pages, but I also felt the story did need more room to breathe in places. Most of the threads are wrapped up fairly well, but I'd have liked a bit more information about Bill and Grace, and about how Jill found Gloria again.
On the whole, though, it was a good book. I really like the female perspective on World War 2, and the juxtaposition of the broader war with the private war that Gloria experienced at home. I like how unflinching it was in portraying Gloria's character - she wasn't softened or made more palatable, and her terrible actions are only ever explained, not justified. It's a strange but worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Racism, Homophobia, and Sexism
balancinghistorybooks's review
4.0
I have very much enjoyed most of Liz Jensen's novels to date, and the storyline of War Crimes for the Home would have piqued my interest even if I had not already been acquainted with her work. This is, I believe, my first foray into her historical fiction, and I found it very enjoyable. This takes place on the Home Front in Britain during the Second World War, and the battles fought on British soil, along with the effects which they brought, have been well captured. I liked the use of retrospect, and the memory loss which present-day Gloria suffers with has been handled well. Not at all a nostalgic portrayal of times gone by, War Crimes for the Home is sure to appeal to every fan of historical fiction that likes to be surprised a little in their reading.
More...