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sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
4.0
Englishman Hilary Wainwright ventures to locate his son in Post-WWII France. Separated from his pregnant French wife (who subsequently died) early in the war, he has no way of knowing for sure that the child tentatively tracked down by a friend truly is the son he has only seen once, as a newborn, more than five years earlier. Still grief-stricken over the loss of his wife, he is unsure whether he even wants to be a father.
This was a gorgeous and harrowing short read. Laski writes beautifully about the French post-war landscape. Wainwright is a thoroughly unlikeable hero, his grief and sense of loss meaning he constantly gets in his own way, but we still feel sympathy towards his predicament. The ethical and moral questions about parenthood are presented without judgement, and the ending is perfection.
This was a gorgeous and harrowing short read. Laski writes beautifully about the French post-war landscape. Wainwright is a thoroughly unlikeable hero, his grief and sense of loss meaning he constantly gets in his own way, but we still feel sympathy towards his predicament. The ethical and moral questions about parenthood are presented without judgement, and the ending is perfection.
shinysarah28's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
chd7's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully written and interesting story, with a main character that it is easy to dislike. I enjoyed the book and even liked the serendipitous ending, though some feel it was too saccharine, it was in my mind the best way to end.
connorshirs's review against another edition
2.0
So that ending happened way too fast, I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I attached myself to Jean, I liked Jean and Hilary's story up until Nelly was introduced in the book. Her character is pointless, yes, she is the reason he ends up deciding what he decides in the end, but it just didn't feel like it came from the right place.
After reading the end I kept wanting to rewrite how it should have ended. It's supposed to have a satisfying ending, but I was anything but satisfied. The setup was good but the rest felt forced.
After reading the end I kept wanting to rewrite how it should have ended. It's supposed to have a satisfying ending, but I was anything but satisfied. The setup was good but the rest felt forced.
jenwinnell's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sloatsj's review
4.0
A quick-paced orphan story in which an Englishman named Hilary Wainwright sets off for France to meet a five-year old boy who may be his son. Hilary, whose wife was killed by the Gestapo in Paris, is a bit of an arrogant ass and difficult to like. No need to try.
The boy, on the other hand, will steal your heart.
People have talked a lot about the end, and it is satisfying, but I would have hoped it could unfold a bit there on the last pages, rather than leaping out like a jack-in-the-box. Alas, you can't have everything.
The boy, on the other hand, will steal your heart.
People have talked a lot about the end, and it is satisfying, but I would have hoped it could unfold a bit there on the last pages, rather than leaping out like a jack-in-the-box. Alas, you can't have everything.
peterp3's review
5.0
Very well written. In particular you’re drawn into the complex character of Hilary Wainwright. Does he really want to find his lost son? Or does he really want an easier life? Can he accept that he might never know whether this little boy is in fact his son? As the book nears its conclusion, the push-pull between love and selfishness, and his debates with his own conscience are brilliantly portrayed.
And the Nuns… Are they acting in Godly service to the orphans? Or are they in fact abusing those in their care?
And the post-war setting in France… who was a collaborator and who was a resistor? Does it matter? Did everyone get pulled into a deceitful way of living? Is everyone still corrupt, in one way or another?
Well worth reading!
And the Nuns… Are they acting in Godly service to the orphans? Or are they in fact abusing those in their care?
And the post-war setting in France… who was a collaborator and who was a resistor? Does it matter? Did everyone get pulled into a deceitful way of living? Is everyone still corrupt, in one way or another?
Well worth reading!