Reviews

El Último Tren a la Libertad by Meg Waite Clayton

laurynturk's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I’ve read a lot of World War II books, and I think this one truly gives you a glimpse of everything that happened before the war. My heart aches for those missing children that never made it to the Netherlands from Prague. 

kitkat175's review against another edition

2.0

I bought this book when I was in my teens I believe and I think it was on the cheaper side. I ended up reading and finishing this book even though it was boring, I think I mainly listened to the audiobook to get through it. I have always been interest in WW books and the stories that are created but this one fell flat for me and I don't know why. There are good Historical Fiction out there, you just have to find them and be a tad picky.

deerue13's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

4.0

kendrareads's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

4.0

This was an aspect of WWII that I had never heard of. Thanks for the recommendation from my friend Judi; this read is number 4 of 12 books recommended by friends. On audio, it took me a little while to get into the narrative and sort out the different stories, but once I caught on, it was a good read. I appreciate the attention to detail and history.

kathleenguthriewoods's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A page-turner, for sure, and an important piece of history. I also appreciated the respectful depiction of a woman going through infertility. While sad, it was also refreshing to take her CNBC status into account while celebrating her extraordinary contributions to caring for--saving, really--other people's children. 

rowangazdewich's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

angie519's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

3.5

joshlegere's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

sparkly44's review against another edition

5.0

Mild Spoiler Alert!! The book is based upon Geertruida Wijsmuller-Meijer and other activities during WWII--so I'm not giving anything serious away.

This one changes perspective, often. Reading it during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (according to the White House we have emerged---my own ability to read and assess tells me we are still very much in it) was an adventure, and looking back at it from a few weeks' distance to now write a review, I am overwhelmed. As I read the book, "fake news" resonated over and over, and I love the author for drawing parallels in my mind with Hitler and Trump. They were already there for me, but well done, Ms. Clayton, well done.

I had read briefly about the WWII kindertransport, but I knew nothing of Geertruida Wijsmuller-Meijer. She was a force of nature, and the world needs more like her! Tante Truus and Žofie-Helene both reminded me in different ways of Hermione Granger. I loved the characters in this book and I am very grateful to the author for giving us this story, especially now.

alice007's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0