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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
I don't have a lot to say about this book. It's well-written--the plot is interesting and engaging, and the characters are fully formed and memorable. Its setting (1940s Hungary) feels unique, but the events and feelings still relatable. The Translator's Introduction preceding the novel sets the book out as life-changing, stating, "It is a novel to which one can and should return. Claire Messud has written of The Door that it forced her to think differently about life. Abigail has that power too, for readers of every age." (x-xi). I wouldn't go that far, but it is a good book that, I imagine, should appeal to both a YA and general audience.
As mentioned above, Szabo does an excellent job of creating characters. I particularly liked Susanna, the deaconess, who seems to represent the moral conundrum of the time/place--the desire to be kind to others, at conflict with a belief in following orders. Konig, a teacher, resented for his bumbling trust and seeming cowardliness, is also great. The scene where he captures Gina at the train station--and Szabo's description of the embarrassment of being foiled by a lesser person--is a highlight: "Perhaps it did make a difference: it was far less shameful to be taken down by some world-famous hunter than by some insignificant nobody. . . . Why did it have to be Konig?" (102). Finally, although not a single character, the Matula students, with their initial collective cruelty to Gina, made for enjoyable scenes. I particularly liked how they burn the cookies given to them by Gina; it read as a comically sinister display of disdain.
The plot felt a little predictable. As soon as Szabo introduces the mystery of the Arkod Dissident (and Abigail), I felt certain it was Konig; like a bizarro Snape, you just know there's more to that character. And the pacing of the book is strange--its climax unfolds over the last 15 pages. Still, it somehow didn't feel rushed. Abigail ends on a question: "How can I ever make up for the fact that I never realized Mr. Konig was Abigail all along?" (333). It's a simultaneously revealing and reflective ending that looks to both the past and the future; I liked that a lot.
As mentioned above, Szabo does an excellent job of creating characters. I particularly liked Susanna, the deaconess, who seems to represent the moral conundrum of the time/place--the desire to be kind to others, at conflict with a belief in following orders. Konig, a teacher, resented for his bumbling trust and seeming cowardliness, is also great. The scene where he captures Gina at the train station--and Szabo's description of the embarrassment of being foiled by a lesser person--is a highlight: "Perhaps it did make a difference: it was far less shameful to be taken down by some world-famous hunter than by some insignificant nobody. . . . Why did it have to be Konig?" (102). Finally, although not a single character, the Matula students, with their initial collective cruelty to Gina, made for enjoyable scenes. I particularly liked how they burn the cookies given to them by Gina; it read as a comically sinister display of disdain.
The plot felt a little predictable. As soon as Szabo introduces the mystery of the Arkod Dissident (and Abigail), I felt certain it was Konig; like a bizarro Snape, you just know there's more to that character. And the pacing of the book is strange--its climax unfolds over the last 15 pages. Still, it somehow didn't feel rushed. Abigail ends on a question: "How can I ever make up for the fact that I never realized Mr. Konig was Abigail all along?" (333). It's a simultaneously revealing and reflective ending that looks to both the past and the future; I liked that a lot.
I was recommended this book and the person who recommended it to me loved it so I was very excited to read it but I did not like it much as much as I expected to. I found Gina to be very naive about everything around her even though it’s shown how observant she is. I LOVED the beginning and I really enjoyed how intellectually she was and don’t get me wrong the ending was good but from pages 100ish-270 it was very hard for me to read because of the non-activity, Overall it wasn’t bad but just not for me.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, War
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Grief
Minor: Fatphobia, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury
For an outsider, the book is full of contradictions. It's hard to get to know and like the characters when the author doesn't get enough space for you to know them and learn to love them. It reads like a manipulation, a world shrouded in lies where the things expected from people are impossible to achieve, and thus the escape to an actual sliver of life becomes a horrible thing to do, and yet, you either do it or become closed away from the world.
i really thought i’d like it more, but i found it pretty dull and predictable.
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
i like that as a reader you understand more than the main character because her perspective is of a teen girl who thinks herself an adult. she's occasionally insightful and grows over time but it's funny to see how bad some of her interpretations of the adults in her life are
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes