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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Girl, I was invested.
Now, I have to admit, it was evident pretty early on who Abigail was so I cannot say it was any level of mystery that had me wanting to read more or that immersed me deeply any time I could spare 10-20min to read. Rather, Szabo has such wonderful narration, such lovely turn of phrase, that I could not help but want to keep reading. (I think it is a great testament to the author's talent when the reader can follow a story through to its natural conclusion, when they ultimately can tell or know what happens to the character, yet the work still has their full attention. It takes a great sense of what creates suspence and make a story gripping without wearing out the reader to achieve this).
This is a historic snippet of a war told by a 14- / 15-year-old girl and it never forgets that. You can tell how young Gina is by her reactions and her naivete; yet, her reality has also given her a certain level of maturity - perhaps because the prose never seeks to infantilise her. It is like we, as readers, can remember being her and can therefore, imagine her historic setting better, too.
It is clear that Szabo is an all-around good, competent author; someone who has worked on their craft and wields it confidently. It really made me want to pick up more of her work.
Now, I have to admit, it was evident pretty early on who Abigail was so I cannot say it was any level of mystery that had me wanting to read more or that immersed me deeply any time I could spare 10-20min to read. Rather, Szabo has such wonderful narration, such lovely turn of phrase, that I could not help but want to keep reading. (I think it is a great testament to the author's talent when the reader can follow a story through to its natural conclusion, when they ultimately can tell or know what happens to the character, yet the work still has their full attention. It takes a great sense of what creates suspence and make a story gripping without wearing out the reader to achieve this).
This is a historic snippet of a war told by a 14- / 15-year-old girl and it never forgets that. You can tell how young Gina is by her reactions and her naivete; yet, her reality has also given her a certain level of maturity - perhaps because the prose never seeks to infantilise her. It is like we, as readers, can remember being her and can therefore, imagine her historic setting better, too.
It is clear that Szabo is an all-around good, competent author; someone who has worked on their craft and wields it confidently. It really made me want to pick up more of her work.
One of the best books I’ve read, ever.
As a future schoolteacher and a former 14-year-old girl, I couldn’t help but notice Magda Szabo’s talent in encapsulating a young girl’s haughty and endearingly naive perspective in a way that isn’t at all mocking but realistic and pleasantly nurturing. The author is aware of all the depths and despairs pubescent/pre-pubescent girls have and proudly displays it alongside all the glorious and innocent moments of childhood—and I just really have to highlight that especially considering the embarrassing lack of media/content for this age group. (I can only think of a few that do…Bo Burnham’s film Eighth Grade maybe?)
And oh how it celebrates the human spirit in the face of complicated crushes, stern deaconesses, and impending Nazis! It pays off to have silly traditions and coping mechanisms. It pays off to harbor a silly thing like hope. It turns out that if you hold out long enough, you’ll realize that there is a genuine goodness that goes beyond magical statues and bewitching widows that throw lavish parties—and it comes in the form of a simple schoolteacher.
“Of course the universe is full of deep magic, but I think most miracles can be traced back to someone’s profound and quiet kindness.” — Joy Sullivan
As a future schoolteacher and a former 14-year-old girl, I couldn’t help but notice Magda Szabo’s talent in encapsulating a young girl’s haughty and endearingly naive perspective in a way that isn’t at all mocking but realistic and pleasantly nurturing. The author is aware of all the depths and despairs pubescent/pre-pubescent girls have and proudly displays it alongside all the glorious and innocent moments of childhood—and I just really have to highlight that especially considering the embarrassing lack of media/content for this age group. (I can only think of a few that do…Bo Burnham’s film Eighth Grade maybe?)
And oh how it celebrates the human spirit in the face of complicated crushes, stern deaconesses, and impending Nazis! It pays off to have silly traditions and coping mechanisms. It pays off to harbor a silly thing like hope. It turns out that if you hold out long enough, you’ll realize that there is a genuine goodness that goes beyond magical statues and bewitching widows that throw lavish parties—and it comes in the form of a simple schoolteacher.
“Of course the universe is full of deep magic, but I think most miracles can be traced back to someone’s profound and quiet kindness.” — Joy Sullivan
slow-paced