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elliotlit's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
noodlecaboodle63's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
marco_antonio_raya's review against another edition
4.0
Una pequeña joya condensada. Una escena en un microuniverso de humanidad -en el sentido amplio- en todo su esplendor.
benreadsgood's review against another edition
4.0
A short, understated book that packs a punch in its simply-written sentences. I’m glad I didn’t read the blurb or any plot summaries as the situation and it’s moral dilemmas were very thoughtfully unveiled.
lorees_reading_nook's review against another edition
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Real rating 3.8
"We explained to him that we would rather do the hunting than the shooting."
This small book packs quite a punch, as small books usually do. Initially, I sympathised with these German soldiers, sent out to hunt in a frozen wasteland, shivering with cold and weak with hunger. But, the horror of their mission and who 'one of them' was soon hit me. These soldiers were not sent to hunt birds or squirrels or foxes. Their mission was to hunt down Jews in hiding and take them back to their camp to be shot. This is clearly just another order for these men, an order they are keen to obey since their reward would mean being excluded from the firing squad when the captured were shot.
I felt there was a moral dilemma at play here: it seemed like these 3 men were able to separate the act of capturing from the act of shooting. Perhaps they felt that one was less evil than the other? But, on this occasion, they begrudgingly share a meal with their prisoner. For a brief moment the line between captured and captors is blurred. It is only when they are back in their original roles that the harsh reality of this single act of kindness hits them and the reader at exactly the same time.
This is a shocking but excellently written novella that can be read in one sitting but will remain with you long after reading the last page.
"Thus began the strangest meal we ever had in Poland."
"We explained to him that we would rather do the hunting than the shooting."
This small book packs quite a punch, as small books usually do. Initially, I sympathised with these German soldiers, sent out to hunt in a frozen wasteland, shivering with cold and weak with hunger. But, the horror of their mission and who 'one of them' was soon hit me. These soldiers were not sent to hunt birds or squirrels or foxes. Their mission was to hunt down Jews in hiding and take them back to their camp to be shot. This is clearly just another order for these men, an order they are keen to obey since their reward would mean being excluded from the firing squad when the captured were shot.
I felt there was a moral dilemma at play here: it seemed like these 3 men were able to separate the act of capturing from the act of shooting. Perhaps they felt that one was less evil than the other? But, on this occasion, they begrudgingly share a meal with their prisoner. For a brief moment the line between captured and captors is blurred. It is only when they are back in their original roles that the harsh reality of this single act of kindness hits them and the reader at exactly the same time.
This is a shocking but excellently written novella that can be read in one sitting but will remain with you long after reading the last page.
"Thus began the strangest meal we ever had in Poland."
laticsexile's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes less can be more.
Spare language.
Tight dialogue and the fate of a man.
I hope I dream of trams.
Spare language.
Tight dialogue and the fate of a man.
I hope I dream of trams.
pnwlisa's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gemmaduds's review against another edition
5.0
A cold, bleak novella about 3 German soldiers during WWII who are sent out into Poland in the winter to find Jewish people to bring back to camp.
This short moment in time is written well, capturing the character’s personalities, the tension between them, their moral complexities - in very few words.
It’s not a story that can be forgotten easily - powerful for something that can be read in one sitting.
This short moment in time is written well, capturing the character’s personalities, the tension between them, their moral complexities - in very few words.
It’s not a story that can be forgotten easily - powerful for something that can be read in one sitting.
kristine_9's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the writing; it was simple but effective, with imagery that never felt out of place. Also the way cold and hunger were described reminded me of stories about gulags written by people who experienced it themselves, so I thought that was very well done.
I also enjoyed the characters, the bonds and the tension between them.
My only issue is I don't know enough to determine how realistic the novella is. However, I think either way it brings important questions to mind whilst reading. For me this meant thinking about compliance and accountability.
I also enjoyed the characters, the bonds and the tension between them.
My only issue is I don't know enough to determine how realistic the novella is. However, I think either way it brings important questions to mind whilst reading. For me this meant thinking about compliance and accountability.
_dunno_'s review against another edition
4.0
(4,5*) What a surprise! Most likely underrated given that its author is a YA writer.
Short, but vivid.
Simple, yet morally complex.
Short, but vivid.
Simple, yet morally complex.