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ospead1's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
Overall a really nice story and great writing, but a very slow-moving book.
sh00bs's review against another edition
4.0
Olivia Hawker, girl, you are making your way up my favorite authors list! Intriguing relationships and scenarios based on real people. She has a knack for finding such interesting historical scenarios and portraying very relatable thoughts and feelings. Hawker has a away of exposing the human soul that I just adore.
This book is less poetic and rife with metaphor than “One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow” which may suit some people better. It still has the drama and tension that’s so addicting in her books.
This book is less poetic and rife with metaphor than “One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow” which may suit some people better. It still has the drama and tension that’s so addicting in her books.
rayarriz's review against another edition
5.0
Great story. I was surprised to know it was real. Sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction!
scienceworks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
mel_smith's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
jmatsumura's review against another edition
3.0
This book is not totally special, I'd say the most special thing about is that the main character is an every-day German trying to find ways to resist in Nazi-lead Germany.
The Author is clearly trying to impress upon readers the danger of passivity in the face of facist movements (aka Trump).
The Author is clearly trying to impress upon readers the danger of passivity in the face of facist movements (aka Trump).
awilsonmomof2's review against another edition
3.0
Wondeful story based in an amazing man but
....reading the author's note at the end put my teeth on edge. I was glad to read that Anton Starzman was actually a real person and this story is solidly based on Mrs. Hawker's research. She said it best "the story of an ordinary person who fought back against some of the worst impulses of the heart."
And yet her comparing Nazi Germany to the atmosphere during and now after the presidential election of 2016 frustrated me. Do we have this atmosphere in America? Yes, sadly we do. Was it born in the fall of 2016? No...we have been on this collision course for a long time.
I pray for more Antons in our country for I agree with Mrs. Hawker....the same evil lives on.
....reading the author's note at the end put my teeth on edge. I was glad to read that Anton Starzman was actually a real person and this story is solidly based on Mrs. Hawker's research. She said it best "the story of an ordinary person who fought back against some of the worst impulses of the heart."
And yet her comparing Nazi Germany to the atmosphere during and now after the presidential election of 2016 frustrated me. Do we have this atmosphere in America? Yes, sadly we do. Was it born in the fall of 2016? No...we have been on this collision course for a long time.
I pray for more Antons in our country for I agree with Mrs. Hawker....the same evil lives on.
smurf2416's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the romance and how it builds through the book, first out of necessity and then out of a geniuine affection. The role that guilt plays is also fantastic. However, those wonderful things were wrapped up in a fairly boring plot. Which dragged my rating down. Wonderful word use though throughout.
melanie_books's review against another edition
5.0
Anton Starzmann, a former friar whose Franciscan order was disbanded by the Nazi Party, is seeking redemption for failing to protect those in his care. When he sees Elisabeth's advertisement asking for a man to marry her to provide for her family, he answers, seeing this as a way he can protect and provide for someone and be forgiven. As he moves to the small village in the German countryside and grows to love his little family, he finds another way to resist the Nazis - by becoming a member of the Red Orchestra.
I decided to read this after a friend (hi Amy!) said that it was one of her favorites from this past year. I can see why! Anton's story is fascinating - his history before moving to Unterboihingen, his relationship with his family, and his work in the resistance. We see the inner turmoil and grief over having lost those he couldn't protect and how that drives his desire to protect his new family and work with the Red Orchestra. What makes the story even more interesting is that it is true and that Josef Anton Starzmann was the grandfather of the author's husband!
I decided to read this after a friend (hi Amy!) said that it was one of her favorites from this past year. I can see why! Anton's story is fascinating - his history before moving to Unterboihingen, his relationship with his family, and his work in the resistance. We see the inner turmoil and grief over having lost those he couldn't protect and how that drives his desire to protect his new family and work with the Red Orchestra. What makes the story even more interesting is that it is true and that Josef Anton Starzmann was the grandfather of the author's husband!