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readingonmountains's review against another edition
5.0
Greta Fernsby is one of those fabulously flawed characters that I can’t help but love. She’s been hiding her family’s past for close to 80 years, her father the Nazi Commandant of Auschwitz’s camp. She’s held this guilt, shame & grief close throughout her long life.
The story follows Gretel through three different stages in her life from postwar Paris, as a young woman in Australia and then to present day London as a 91 year old. John Boyne weaves the timelines and characters together flawlessly and masterfully reminiscent of The Heart’s Invisible Furies.
When the man in the flat downstairs from Greta passes away she is worried about who will purchase the property. She soon meets the young family and forms an unexpected relationship with the couple’s nine year old boy Henry. When it comes to light that the boy’s father is abusing both Henry and his mother, Greta struggles with helping Henry without revealing her past.
Before reading this book I wasn’t aware that it was a continuation of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which I hadn’t read prior to picking up All the Broken Pieces. I don’t think it took away from the story, however I did immediately pick up Striped Pyjamas upon finishing and appreciated reading Bruno’s perspective on Off-With (Auschwitz).
The story follows Gretel through three different stages in her life from postwar Paris, as a young woman in Australia and then to present day London as a 91 year old. John Boyne weaves the timelines and characters together flawlessly and masterfully reminiscent of The Heart’s Invisible Furies.
When the man in the flat downstairs from Greta passes away she is worried about who will purchase the property. She soon meets the young family and forms an unexpected relationship with the couple’s nine year old boy Henry. When it comes to light that the boy’s father is abusing both Henry and his mother, Greta struggles with helping Henry without revealing her past.
Before reading this book I wasn’t aware that it was a continuation of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which I hadn’t read prior to picking up All the Broken Pieces. I don’t think it took away from the story, however I did immediately pick up Striped Pyjamas upon finishing and appreciated reading Bruno’s perspective on Off-With (Auschwitz).
goldingdaniel's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jlong021's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ddjohns83's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
5.0
aclopez6's review
5.0
A worthwhile read, though I agree with critics that have noted this is not a book for educating or teaching about the Holocaust or World War II. I will likely come back and add to this review after reflecting on it more, but for now, I would cautiously recommend this book to adult patrons looking for a multigenerational story about guilt, sacrifice, and honesty.
Boyne's authors note states that fiction, particularly that which relates to the Holocaust, has the burden of "exploring emotional truths and authentic human experiences while remembering that the story of every person who died in the Holocaust is one that is worth telling. For all the mistakes in her life, for all her complicity in evil, and for all her regrets, I believe that Gretel's story is also worth telling. It is up to the reader to decide whether it is worth reading".
Boyne's authors note states that fiction, particularly that which relates to the Holocaust, has the burden of "exploring emotional truths and authentic human experiences while remembering that the story of every person who died in the Holocaust is one that is worth telling. For all the mistakes in her life, for all her complicity in evil, and for all her regrets, I believe that Gretel's story is also worth telling. It is up to the reader to decide whether it is worth reading".
emsunders's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rachelkollar's review
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kourtjohnstone's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
If you’ve read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, maybe on your own as an adult, or as a novel study in middle school, you will be familiar with the setting of this story: Poland in the 1940s. In this sequel, we hear from Gretel, who escapes Nazi Germany with her mother after the in hopes of starting a new life, free from the horrors of their past. This is a dual timeline so we get present day Gretel who is 91 years old and keeping her secrets very close to her heart, not letting anyone in.
I enjoyed this story so so much. I thought it was a seamless extension to the first book, and it is obvious that Boyne put a great deal of thought into how to inject little nuggets throughout, allowing us as the reader to be taken back to an extremely emotional time, but in Gretel’s shoes. He has crafted Gretel with such care that we can’t help but feel for her and the horrendous events she has witnessed. Highly recommend giving this one a shot, especially if you’ve read and enjoyed the Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I am very excited to pick up The Heart’s Invisible Furies by this very talented author!
I enjoyed this story so so much. I thought it was a seamless extension to the first book, and it is obvious that Boyne put a great deal of thought into how to inject little nuggets throughout, allowing us as the reader to be taken back to an extremely emotional time, but in Gretel’s shoes. He has crafted Gretel with such care that we can’t help but feel for her and the horrendous events she has witnessed. Highly recommend giving this one a shot, especially if you’ve read and enjoyed the Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I am very excited to pick up The Heart’s Invisible Furies by this very talented author!
charlotterose13x's review
5.0
One of the best books I've read in 2023! Beautifully written with some really hard hitting scenes....Would 100% recommend!