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erica_cb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
spow's review
5.0
Leave it to the author to perfectly summarize what this book is about--“…I would say that it is a novel about guilt, complicity, and grief, a book that sets out to examine how culpable a young person might be, given the historical events unfolding around her, and whether such a person can ever cleanse themselves of the crimes committed by the people she loved.”
John Boyne does a brilliant job writing about such a difficult topic, and from a point of view that some might think controversial. As we learn more about Gretel’s history, the reader is repeatedly left asking how much responsibility children bear for their parent’s actions. Does silence at a young age equal complicity? Does loving someone who did horrible things mean that you agree with that they did? The internal conflict that Gretel feels as she battles through these thoughts comes through loud and clear. There were many times that I really sympathized with her and the pain she went through, and wasn’t sure if that was ok. How confusing it must have been for these children to figure out these answers if as a reader I didn’t know what was right or wrong?
I loved present day Gretel and how the issues she encounters with the Darcy-Witt family mirror her situation at the concentration camp without being too obvious. Being placed in another situation where something has one appearance from afar but is very different up close, she is faced with so many of the same questions she had in her youth, and has a chance to redeem herself from any guilt she may still have. I won’t lie, for awhile there I thought I might be disappointed with the ending, but while a bit shocking, I felt satisfied with the story when I was done.
I did not read “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” and don’t think it’s necessary to enjoy this novel and the beautiful writing style contained within it. While definitely dealing with heavier topics, this is a book I would highly recommend everyone give a chance to.
John Boyne does a brilliant job writing about such a difficult topic, and from a point of view that some might think controversial. As we learn more about Gretel’s history, the reader is repeatedly left asking how much responsibility children bear for their parent’s actions. Does silence at a young age equal complicity? Does loving someone who did horrible things mean that you agree with that they did? The internal conflict that Gretel feels as she battles through these thoughts comes through loud and clear. There were many times that I really sympathized with her and the pain she went through, and wasn’t sure if that was ok. How confusing it must have been for these children to figure out these answers if as a reader I didn’t know what was right or wrong?
I loved present day Gretel and how the issues she encounters with the Darcy-Witt family mirror her situation at the concentration camp without being too obvious. Being placed in another situation where something has one appearance from afar but is very different up close, she is faced with so many of the same questions she had in her youth, and has a chance to redeem herself from any guilt she may still have. I won’t lie, for awhile there I thought I might be disappointed with the ending, but while a bit shocking, I felt satisfied with the story when I was done.
I did not read “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” and don’t think it’s necessary to enjoy this novel and the beautiful writing style contained within it. While definitely dealing with heavier topics, this is a book I would highly recommend everyone give a chance to.
aotora's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
I wasn't a huge fan of the first book, The boy in striped pajamas but I loved this one. It's a little bit different and it focuses on Gretel, the sister who survived and who now has to go through life knowing that she was the daughter of one of the biggest sympathisers of Hitler. She finally redeems herself when she saves a DV victim and her son from being killed. The only thing that bothered me about this book is that she is shown to think that it would be better if Hitler won - When she sees his glasses she thinks that she wishes that he won ... but it never goes anywhere. I also love how morally gray she is- she isn't good and she isn't bad. She knew full well what was happening even though she was only twelve yet she keeps saying that she was just an ignorant child. I love the ending, loved the characters and I liked this book in general. Or at least loved it more than the first one.
disneygirl08's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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".