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mbenshirreffs's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very good book from both the storyline, character development, and writing style. It also seemed to do an OK job at portraying what it may have been like on the individual and community levels as a nation devolved into madness. Sometimes I felt it was a little too neat or a little too heroic, but for the most part it felt very plausible.
madammimreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
neeser's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazing book! Left me with a tear-stained face and an ache in my heart, but I loved it!!!
bevmoss6's review against another edition
4.0
I love all of Ursula Hegi's books. This is really a 4.5 rating!
proseandpostre's review against another edition
5.0
Magic! I've found a book that weaves such an eloquent story, that the only way to describe it is magical! Whenever a book makes me feel as if I'm really there, living through these tragic and beautiful events alongside such well described characters, I fall in love. And that's exactly what's happened. Recommending this to all my fellow bookworms!
saram618's review against another edition
3.0
There are so many things about this book that I should have loved, but it just didn't work out. Here are my main issues:
1. SO many characters - There were so many characters in this book (although this isn;t usually a bad thing). However, their names got confusing. With all adults being referred to as Herr ___ and Frau ____ it became hard to remember who these people were. Then there were the characters of similar age with similar names (Hilde & Heide for one example). On top of all of this, there were so many details about these people, most of which weren't entirely essential to the story.
2. SO many words - Yes, the writing was beautiful, but at times it was just too much! Personally, I need the words to move the story forward and that wasn't always the case here.
3. Trudi - Did I feel bad for her at times? Yes, she was dealt a crappy hand in life. Did I dislike her at times? Yes, many many times. She was just so unlikeable for most of this book. It made it hard to keep reading about her childish ideas and revenge plots.
4. Stories that went nowhere - I just felt that a lot of this book was made up of "plot" that went nowhere. I understand that this book was meant to paint a picture of life in this town and life for Trudi. I get that a lot of experiences were unresolved. As a reader though I found it hard to keep investing in characters and events that never went anywhere or had no greater purpose to the story.
I can see why some people loved this book. It just wasn't a good fit for me! I struggle between 2 and 3 stars. 2 for my enjoyment of the book, but 3 for the quality of writing. I'll go with 3 for now, but it's not a strong 3.
1. SO many characters - There were so many characters in this book (although this isn;t usually a bad thing). However, their names got confusing. With all adults being referred to as Herr ___ and Frau ____ it became hard to remember who these people were. Then there were the characters of similar age with similar names (Hilde & Heide for one example). On top of all of this, there were so many details about these people, most of which weren't entirely essential to the story.
2. SO many words - Yes, the writing was beautiful, but at times it was just too much! Personally, I need the words to move the story forward and that wasn't always the case here.
3. Trudi - Did I feel bad for her at times? Yes, she was dealt a crappy hand in life. Did I dislike her at times? Yes, many many times. She was just so unlikeable for most of this book. It made it hard to keep reading about her childish ideas and revenge plots.
4. Stories that went nowhere - I just felt that a lot of this book was made up of "plot" that went nowhere. I understand that this book was meant to paint a picture of life in this town and life for Trudi. I get that a lot of experiences were unresolved. As a reader though I found it hard to keep investing in characters and events that never went anywhere or had no greater purpose to the story.
I can see why some people loved this book. It just wasn't a good fit for me! I struggle between 2 and 3 stars. 2 for my enjoyment of the book, but 3 for the quality of writing. I'll go with 3 for now, but it's not a strong 3.
heartofoak1's review against another edition
3.0
beautifully written but really, really long (over 500 pages long) at first i was enthralled by the writing but maybe halfway through i found myself kind of bogged down and bored. it's the life story of trudi, a dwarf, born in germany and who comes of age during world war II.
complsv7's review against another edition
5.0
My first ever audio book, and still one of the best ever!
cwildwood's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0