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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
There was much depth to the story of Yoel Blum, an Israeli writer seeking the truth of his past , as a Jew in WWII in Amsterdam, however it fell a bit short of the mark for me. The device of alternating between Yoel in the present with the story of his mother Sonia, and the De Lange family, was complex and confusing. Yoel’s relationship with his grandson, Tal, was the only redeeming, hopeful part of the story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, but this was a difficult read for sure.
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Particularly haunting given the current rise of nationalism in America. Also very meta, about an author piecing together and writing his own story as historical fiction. Since we never learn exactly what his sister told him, we don't know how much of the story is fact, how much is invention, and how much is a mix.
I did find it a bit of a slog for a while; since finishing grad school, I haven't been able to appreciate "Literature" the way I once did. But it did get better, even the times that were confusing (at least when listening to the book) because past and present were happening concurrently.
And, in spite of Anne Frank, this novel is an excellent reminder that countries like the Netherlands were also under occupied control, and atrocities happened there, too. Now, 75 years after the end of WWII, we tend to just think of Germany, and maybe France, as occupied. And, as I began this review, it's too easy to see how little it would take for the U.S. to go down that road...
I did find it a bit of a slog for a while; since finishing grad school, I haven't been able to appreciate "Literature" the way I once did. But it did get better, even the times that were confusing (at least when listening to the book) because past and present were happening concurrently.
And, in spite of Anne Frank, this novel is an excellent reminder that countries like the Netherlands were also under occupied control, and atrocities happened there, too. Now, 75 years after the end of WWII, we tend to just think of Germany, and maybe France, as occupied. And, as I began this review, it's too easy to see how little it would take for the U.S. to go down that road...
House on Endless Waters by Emuna Elon is based on the history on Jewish children and families in Amsterdam during World War II. To honor the history, I wanted to love the book. Unfortunately, for me, the way in which the story is told got in the way of the story itself. The book felt like it tried too hard and felt like a literary exercise more so than a story.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/05/house-on-endless-waters.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/05/house-on-endless-waters.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Amazing story of finding out about your past and how it has shaped you into the person you are today.
Jumping between the present and Yoel's past allowed the author to weave together the story of his life before Israel. Readers are presented with a vision of Amsterdam during Nazi occupation and the struggles of the Jews who had previously lived in harmony with their neighbors.
It did take me a while to read through the novel. First, the English is at times a bit disjointed in grammar. Secondly, this is not a novel to speed read. Rather, you need to allow the author's words to wash over you and paint the images intended. And to digest what is being shared during the process.
Jumping between the present and Yoel's past allowed the author to weave together the story of his life before Israel. Readers are presented with a vision of Amsterdam during Nazi occupation and the struggles of the Jews who had previously lived in harmony with their neighbors.
It did take me a while to read through the novel. First, the English is at times a bit disjointed in grammar. Secondly, this is not a novel to speed read. Rather, you need to allow the author's words to wash over you and paint the images intended. And to digest what is being shared during the process.
A story within a story of an Israeli author who goes to the city of his birth, Amsterdam, for a book tour and finds out the life his family had in that city before they fled during WWII. He also learns who he is and isn't.
Very engaging and interesting story revealing more about the history of Amsterdam than I was aware of.
Very engaging and interesting story revealing more about the history of Amsterdam than I was aware of.
This is an interesting fictional story on what matters most in terms of identity and the role that family secrets play.
It tells the story in two timelines.
The main character, an author on a book tour to Amsterdam, the place of his birth, wanders into the Jewish Museum, and suddenly sees something that makes him question everything about his own personal history.
Who was his mother?
Who is he?
And thus, the mystery begins.
This book, is difficult to read at times.
Because it tells the stories of World War II, not in vivid details, but enough, to remind us of the pain and heartache experienced by those who lived through it.
But, it still is a fascinating tale of one man’s journey to unlock his past and discover his true self.
It tells the story in two timelines.
The main character, an author on a book tour to Amsterdam, the place of his birth, wanders into the Jewish Museum, and suddenly sees something that makes him question everything about his own personal history.
Who was his mother?
Who is he?
And thus, the mystery begins.
This book, is difficult to read at times.
Because it tells the stories of World War II, not in vivid details, but enough, to remind us of the pain and heartache experienced by those who lived through it.
But, it still is a fascinating tale of one man’s journey to unlock his past and discover his true self.
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not for me. Try as I might, I couldn't get into the translation (I guess).