Scan barcode
karinlib's review against another edition
To be honest, I don't know how to rate this book. It was a very compelling book. This is a novel about two German brothers, and the elder brother's son during WWII. The tone of the book gives one the impression that these brothers, one an officer in the SS, and the other a commandant of a concentration camp, didn't have a choice about what they did during the war. The hint here (my opinion), seems to be that they were not totally responsible for the lives they destroyed.
I don't think this book should be read in a vacuum, it should be read with other books like [b:Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin|6572270|Bloodlands Europe Between Hitler and Stalin |Timothy Snyder|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328843543s/6572270.jpg|6765357], [b:Ostkrieg: Hitler's War of Extermination in the East|11824810|Ostkrieg Hitler's War of Extermination in the East|Stephen G. Fritz|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348120663s/11824810.jpg|16779350].
I don't think this book should be read in a vacuum, it should be read with other books like [b:Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin|6572270|Bloodlands Europe Between Hitler and Stalin |Timothy Snyder|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328843543s/6572270.jpg|6765357], [b:Ostkrieg: Hitler's War of Extermination in the East|11824810|Ostkrieg Hitler's War of Extermination in the East|Stephen G. Fritz|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348120663s/11824810.jpg|16779350].
bkeving_74's review against another edition
4.0
A Very Fatalistic and Emotional Read
This book had the cadence of a death March. Two brothers who are destined to be ensnared in the Nazi regime and who in time succumb to the brutality of choices they have to make in order to fit into their respective environments. Regret, guilt,helplessness and hopelessness are the themes marching throughout this book. This was a poignant look at the minds of some Germans who were swept into the German plot to reach its manifest destiny.
This book had the cadence of a death March. Two brothers who are destined to be ensnared in the Nazi regime and who in time succumb to the brutality of choices they have to make in order to fit into their respective environments. Regret, guilt,helplessness and hopelessness are the themes marching throughout this book. This was a poignant look at the minds of some Germans who were swept into the German plot to reach its manifest destiny.
sungold's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books that takes a widely shared perspective and challenges it beautifully.
In Germany at the start of war, there are two kinds of people: those saluting, Heil Hitler, and meaning it; and those saluting, Heil Hitler, and wondering about the sanity of peers and the reigning government. Unfortunately, in a society where speech is limited and unfiltered expression is punished, it can be impossible to tell the difference between the two.
People are blackmailed into giving sensitive information about others in their communities. Intellectuals' lives are threatened until they resign in support of the cause. Some people are jailed in concentration camps until given an opportunity to run one.
No one is safe. No one can refuse to salute. Everyone who is wanted must participate.
Now, historical facts back up this stunning piece of fiction. People were blackmailed. People were threatened. People were jailed until given an opportunity to save their own lives. How do we, as people and learners, rationalize that these original* Nazis were not all-evil and filled with hatred?
I think the commentary is especially important today as we see a rise in Nazi sentiment and paraphernalia related to our political climate. Here is the thing: while many Nazis engaged with Hitler's sentiments and army were coerced, required to do so to save themselves and their families, people spreading Nazi sentiment today (and waving Nazi flags, having Nazi tattoos) are under no such coercion. How did we get here?
In Germany at the start of war, there are two kinds of people: those saluting, Heil Hitler, and meaning it; and those saluting, Heil Hitler, and wondering about the sanity of peers and the reigning government. Unfortunately, in a society where speech is limited and unfiltered expression is punished, it can be impossible to tell the difference between the two.
People are blackmailed into giving sensitive information about others in their communities. Intellectuals' lives are threatened until they resign in support of the cause. Some people are jailed in concentration camps until given an opportunity to run one.
No one is safe. No one can refuse to salute. Everyone who is wanted must participate.
Now, historical facts back up this stunning piece of fiction. People were blackmailed. People were threatened. People were jailed until given an opportunity to save their own lives. How do we, as people and learners, rationalize that these original* Nazis were not all-evil and filled with hatred?
I think the commentary is especially important today as we see a rise in Nazi sentiment and paraphernalia related to our political climate. Here is the thing: while many Nazis engaged with Hitler's sentiments and army were coerced, required to do so to save themselves and their families, people spreading Nazi sentiment today (and waving Nazi flags, having Nazi tattoos) are under no such coercion. How did we get here?
shrook's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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? Yes
3.0
bogfinchgirl's review against another edition
4.0
A really good story. Focuses on two brothers and the decisions they make in support of their country and for self-preservation. The author does a great job of showing how normal people who believe themselves to be good, can do absolutely horrific things to other human beings.
regitzexenia's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting book that takes on the new perspective of the perpetrator's point of view. Also quite interesting to follow the very different lives of the two brothers. One of the better WW2 themed books, I've read.
rpjtown's review against another edition
4.0
While not quite up to the high standard of the "The Wall Between" this novel tells the story of two brothers in Nazi Germany from the mid-30s to the end of the Second World War and for one through to his death decades later in Argentina.
While neither were supporters of the Nazi regime they are slowly drawn into the regime and then the author describes in vivid details the horrors that they witness and perpetrate.
The novel is thought provoking as you see them take small steps toward the abyss. It does make you ask: How would I behave? What would I have done?
While neither were supporters of the Nazi regime they are slowly drawn into the regime and then the author describes in vivid details the horrors that they witness and perpetrate.
The novel is thought provoking as you see them take small steps toward the abyss. It does make you ask: How would I behave? What would I have done?
sjchaima's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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? Yes
3.25
toftjakob's review against another edition
3.0
Lidt for forudsigelig og virkede lidt for konstrueret.