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lawbooks600's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
4.0
Representation: Jewish characters
Score: Seven points out of ten.
What a surprise. I never heard of this author before but I saw her novel in the library. Unfortunately, I missed out on this one for the first time, but not the second. I thought Catherine's War would be a quick read, and I was right, but it defied my expectations. When I picked it up, read and finished Catherine's War, it was pleasantly enjoyable.
It starts with the first character I see, Rachel Cohen, living in a children's home outside Paris, where she has a hobby: photography. Despite the circumstances, the opening pages had nothing catastrophic happening. Everything looks hedonistic and perfect until Rachel alongside others had to escape to another place besides the children's home. All the antisemitism makes life harder for Rachel who found a school she could go to but here's the catch: Rachel must change her name to Catherine to avoid suspicion. The mood quickly changed from hopeful to sombre for the middle section of Catherine's War, but there's a positive note in the conclusion, which I liked. I thought Catherine's War would be a depressing read like another story I've read but shockingly, it isn't.
Score: Seven points out of ten.
What a surprise. I never heard of this author before but I saw her novel in the library. Unfortunately, I missed out on this one for the first time, but not the second. I thought Catherine's War would be a quick read, and I was right, but it defied my expectations. When I picked it up, read and finished Catherine's War, it was pleasantly enjoyable.
It starts with the first character I see, Rachel Cohen, living in a children's home outside Paris, where she has a hobby: photography. Despite the circumstances, the opening pages had nothing catastrophic happening. Everything looks hedonistic and perfect until Rachel alongside others had to escape to another place besides the children's home. All the antisemitism makes life harder for Rachel who found a school she could go to but here's the catch: Rachel must change her name to Catherine to avoid suspicion. The mood quickly changed from hopeful to sombre for the middle section of Catherine's War, but there's a positive note in the conclusion, which I liked. I thought Catherine's War would be a depressing read like another story I've read but shockingly, it isn't.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Antisemitism
Full trigger warnings: War themes, World War II, death of parents mentioned, displacement, antisemitismmelaniegreenfield's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
mkellogg725's review against another edition
4.0
Great historical fiction read. I really liked how we got to see what life was like back then.
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
A compelling graphic telling of one Jewish girl’s survival of the German invasion of France during WWII. I think young people today need to understand that many Jewish children went into hiding and moved all over the country to escape capture by the Germans. This historical fiction, based on a true story, is as much about photography and art as it is about survival. Short and succinct, but interesting and readable.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
Based on a true story, a young Jewish girl whose parents have been deported, is sent into hiding from the Nazis. She learns photography and documents her experience. She moves from place to place, making the best of a bad situation and helping others as she goes.
peregrinecathonic11's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
elyana's review against another edition
4.0
Une jolie BD sur une jeune photographe juive au temps de la seconde guerre
re_oanslay's review against another edition
3.0
The story was incredible but the art style wasn’t for me - which is okay. I’d be interested in picking up the original novel and seeing how they differ.
basilbasil's review against another edition
4.0
Charming but also poignant story about a Jewish girl's experience in WWII France. Part coming of age, part imagined biography, part reflection on the impact art can have in dark times.