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kberman20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Antisemitism, Torture, Genocide, Deportation, Hate crime, Rape, War, and Murder
khaosreignswithin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War, Vomit, Abandonment, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Classism, Bullying, Body horror, Death of parent, Death, Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Physical abuse, Sexism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Mass/school shootings, Genocide, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Blood, Violence, Torture, Slavery, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Murder, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Grief, and Cultural appropriation
booksborrowed's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This novel follows the life events of Lale, a Slovakian Jew, during the years he was persecuted at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The author uses the stories, told by the real-life Lale, to show just a glimpse of the horrors of the Nazi regime.
Lale is a survivor. His story is far from what the ordinary man could endure. Lale throughout is stuck between working a high-ranking prison job and the guilt the privilege of this position provides while so many others are literally burning.
Lale offsets this privileged position by smuggling the extra rations to his fellow prisoners and is quickly regarded as a kind man. In this kindness, he falls in love with a fellow prisoner, Gita. He no longer is only surviving for himself, but helping the woman who captures his heart.
I enjoyed the audiobook very much. The narrator, Armitage, does a wonderful job differentiating the characters' voices and tones and was easy to follow along.
This dramatic romance is beautifully written. The emotions bled through the pages. I did need to keep reminding myself that although this tale was based on fact, it is still historical fiction. The romantic themes did overshadow the tragic reality of what was happening around Lale.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, and Genocide
amaya_s's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Murder, Death, Genocide, and Child death
Moderate: Rape, Violence, War, and Sexual violence
torrentsofhayl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Grief, Racial slurs, Torture, Violence, Antisemitism, Death, Deportation, Genocide, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
Minor: Sexual content
lexkazokas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Genocide, Death, Religious bigotry, War, Forced institutionalization, and Physical abuse
ashray94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Slavery, Religious bigotry, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Death, and Genocide
cardenasjamiee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Genocide and Antisemitism
bakergirlsbooks1999's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Confinement, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Violence, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, War, Death, Gore, Murder, Pregnancy, Antisemitism, Child death, Infertility, Mental illness, Vomit, Death of parent, Genocide, Excrement, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicide
soph_fair's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Rape, War, Antisemitism, Death, Genocide, Violence, Physical abuse, Grief, Murder, Hate crime, and Torture