Scan barcode
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
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
typedtruths's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Antisemitism, Confinement, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Genocide, Gore, Murder, and Death
Moderate: War, Grief, Torture, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Vomit, Sexual assault, and Racial slurs
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Infertility, and Excrement
cnannery19'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Body horror, Slavery, Trafficking, Violence, Classism, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Medical content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Xenophobia, Blood, Antisemitism, Confinement, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexism, Deportation, Torture, Infertility, Death, Religious bigotry, Child death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Rape, War, Gore, and Racial slurs
dev921'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
5.0
Graphic: War, Grief, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Antisemitism, Deportation, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Gun violence, Murder, Child death, Confinement, Police brutality, Trafficking, and Sexual violence
am4man's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Racism, War, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Antisemitism, Gun violence, Violence, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Deportation, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Murder, Sexual violence, and Torture
melstephens's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Antisemitism, Blood, Grief, Confinement, Genocide, Deportation, Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Body horror, Medical trauma, Racism, Sexual violence, Torture, and Religious bigotry
cesca_natalia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Hate crime, Genocide, Death, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Violence, Antisemitism, and Confinement
Moderate: Torture, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault