Reviews - Een dichtbij verleden

1.08k reviews for:

If a book can ever manage to be both horrifyingly heartbreaking and light and fluffy, this is it. Romance superimposed over the backdrop of Nazi-occupied France. Fascinating and terrible in its history lesson, somehow this book also managed to take on moments of sheer brain candy. It is the history portion that really earned the four stars, though. I am swayed heavily by the introduction to my personal knowledge base of newly acquired historical facts.

What I liked about The Winemaker's Wife:
Julien - The lone character whom I liked (but we'll get to that later). And I did really like him. He was decent and sympathetic, which felt like it was sorely lacking otherwise. In case it isn't clear, I have a hard time when I don't have characters I can truly root for. I'm glad Julien was present.
Champagne - (the location, not the beverage) I found myself completely fascinated by the history I learned of the French Resistance in this region. I always associated it more with the more metropolitan areas, for some reason, but having the opportunity to learn more about their involvement in saving the Jews from the Nazis captivated me.
One good plot twist - The closing of the book was the one thing I wasn't expecting. It provided a good conclusion to the story and at least one moment I didn't predict.

What I didn't care for:
Really really predictable - I mean really. There wasn't a single nuance of this book that didn't feel as though I couldn't see it coming six miles down the road. I can tolerate some predictability but... let's just say that this isn't my first book by Ms Harmel and I am starting to see a trend.

What left me conflicted:
I'm not sure how I really felt about most of the characters - To be honest, most of the characters were pretty terrible humans in one way or another. The spin kept being made that "war brings out unexpected things in people" but that felt like a cheap excuse for much of the behavior that took place. While there were parts of them for which I felt sympathy or admiration, it was all overshadowed by decisions and actions that were pretty disappointing.

Upon the conclusion of my second Kristin Harmel book, I am suspecting she has a particular niche: the Jewish experience and the Resistance in WWII France, with a side of predictable romance. Understanding this, I will now know to go into her books with this expectation.