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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I loved this book and how the story weaved its characters through hard times with little bits of light and goodness. Characters that grow and change and experience things outside their initial station in life are so satisfying for me to hear about. The kindness they characters give and receive and well as the injustices they suffer make for a richer tale.
I'm likely to reread this.
I'm likely to reread this.
Another brilliant book from Chris Cleave
All of his books are completely different, he is one ofmy favourite authors.
This is a powerful,story that will have me thinking about the characters long after I have finished the book.
The book gives you a real feel for some of the experiences of WW 2 that will stay with me
It also dryly funny, I absolutely loved the dialogue between the characters
All of his books are completely different, he is one ofmy favourite authors.
This is a powerful,story that will have me thinking about the characters long after I have finished the book.
The book gives you a real feel for some of the experiences of WW 2 that will stay with me
It also dryly funny, I absolutely loved the dialogue between the characters
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting book. Hard to follow at times as it was contained many British references. A good read for someone who is an avid reader of World War 2 novels.
I gave up sleep, work, responsibilities for this story. The dialogue was witty, the characters flawed, and the setting sweeping. Against the Blitz of London and the Siege of Malta, the human heart is the battleground.
An engrossing, quick historical romance that, in its lighter chapters, reminds me of P.G. Wodehouse. Those who like WWII history will enjoy the book's themes, the British soldiers who suffered during the siege of Malta and lesser-told tales of London, such as the hardships of the children whom the countryside refused to accept, the schisms that developed in the upper classes, and the guilt of those who could not serve. My only disappointment was in the ending. After such a well written book, the last pages felt rushed and incomplete.
A huge disappointment. The emotion was totally sucked out of the story. Important characters die and you don't even care. It took me forever to sludge through it.
Pretty depressing war story with some humorous banter thrown in. Not a beach read!
What a book. Very well written, the author gives you a real sense of each character without telling you things. Lots of good show not telling.
The subject of the book is fascinating, and makes you think of what l what it was like in London during the Blitz for the people left behind, the men who did not join, the people who volunteered, the black people who had to deal with terrible discrimination making the effects of the war worse. I love how Mary North sticks to her ideals once her naivety is broken, and she refuses to stop teaching those that society says is worthless, the special needs, black, crippled, and soiled. Chris Cleave doesn't shy away from letting things be seen, not glossing over uncomfortable situations, instead letting us see them, confront them and come to our conclusions as his characters do.
The subject of the book is fascinating, and makes you think of what l what it was like in London during the Blitz for the people left behind, the men who did not join, the people who volunteered, the black people who had to deal with terrible discrimination making the effects of the war worse. I love how Mary North sticks to her ideals once her naivety is broken, and she refuses to stop teaching those that society says is worthless, the special needs, black, crippled, and soiled. Chris Cleave doesn't shy away from letting things be seen, not glossing over uncomfortable situations, instead letting us see them, confront them and come to our conclusions as his characters do.
This ins the 3rd Chris Cleave novel I have read. All three very different from each other, but the language and the sense of time and place are strong in all three books. This one held my interest throughout the entire book and I loved the characters and the humour in terrible times that was shown. Top notch read.