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taysquared's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
capitalf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? No
3.0
andalucia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, War, and Violence
Moderate: Deportation, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Child death
aubrey_the_explorer's review against another edition
5.0
A 5-star rating, and to think I almost put this book down after the initial few pages failed to hook me. I kept telling myself to read more and give it a chance. Well, it won me over. I had no idea I was going to love this book. I think it will be one of my favorites for a long long time. The last third of the book took an unexpected turn and I love this book even more for it.
jilly7922's review against another edition
4.0
First and most important I want to thank Netgalley, Thomas Nelson (the publisher), and Irma Joubert (the author) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I chose this book to read because of the specific time frame it took place during World War II. I have always been interested in books about this war. The plot of this book reminded me that the times of World War II seems eerily similar to what is going on today regarding the Muslim religion.
This book is about a six year old girl Gretl in World War II who escaped from a train that was bombed by Jakob a polish man. Jakob then takes responsibility for Gretl. In Poland she survives by hiding her German and Jewish roots by becoming a Polish Catholic. Eventually hard decisions must be made and she ends up in South Africa where again she must survive by hiding her Polish, Jewish, and Catholic identities. This book ultimately is about the bond that forms between Gretl and Jakob and how their lives are intertwined. This book is about survival, about the clashes between different cultures and religions. And how people learn to accept each others different beliefs and culture. This book is also about how traumatic events in the past can affect you in your present life. This book was about Gretl who is known by many names. It told the story of how she grew up and found herself, a bit of a coming of age novel. In reading this book it was very evident of the author's love for her homeland, South Africa. The author Irma Joubert is a South African writer who specializes in historical fiction. And this book was a very enriching story.
Overall, I would rate this book 4 stars out of 5. This book was bittersweet. What I enjoyed most was the joyful, peaceful, and hopeful feelings it created within me. This book was even more surprising because I wasn't expecting to feel these positive feelings, being that most books and stories I have read about World War II are horrifying. Don't get me wrong this book had some horrifying moments. This was a true love story about the different kinds of love. That love can survive anything. I really enjoyed the main character Gretl, her childish innocence, her wonder and awe. I enjoyed seeing her grow older, more mature and wise for her years.
One thing that I felt could have been improved upon in this book was that some sections, especially at the end were rushed, and should have been expanded upon. This book was beautifully written, I could feel the author's words. I felt how the author poured her emotions, poured her soul into the written words in this book. This book allowed your imagination to expand. and grow. You can see the story being played out in your head while reading the book. I had a very pleasant experience reading this book. I too felt the butterflies in my stomach hopefully you will to. If you want to join in on this ride than click HERE to purchase a copy of this book.
For more book reviews come and read my blog at http://turnthepagereviewsbyjill.blogspot.com
This book is about a six year old girl Gretl in World War II who escaped from a train that was bombed by Jakob a polish man. Jakob then takes responsibility for Gretl. In Poland she survives by hiding her German and Jewish roots by becoming a Polish Catholic. Eventually hard decisions must be made and she ends up in South Africa where again she must survive by hiding her Polish, Jewish, and Catholic identities. This book ultimately is about the bond that forms between Gretl and Jakob and how their lives are intertwined. This book is about survival, about the clashes between different cultures and religions. And how people learn to accept each others different beliefs and culture. This book is also about how traumatic events in the past can affect you in your present life. This book was about Gretl who is known by many names. It told the story of how she grew up and found herself, a bit of a coming of age novel. In reading this book it was very evident of the author's love for her homeland, South Africa. The author Irma Joubert is a South African writer who specializes in historical fiction. And this book was a very enriching story.
Overall, I would rate this book 4 stars out of 5. This book was bittersweet. What I enjoyed most was the joyful, peaceful, and hopeful feelings it created within me. This book was even more surprising because I wasn't expecting to feel these positive feelings, being that most books and stories I have read about World War II are horrifying. Don't get me wrong this book had some horrifying moments. This was a true love story about the different kinds of love. That love can survive anything. I really enjoyed the main character Gretl, her childish innocence, her wonder and awe. I enjoyed seeing her grow older, more mature and wise for her years.
One thing that I felt could have been improved upon in this book was that some sections, especially at the end were rushed, and should have been expanded upon. This book was beautifully written, I could feel the author's words. I felt how the author poured her emotions, poured her soul into the written words in this book. This book allowed your imagination to expand. and grow. You can see the story being played out in your head while reading the book. I had a very pleasant experience reading this book. I too felt the butterflies in my stomach hopefully you will to. If you want to join in on this ride than click HERE to purchase a copy of this book.
For more book reviews come and read my blog at http://turnthepagereviewsbyjill.blogspot.com
drskaninchen's review against another edition
2.0
Niet bepaald een boek wat ik normaal zou lezen. Ik heb het gedaan, omdat ik nu bij een boekenclub zit. Had er goede dingen van gehoord en verwacht. Helaas viel het erg tegen. De stijl vind ik een beetje kinderachtig: gegeven informatie wordt vaak herhaald, zinnen lopen niet helemaal goed, er wordt te veel gebruik gemaakt van 'telling' en te weinig van 'showing'.
Jakob heeft al tijdens de oorlog een hekel aan de communisten en zeggen dat zij een gevaarlijke wereldmacht gaan worden. Dit is duidelijk met de terugkijkende blik van een moderne schrijver geschreven. In die tijd kwam de redding voor veel mensen uit Rusland. De Russen versloegen immers de grote vijand: het Duitse rijk.
De romantische scenes heb ik maar snel over geslagen. Dat heeft ook met mijn eigen voorkeur te maken, ik hou er simpelweg niet.
Uiteindelijk weet dit boek gewoon niet te beklijven. Het werpt geen vragen bij me op, het geeft me niet veel nieuwe informatie, het heeft me niet meegesleept. Helaas moet ik het boek dus maar twee sterren geven.
Jakob heeft al tijdens de oorlog een hekel aan de communisten en zeggen dat zij een gevaarlijke wereldmacht gaan worden. Dit is duidelijk met de terugkijkende blik van een moderne schrijver geschreven. In die tijd kwam de redding voor veel mensen uit Rusland. De Russen versloegen immers de grote vijand: het Duitse rijk.
De romantische scenes heb ik maar snel over geslagen. Dat heeft ook met mijn eigen voorkeur te maken, ik hou er simpelweg niet.
Uiteindelijk weet dit boek gewoon niet te beklijven. Het werpt geen vragen bij me op, het geeft me niet veel nieuwe informatie, het heeft me niet meegesleept. Helaas moet ik het boek dus maar twee sterren geven.
rgyger's review against another edition
4.0
To my knowledge, this is the first novel I've read that was translated into English (outside of a few I had to read in high school and have pushed from my memory). For that reason, I had been slightly worried that some aspects of the story would have been lost in translation, either because of differing cultures or else words that had no exact definition in English. I was pleased to find that if anything was lost in translation, I didn't notice.
The Girl from the Train was a wonderful read. While most of the plot takes place after WWII, it was still interesting to see how Europe coped after the war, as well as how the effects were felt all the way to South Africa. My favorite conflict through the story was that between nationalities, languages, and religions that Gretl and Jakob had to navigate in order to survive.
* Now for a spoiler* From the beginning, I knew that the story would have to end in a romance between Jakob and Gretl. It was the only relational conclusion I could picture since Jakob never took up the role as father to Gretl, even though he could have. And while I rooted for it before it happened (it is not the first time I have seen a 15 year age gap), I was not sure of how I felt about it once it did happen. Even though they were a couple, Jakob still bossed her around like a parent and Gretl whined and manipulated him like she was his child. It made it hard for me to believe they were in love.
*End spoiler*
The part I really had issue did not come about until near the end, leaving the rest of the story to enjoy. I hope to see more translations of Irma's books in the future.
I received this book from the publisher through The Fiction Guild in exchange for an honest review.
The Girl from the Train was a wonderful read. While most of the plot takes place after WWII, it was still interesting to see how Europe coped after the war, as well as how the effects were felt all the way to South Africa. My favorite conflict through the story was that between nationalities, languages, and religions that Gretl and Jakob had to navigate in order to survive.
* Now for a spoiler* From the beginning, I knew that the story would have to end in a romance between Jakob and Gretl. It was the only relational conclusion I could picture since Jakob never took up the role as father to Gretl, even though he could have. And while I rooted for it before it happened (it is not the first time I have seen a 15 year age gap), I was not sure of how I felt about it once it did happen. Even though they were a couple, Jakob still bossed her around like a parent and Gretl whined and manipulated him like she was his child. It made it hard for me to believe they were in love.
*End spoiler*
The part I really had issue did not come about until near the end, leaving the rest of the story to enjoy. I hope to see more translations of Irma's books in the future.
I received this book from the publisher through The Fiction Guild in exchange for an honest review.
flowersofquiethappiness's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. There is so many things that I could say about this story, but the first thing that comes to mind is just wow. What a powerful story this is! From the adrenalin rush of jumping off a moving train on page one, to the sweetest ending ever, Gretl's story is one of heartache, pain, joy, happiness, comfort, and finding home. It is easily understandable why this book is an international bestseller!
Gretl completely stole my heart from the first few pages and I loved getting to journey with her as she grew up. I especially enjoyed how much she loved stories and used them to get through her hard places! I can so relate to that. And Jakob. Oh how that boy-man grew into my heart. With a seven year old pretty much thrust upon him, he nevertheless cares for her and strives to get her where she needs to go no matter the cost. Both characters experienced so much hard in their lives, yet they form a little family of their own for the bit they are able and it's wonderful.
I haven't read much WWII fiction, I confess, but I'm so glad I had the privilege of reading this one! Ms. Joubert does a remarkable job with drawing the reader into the characters plight and helping you feel the horror and fear they had to live with every single day. And getting a glimpse of life for the Polish people as well as South Africans was so very interesting. I know nothing of South Africa's history and this was fascinating for me.
There is just something about this story. There truly is. I'm not even sure I can precisely pinpoint what it is, but please believe me when I say that it's well worth your time!
**I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Gretl completely stole my heart from the first few pages and I loved getting to journey with her as she grew up. I especially enjoyed how much she loved stories and used them to get through her hard places! I can so relate to that. And Jakob. Oh how that boy-man grew into my heart. With a seven year old pretty much thrust upon him, he nevertheless cares for her and strives to get her where she needs to go no matter the cost. Both characters experienced so much hard in their lives, yet they form a little family of their own for the bit they are able and it's wonderful.
I haven't read much WWII fiction, I confess, but I'm so glad I had the privilege of reading this one! Ms. Joubert does a remarkable job with drawing the reader into the characters plight and helping you feel the horror and fear they had to live with every single day. And getting a glimpse of life for the Polish people as well as South Africans was so very interesting. I know nothing of South Africa's history and this was fascinating for me.
There is just something about this story. There truly is. I'm not even sure I can precisely pinpoint what it is, but please believe me when I say that it's well worth your time!
**I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
izzy_435's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
5.0
livres_de_bloss's review against another edition
I was so disappointed in this book. It got amazing reviews on this site but I was upset to find it to be a preachy, Christian book. I rarely stop reading once I start a book but I couldn't finish it for all the preachy bits. Plus, after about 1/4 of the way in, it took a bizarre turn.