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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
sad
medium-paced
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
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Hidden Book is the latest offering from a new-to-me author Kirsty Manning. This book is a dual-timeline--well, I guess you could say it follows two different timelines. It can be a bit confusing as there are four different characters who have narrative in this book.
During the Austria, 1940s timeline we get Santiago, Lena, and Nico.
In the Australia, 1980s to present day we follow Hannah's timeline.
Hannah first comes in contact with a secret book when her grandfather Nico brings it with him to Australia during a visit. He desires Hannah to have it, but her mother refuses. He insists that someday it will be the right time. Over the course of Hannah's storyline--she constantly is waiting for the "right time" and it cause multiple blowups with her mom. WE see her go from childhood to adult in her timeline. All the different events shaped by her connection with her mother, grandfather, and this book. She has so many questions.
The 1940s timeline gives the answers to these questions slowly through the narrative of three characters: Santiago a boy in the concentration camp with Nico a young Slav in the concentration camp, and Lena a German living near the concentration camp who hates the Germans yet does whatever is needed to protect secrets of her own.
The book works to weave it all together. It's a type of comin of age story for Hannah woven with startling truths of the Holocaust that we should never forget.
Topics in the book include: LGBQT, Racism, abuse, Holocaust related violence, premarital sex
There is also swearing for those who would want to be prepared. The LGBQ is also very present from early on in the book with girl/girl makeout session.
Due to the topics that aren't my type (so I skimmed past), I wasn't able to appreciate this book as much as I wanted to. I'm going to only be able to give it a 3 because I really didn't feel like these issues contributed ANYTHING to the story besides checking off boxes. They weren't integral at ALL to the plot of the story.
**I was given this complimentary ARC by the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review and everything is 100% my own.
During the Austria, 1940s timeline we get Santiago, Lena, and Nico.
In the Australia, 1980s to present day we follow Hannah's timeline.
Hannah first comes in contact with a secret book when her grandfather Nico brings it with him to Australia during a visit. He desires Hannah to have it, but her mother refuses. He insists that someday it will be the right time. Over the course of Hannah's storyline--she constantly is waiting for the "right time" and it cause multiple blowups with her mom. WE see her go from childhood to adult in her timeline. All the different events shaped by her connection with her mother, grandfather, and this book. She has so many questions.
The 1940s timeline gives the answers to these questions slowly through the narrative of three characters: Santiago a boy in the concentration camp with Nico a young Slav in the concentration camp, and Lena a German living near the concentration camp who hates the Germans yet does whatever is needed to protect secrets of her own.
The book works to weave it all together. It's a type of comin of age story for Hannah woven with startling truths of the Holocaust that we should never forget.
Topics in the book include: LGBQT, Racism, abuse, Holocaust related violence, premarital sex
There is also swearing for those who would want to be prepared. The LGBQ is also very present from early on in the book with girl/girl makeout session.
Due to the topics that aren't my type (so I skimmed past), I wasn't able to appreciate this book as much as I wanted to. I'm going to only be able to give it a 3 because I really didn't feel like these issues contributed ANYTHING to the story besides checking off boxes. They weren't integral at ALL to the plot of the story.
**I was given this complimentary ARC by the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review and everything is 100% my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Antisemitism, War
LGBQ, toxic childhood
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have mixed feelings about Kirsty Manning's The Hidden Book. In some ways, this was a powerful book about the Holocaust, trauma, generational trauma, and the tough choices humans make to survive. Nico and Lena were powerful characters, and their stories demonstrated heart, courage, and growth. I was not as familiar with Mauthausen Concentration Camp as I am with other concentration camps, and parts of this story were absolutely heartbreaking.
However, I had issues with Hannah's story in the present day. To me, she seemed childish and lacking in many ways. She did not seem to grow as a person, and was negative, selfish, and temperamental. It was not that she was unlikable - I just felt like she wasn't as developed as she could be (but maybe this was the generational trauma??). I also wondered what role her romantic relationship drama was supposed to play in the story. There were aspects of this story that were so good but parts of Hannah's perspective made the book not as good as it could have been, in my opinion. One fun aspect of Hannah's story was reading about Australian life - I kept putting my Kindle down so I could google one Australian term or another. I love learning about another culture like that!
This book was still very readable and engaging, and I'm glad I took the time to read it. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
However, I had issues with Hannah's story in the present day. To me, she seemed childish and lacking in many ways. She did not seem to grow as a person, and was negative, selfish, and temperamental. It was not that she was unlikable - I just felt like she wasn't as developed as she could be (but maybe this was the generational trauma??). I also wondered what role her romantic relationship drama was supposed to play in the story. There were aspects of this story that were so good but parts of Hannah's perspective made the book not as good as it could have been, in my opinion. One fun aspect of Hannah's story was reading about Australian life - I kept putting my Kindle down so I could google one Australian term or another. I love learning about another culture like that!
This book was still very readable and engaging, and I'm glad I took the time to read it. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Antisemitism, War
It was ok. However, I found that the characters did not develop or changed when it suited the story. There were also many anachronistic elements that were so distracting.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
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
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A beautifully written book that pays respects to the horror and sacrifice endured and to ensure the bravery and trauma will not be forgotten.
Based on true events, the story revolves around an artifact, smuggled out under the SS noses to become an important piece of evidence and history of the Mauthausen concentration camp.
I thought the book explored some different viewpoints of history and how it should be preserved.
I enjoyed it very much.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Based on true events, the story revolves around an artifact, smuggled out under the SS noses to become an important piece of evidence and history of the Mauthausen concentration camp.
I thought the book explored some different viewpoints of history and how it should be preserved.
I enjoyed it very much.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This was a beautifully written story of love & courage amongst the horror of the holocaust & familial trauma. Anything I read on the Second World War leaves me reflective, & this was no different. It was a real journey
It’s written with the double perspectives of past & present, a style I’ve always enjoyed. The two characters, instrumental in the existence & accessibility of an album that highlighted the atrocities of concentration camp life.
I really believe, even these fictionalized stories, are so important for future history & reflection, & love that an author can allow the light to be reflected in somethjng so dark.