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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
💬 'Should everything really go to hell, my daring, I want you to go down shooting.'
I was very kindly gifted a copy of this book by Boomsbury Creator's Circle. I was so excited to read this one, and whilst it wasnt for me, I can absolutely see 33 Place Brugmann being a big hit for fans of a more literary style of writing.
This book is so beautifully written, and there were so many quotes I jotted down down whilst I was reading. The characterisation were impeccable, particularly the women. They were all so individual and well crafted - the author definitely lives up to her namesake when it comes to observing human nature and transferring those insights into words.
I think I may have read this a touch too soon after reading The Nightingale. The period of history it covers and a lot of the themes are very much the same, both being set during World War Two in a Nazi occupied country. I found it had more of a literary tone than I was expecting, with the focus being on the nuances of the characters rather than on the plot. Whilst I do love character driven stories, I do also need there to be some kind of plot to go with them.
Overall, this one had a lot of strengths, and I can see why it gets such rave reviews. Unfortunately, it just wasn't the style of writing I look for, so it missed the mark for me personally.
I was very kindly gifted a copy of this book by Boomsbury Creator's Circle. I was so excited to read this one, and whilst it wasnt for me, I can absolutely see 33 Place Brugmann being a big hit for fans of a more literary style of writing.
This book is so beautifully written, and there were so many quotes I jotted down down whilst I was reading. The characterisation were impeccable, particularly the women. They were all so individual and well crafted - the author definitely lives up to her namesake when it comes to observing human nature and transferring those insights into words.
I think I may have read this a touch too soon after reading The Nightingale. The period of history it covers and a lot of the themes are very much the same, both being set during World War Two in a Nazi occupied country. I found it had more of a literary tone than I was expecting, with the focus being on the nuances of the characters rather than on the plot. Whilst I do love character driven stories, I do also need there to be some kind of plot to go with them.
Overall, this one had a lot of strengths, and I can see why it gets such rave reviews. Unfortunately, it just wasn't the style of writing I look for, so it missed the mark for me personally.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An intricate historical, this book follows the occupants of 33 place Brugmann and what comes of their fates during the rise of the Nazis and the events of ww2.
It’s truly a story of survival, from rebels to soldiers, Jews and refugees. Devastating from start to finish, this kept me captive with its tales of love, courage and art even during the dark horrors of war.
Alice’s debut, she’s done a phenomenal job, building characters with depth I’ve not experienced in a while. Charlotte particularly resonated with me, as she doesn’t necessarily fit the structures of society yet regardless of this she grows into a powerful being if her own across the pages of this book.
The format of this book worked particularly well for a historical like this as it allowed us to see varied perspectives from their own voices. It allowed for the breakdown of complex relationships between our tangle of characters, and it truly shows that a home is ultimately made by the people within it.
It’s truly a story of survival, from rebels to soldiers, Jews and refugees. Devastating from start to finish, this kept me captive with its tales of love, courage and art even during the dark horrors of war.
Alice’s debut, she’s done a phenomenal job, building characters with depth I’ve not experienced in a while. Charlotte particularly resonated with me, as she doesn’t necessarily fit the structures of society yet regardless of this she grows into a powerful being if her own across the pages of this book.
The format of this book worked particularly well for a historical like this as it allowed us to see varied perspectives from their own voices. It allowed for the breakdown of complex relationships between our tangle of characters, and it truly shows that a home is ultimately made by the people within it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Murder, War
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
33 Place Brugmann is an intimate portrait of the residents of an apartment house during the German occupation of Belgium in WWII. The story is told from many different character perspectives, which is both interesting and a little discombobulating. The voices are each distinct, but some of the perspectives are less than clear. Perhaps I didn't know enough about the politics of Belgium or perhaps the author took on too many different voices. But one thing the author did well was to instill a sense of doom - the doom that is present in so many WWII historical fiction novels. The tight knit community of this apartment building combined with the threats of German occupation were palpable, and I found myself seeking the voices of certain characters that really stood out. This was a debut novel, and I look forward to seeing more books from this author.
A bit slow and dry. May try audio since it has multiple narrators.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
So good I want to read it again to see what I missed.