Reviews - Strangers in Time

281 reviews for:

Strangers in Time

David Baldacci

3.98 AVERAGE

mbutkowski's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious 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

This book had me from the first page. It was tense and at times hard to read, but I had to keep going. I loved Charlie, Molly and Mr. Oliver. They became family because of this war and Mr. Oliver was so kind and caring and took both of these children in and treated them as the family he never had. They learned so much from him and each other. WWII in London was horrible and this book showed the ugliness and horror of this time. I will recommend this book to everyone. It was fantastic.

thebookof_nicole's review against another edition

2.5

fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I would rate this book 2.5 stars. Baldacci’s writing didn’t speak to me and a lot of it felt predictable.

There was also too much preluding to the actual future.

I’d prefer my books, whether based on true events, to stay in bookland (sorry).

There’s too many cliches that feel pertinent to real life, I don’t like it.

At the end of the book charlie felt like an after thought. He was just there. Sitting in the background

ashbydodd's review against another edition

4.0

This isn't your usual Baldacci. Strangers in Time trades high-octane thrills for a quieter, more emotional story—and honestly, it works. Set during WWII, the book follows Charlie and Molly, two teens navigating loss and survival in a bombed-out London, and Ignatius, a grieving bookseller who unexpectedly brings them together.

Thanks to a whole cast of narrators (including Baldacci himself), the audiobook feels more like an audio drama, and it's better for it. The performances add depth to a story already filled with strong characters.

Despite all the trauma and grief, it's not a heavy listen. It's surprisingly hopeful, with characters you can't help but cheer for. If you're in the mood for something different from Baldacci—slower, more personal—this one's worth a listen, especially on audio.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

alexfehlig's review

2.25

emotional informative tense slow-paced

bear44's review

3.0

dark emotional slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

While well written it is rather plodding and overly sentimental. I prefer Baldacci's action packed books.

ermason331's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious 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

crafalsk264's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious 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: Yes

Charlie Matters is making the best he can in his working class neighborhood. His parents are dead, leaving him with only his grandmother. He walks a double life—pretending to attend school while stealing what he can from where he can on the street. He is living from one day to the next, seeking shelter from the bombs that fall night and day. Molly Wakefield returns from her refuge in the country hoping to find out why she has not been receiving mail from her parents. She finds that both her parents are gone without leaving information on where they will be. Without parents or guardians, both Molly and Charlie meet through The Book End, a bookstore owned by Ignatiius Oliver trying to eke out a living while also serving as an air warden every night while still reeling from a secret his late wife, Imogen, left for him to discover before she committed suicide.

The three of them come together to support each other while the War rages on and the bombs fall. When Charlie’s grandmother dies and he is left on his own, he continues to dodge the viciousness of the street and the authorities who are looking for him in relation to an accident which kills a police constable. Molly learns that not only her parents are missing but the money that has been supporting her is gone. When a bomb makes her homeless, they come together and take shelter with Ignatius at the bookstore. Day by day the three of them realize that their love and trust may be the only way to survive.

This is a coming of age story with two teenagers who don’t have family or resources other than each other. The characters are well developed and their location in War-torn London is rich in detail and experiences. This is different from the usual WWII stories. Instead it is a love story, a life story, a family story. This is a little different from the usual fare of Baldacci. He has tried and succeeded on something different and I hope that this is the early stage of a future oeuvre full of more of the same.

Recommend to readers of historical fiction, mystery, thriller and suspense, WWII and coming of age.