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maria60ri's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
quiltmom14's review against another edition
4.0
A 3.75. The story is fascinating - I knew nothing of Greece’s political issues, nor its complicity with the Nazis. The writing is good, but the last bit of the book seems to speed down a checklist of what needs to be “wrapped up”, which is why I would take away that last .25 stars.
karlys_books's review against another edition
3.0
Este es un libro de verdad fascinante que nos cuenta la historia de Grecia a lo largo de la Primera y Segunda Guerra Mundial a traves de los ojos de Dimitri, hijo de un gran hombre en la industria de la tela y Katerina quien queda al cuidado de una desconocida al perderse en el incendio que arrasó su ciudad.Aunque la verdad me prometieron una historia de amor que si ocurre pero los personajes son tan planos que no la sentí nada. Sin embargo el que la personalidad de los "protagonistas" se entienda de manera tan vaga no le quita que sea un libro bastante interesante, ya que además de lo interesante e impactante que es la historia de Grecia, tambien la de los protagonistas es muy interesante, por ejemplo Katerina que pierde a su madre y a su hermana enfrentandose a lo desconocido con una edad bastante corta; sin embargo como ya lo mencioné antes el que la historia se base todoo en contar lo que pasaba en el país hace que haya demasiados personajes y como consecuencia que haya muchas historias diferentes, lo que hace así mismo que la historia de nuestros "protagonistas" pierda impacto.
A pesar de ello, lo considero ciertamente una magnifica lectura, bastante entretenida y seguro si me hicieran un examen sobre el tema, lo pasaria sin problema ( aunque prefiero la historia de México a la de cualquier otro país :D)
De verdad te quedas demasiado enganchado y eso es genial sabiendo que eso de verdad pasó, pero de verdad era frustante que la vida de los protagonistas hubiera sido muy diferente si no hubieran tomado ciertas decisiones.
A pesar de ello, lo considero ciertamente una magnifica lectura, bastante entretenida y seguro si me hicieran un examen sobre el tema, lo pasaria sin problema ( aunque prefiero la historia de México a la de cualquier otro país :D)
De verdad te quedas demasiado enganchado y eso es genial sabiendo que eso de verdad pasó, pero de verdad era frustante que la vida de los protagonistas hubiera sido muy diferente si no hubieran tomado ciertas decisiones.
agnes_marie's review against another edition
5.0
This is undoubtly a very good book, but it unfortunately didn’t hook me quite as much as “The Island” did. Some chapters was a little boring, but I will give it 5 stars either way. It tells a beautiful story about friendship, family, war and love. It’s not your typical cheesy love story, because the love and bonding between friends are just as strong and important, and the author shows this in an excellent way. Definitely recommended.
fgaon's review against another edition
2.0
The historical part of the novel was interesting. The characters were one dimensional.
waterbridge147's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.75
carmelitasita's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read much about Greece before and this book has whetted my appetite. What an interesting point in history to write about - destruction of a city, the divvying up of people by religion, two World Wars, and the rise of fascism and communism. I also enjoyed the story, but I have to say the history going on around them kind of stole the focus for me. I would probably have enjoyed it better if it wasn't couched in a modern-day story telling session by grandparents to grandson. For some reason, that seemed a little dissonant from the rest of the book.
* I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads.
* I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads.
nadoislandgirl's review against another edition
2.0
I've read a number of reviews that say: Show, don't tell. And I have to concur. There was so much promise to this book -- the setting was interesting to read about -- but the characters felt like cardboard.
Rich people are unkind and unhappy. Poor people were all generous and lived in community. Love more important than commitment - to such an extent a woman can try to kill her husband and cheat on him, but it's fine - because she doesn't love him.
Rich people are unkind and unhappy. Poor people were all generous and lived in community. Love more important than commitment - to such an extent a woman can try to kill her husband and cheat on him, but it's fine - because she doesn't love him.
blueskies157's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
drey72's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed Victoria Hislop’s The Return, a novel set in Granada, and decided to check out her next offering, The Thread.
The Thread is set in Thessaloniki, Greece and contains a lot of history – it spans from 1917 to the late 1970s and covers everything from the war with the Turks to World War II and the German occupation and through the difficult path to its current political climate.
Told through the eyes of a little girl separated from her mother and sister in the chaos surrounding their escape from Smyrna, this is a story of survival if not triumph, love, and loss. It’s a story of familial ties, multi-cultural communities, and how sometimes, man always finds a way to tear down something good, all in the name of fear and greed.
I liked that Hislop tells some of this story with Katerina’s voice. It is quiet and melodic, and quite haunting. It provides a welcome relief from the darkness contained within its pages – from the wars and civil unrest, the expulsion of the Jews to Poland, the ravages and consequences of resisting the status quo, and the stark unhappiness of two of the main characters. Life has not kind to Olga Komninos or Katerina Sarafoglou, though they each get more out of their friendship than they’d expected.
The Thread is a lovely read, though it’s a bit slow at times. I also wished there were more of the “good guys,” because all the suffering at the hands of self-absorbed, selfish really got my ire and indignation going. But life is what it is, and eventually Katerina and Olga both find some happiness. Add this to your reading pile for the lovely writing and lyrical depiction of life in this Greek island that I’ve always wanted to visit.
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
The Thread is set in Thessaloniki, Greece and contains a lot of history – it spans from 1917 to the late 1970s and covers everything from the war with the Turks to World War II and the German occupation and through the difficult path to its current political climate.
Told through the eyes of a little girl separated from her mother and sister in the chaos surrounding their escape from Smyrna, this is a story of survival if not triumph, love, and loss. It’s a story of familial ties, multi-cultural communities, and how sometimes, man always finds a way to tear down something good, all in the name of fear and greed.
I liked that Hislop tells some of this story with Katerina’s voice. It is quiet and melodic, and quite haunting. It provides a welcome relief from the darkness contained within its pages – from the wars and civil unrest, the expulsion of the Jews to Poland, the ravages and consequences of resisting the status quo, and the stark unhappiness of two of the main characters. Life has not kind to Olga Komninos or Katerina Sarafoglou, though they each get more out of their friendship than they’d expected.
The Thread is a lovely read, though it’s a bit slow at times. I also wished there were more of the “good guys,” because all the suffering at the hands of self-absorbed, selfish
drey’s rating: Pick it up!