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A review by farmfreshlisa
The Hidden Book: A Novel by Kirsty Manning
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
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