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A review by jasminegalsreadinglog
Strangers in Time by David Baldacci
5.0
Strangers in Time is a WWII story, but unlike most, its main protagonists are not adults. While there are adult characters, the story primarily follows two teenagers who suddenly find themselves alone, navigating a world torn apart by war.
Charlie, a fourteen-year-old boy, lives with his Gran in London’s East End. He’s street smart, but his life is upended when tragedy strikes. Molly, a sixteen-year-old girl sent to the countryside for safety, returns to London only to discover her parents are missing. The thread that connects them is Ignatius Oliver, a bookshop owner whose quiet strength and mentorship anchor them both. Together, the three form a fragile but beautiful bond, even as the world around them remains full of danger and unanswered questions.
This book just about broke my heart. It’s unexpectedly heartwarming in places, yet also deeply painful, especially when reading about children orphaned by the bombings or fathers lost on the front lines. The bond between Charlie and Molly is tender and genuine, and Oliver is the kind of mentor everyone deserves. I also liked the incorporation of the trauma aspect and the advancement as well as the understanding we have of trauma from then to now in treating depression, anxiety, and complex PTSD. Though the story starts a bit slow, it builds into something powerful and memorable. It’s easily one of my top favorites of the year so far.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for inviting me to read this beautiful story.
CW: Some parts of this book, though not graphic, mention or refer to s**ual a***ult, PTSD, death, grief, su***de, and m****r, so just a small caution.
Charlie, a fourteen-year-old boy, lives with his Gran in London’s East End. He’s street smart, but his life is upended when tragedy strikes. Molly, a sixteen-year-old girl sent to the countryside for safety, returns to London only to discover her parents are missing. The thread that connects them is Ignatius Oliver, a bookshop owner whose quiet strength and mentorship anchor them both. Together, the three form a fragile but beautiful bond, even as the world around them remains full of danger and unanswered questions.
This book just about broke my heart. It’s unexpectedly heartwarming in places, yet also deeply painful, especially when reading about children orphaned by the bombings or fathers lost on the front lines. The bond between Charlie and Molly is tender and genuine, and Oliver is the kind of mentor everyone deserves. I also liked the incorporation of the trauma aspect and the advancement as well as the understanding we have of trauma from then to now in treating depression, anxiety, and complex PTSD. Though the story starts a bit slow, it builds into something powerful and memorable. It’s easily one of my top favorites of the year so far.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for inviting me to read this beautiful story.
CW: Some parts of this book, though not graphic, mention or refer to s**ual a***ult, PTSD, death, grief, su***de, and m****r, so just a small caution.