You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by octavia_cade
Briar Rose: A Novel of the Holocaust by Jane Yolen
4.0
A well-written, quiet metaphor of a story - very simply told, which works well here as the subject matter is so disturbing that any sort of gilding the lily would lessen the impact, I think. Becca's very relatable, and her family relationships, while not perfect, add a grounding touch and moments of recognisable humour. Her relationship with Magda was also enjoyable.
I didn't connect with Josef's story as much as Becca and Gemma's, though it was still interesting. But because Briar Rose was so clearly a fairy tale metaphor, the whole mystery of Gemma wasn't really a mystery at all, at least to me - it was clear what it would turn out to be. Still, I kept reading because I was interested in Becca's reactions to Gemma's story. That reaction was a little muted, but then I can't praise the overall quietness of the story and complain about it at the same time, so I'll take the muted reaction over melodrama every time.
I didn't connect with Josef's story as much as Becca and Gemma's, though it was still interesting. But because Briar Rose was so clearly a fairy tale metaphor, the whole mystery of Gemma wasn't really a mystery at all, at least to me - it was clear what it would turn out to be. Still, I kept reading because I was interested in Becca's reactions to Gemma's story. That reaction was a little muted, but then I can't praise the overall quietness of the story and complain about it at the same time, so I'll take the muted reaction over melodrama every time.