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A review by mellabella
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
2.0
I like the plot. My interest in where Gemma came from kept me reading. The ending was a let down. The fairy tale retelling was initially a turnoff for me. But, it made it a little better.
Becca was very close to her grandmother (called Gemma). She's the youngest of three girls. Her sisters Shana and Sylvie are spoiled when they are younger. Bitchy when they get older.
Gemma always told them the story of Briar Rose. Over and over.
When Gemma dies, Becca finds a few articles and items that make her want to learn more about Gemma. The quest takes her to Poland. Her siblings think she's crazy. But these are the same siblings who didn't want to visit their grandmother in the nursing home when she was alive. Sooo...
Becca's interactions with her guide Magda when she gets to Poland are sometimes cringe worthy. She corrects Magda's English constantly and, is rude. I've never read a book about the Holocaust (fiction or non) that was told from the point of view of someone gay. You read about how there were different types of people rounded up: gay, what they called gypsies, disabled, mentally ill, etc. As well as Jewish people. So, Josef's part was interesting.
Other than that, bland characters and a story I awaited, only to be disappointed by.
Becca was very close to her grandmother (called Gemma). She's the youngest of three girls. Her sisters Shana and Sylvie are spoiled when they are younger. Bitchy when they get older.
Gemma always told them the story of Briar Rose. Over and over.
When Gemma dies, Becca finds a few articles and items that make her want to learn more about Gemma. The quest takes her to Poland. Her siblings think she's crazy. But these are the same siblings who didn't want to visit their grandmother in the nursing home when she was alive. Sooo...
Becca's interactions with her guide Magda when she gets to Poland are sometimes cringe worthy. She corrects Magda's English constantly and, is rude. I've never read a book about the Holocaust (fiction or non) that was told from the point of view of someone gay. You read about how there were different types of people rounded up: gay, what they called gypsies, disabled, mentally ill, etc. As well as Jewish people. So, Josef's part was interesting.
Other than that, bland characters and a story I awaited, only to be disappointed by.