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A review by aclopez6
All the Broken Places by John Boyne
5.0
A worthwhile read, though I agree with critics that have noted this is not a book for educating or teaching about the Holocaust or World War II. I will likely come back and add to this review after reflecting on it more, but for now, I would cautiously recommend this book to adult patrons looking for a multigenerational story about guilt, sacrifice, and honesty.
Boyne's authors note states that fiction, particularly that which relates to the Holocaust, has the burden of "exploring emotional truths and authentic human experiences while remembering that the story of every person who died in the Holocaust is one that is worth telling. For all the mistakes in her life, for all her complicity in evil, and for all her regrets, I believe that Gretel's story is also worth telling. It is up to the reader to decide whether it is worth reading".
Boyne's authors note states that fiction, particularly that which relates to the Holocaust, has the burden of "exploring emotional truths and authentic human experiences while remembering that the story of every person who died in the Holocaust is one that is worth telling. For all the mistakes in her life, for all her complicity in evil, and for all her regrets, I believe that Gretel's story is also worth telling. It is up to the reader to decide whether it is worth reading".