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alyh2000 's review for:
Strangers in Time
by David Baldacci
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced digital copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
It is World War II, and London is in the thick of The Blitz, where aerial bombings happen every day. Charlie is a 14 year old living in dire straits who steals what he needs to survive. Molly is a fifteen year old of high social status who returns home after being away for years to find that both of her parents are gone. Ignatius Oliver is a local bookstore owner and widower who shuts himself away from the world, living mainly in the memories of his lost wife. When this unlikely trio are thrust together by circumstance, they form an unexpected bond and weather the throes of war together.
From its description, this book was everything that I usually love in a historical fiction… set during World War II, people overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, found family… it seemed a perfect choice for me. Unfortunately, I was left in a situation where my expectations were greater than reality. I struggled to get into this story and to relate to the characters. Told from the three points of view of the main characters, I felt that their stories were not woven together well. In the beginning, it read like three completely separate novels, and it wasn’t until after the 40% mark that they finally had simultaneous meaningful interactions with each other. While the plot was ultimately interesting, I felt that the pacing was disjointed. The first half of the book seemed endless, while the resolution felt rushed.
While the book itself was underwhelming for me, the redeeming factor was the audio production. I am a sucker for a duet narration because it makes the dialogue feel so much more immersive. Each of the actors in this particular piece gave dynamic and engaging performances. Their accents were believable, yet easy to understand, and each character was given a unique and easily distinguishable voice. In a plot laden with emotion, the actors were genuine and not melodramatic.
Overall, it felt like a chore to get through this book, and I was left wanting more from it. I am incredibly thankful to have had the audiobook for this one, as the actors’ performances were the best part of the experience for me.
It is World War II, and London is in the thick of The Blitz, where aerial bombings happen every day. Charlie is a 14 year old living in dire straits who steals what he needs to survive. Molly is a fifteen year old of high social status who returns home after being away for years to find that both of her parents are gone. Ignatius Oliver is a local bookstore owner and widower who shuts himself away from the world, living mainly in the memories of his lost wife. When this unlikely trio are thrust together by circumstance, they form an unexpected bond and weather the throes of war together.
From its description, this book was everything that I usually love in a historical fiction… set during World War II, people overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, found family… it seemed a perfect choice for me. Unfortunately, I was left in a situation where my expectations were greater than reality. I struggled to get into this story and to relate to the characters. Told from the three points of view of the main characters, I felt that their stories were not woven together well. In the beginning, it read like three completely separate novels, and it wasn’t until after the 40% mark that they finally had simultaneous meaningful interactions with each other. While the plot was ultimately interesting, I felt that the pacing was disjointed. The first half of the book seemed endless, while the resolution felt rushed.
While the book itself was underwhelming for me, the redeeming factor was the audio production. I am a sucker for a duet narration because it makes the dialogue feel so much more immersive. Each of the actors in this particular piece gave dynamic and engaging performances. Their accents were believable, yet easy to understand, and each character was given a unique and easily distinguishable voice. In a plot laden with emotion, the actors were genuine and not melodramatic.
Overall, it felt like a chore to get through this book, and I was left wanting more from it. I am incredibly thankful to have had the audiobook for this one, as the actors’ performances were the best part of the experience for me.