Author: Anthony Doerr
Genre: Historical Fiction, Standalone
Published: 2014
Personal Rating: 2.25/5 (not enjoyable +)
Format/Narrator: Audiobook/Zach Appelman
Yearly Count: 33
This is a World War II novel based mainly on 2 non-Jewish children: a young girl from France and a boy from Germany.
The first half of the book, for both stories, was dull and dragged. The second half picked up and kept my attention a little bit more, but not enough to actually enjoy the experience. My greatest complaint was that both stories alternated, along with the time period. Had the story flowed better, I may have liked it better. At this point, I'm just glad it's done.
*This was posted with dashed hopes, a bit of frustration and disappointment.
*This was posted with dashed hopes, a bit of frustration and disappointment.
Thoughts of Joy
BUMMER!!! I have high hopes for this one...though not thrilled to find out about the alternating time period/stories. Not a fan of that tired trope.
ReplyDeleteTrish ~ You usually like this kind of prose much more than I do, so I encourage you to go in with positive thoughts. And I can see why others would enjoy it (sometimes I just don't understand the draw, but this one I do). It just wasn't for me.
DeleteSorry this didn't work for you. I bought it after reading some great reviews. :/
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion ~ Yeah, me too. :(
DeleteI was so happy when this book won since Doerr is from the area and I've been to one of his book signings. I even liked his memoir, Four Seasons in Rome. But just from the storyline I was pretty sure it wouldn't be for me. You've confirmed some of that for me :)
ReplyDeleteStacybuckeye ~ I'm glad I did, but the majority has loved this one. I truly wish I was with them.
DeleteI bought this on audible and have tried twice to listen to it and get distracted away by other books. I do like it and plan to finish it so I will see what my final consensus is. I agree, the alternating time period doesn't flow as well as I had hoped.
ReplyDeleteBonnie ~ The good news is that it does get better, so maybe it'll hold your attention more when you get back to it. It is loved by many. I hope you end up in that camp.
DeleteI liked this one more than you did. I would have rated it a 4, although I was surprised when he won an award for it.
ReplyDeleteBooklogged ~ That's nice for him. <--- I mean that sincerely. :)
DeleteTo echo Trish, BUMMER! I loved this book and look forward to reading his other books. So sorry it fell (very) short for you. :(
ReplyDeleteLes ~ Just not my thing, I guess.
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