-sniffle- I really wasn’t sure about this book. I’d heard good things, but when I picked it up and started reading I was a bit put off by Death’s narrative style. Yes, Death is the narrator. Of a Holocaust book. Oh, joy. And Death spouts off about colors for a chapter, and it’s symbolic, sort of, but it didn’t make a lot of sense while reading it. Death also cuts in all the time with weird, bolded pronouncements like
* * * HERE IS A SMALL FACT * * *
You are going to die
That’s on the first page. I was a bit concerned. But then, as I read some more, I got used to the intrusions and even started to appreciate them. That fact seems almost appropriate to this book.
Anyway, I said the book was about the Holocaust, but it’s not, really. It’s about a young German girl who is sent to live with a foster family during Hitler’s reign, and how she grows up amid the tumult. She makes friends, she gets into fights, she steals some books (obviously), she helps hide a Jew, and she generally becomes a fine young woman. Of course, bad things happen all over the place. To paraphrase Death, an admission: I cried for the last 50 pages. It’s not a happy book, and it took a bit to really pull me in, but it is a very very good book and you should read it.
Rating: 9/10
(Support Your Local Library Challenge, Orbis Terrarum Challenge: Australia)
This sounds like a fascinating book, especially if it’s narrated by Death. I’ll be looking for this one.
I loved, LOVED this book. I just read it last month with my book club. Thanks for the review!!! Oh, it makes me want to read it again.
One of my favorite books! I’m glad you liked it. I haven’t read it since it first came out – I think it’s time to hear Death’s thoughts again. 🙂
That’s interesting – I mainly liked this book because of Death’s narration. I love when different people like the same book, but for completely different reasons!/Your fellow OT-er
I totally understand – for the first several chapters, I thought, “uh-oh…”. But then I fell in love!
I’m right smack in the middle of reading this one, and I couldn’t resist clicking on your review just now! So glad you enjoyed it — looks like I have great stuff in here to look forward to. I knew I was going to be pretty weepy, but I better make sure I have that box of tissues really close by 😦