Helpful Score: 14
To say that I loved this book would be an understatement. I had never heard of this author. In fact, I only picked up the book because one of my friends told me. I only finally read it because another friend wanted to read it after I was done. *laugh* But wow. This was so well written. The story is so sad, a little scary even. It's all fiction, but we all know that the Holocaust was very real, and that stuff like this happened every single day. This story grabbed me from the very first page. I found myself deliberately slowing down my reading so I could catch every word.
There are many disturbing parts to this book. Don't mistake this for a children's book. It's not ;) Also, be prepared to hate it, to wince, to cry and to even laugh a little.
**WARNING SPOILERS INCLUDED BELOW**
**WARNING SPOILERS INCLUDED BELOW**
**WARNING SPOILERS INCLUDED BELOW**
I like that throughout this book, with all the deaths, with all the strife, we got to see a happy ending. But it was so bittersweet, so very bittersweet. When the children went into a soup kitchen and were picking up the crumbs off of the floor I just bawled. I totally didn't see the dad being there coming at all. I think the pre-ending with the Oberfurhur was not needed, to be honest. One of the most memorable chapters for me was Magna's trip to the camp and following her death. We all know what happened to those people, we know it, deep in the back of our heads, but sometimes I think we need a reminder, as sick as that sounds. I think we sometimes forget that stuff like this can, and does, happen. One man's insanity caused not only a war, but the murder of many many thousands of people.
There are many disturbing parts to this book. Don't mistake this for a children's book. It's not ;) Also, be prepared to hate it, to wince, to cry and to even laugh a little.
**WARNING SPOILERS INCLUDED BELOW**
**WARNING SPOILERS INCLUDED BELOW**
**WARNING SPOILERS INCLUDED BELOW**
I like that throughout this book, with all the deaths, with all the strife, we got to see a happy ending. But it was so bittersweet, so very bittersweet. When the children went into a soup kitchen and were picking up the crumbs off of the floor I just bawled. I totally didn't see the dad being there coming at all. I think the pre-ending with the Oberfurhur was not needed, to be honest. One of the most memorable chapters for me was Magna's trip to the camp and following her death. We all know what happened to those people, we know it, deep in the back of our heads, but sometimes I think we need a reminder, as sick as that sounds. I think we sometimes forget that stuff like this can, and does, happen. One man's insanity caused not only a war, but the murder of many many thousands of people.
Helpful Score: 10
This is one of the most amazing books I have ever read. The story takes place during World War II. A father leaves his children in a deep forest so they will not be discovered by the Germans. He joins a resistance group, and the children are taken in by an old woman that lives on the outside of the village. So many things happen in the book, and I don't want to give anything away. While reading the book, all I wanted to do was pick up the children and hold them. It was hard to read the book at times because of what was being described about what was going on. There are a lot of shootings that are described in great detail in the book. If you have a problem with books that aren't exactly innocent or are particularly gruesome, you may not want to read this book. This book kind of reminded me of the movie Schindler's List. The story lines are not the same, but the descriptions of the era are basically the same. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone who is intrigued by World War II.
Helpful Score: 8
A twist on the tale of Hansel & Gretel but set during the tragic times of WWII. It's a wrenching story of two children trying to survive against incredible odds. The story is sad, inspiring and emotional.
Helpful Score: 8
An excellently written story that seamlessly weaves the traditional Hansel and Gretel story within the horrors of Nazi Germany/Poland.
Murphy writes with enough detail to bring the characters to life and pull you into the story yet not so explicit that older children(young adult readers) or sensitive readers should avoid it.
A must read......
Murphy writes with enough detail to bring the characters to life and pull you into the story yet not so explicit that older children(young adult readers) or sensitive readers should avoid it.
A must read......
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 7
I love this book! The atrocities and horrors of a Nazi war-torn country are covered on a personal level in the experience of the characters without being too much for the reader to bear. Hansel and Gretel are a big sister and little brother looking out for each other and surviving against the odds. It is cleverly spun and I read to the end in the wee hours on a stormy night because I could not put it down. A breathtaking journey! The opening page reads:
___The Witch___
Caught between green earth and blue sky, only truth kept me sane, but now lies disturb my peace. The story has been told over and over by liars and it must be retold. Do not struggle when the hook of a word pulls you into the air of truth and you cannot breathe.
For a little while, I ask this of you.
Come with me.
___The Witch___
Caught between green earth and blue sky, only truth kept me sane, but now lies disturb my peace. The story has been told over and over by liars and it must be retold. Do not struggle when the hook of a word pulls you into the air of truth and you cannot breathe.
For a little while, I ask this of you.
Come with me.
