Eric J. (ejolly) reviewed on + 42 more book reviews
This book was provided to me free of charge after winning a Goodreads First Reads Raffle. The review posted is my own and was not in exchange for this book.
So, I feel bad. This book has been my nemesis over the past 4 weeks. I picked it up; and I put it down. I tried reading it at different times of the day....in the morning on the way to work and at night before bed. I am not typically a slow reader. I read this book very slowly, never quite getting into it.
The summary that comes with the book describes a web of deceit in the ashes of the Reich's capital. The main character Mathilde struggles -- with a missing Gestapo husband and a mysterious Gypsy whom she falls in love with. Survival....forbidden love...betrayal. Sadly, this description was much more exciting to me than the book.
The main characters in this love triangle, Mathilde, Franz and Camillo along with a host of other supporting characters just weren't likeable. There were multiple plot lines that came together slowly ... and which tied together in a climactic ending ... which left me thinking that it was unfortunate that any of the characters survived the closing scenes.
I'm sorry -- I really really wanted to like this book. I've liked many other WWII setting books (both pre- and post-). I might have like a little more history to this book and a little less love story between characters that, at best, I only had apathy for. I might have liked more development of Mathilde's son Frieder who was evidently brainwashed by the Reich.
Two star --- as the definition said, it was ok.
So, I feel bad. This book has been my nemesis over the past 4 weeks. I picked it up; and I put it down. I tried reading it at different times of the day....in the morning on the way to work and at night before bed. I am not typically a slow reader. I read this book very slowly, never quite getting into it.
The summary that comes with the book describes a web of deceit in the ashes of the Reich's capital. The main character Mathilde struggles -- with a missing Gestapo husband and a mysterious Gypsy whom she falls in love with. Survival....forbidden love...betrayal. Sadly, this description was much more exciting to me than the book.
The main characters in this love triangle, Mathilde, Franz and Camillo along with a host of other supporting characters just weren't likeable. There were multiple plot lines that came together slowly ... and which tied together in a climactic ending ... which left me thinking that it was unfortunate that any of the characters survived the closing scenes.
I'm sorry -- I really really wanted to like this book. I've liked many other WWII setting books (both pre- and post-). I might have like a little more history to this book and a little less love story between characters that, at best, I only had apathy for. I might have liked more development of Mathilde's son Frieder who was evidently brainwashed by the Reich.
Two star --- as the definition said, it was ok.
