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5th out of 46 books
—
22 voters
The Skin of Water
by
G.S. Johnston (Goodreads Author)
Passions flare and alliances shift in this breathtaking story of survival set during the final days of World War II in Hungary.
Young Zeno dreams of moving to Budapest and becoming a great filmmaker in the Hungarian film studios. But one evening he follows Catherine Steiner, a guest at the exclusive lakeside resort where he works as a bellboy, into the forest. Unknowingly h...more
Young Zeno dreams of moving to Budapest and becoming a great filmmaker in the Hungarian film studios. But one evening he follows Catherine Steiner, a guest at the exclusive lakeside resort where he works as a bellboy, into the forest. Unknowingly h...more
Kindle Edition, 1, 255 pages
Published
January 23rd 2012
by Amazon Digital Services
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G.S. Johnston is a remarkable storyteller with a gift for detail and historical accuracy. Set against the turmoil and chaos of a world at war when every moment brings forth unexpected change, young Zeno finds himself thrown into the immediate chaos and responsibility of manhood. His affair with Catherine consists of stolen moments away from the grim realities surrounding them in which the world outside no longer exists for those all too brief moments. Johnston has vividly re-created the sights a...more
I was captivated from the moment I looked behind the lens of the young film maker, the main character. He was awkward, yet passionate about filming.
The Skin of Water took me by surprise that a gentleman could write with such passion which touched a my womanly longings in a gentle way.
Through reading The Skin of Water I was able to grasp the desperateness of survival during the later part of WWII with two secret lovers and a few more that I won't tell on.
So many secrets were artistically woven wi...more
The Skin of Water took me by surprise that a gentleman could write with such passion which touched a my womanly longings in a gentle way.
Through reading The Skin of Water I was able to grasp the desperateness of survival during the later part of WWII with two secret lovers and a few more that I won't tell on.
So many secrets were artistically woven wi...more
I love books that take me to new places. This book takes us to Budapest, Hungary, a city that I have romanticized in my head and someplace that I really hope to visit someday. This is a historical fiction book that takes place during World War II. I know what you all are thinking! Oh man, not another World War II historical fiction. But you all want to read this book. We are still fascinated by World War II because so much of what happened in the aftermath still shapes our world almost 70 years...more
The Skin of Water is a beautifully written book about an ambitious young Hungarian boy and his first love, a more sophisticated woman trapped in a loveless arranged marriage. War-torn Hungary becomes almost another character in the book, as its submission to Nazi control poisons all that is beautiful in the country: its music, its food, romance, family loyalty, and friendship. Although this is a book that demonstrates the devastation of World War II, it accomplishes that goal without referring t...more
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Wow!! This is an amazing book by a fairly new author, who I think we are going to hear a lot more about.
The novel tells the story of a young Hungarian waiter, Zeno who meets Catherine, a beautiful, older married woman, at the lake shore resort where he works. They have an affair and fall madly in love.
World War II is raging in the European countries around them but Hungary is still neutral and has not yet been invaded by Germany. While the couple is in the midst of their affair, Zeno is hired by...more
The novel tells the story of a young Hungarian waiter, Zeno who meets Catherine, a beautiful, older married woman, at the lake shore resort where he works. They have an affair and fall madly in love.
World War II is raging in the European countries around them but Hungary is still neutral and has not yet been invaded by Germany. While the couple is in the midst of their affair, Zeno is hired by...more
“There’s a skin on water,” she said. She made me look at the surface. It bulged, rose up from the rim of the glass. I touched it. Immediately the skin tore apart, the paperclip fell through the glass of water to the bottom. We live on that skin. With all the security of our lives, we live on that skin. We all live on that surface. Ruffle it and we sink.
Zeno dreams of becoming a filmmaker, but his job at an exclusive lakeside retreat serving Nazi officers and Hungary’s elite leaves little time fo...more
Zeno dreams of becoming a filmmaker, but his job at an exclusive lakeside retreat serving Nazi officers and Hungary’s elite leaves little time fo...more
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Although the subject of this book, a romance between a young 17 year old boy and a 39 year old woman, would be front page news in today's world, this was a engaging read. Set in Hungary during WW2 a young boy meets the wife of a rich man. Even though it seems to be an incomprehensible thing in today's world, this love story did not feel immoral. It seems I have been on a kick of books about WW2 and was not even aware of it with this one. I was not prepared for the secret revealed of the couple b...more
Having just read both books by this author back to back I found it interesting that I was really caught up in this story and yet the other caught up more in the characters. Regardless they are both very intense dramatic stories. Very well written. This particular book I can say without a doubt is now one of my favorite to date that I have ever read. I'm left somewhat inarticulate and still in awe of this story and yes it is that good. Alas there is only 5 stars here to award but this book merits...more
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Loved this book! I did not know much about Hungary during WWII but had a better knowledge after reading this. The story was compelling - I read it while moving my home after 15 years in one place! It had to be compelling (no tv or internet helped). But seriously, I wanted to find out what happened to the two main characters.
I was sorry to see the story end.
I was sorry to see the story end.
This story is set against the background of WW II in Hungary. Zeno is a young man, who isn't really interested in politics and who doesn't really know how hatred can change not only people but even his whole life. It is the relationship he has with Catherine Steiner that will draw him in the events and that will make him think about politics and about human relations.
This was a beautiful book.
Other thoughts/reviews:
JJCollinsAuthor: http://jjcollinsauthor.com/2012/04/15...
This was a beautiful book.
Other thoughts/reviews:
JJCollinsAuthor: http://jjcollinsauthor.com/2012/04/15...
What a beautiful story with such rich characters. The imagery is so amazing you feel you must have visited all the places in the story because you can feel the life they contain. I grew so close to the characters I found myself in tears or with a lump in my throat several times. I can't wait until the next book comes out.
I loved "The Skin of Water." The author paints vivid pictures of Hungary. I wish there would have been more written "in the middle" of the book...i.e. more about Catherine's escape, etc. (Don't want to give the plot away!). Also, it ended too quickly. This could have been written more like one of my favorite books, "The Bronze Horseman," with many, many more page for the reader to devour. Otherwise, excellent book!
1 like · like · see review
Gorgeous story, beautifully written. Such an amazing love story woven together with historical events and places. Very satisfied with the ending and GS Johnston is my new favorite author...Please write more!!
This was a. Very interesting read from an interesting perspective. The debut novel of this author, provided this reader with a look at occupied Hungary in the end days of WWII.
Beautifully written. Historically intriguing. Wasn't thrilled by the ending, but not sure it could've been done differently.
Started a little slow due to setting up the romance. But then, it really picked up and was delicious!!!
This is the second novel by G S Johnston. The story is set in Hungary in the late part of WWII. It moves at a cracking pace and the tension escalates. There's some beautiful language in this novel and an intelligent dissection of what happens when people are forced to survive. This is a really great read.
Exceptionally well written love story set in Hungary during WWII and ends in 2010. Totally engaged with characters the whole time. The historical aspects of the story were as fascinating as the romantic side.
Such a passionate story with deeply lovable characters . I didn't want this one to end !
Love this book - will write a review & publish it on my blog.
May 08, 2013
Amy Hustead
marked it as to-read
May 07, 2013
Joyce Sandilands
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May 05, 2013
BookishDreamer
marked it as to-read
May 05, 2013
Erin
marked it as to-read
May 03, 2013
Adriana
marked it as purchased
May 02, 2013
Deborah
marked it as general-library
May 01, 2013
Sandra
marked it as to-read
Apr 30, 2013
Bogusia Gruszka
marked it as to-read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historical Info f...: WWII and Hungary | 4 | 37 | Oct 05, 2012 02:50pm |
