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  <title><![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]></title>
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  <description><![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]></description>
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    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
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    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
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  <read_at>Sat Dec 20 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast took me to a dark place - the Holocaust. If there weren't so many great books written about this black mark of the world's history, I would ban myself from reading any books on this topic in the future. I hate that such a horrific occurrence is repeatedly used as bait for nove...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/39134747">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/39134747]]></url>
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      <review>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
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    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
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    <body><![CDATA[Based on real diaries, this is a fascinating subject, but mishandled. Bohjalian seemed to be trying to hit readers over the head with the horrors of WWII.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/18908132]]></url>
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    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
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    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
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  <date_updated>Mon Jan 12 22:32:50 -0800 2009</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[Right now, Chris Bohjalian is my favorite author (even if I can't pronounce his last name). This is not one of his strongest books, but neither is this his weakest--by far. <br/><br/>Clearly, when you look at his entire body of work, Bohjalian enjoys creating suspense by presenting a single (in ma...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42094866">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42094866]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42094866]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>34195476</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Jody]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Moretown, VT]]></location>
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  <isbn>0307394956</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780307394958</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">631</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-m-1255637850.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-s-1255637850.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[Everyone]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[Chris Bohjalian]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Jan 13 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Sep 30 08:29:25 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Jan 14 19:42:45 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count>1</read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I learned that Chris Bohjalian does not need to stick to just Vermont books.  <br/><br/>I have to say that I was a little nervous.  I love Chris Bohjalian because he writes about Vermont.  He understands Vermonters.  If you are not from Vermont and you think that it is a tiny little state and do n...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/34195476">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/34195476]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/34195476]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>31675712</id>
    <user>
    <id>189647</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Candice]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Lynchburg, VA]]></location>
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  <isbn>0307394956</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780307394958</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">631</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
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  <small_image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-s-1255637850.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2017056.Skeletons_at_the_Feast</link>
  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>3</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[Ellen, readers of Holocaust literature]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sat Sep 06 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Aug 31 14:08:17 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Sep 06 16:28:04 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This was a fantastic book - another look at World War II and the Holocaust.  This time frame is toward the end of the war, when it has become obvious that Germany will lose, and as the Soviet forces are moving westward.<br/><br/>There are basically three stories that come together.  A family of we...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/31675712">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/31675712]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/31675712]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>25266170</id>
    <user>
    <id>119970</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Emilie]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Springfield, VA]]></location>
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  <isbn>0307394956</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780307394958</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">631</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-m-1255637850.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-s-1255637850.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2017056.Skeletons_at_the_Feast</link>
  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
</book>

    <rating>1</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon Sep 15 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Jun 23 19:20:19 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Sep 22 16:26:57 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Blech.  I have heard such good things about Chris Bohjalian, but I must say I was deeply disappointed. This book was based loosely on an actual journal kept by a German woman who fled the Russians as they swept into Germany at the end of World War II. The plot had such great potential! So many issue...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/25266170">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/25266170]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/25266170]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
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    <user>
    <id>91455</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Renee]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Orchard Park, NY]]></location>
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  <isbn>0307394956</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780307394958</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">631</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-m-1255637850.jpg</image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
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  <read_at>Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Jun 06 06:45:23 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Jun 06 06:49:16 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Chris Bohjalian is becomming one of my new favorite authors. This book was outstanding. <br/>Outlining the brutal landscape of Nazi Germany as German refugees struggle westward ahead of the advancing Russian army.the novel exhumes the ruin of spirit, flesh and faith that accompanied thousands of su...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23844250">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23844250]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23844250]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
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  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
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    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
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  <read_at>Mon Jul 28 18:16:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu May 15 16:49:12 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Jul 28 18:16:00 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Was unsure what to rate this book, as it's kind of hard to say that you enjoyed reading a story about the Holocaust. And to tell the truth, there was a lot of this book that I didn't enjoy. It's evident that Bohjalian thoroughly researches all his topics before writing on them - the depth of knowled...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/22330002">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/22330002]]></url>
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</review>
      <review>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
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  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
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  <read_at>Sat Jan 31 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Jul 08 12:33:11 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Feb 22 07:45:18 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I have loved every book that I've read by Mr Bohjalian &amp; I'm just about to begin page 1 ....<br/>Once again - Chris Bohjalian doesn't disappoint.  I wasn't sure that I was going to love this book as it took me out of New England &amp; off to wartime Europe.  However, Mr Bohjalian did (once again) give ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/26669417">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/26669417]]></url>
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</review>
      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Carol]]></name>
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  <isbn>0307394956</isbn>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
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  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
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  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Aug 03 20:14:54 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Aug 03 20:24:08 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This is the second book I've read by this author and I love his work.  I got very little sleep last night because I had to keep reading.  This is a masterfully done work that explores a group of people crossing Germany at the end of WWII and trying to escape the advancing Russian army.  They are a P...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/29174059">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/29174059]]></url>
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</review>
      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Debbie]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
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  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
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          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sun Mar 15 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Mar 15 14:18:37 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Mar 15 14:23:04 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I was intrugued by his sensitive and captivating story of one family's journy as they attempt to cross from Poland to Germany to reach the British and American lines during World War !.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49364143]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49364143]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>51303313</id>
    <user>
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    <name><![CDATA[Jill]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Zionsville, IN]]></location>
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  <isbn>0307394956</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780307394958</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">631</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-m-1255637850.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-s-1255637850.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
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          </shelves>
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  <read_at>Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Apr 02 14:55:14 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Apr 02 15:11:05 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Wow, best Bohjalian I have read.  In my previous review of his work I said he has a tendency to go on for too long...his books can drag a little at times.  Not this book!  <br/><br/>The story is set in the waning days of WWII in Germany.  The Russians are pouring in from the east; raping, pillagin...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51303313">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51303313]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51303313]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>49113687</id>
    <user>
    <id>2015709</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Audra]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Smyrna, GA]]></location>
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  <isbn>0307394956</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780307394958</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">631</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
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  <small_image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-s-1255637850.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>2</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>true</spoiler_flag>
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        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
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  <read_at>Tue Jun 10 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Mar 12 21:00:01 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Mar 12 21:08:36 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This is a great story.  The writing isn't perfect, but the story is multi-faceted and kept me interested until the very last page.  Set at the end of WWII, it tells the story of a German family fleeing the coming Russians.  It has everything I love in a book: a variety of characters, some moral/ethi...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49113687">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49113687]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/49113687]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>46703623</id>
    <user>
    <id>2044409</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Black Elephants]]></name>
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  <isbn>0307394956</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780307394958</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">631</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
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  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Nov 11 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Feb 17 19:45:40 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Feb 17 19:46:06 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count>1</read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[A book I heard made much of last year was Chris Bohjalian's Skeletons at the Feast, and when I got my hands on a free copy, I thought: Excellent. But in truth, I really had no idea what to expect. When I read the inside flap (hardcover goodness!), I learned the story was set during WWII, which never...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/46703623">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/46703623]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/46703623]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>46070372</id>
    <user>
    <id>1419231</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Kathy]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Livingston, NJ]]></location>
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  <isbn>0307394956</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780307394958</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">631</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-m-1255637850.jpg</image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
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  <read_at>Wed Feb 11 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Feb 11 14:37:00 -0800 2009</date_added>
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    <body><![CDATA[Chris Bohjalian is a good storyteller - he knows how to draw readers in, keep them interested, and finish a book.  So many other authors start out well, but can't seem to find a way to end it.<br/><br/>Skeletons at the Feast is a WWII story of a German farming family (and Scottish POW assigned to ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/46070372">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
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    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
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  <date_added>Fri Dec 11 22:49:29 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Dec 11 22:50:35 -0800 2009</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[There are so many novels set in WWII Germany that they can easily become really generic or repetitive. <em>Skeletons at the Feast</em> was neither. As WWII wanes, Germany’s impending loss seems inevitable and the influx of Russian soldiers threatens the safety of the Emmerich family and their village. Jour...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80732023">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
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    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
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    <rating>5</rating>
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  <read_at>Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Dec 07 17:32:06 -0800 2009</date_added>
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    <body><![CDATA[This is powerful work of historical fiction set in the final months of World War II. It is a departure from earlier books by Chris Bohjalian, one of my favorite authors. The novel describes the horrors of war from the perspectives of various people walking west through Germany to escape the dangers ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80227907">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast: A Novel]]>
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  <average_rating>3.85</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[A masterful love story set against a backdrop of epic history and unforgettable courage<br/><br/>In the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives.<br/><br/>At the center is eighteen-year-old Anna, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats, and her first love, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war named Callum. With his boyish good looks and his dedication to her family, he has captured Anna’s heart. But he is the enemy, and their love must remain a closely guarded secret. Only Manfred, a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, knows the truth. And Manfred, who is not what he seems to be, is reluctantly taken with Anna, just as she finds herself drawn uncomfortably to him. <br/><br/>As these unlikely allies work their way west, their flight will test both Anna’s and Callum’s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred–and will forever bind the young trio together. <br/><br/><br/><strong>Includes special bonus material:</strong> Chris Bohjalian responds to questions from book groups and readers]]>
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  <read_at>Sat Sep 19 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[This novel was a departure from the type of story Bohjalian usually writes (all of which I've enjoyed - even The Double Bind, which many people strongly disliked). Set in the closing days of WWII, the novel follows several characters over a period of months -- a German family as it flees west to esc...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72282781">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
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    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
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  <read_at>Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Aug 15 05:42:08 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Aug 15 05:43:29 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book by Chris Bohjalian is haunting, brutal and fiercely honest.  Set in the waning days of World War II in Europe, a tale of love, growth and the grim realities of war unfolds.  The story is woven together by a variety of alternating characters, slipping in and out of different scenes as the p...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67476576">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67476576]]></url>
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      <review>
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  <isbn>0307394956</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780307394958</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">631</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Skeletons at the Feast]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-m-1255637850.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/books/20/56/2017056-s-1255637850.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2017056.Skeletons_at_the_Feast</link>
  <average_rating>3.91</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>2023</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines.<br/><br/>Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family&#8217;s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred&#8211;who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz.<br/><br/>As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna&#8217;s and Callum&#8217;s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred&#8211;assuming any of them even survive. <br/><br/>Perhaps not since The English Patient has a novel so deftly captured both the power and poignancy of romance and the terror and tragedy of war. Skillfully portraying the flesh and blood of history, Chris Bohjalian has crafted a rich tapestry that puts a face on one of the twentieth century&#8217;s greatest tragedies&#8211;while creating, perhaps, a masterpiece that will haunt readers for generations.<br/><br/>REVIEWS<br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .Bohjalian spins a suspenseful tale in which the plot triumphs over any single sorrow. . .[His] sense of character and place, his skillful plotting and his clear grasp of this confusing period of history make for a deeply satisfying novel, one that asks readers to consider, and reconsider, how they would rise to the challenge of terrible deprivation and agonizing moral choices.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Margot Livesey, The Washington Post Book World<br/><br/>&quot;A poignant account of the conflict's last year. . .Harrowing. . .In creating the Emmerichs and their relationship to Uri, Bohjalian has given us something new and disturbing. He has also created a wonderful character in the protected child, Theo, whose gradual understanding of what is happening to them is moving and real. . .Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past.&quot; (To read the full review, click here).<br/>— Roberta Silman, The Boston Globe<br/><br/><br/><br/>&quot;Harrowing. . .ingenious. . .compelling. . .Judging who's right or wrong is difficult in 'Skeletons at the Feast,' and one senses that's just the way Bohjalian wants it. . .A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War. That Bohjalian can extract greater truths about faith, hope and compassion from something as mundane as a diary is testament not only to his skill as a writer but also to the enduring ability of well-written war fiction to stir our deepest emotions.&quot;<br/>— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Reading Bohjalian's descriptions of terror and tragedy on the road has just as much impact as seeing newsreels from the end of World War II. . .While creating suspense, Bohjalian agilely balances the moral ambiguities of war.&quot; (To read the full review, click here.)<br/>— Dennis Moore, USA Today <br/><br/>&quot;This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of T'he Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary.&quot;<br/>— Denise Gamino, Austin American-Statesman <br/><br/>&quot;Intense and fascinating. . .Bohjalian masterfully presents the desperation of troops who realize their cause is doomed.. . .He successfully captures the humanity of one of the 20th century's most horrendous tragedies.&quot;<br/>— Jennie Camp, Rocky Mountain Times<br/><br/><br/>&quot;An extraordinary historical novel based on the exodus of Germans in eastern Germany escaping the Soviet Army's advance in the waning days of World War II. . . A sense of justice pervades all of [Bohjalian's'] books. He demands that we act humanely toward one another and understand and respect others' beliefs and values. . .Skeletons at the Feast is not a screed on good vs. evil, but it does inspire thought on man's inhumanity to man, and, conversely, how individuals overcome adversity with acts of kindness, civility and integrity.&quot;<br/>— Myrna Lippman, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel<br/><br/><br/>&quot;Rich in character and gorgeous writing.&quot;<br/>—Jodi Picoult, Real Simple<br/><br/>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2008</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
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  <read_at>Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Aug 05 18:56:33 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Aug 05 19:27:11 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[   The author read a real life diary of a German sugar beet-growing woman who was forced to leave her home in Germany-Poland-Germany as the Russians invaded in 1945 at the very end of WW 11, treating with brutality the men women and children that were in their path.  The fictional story focus is upo...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/66367599">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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