I started this book four hours ago. It was given to me as my local library's book club read and I forgot the meeting was tomorrow until my husband reminded me this afternoon.

So I sat down to read 343 pages in the hope I would not find the book too much of a chew.

The first hour I read 62 pages and then I fell asleep. When I woke up I ate the meal my husband had kindly prepared for me so I wouldn't need to stop reading.

After eating I started in on the book again. A bit worried I might nod off again. But wow! The story suddenly kicked in. The characters fleshed out in my head and I was there. Time-hopping between Berlin 1939, Paris 1940, USA and Berlin 1992, Poland 1992 - heart in my mouth hearing from Sid's narrative undercurrents that bad things were going to happen and totally unable (like him) to escape the inexorable.

By the time I put the book down - all 343 pages read - my face was wet. I won't tell you whether it was from happy crying or sad crying. You need to read this book to find out for yourself. It is a whirlwind - whether you read it in one sitting as I did - or if you take it long and slow - you will feel out of breath by the time you finish.

I didn't even need to skim read. The book sort of read itself to me while I held it. Now what am I going to do with the 2 hours I've got left over? :)