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2020 Monthly Group Reads - The Final List of Categories and Books
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What Members Thought
I wanted to love this book but the writing left a lot to be desired. There was little to no character development and it left me feeling very little for Lale and Gita. Events were very rushed and I didn't (beyond my own understanding of the Holocaust) feel the horror and immediacy of their situation. Also the act that there is NO OTHER GERMAN in the book and the she uses the German word for 'Tattooer' is absolutely maddening.
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4.5 stars. This book gives a perspective inside the concentration camp that often times is vilified-helping the Nazis. I loved Lale and his strong spirit and kind heart. Great book. The only reason it’s not a solid 5 is the afterword is a bit muddled and confusing. There is a part written by Lale’s son, but it doesn’t label it as written by him. Other than that it’s a good good book. Trio B.C.
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I listened to this book on audio, and I think I got through it better because of that. I've read a lot of Holocaust-era personal memoirs, and sometimes it's truly difficult to read about the worst parts of the authors' experiences. With this audiobook, the narrator's voice was emotional at the right times, but also comfortable and familiar and I liked that.
As for the book - what an amazing story! I know it is a novelization of real events, so certain descriptive liberties were taken, but it is s ...more
As for the book - what an amazing story! I know it is a novelization of real events, so certain descriptive liberties were taken, but it is s ...more
This was a quick, easy read, and for a book set during the Holocaust, it was a light one, too. In many ways, it was an inspiring story, detailing the ways in which Lale not only maintained his own commitment to survive life in a concentration camp, but also supported others and insisted on their own commitment to survive. Yet, the light treatment and the manner of writing also render this particular story a bit schmarmy and sometimes not very believable.
I read this in 3 days! I was reluctant to read another book set in WW II, but this was perfect! An amazing story of strength and fortitude under terrible circumstances.
It was a good story, one that needed to be told but I don’t think it was very well written. And if it had been more non fiction than fiction that could have been forgiven but making it a novel demanded better writing I think.
Harrowing and sad, but with moments of light
This was a heavy read full of some of the worst moments of humanity, but wrapped around those moments were heroic moments of love and joy and connection and shared humanity.
This was a heavy read full of some of the worst moments of humanity, but wrapped around those moments were heroic moments of love and joy and connection and shared humanity.
Jan 19, 2019
Judy
marked it as to-read
May 09, 2019
Amy Crehore
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Aug 21, 2019
Kirsty
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Jan 05, 2020
Ashley
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Feb 13, 2020
Lauren
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Jun 24, 2020
Susan
marked it as to-read
