The House of Special Purpose in Around the World in 80 Books

Apr 04, 2013 Stephanie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5
I was all set to give this book 5+++ stars.
I loved John Boyne's "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas", and I LOVE anything Russian.
The House of Special Purpose just fell flat for me. I figured out the 'mystery' pretty much right off. Boyne didn't introduce anything new that isn't already out there. The time line he used in relaying the story made it feel disjointed and wasn't smooth. I was tempted to read every other chapter and then go back to read the leftovers, just to attempt to smooth it out ...more

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Dec 28, 2012 Dana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

In this beautiful and imaginative work of historical fiction, two stories run parallel: Georgy Jachmenev's formative years among the Russian Imperial Family, and the latter part of his life with his wife Zoya. As the first is told chronologically, the second moves back in time, until the two threads dovetail into an unexpected ending.

There is a gentleness and simplicity to Boyne's style that immediately immerses the reader into the era and the characters. He achieves such a perfect balance betw ...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Windy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Fictional story based on the fate of the Romanov family. Told in two narratives: from the past forward and from the present back, the two converging at the end which was very clever but also at times frustrating. Still it all worked out in the end which was very satisfying.

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