Those Who Save Us in Around the World in 80 Books

Oct 11, 2012 Sera rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, literary-fiction

Let me start off this review by stating that I feel that every story about anyone who was a victim of Nazi Germany is a heart-wretching tragedy. However, having read a number of them throughout my life, I've decided that for future purposes, to only read those books that provide a unique perspective, which is why I decided to read Those Who Save Us. This book examines the question of "how could the German people have permitted the slaughter of the Jews in their country?" and then, focuses in par Let me start off this review by stating that I feel that every story about anyone who was a victim of Nazi Germany is a heart-wretching tragedy. However, having read a number of them throughout my life, I've decided that for future purposes, to only read those books that provide a unique perspective, which is why I decided to read Those Who Save Us. This book examines the question of "how could the German people have permitted the slaughter of the Jews in their country?" and then, focuses in particular on the experiences of a German woman who is faced with her own issues of survival during this time.

A tough read in many instances, but important again, for the unique perspective that it brings to the subject matter. My first criticism is that I think that author made her point about the violence that was occurring several times, but yet she continued to provide descriptions of the different ways in which a woman can be raped and humiliated. My thought is that since Blum had access to the stories of actual survivors (through Steven Spielberg's Holocaust Project) that she tried to include as many of those stories as possible in her book. If that's the case, then I understand that, but I found the pacing of the story to be disrupted as a result of it.

My second criticism is the ending. It seemed as if the book was running on for too long (which because of my first criticism , it was) for Blum who then decided that she needed to wrap things up pretty quickly. In doing so, I had a difficult time buying into the way in which things worked out.

In spite of these shortcomings, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. I think that it's important to understand how far people will go to not only survive, but to protect their loved ones. I also think that it's important to understand the state of fear that ALL people lived in in Germany, Jewish or not. I still can't believe how recent these events are in our history and how genocide is still an issue in certain parts of the world. ...more

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Mar 23, 2011 Ruth rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites

I could not put down this thrilling debut novel!! Very moving and touching!<

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Jul 01, 2009 Kristen Iworsky rated it really liked it

The book bounces from Trudy, an adult living in America in the 1990's, to her mother Anna, a German living through WWII in Germany. I feel the book could have been better if it just focused on Anna, instead of bouncing back and fourth. The parts with Trudy felt forced, and I never found a connection with her. The book is graphic. I was surprised to see it was in the YA section of the library. ...more

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Apr 14, 2010 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: recommend-to-friends, owned, hot-lit, historical-fiction, gr-author, world-war-two, kindle

I would give this book 4 1/2 stars, but for GR purposes I lean more toward 5 than 4. This book is meticulously researched, extremely compelling and well-written, and very thought-provoking. Also recommended: Not Me by Michael Lavigne.

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