The Kindly Ones - Jonathan Littell

[Megan]

Has anyone read or want to read The Kindly Ones by Littell? It has been on my to- read list for quite awhile and I found a copy at the local library. No way can I read this enormously long book within three weeks, but Im sure I can renew it if I need to.

Im interested in reading about WWII and The Holocaust, so I figured this would be a good book to read. Its pretty long, but Im going to get through it.

Let me know if you read it. What did you think?

[Phil]

I've read it and would thoroughly recommend it. It's pretty bleak and horrific as you would expect, but brilliantly written and gripping.

[Megan]

Yes! Somebody finally commented on my post! :p

I will definitely keep it on my to-read list.

Just curious, how long did it take you to finish it?

[Phil]

Hi Megan, sorry, as you rightly surmised I've only just seen your message. I can't remember exactly how long, but I'm a pretty voracious reader once I get my teeth into something. I read most nights for an hour or two before bed. I would estimate 2-3 weeks?

[Megan]

Oh wow. That's pretty quick. If I get started on a book and really get into it, I have a hard time putting it down. Then I read more and more and finish it faster. I'm going to try and read it in 2-3 weeks, but I'm not sure. It's pretty long.

[Megan]

I just read the inside flap of this book and it says its a memoir of Dr. Maximilien Aue, a former Nazi officer who experienced WWII.

I kept reading and then it says he is a totally imagined character and this is a haunting work of fiction.

I had no idea this book is fictional. I thought it was a real memoir of this Dr. And since it's written about true events, I thought it was nonfiction.

Wow. Im lame. :/

[Megan]

Did anyone else think this book was nonfiction too?