All the Broken Places
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4.6
John Boyne
'Beautifully told and gripping from first page to last' Sunday Express'An incredible feat of storytelling... and an old-fashioned page-turner' Donal Ryan'Gripping and well-honed...consummately constructed, humming with tension' Guardian'You can't prepare yourself for the magnitude and emotional impact of this powerful novel' John Irving________________________________ From the author of the globally bestselling, multi-million-copy classic, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, comes its astonishing and powerful sequel. Gretel Fernsby is a quiet woman leading a quiet life. She doesn't talk about her escape from Germany seventy years ago or the dark post-war years in France with her mother. Most of all, she doesn't talk about her father, the commandant of one of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps. But when a young family moves into the apartment below her, Gretel can't help but befriend their little boy, Henry, though his presence brings back painful memories. One night, she witnesses a violent argument between his parents, which threatens to disturb her hard-won peace. For the second time in her life, Gretel is given the chance to save a young boy. To do so would allay her guilt, grief and remorse, but it will also force her to reveal her true identity. Will she make a different choice this time, whatever the cost to herself? The new novel from John Boyne, WATER, is available for pre-order now._______________________________ Praise for John Boyne 'A master storyteller' Daily Express'One of the best novelists of Ireland' Sunday Express'Boyne offers writing of insight and beauty' Observer'John Boyne is a maestro of hisoritical fiction' John Irving
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More Details:
Author
John Boyne
Pages
373
Publisher
Doubleday
Published Date
2022
ISBN
0857528858 9780857528858
Community ReviewsSee all
"Sequel to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, this is the story of Bruno’s older sister, Gretel and her life after the fall of Germany, hiding the fact that her Nazi father ran Auschwitz. A fact that catches up with her time and again, even into her 90’s. Is this a redemptive tale - no - and it’s not an easy read."
Jackie Davidson
"I loved this book! Wow! This is a continuation of his story entitled, “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.” Gretel, the older sister, lives into her 90s, and this is her story of regret, guilt and shame for her father’s role in Auschwitz. It is also a story of grit in overcoming guilt and regret that ultimately leads to her redemption. "
Merry
"This is a book that looks at the effects of the Nazi concentration camps from a very different angle. It tells the story of survivor guilt, and what humans will do to protect ourselves and deal with traumatic events. Each chapter alternates in time as different plot points are worked through. I did not read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas first, and it wasn’t necessary to. It may read a little differently if you do, I am sure. Overall, a very good book. "
Katie Harrison
"So good. Sequel to Boy in the Striped Pajamas. "
Molly Hans
"9/10
I was so bored by around 4 hours into this book that I was already writing a scathing review in my head about how all that has happened for the first several hours of the book is that an old lady has existed in her apartment and a young lady has existed in her home and nothing else.
But I stuck with it. And boy am I glad I did. Never have I finished reading a book and instantly restarted the book just to read through it a second time without a second thought.
Once I was finished I couldn't stop thinking about all the things I likely missed at the beginning. I wanted to read all the context the author had given "before he told us about X" or "before he made us aware of Y". And there was so much foreshadowing, or just tiny tidbits of knowledge that went over your head if you didn't know the end or next part of the story. It was delightful.
I cared so much about Gretchen by the end. The character development and voice was fantastic.
And I gained so much perspective about something I'd never thought about before in depth: what was it like for the GERMANS after the war? What was it like for children of German soldiers during the war? What about their wives? Who really should feel guilty? What does suitable "punishment" look like for different levels of perceived guilt?
I am reading the prequel now as I am too fascinated to stop reading."
PlayLyss
"It’s impressive to take a character that has lost so much and even been an unintentional villain to being a character that is decisive and protective in such a quick stroke of action. "
Brian Witt
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