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By: NELS 012
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2025-04-16 13:11:18 |
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Most of the group enjoyed the second half of the book. Some found it annoying going back to different characters without a lot of explanation. All found it very sad and sobering in parts. |
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By: WANAK 021
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2022-05-11 13:01:07 |
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A good read with some beautiful writing. Some colourful characters at a hugely significant time in history. |
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By: OPOTI 003
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2021-06-30 12:19:49 |
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5 stars - unanimous. We were all really impressed by this novel - the passion, the courage...the fact that these people are not commonly known about. It was so well-written and researched and all the people felt really authentic. This book generated a wonderful evening's discussion, staying closely to the topic! |
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By: WHANG 008
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2020-04-06 12:47:08 |
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This generated a vey good discussion. We enjoyed the book and found that it stayed in our thoughts. |
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By: AUCK 174
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2020-04-06 12:45:33 |
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Varied responses overall. Some found it very interesting/ a depiction of the period between the Wars about which they knew little. Some found the "voices" of the characters too stilted/similar/unrealistic. The portrayal of Ruth as an old woman was much more realistic and immediate, and engaging as a result. The combination of real but "fictionalised" people was seen by some as problematic. |
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By: NAP 023
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2020-04-06 12:41:48 |
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Anna Funder is a fine author - some very good and moving descriptions. |
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By: LOWER 004
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2020-04-06 12:40:18 |
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We all found this a story few of us knew about. However, we thought that it could have been more gripping if written as non-fiction. The pace was somewhat uneven, with interest lagging but then aroused again as the story reached an interesting place. |
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By: HIKUR 001
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2020-04-06 12:38:11 |
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Unanimous approval - a different approach/view of pre-war Nazi Germany. Beautifully written - a skilful weaving of historical fact and fiction. Characters were realistic and sympathetically portrayed. Refreshing to read a different perspective in a different setting - London. |
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By: AUCK 379
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2020-04-06 12:13:30 |
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Whatever the individuals of our group thought of this book, it definitely elicited the most diverse and lengthy discussion. Most agreed it was a good story but written in a convoluted style. Our scores consequently had a wide range. We described it as a work of 'fact'ion.Most of the discussion centred around how we would respond in a similar situation as individuals, and how our society might respond, and I have to say we were quite disturbed by our response... |
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By: AUCK 037
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2020-04-06 11:58:59 |
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We all enjoyed the book. It was a fascinating read about a period in history we knew little about, and a group of people who placed their survival in the hands of the British. The interweaving of real life people and events with fictional or imagined characters was skilfully done. It was quite a difficult novel to get into as the chapters jumped from one narrator to another, filling in the past and returning to the present.The second half of the book was enthralling, and terrifying as the Nazi threat unfolded and our characters' safety was constantly in jeopardy. A masterly book... |
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By: AUCK 349
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2020-04-06 11:53:15 |
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Wide ranging views, scored between 2-4. Some said the story was too complex. Others loved it. |
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By: FEILD 002
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2020-04-06 11:52:11 |
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We found this a profound, thought-provoking read. Enjoyed the challenge. |
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By: TAUR 016
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2020-04-06 11:49:55 |
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Our group enjoyed this book very much. They felt it was a fascinating and shocking insight into Hitler's rise, the resistance to it, and the ruthlessness with which his opponents were treated. The characters were well-developed, especially Dora, and the switches in viewpoint were felt to be clever and well-managed. Secrecy and trust were important themes, and the author's hints of betrayal maintained the sense of suspense and intrigue. A well-written, powerful story. |
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By: CHCH 185
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2020-04-06 11:46:05 |
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Very mixed views for this book. A number thought it was excellent, others were lukewarm. |
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By: DUNED 029
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2020-04-06 11:15:51 |
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The book threw light on a relatively little known period of history for our group - WWI/WWII Germany, and specifically the plight of refugees exiled in London. An interesting group of characters all of whom are factual. The author has been very creative in bringing them to life. Many interesting points to discuss. |
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By: AKAR 001
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2020-04-06 11:13:01 |
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Some found this book difficult to settle in to. The mixing of fact and fiction, the differing time lines, the changing ages, the style of dividing the chapters into individuals' points of view. We weren't sure that we could identify with the people. However - the overall topic (pre-war Germany, London, refugees etc) was most interesting. It is important we read widely around the events of WWII and I, and remember the Holocaust. |
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By: WAIKA 003
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2019-12-12 12:07:45 |
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Not all completed this book. Those that did found it a difficult read, but a fascinating insight. Probably tried to do too much, and needed fewer characters. |
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By: GREYT 002
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2019-12-12 12:06:11 |
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The group considered this the very best book of the year. The first time there were no conflicting views. Thank you! |
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