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By: TAUR 059
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2025-08-04 19:04:58 |
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Mixed reactions to book. Everyone agreed he is a good writer and some really liked the story, but some people felt let down by some or all areas of the plot. Most of us didn’t like Gretel as a character and felt some of her actions were unbelievable. Some felt we weren’t supposed to like her. Long discussion on guilt and at what point she could have taken some action to alleviate that. An interesting book club read. |
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By: NAP 020
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2025-07-14 12:03:11 |
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Very well-written and enjoyed by all, but a sad book as well. |
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By: NAP 023
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2025-06-30 15:01:27 |
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This was a challenging and very well-written exposure of the plight of families caught up in the Nazi world. Good discussion of 'guilt' by members. |
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By: DUNED 005
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2025-05-28 10:30:31 |
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Although the book focuses on interesting moral issues most were not convinced by the central character on a psychological level, particularly Gretel as a teenager. Other figures were 'cardboard characters' without a lot of depth. |
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By: WANAK 010
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2025-05-02 22:24:56 |
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A great read was the overall consensus of the group. Interesting and thought provoking discussion around childhood trauma and how this impacts on a person’s life. |
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By: RICH 007
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2025-04-14 09:14:24 |
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A well-written book which all members rated highly. I think it added to the story's connotations if ' The Boy in Striped Pyjamas' had been read first. A really good discussion arose from the questions and the subject matter which arose from the story. |
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By: WANG 011
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2025-04-03 10:08:29 |
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We all liked this book - a a good story, high-class writing, various clues to future and past events, clever plotting and well up to John Boyne's high standard. One or two of us were concerned about implausible events and details, matters that most of us noticed but ignored as a novelist's technique. Everyone in the group wanted to have their say at great length, and the meeting went on for longer than usual before we got a cup of tea! |
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By: WHANG 008
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2025-03-20 10:00:40 |
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A very readable book which was also thought-provoking in its description of the dark legacy of the Nazi Holocaust, and its effect on a girl's life. |
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By: AUCK 443
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2024-11-21 11:39:47 |
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We appreciated this book choice for its exploration of a complex character shaped by the events of her childhood and early teen years. Amidst excellent prose within a highly sensitive subject, the reader is constantly challenged by the uncomfortable questions the story poses - for our group, the discussion could have continued beyond two hours. |
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By: KATIK 001
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2024-10-07 11:55:35 |
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A novel built on a story we already knew, gradually revealing the background, with less of the trauma than expected. Discussion was intense as we debated how the authorities may have treated Gretel and her mother should they have submitted themselves to them. The writing was intriguing with alternate chapters each bringing to life the younger, then the elder Gretel. Feelings towards the Jewish people was forcefully written in line with the times, with Boyne adding family abuse into the mix. The group enjoyed the book. |
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By: HINDS 001
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2024-10-07 11:44:37 |
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Everyone enjoyed the book. Such an interesting story with a twist at the end. |
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By: CHCH 566
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2024-08-05 13:00:42 |
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We loved this book and had a great discussion with differing opinions about the motives. So easy to read even though the content was uncomfortable at times. |
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By: AUCK 037
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2024-08-02 12:56:07 |
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We agreed that it was a good read and an easy/fast read in spite of some tragic/dreadful scenes . A fascinating study of living with guilt and Gretel’s reactions to it. Both her parent’s guilt and her own. Moving from past to present required some attention but gave depth to the story. There was so much to discuss about guilt, shame, justice, grief and complicity. We discussed the issue of whether a 12 year old is responsible for the dreadful events going on over the fence and Gretel’s role in the death of her brother whose name she wouldn’t say because of fear of breaking down. |
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By: WELL 041
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2024-07-18 10:06:27 |
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Most members loved it, and felt that it was thought-provoking. One especially appreciated how well the male writer had portrayed an old woman. |
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By: KAIK 001
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2024-07-08 11:29:28 |
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We all enjoyed this one, thanks. |
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By: AUCK 271
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2024-06-25 13:08:40 |
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Everyone enjoyed the book, enjoyed the fact that it was a sequel to 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' albeit many years later. Gretel was a complex, manipulative woman who obviously struggled to "move on" from her past life. |
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By: NAP 011
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2024-05-24 20:51:11 |
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Everyone loved this book and found the plot's twists and turns masterly and riveting. Several group members have read it twice and found it even better, 2nd time around. Great discussion and highly recommended. |
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By: AUCK 422
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2024-05-11 08:55:41 |
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Well written, gripping story, set in interesting places and at interesting times. |
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By: ROTO 012
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2024-05-02 12:21:22 |
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A fabulous book. Beautifully written. |
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By: METH 002
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2024-04-10 10:39:41 |
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Good discussion. Some people found it a bit slow to start but some couldn't put it down. |
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By: CHCH 539
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2024-03-06 11:49:15 |
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Loved reading this novel. Great discussion on the guilt carried by an individual, and the pain they felt. |
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By: CHCH 517
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2024-01-15 11:29:52 |
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Our group found the book 'compelling', very readable, and with lots of twists and surprises. |
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By: MOTUE 009
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2023-11-23 13:48:43 |
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An unforgettable book, enjoyed by our whole group. It was a journey through history and emotion which provoked much discussion - from early Jewish history, today's Israel/Gaza turmoil as well as the personal legacy of living with past actions. Best book this year. |
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By: LOWER 024
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2023-10-04 14:53:57 |
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Loved it, everything beautifully tied in together, keep thinking about it. Generated lots of interesting discussion. |
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By: AUCK 460
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2023-08-01 13:19:09 |
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Scores between 4 and 5. Thought-provoking and gripping, with an unexpected twist. Engaging and well-written. |
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