winters8608ff1

When I first starting reading, I was mesmerized, captured. The story pulled me in immediately. After the first few chapters, I had to set the book down and take a break. It was too tough to read. The scenes were all too graphic, emotional. This was not a reflection of the story or the writing; just the unimaginable horror about to be described. Ms. de Rosnay is an excellent writer. Her use of the English language, intermingled with her French, including her reference to many things Parisian, took me away into a world I didn't want to be in. But the writing drew me in further and further. The flashback technique was well-done. The chapters were very short, I loved it. Overall, I highly recommend this book. Like many books, ending are very tough to write. I found the ending rather predictable, which left me a bit deflated. But at least there was closure. I also thought that Zoe, the little French-American daughter was unrealistically mature. And I guess I don't get it. Why would this woman, the journalist, be so obsessed with the Jewish family who once lived in the apartment she was to live in. I understand the discomfort with it but no the obsession that drove her to finding the family and confronting them. Sadly, in my opinion, she ruined lives. And the reason she did...selfishly wanting to let the family know her family cared about them. Overall, great read but be prepared for tears and admonishment for the Nazi era.

2022-10-21 05:45