All The Broken Places opening line: If every man is guilty of all the good things he did not do, as Voltaire suggested, then I have spent a lifetime convincing myself that I am innocent of all the bad.
My blurb:
Gretel has lived a secluded life, out of choice. After trying so hard to run away from her past she is living a simple life. She has a neighbour, Heidi whom she looks out for. And a son that drives her a little bit scatty. So much so, she is reluctant to meet his new girlfriend. But he insists, and it seems that Eleanor is the ear she has so desperately needed. For she has secrets to hide, and secrets she has buried. But now her future is being threatened by a bully of a neighbour who has just moved in downstairs.
All The Broken Places
Ninety-one-year-old Gretel Fernsby has lived in the same mansion block in London for decades. She leads a comfortable, quiet life, despite her dark and disturbing past. She doesn’t talk about her escape from Germany over seventy years before. She doesn’t talk about the 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.Then, a young family moves into the apartment below her. In spite of herself, Gretel can’t help but begin a friendship with the little boy, Henry, though his presence brings back memories she would rather forget. One night, she witnesses a violent argument between Henry’s mother and his domineering father, one that threatens Gretel’s hard-won, self-contained existence.Gretel is faced with a chance to expiate her guilt, grief and remorse and act to save a young boy – for the second time in her life. But to do so, she will be forced to reveal her true identity to the world. Will she make a different choice this time, whatever the cost to herself?
My verdict:
As I had not read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas I went and joined our local library. I took the book out on a Friday, started it on the Saturday after lunch. And did not put it down until I was finished, just before it was time to go and cook supper. All the Broken Places had me just as hooked. Not only by the story, but by the writing. John Boyne is a talented wordsmith and I will take another of his books out of the library the next time I find myself short of something to read.
About the Author:
Publishing information:
Penguin Random House South Africa sent me this novel to review.
See the links below for blog posts I published on May 26:
- 2021: Tulbagh Hotel
- 2019: The Rumour
- 2017: Grenadine Syrup
- 2014: Quiche
- 2012: Food Quiz Number 24 For A Friday
- 2011: Slow Cooked Lamb Neck
- 2010: Vanilla Purée
I just read Water by John Boyne recently, having never read a book of his before. I thought he was a fab writer, and that I was in good hands. I don’t often feel that way when reading!
I will add that to my library list!
This sounds right up my read street. I think I’ll have to order it from the library – I loved The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. The film of the book is pretty good too.
I think I would be in tears for most of the movie!