I was captivated by the plight of the protagonist, Gretel. As a Jew haunted by the Holocaust and hating Germans most of my life, I had difficulty seeing the experience of young Germans who must have been aware of the horrors happening around them. Boyne helped me understand one plausible perspective and that it’s possible that those young people grew up feeling guilt and the need to be punished or make up somehow for the evils committed by their elders and perhaps some of them themselves. I was riveted for 2 days until I finished the book!

Gretel’s story holds your attention and causes you to question the actions and emotions of a cast of interesting lead characters. John Boyle has presented us with another view of one of the most tragic periods in human history and its rippling impacts on the lives of those who survived it.

Wanted more to happen throughout the whole book. Started reading this after a review said it “moves like a freight train” - it def did not move like a freight train. Very slow.

Indeed one of the best stories I have ever read in my life. I loved all the characters and the way they were all tied together in an easy flowing eloquence. A reminder of how cruel life can be to innocent children and people that are in the midst of a brutal war. It made me laugh and cry because it touches the core of the human spirit in the deepest throes of terrible tragedy and their will to endeavor compassion until the end of their suffering.

This was a surprisingly good read. The author (male) put himself perfectly into the mind of a woman and told the story through her. Tormenting and touching. Bravo!

I could not stop reading this book. Fantastic story.

Incredible writing by the author. Twists and turns through every chapter. Some maybe a bit far fetched, but it was a far fetched time. Absolutely brilliant ending that gave me chills. Read this book.

I was stunned by this book. It was so well written, every moment felt like I was there, in it and feeling it. At times painful, at times tender, then maddening. I never wanted it to end. I loved being surprised up until the last page. A wonderful read!

Awesome story of WWII and a German woman who was the daughter of a concentration camp director.

This was a good book and I got through it pretty quickly. It’s a mystery of sorts, and it’s well written, but I have to admit that it has the most detestable characters of any book I’ve ever read. There were times when I wanted to put it down I hated the characters so much. I’m glad I finished it, but it was a lot to take.