Beautiful in parts, average in others
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After reading a little of this novel, I was not hugely impressed or intrigued by it unfortunately. But I wasn't going to give up on it, something spurred me on to continue, and on balance, I am glad I got to the end, and feel fairly rewarded for sticking with it.
I felt it really improved towards the end in both stories, but the sections which tell the story of Moritz and his experiences and courage during and after World War One are, to me, by far the stronger and more compelling part of this novel, and I was engrossed in them, willing him on in his journey. Whereas, in the sections with Leo, I felt that the style was a little 'basic', and could have been improved. The two men, separated by the years but linked as is revealed at the end of the novel, are both separated from the loves of their lives. I know little of physics but enjoyed the brief elements that were discussed in the novel, in interesting ways but never too complex for a beginner to grasp the ideas raised.
Lovely to read at the end that the author has used part of his own family history here.
A good debut taken as a whole, but could have been even more amazing.
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The Enduring Power of Love
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Sometimes you read a book that you want to tell the world about, so mind-blowing is the story. This amazing book encapsulates bravery, immense suffering and love: above all, the enduring power of love. It really makes you think about hardship - real hardship - and there are some harrowing episodes that I'd quite like to forget, but many that I will remember for a long time.
If you love someone, give them this book - with the warning that they must NOT look at the end in advance!
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Brilliant!
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book which I felt dealt with the loss of Leo's girlfriend in such a realistic way. I felt the emotions with Leo - anger, disbelief, loss and guilt. The two stories running parallel were very different and I couldn't wait to find out how they would come together. Well worth the wait. I would highly recommend this book.
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superbly written book
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a well written and touching story that kept the pages turning. I'm not going to go into the tale because you will already know the basic tale just give it a go !!
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mixture
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Wouldn't say the book is a bad read but ultimately it was disappointing with the language all too often bordering childish in the section about Leo losing his girlfriend - certainly wasn't gripping and would have given up on the book altogether if the author hadn't written about Moritz and his love Lotte in the early part of the 20th century which was far better.
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