In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich, from Warsaw to the Rhine if necessary, to reach the British and American lines. Among the group is eighteen-year-old Anna Emmerich, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats. There is her lover, Callum Finella, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war who was brought from the stalag to her family’s farm as forced labor. And there is a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, who the pair know as Manfred–who is, in reality, Uri Singer, a Jew from Germany who managed to escape a train bound for Auschwitz. As they work their way west, they encounter a countryside ravaged by war. Their flight will test both Anna’s and Callum’s love, as well as their friendship with Manfred–assuming any of them even survive.
This is probably my favorite Bohjalian book in his repertoire. The horror of the Holocaust was strikingly well told as were the characterizations of the motley crew heading West out of Germany. With romance, duplicity and familial love strongly portrayed in between the atrocities of the Holocaust, this book was very well written.
Quotes I liked:
She didn’t care so much whether the world would ever forgive her people; but she did hope that someday, somehow, she would be able to forgive herself.”
First of all, Chris Bohjalian is one of my favorite authors, and Skeletons at the Feast, in my opinion, is one of his best. I give it 5 stars, too. Marilyn B.
Marilyn B, Good news! Chris Bohjalian has a new book called The Sandcastle Girls coming out in the summer! He used to hint at writing a sequel to Skeletons At The Feast, wonder if it’s still in the works…
Review:Drive Me Crazy by Carly Robyn blew me away with its humor, heart, and heat. I’m newer to rom-com (Romantic Comedy) and after reading quite a few of them, I totally think that this one shines above.Full disclosure, I know the author quite well. She’s my daughter; but it’s the honest truth when I say I loved the heck out of this book. I was literally laughing out loud at some points and fell hard in love with Blake, the broody Brit, and Ella, the relatable journalist who could be my BFF.The pacing of the story was spot on as I fell into the fast-paced life of an F1 driver, and the toll racing takes on both their minds and bodies. I appreciated the slow burn to the ultimately spicy and steamy romance. It made the wait and tension totally worth the wait! For me, smart conversation and good banter can make or break a book. This one had so much wit and humor that I’d be happy with that alone.The settings in this book take the reader all around Europe which makes for great escapes. Ella, who hails from Chicago before moving to New York, offers many local references which I loved.On top of the heart, humor and heat, there are also some serious issues woven through the book such a loss of a parent, mental illness, and sexual abuse. These issues are presented with sensitivity and care.Bottom line, if you’re looking for a book to make you laugh with a good dollop of spice, pick this one up. Readers are all saying they can’t wait for the second in the series.@carlyrobynauthor 📘Have you ever watched an Formula One race? OR Favorite trope in rom-coms? ... See MoreSee Less
First of all, Chris Bohjalian is one of my favorite authors, and Skeletons at the Feast, in my opinion, is one of his best. I give it 5 stars, too.
Marilyn B.
Marilyn B, Good news! Chris Bohjalian has a new book called The Sandcastle Girls coming out in the summer! He used to hint at writing a sequel to Skeletons At The Feast, wonder if it’s still in the works…