Assessment:

Plot: The storyline here is clear and has enough change throughout to keep the reader interested. The scenery and characters change often, but there is a central focus that unifies the book and creates a cohesive whole. Yetmen has produced a wonderfully written, sorrowful look into post-World War 2 Germany. 

Prose: Yetmen's prose is clear and heartfelt. The scenes are described dutifully, and the story moves at a comfortable pace. Yetmen expertly portrays simple moments with feeling, compassion, and honesty, and this pulls the reader deeply into the book immediately.

Originality: It is common to find books painting the point of view of Jews after WWII, but less common to see the perspectives of Germans, especially in a sympathetic light. This book delicately presented the experiences of common people during and after the war with eloquence and nuance.

Character/Execution: The characters come to life, especially little Amalia and Anna, the central heroines of the story, in their fight to survive. The portrayal of mother and daughter love is beautiful and authentic, and the rest of the players in this tale are equally well developed.

Date Submitted: June 04, 2021