Reviews

The Thief of Auschwitz by Jon Clinch

jfkaess's review

4.0

I listened to the Audible version of this instead of reading it because the story is told from two perspectives: that of The Rosen family (Eidel - mom, Jacob - dad and Max - son) in Auschwitz and also that of Max at age 80 reflecting back. The nature of the two perspectives lends itself naturally to having two narrators, one for the story in Auschwitz and another for the elderly Max looking back over his life. The two perspectives intertwine well throughout the book though I found myself constantly wishing to hear more from Max about how he felt after the passage of time about the things that happened to his family. The story is well crafted, as expected from Jon Clinch and also well narrated. I enjoy well done historical fiction and this qualifies, placing the reader in the midst of the times and events of the story.

saram618's review against another edition

2.0

I can't put my finger on why I didn't love this book, but I didn't. For such an emotional subject matter, I never felt any true emotion in the characters. They all seemed flat and I had trouble caring about them (even though they were in such a horrible setting). Maybe it was the writing style that I had trouble with, but whatever it was, I didn't enjoy this book.

nlevesque27's review against another edition

3.0

This was different than any literature that I've read about the Holocaust. I thought that it was interesting and it definitely kept you in the story.

Book 8/50 (2020)

pinkrain718's review against another edition

4.0

Jon Clinch is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I have done a lot of reading, both fiction and non-fiction, on the Holocaust and this novel is unlike any other I've read. What I enjoyed most about the novel was the role that art played to the plot. I also enjoyed the organization of the two plot lines that intersected. I recommend this book to any history lover or someone who wants to read a book set during the Holocaust without too many gritty details. This is a haunting story that I won't soon forget.

thewellreadrunner's review against another edition

4.0

A uniquely-told story of the Holocaust that blends an emotional saga with an intriguing mystery. Quite different from other Holocaust-related novels that I've read. Great read. http://www.thewellreadredhead.com/2013/01/book-review-thief-of-auschwitz-by-jon.html