Reviews

The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton

kendrareads's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

4.0

This was an aspect of WWII that I had never heard of. Thanks for the recommendation from my friend Judi; this read is number 4 of 12 books recommended by friends. On audio, it took me a little while to get into the narrative and sort out the different stories, but once I caught on, it was a good read. I appreciate the attention to detail and history.

kathleenguthriewoods's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A page-turner, for sure, and an important piece of history. I also appreciated the respectful depiction of a woman going through infertility. While sad, it was also refreshing to take her CNBC status into account while celebrating her extraordinary contributions to caring for--saving, really--other people's children. 

rowangazdewich's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

angie519's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

3.5

joshlegere's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

sparkly44's review against another edition

5.0

Mild Spoiler Alert!! The book is based upon Geertruida Wijsmuller-Meijer and other activities during WWII--so I'm not giving anything serious away.

This one changes perspective, often. Reading it during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (according to the White House we have emerged---my own ability to read and assess tells me we are still very much in it) was an adventure, and looking back at it from a few weeks' distance to now write a review, I am overwhelmed. As I read the book, "fake news" resonated over and over, and I love the author for drawing parallels in my mind with Hitler and Trump. They were already there for me, but well done, Ms. Clayton, well done.

I had read briefly about the WWII kindertransport, but I knew nothing of Geertruida Wijsmuller-Meijer. She was a force of nature, and the world needs more like her! Tante Truus and Žofie-Helene both reminded me in different ways of Hermione Granger. I loved the characters in this book and I am very grateful to the author for giving us this story, especially now.

alice007's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

bellamonster's review against another edition

4.0

This book did such a great job of taking real people and events and adding characters you care about to make the Nazi regime's atrocities so much more personal and real, rather than some historical event in the distant past. I really liked getting the story from so many character's perspectives, too.

amcarley's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

ben_svensson's review against another edition

emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25