Reviews

The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton

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

nicjohnston's review against another edition

3.0

At the core of this book is an incredible story and, based on true events, it is one that needs to be told. Around that real life pivot is a fictionalised tale of children being assisted to flee Nazi occupied territories. The characters are fairly strong but perhaps unnecessarily complex (maths genius, playwright prodigy ... ) but their journey keeps the book moving with pace. However, having loved numerous other similar books (The Nightingale, Lilac Girls, All The Light We Cannot See, Beneath A Scarlett Sky), this felt a little disjointed. I can’t quite put my finger on the reason; possibly some elements were flabby with detail and focus which detracted from the overall story or it may have been short chapters from the outset which prevented the narrative from settling. Overall a strong 3.5*

lancastergainesville's review against another edition

inspiring sad

4.0

Even though it is fiction, it is based on the actual Kindertransport. I never really knew anything about Eichmann and his methods of getting Jews to leave. This was harrowing. 

nina_0159's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

cari1268's review against another edition

3.0

I'm a little conflicted on this one. I was very invested in the story at times. However, there were other times where boredom reigned. I almost DNFed this book two hours in.

I did not like the writing. It felt like I really had to focus on what the author was saying to understand what was happening. That's not because the vocabulary was too sophisticated or the prose flowery. The writing stated things in a roundabout way that drove me a little crazy. (After reading other reviews, I'm wondering if this happened because too many unnecessary facts were included?) This made for a tedious read during the boring parts. (I actually listened to this book on 1.75 speed instead of my normal 2.00 speed to help with my understanding). Part of my confusion might have come from the narrator, who was a little hard to understand. However, I think most of my issues were with the writing in this case.

The book had a lot of character perspectives and short chapters. That is not my favorite style for telling a story. Personally, I have a hard time getting invested in stories that do this. *Cough, cough-The Fountains of Silence*

There were things I did like about The Last Train to London. When I was invested, I was invested.

Spoiler

I was dying to learn if Stephan made it onto the train.

I loved getting to learn about "Tante Truus." How have I never heard of her?! I hope that she is taught in school when students learn about the holocaust. She is a hero. Not only was I unaware of Tante Truus, but I also was mostly unaware of the train loads that rescued children. This was a story that needed telling.

Although a little overdone, I loved Stephan's younger brother (I can't remember his name) and his dynamic with Peter Rabbit. So cute.

Spoiler

The scene with the little brother getting stuck in the street while pushing the wheelchair was one of the most heartbreaking for me.

3 Stars.
*There was a little vulgarity and maybe a swear word or two.*