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dogearedandfurry's review
3.0
Did get a bit confusing with the Irish history as I knew very little about it. Otherwise decent book.
shropgirl's review
3.0
Interesting read
I read this book twelve months ago and gave it two stars having felt that the novel was overly complicated and unsatisfactory. I now increase the star rating to three after reading it for a second time. The historical background, both in Ireland and Dantzig was very interesting, something that I didn't know much about. The corruption in the Irish Catholic church was also well written and still pertinent today. The start of the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis was also well described. However for me it seemed that the author was trying too hard to weave together multiple storylines to the overall detriment of the novel. I can see that many have rated this book highly so perhaps it's me that's not seeing all the novel's merits. I would recommend with reservations and I will read Michael Russell's second Gillespie novel.
I read this book twelve months ago and gave it two stars having felt that the novel was overly complicated and unsatisfactory. I now increase the star rating to three after reading it for a second time. The historical background, both in Ireland and Dantzig was very interesting, something that I didn't know much about. The corruption in the Irish Catholic church was also well written and still pertinent today. The start of the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis was also well described. However for me it seemed that the author was trying too hard to weave together multiple storylines to the overall detriment of the novel. I can see that many have rated this book highly so perhaps it's me that's not seeing all the novel's merits. I would recommend with reservations and I will read Michael Russell's second Gillespie novel.
whatjasread's review
3.0
I'll go ahead and give this 3.5 stars. I'll start with why I knocked off the 1.5 stars, and that's simply because it was a detective story that didn't really read as a detective story. Honestly for half of it he wasn't a detective. It was also because Hannah just made some really stupid decisions (what Jewish girl consciously goes to Danzig in the middle of Hitler's reign??)
Other than that, I did enjoy the book. The plot was interesting and I liked the way Stefan's family relationships were interwoven into the plot. I enjoyed Michael Russell's writing style - pretty simple and to the point, but still poignant enough to make you really feel the way the characters do.
I probably won't be reading more of this series, but I have definitely enjoyed what I have read of it!
Other than that, I did enjoy the book. The plot was interesting and I liked the way Stefan's family relationships were interwoven into the plot. I enjoyed Michael Russell's writing style - pretty simple and to the point, but still poignant enough to make you really feel the way the characters do.
I probably won't be reading more of this series, but I have definitely enjoyed what I have read of it!
avid_d's review
3.0
I enjoyed this, though it did take a slightly over-dramatic and less credible trip to Danzig.
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