I love well written historical fiction, and judging by the sample pages this is one such novel. It an interesting book which I would like to read more of to get to know the characters and their situations better. I find both the background of the story, and the plot as described in the synopsis interesting.
I like the voice of Michael, and the flashbacks to his experiences in Germany. The characters and their backgrounds are interesting, and there is clearly much to be expanded on throughout the novel. Current and past events have been weaved together well, with not too much weight on either. You really get a sense of the character through the narration and mannerisms, with just the right balance of description. Even after this short extract I already feel like I know and can imagine Michael in my own head. I found some parts of Michael's narration strange, for example when he is referred to as 'the boy' and how the tense mixes between past and present during the flashback scenes. This may be as a result of his experiences and the trauma he has faced, and depending on how it plays out throughout the rest of the novel it could be a good narrative device.
I did not particularly enjoy the first scene from the point of view of his adoptive mother/aunt. I thought it was cleverly done to show the conflict that she feels at the difficult situation they have found themselves in, but as the novel storyline will mostly be set at Cape Cod with Michael and the others there, it felt a strange place to start the narrative. While it is clearly an interesting relationship which I would like to see expanded upon during the novel and this first scene plants the reader firmly into the situation, I would have preferred the novel to start with Michael as he is one of the main characters. The effectiveness of this first scene depends on the importance of her as a POV character later on. Again, it felt strange that she is described as 'the woman' as this feels detached. It is certainly an unusual device and feels very much as though the reader is observing something at a distance, but with the benefit of personal insight. This feels uncomfortable and intrusive, but adds to the tone of the novel.
The cover is ok. It doesn't particularly jump out to me, but isn't one that blends in to a bookshelf of unknown books either. I like the art, which conveys the tone and setting of the novel, and has a classic feel. I guess that the characters on the cover are the artist couple, their expressions are sombre. Both the cover style and the characters depicted fit in with the novel as described in the synopsis.
Overall this is a book I want to read. I have given it four stars due to the first scene and the fact that I like the narration, characters and plot. I would very much like to see how the story and relationships play out.
I like the voice of Michael, and the flashbacks to his experiences in Germany. The characters and their backgrounds are interesting, and there is clearly much to be expanded on throughout the novel. Current and past events have been weaved together well, with not too much weight on either. You really get a sense of the character through the narration and mannerisms, with just the right balance of description. Even after this short extract I already feel like I know and can imagine Michael in my own head. I found some parts of Michael's narration strange, for example when he is referred to as 'the boy' and how the tense mixes between past and present during the flashback scenes. This may be as a result of his experiences and the trauma he has faced, and depending on how it plays out throughout the rest of the novel it could be a good narrative device.
I did not particularly enjoy the first scene from the point of view of his adoptive mother/aunt. I thought it was cleverly done to show the conflict that she feels at the difficult situation they have found themselves in, but as the novel storyline will mostly be set at Cape Cod with Michael and the others there, it felt a strange place to start the narrative. While it is clearly an interesting relationship which I would like to see expanded upon during the novel and this first scene plants the reader firmly into the situation, I would have preferred the novel to start with Michael as he is one of the main characters. The effectiveness of this first scene depends on the importance of her as a POV character later on. Again, it felt strange that she is described as 'the woman' as this feels detached. It is certainly an unusual device and feels very much as though the reader is observing something at a distance, but with the benefit of personal insight. This feels uncomfortable and intrusive, but adds to the tone of the novel.
The cover is ok. It doesn't particularly jump out to me, but isn't one that blends in to a bookshelf of unknown books either. I like the art, which conveys the tone and setting of the novel, and has a classic feel. I guess that the characters on the cover are the artist couple, their expressions are sombre. Both the cover style and the characters depicted fit in with the novel as described in the synopsis.
Overall this is a book I want to read. I have given it four stars due to the first scene and the fact that I like the narration, characters and plot. I would very much like to see how the story and relationships play out.