Wow!
Well I never thought that I would enjoy a book so much more than the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas ( I thought that book was brilliant) but from start to finish this book was a cracker!
Well written, poignant, interesting, spellbinding, happy, sad, a little bit of everything.
I don't usually quote from books in my reviews as I don't want to give anything away, but:
John in his Epilogue states that (writing fiction ) is not the burden of education which is the task of non-fiction.
With this book John has certainly helped to increase the understanding, of the readers, of that and subsequent times.
Fantastic book John, Thank you. I will certainly have a look at some of your other books, I thought that the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was an exceptional book that could only be a one-off for an author, this book has proven otherwise, and I will soon see whether your other works are as good as these.
My thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy for honest review.

I don't think there is anyone alive who doesn't know the story of the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, and rightfully so, it is a masterpiece. This sequel follows Gretel, older sister of Bruno, after the end of the war and in the years that follow. Now 91 years old and still hiding her past from everyone in her life, we're taken on a heartbreaking journey of grief, remorse, guilt and love.

Like it's predecessor, I found this book difficult to read at times, but that's what John Boyne does best. You're right there with them, as harrowing and painful as it may be. Interesting, absorbing, well-paced and powerful. I couldn't put it down.

Thank you so much Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my view.

A really interesting follow up to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas; the story of his sister, who has lived to 92 and the life she’s led since we last saw her, and ties together many strands of history and complicity.

Goodreads
John Boyne is a favourite writer of mine. He deftly weaves together the various threads of the central character’s life, a life full of lived history.

It is well written in a straight forward clear style. I enjoyed the various ‘broken places’ where Gretl recounts her tale. She is full of guilt but I could not stop thinking about her being a child when some of the traumatic events happened. How culpable is a child? How guilty are you if you were ignorant? Or if you had no idea of the consequences of your actions?

She does meet a cast of convenient characters along the way and this felt false in some way hence 4 stars not 5.

I liked the ending too. It sort of justified her as an old lady.

I read a proof copy provided by Netgalley

Gretel is no ordinary old lady.
Now 91, she lives a quiet but very private life in the large London flat she once shared with her late husband.
But why is she so secretive? What is the full story behind her early life in Germany, France and Australia? What dark secrets lurk within the lives of her new neighbours? And what can Gretel do to help?
Occasionally harrowing, always compelling, John Boyne has written a superb sequel to his most famous book, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

Brilliant!

I never read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, but saw the film a few times, which left a lasting memory of the Holocaust. This book is very much a sequel, taking the story from a different angle, from the viewpoint of the sister. It is a dramatic, unsettling read but so clearly portrays Gretel’s emotions. The novel is beautifully constructed, flicking between Gretel as a young person growing up and in her later life, living in London. It is certainly not a novel for the feint hearted, but an absolute must for anyone interested in this period in history - both for fiction and non-fiction readers.

Of all the books I have read during 2022, this novel by John Boyne stands top of my list. Engrossing, engaging and a true page-turner. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Random House, for this advance copy.

John Boyne writes a superb and profoundly moving sequel to his The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas as he explores the psychological complexities of guilt and complicity, and the repercussions of WW2 and the Holocaust through the life of the widowed 91 year old Greta Fernsby, sister of Bruno, whose father was the Nazi commandant of the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp. In a narrative, with short chapters, that shifts from the past and the present in which the bright, sharp and astute Greta lives in an expensive and exclusive block of apartments in London. She occasionally sees her son, guarding her privacy, ensuring she never gets really close to anyone, intent on keeping her secrets deeply buried.

Greta and her mother ran in 1946 from Poland, to Paris, France, changing identities, unaware you can never escape your past in a world desperately seeking retribution for the horrors and evil perpetrated during WW2. As Greta's haunted and harrowing nightmare past is slowly revealed through the various locations, including Australia, her memories of Bruno return when a new family moves into her apartment block. She can feel there is something wrong as she gets to know the 9 year old son, Henry. His film producer father is an abusive, manipulative bully, and Greta wants to protect Henry and his mother and do the right thing, but she risks her past being revealed.

The remarkable Greta, however, is no longer the 12 year old girl she used to be as she seeks redemption. I became completely immersed in this beautifully written, compassionate and thought provoking novel with its surprising conclusion. This is an outstanding, if not perfect, read, related with sensitivity, the characterisation is marvellous, of love, loss, the sins of family, culpability and trauma that is utterly gripping and which I highly recommend to both fans of Boyne and to other readers. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

John Boyne captures the audience with a page turning, thought provoking sequel to The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas.

I always think it hugely ambitious to attempt to follow up such a well known and liked story but Boyne excels himself again and brings us such a heart wrenching tale of guilt, love, loss, kinship and friendship all the while telling us about the consequences of such a terrible event.

Gretel is a fantastic character and narrator and she tells her story with such depth and passion and you can't help but love her. The other characters added great depth to the story and all were intwined one way or another all along the way.

The short chapters ensured the pace of the book was quick and before we know it we're at the very unexpected twist at the end.

Definitely one of the best books for me this year!!!

A gripping tale - I couldn't put it down. Gretel, the sister of Bruno (the boy in the striped pyjamas) is now 91 years old and has lived a lifetime of guilt and remorse moving from place to place. Her past haunts her until finally and chillingly, she finds the answer which will come as a shock to the reader. A wonderful book that I can highly recommend as it links so well with the previous book although can be read as a stand-alone novel.

A magnificent sequel! I was afraid that there was no way the sequel could compare to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas but I was wrong. This book manages to be as emotional, impactful and thought provoking and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in its own unique way. The exploration of guilt and innocence was incredibly well done and Gretel as the protagonist was perfectly drawn and suitably complex. I hope this book becomes the success it deserves to!

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this one.
John Boyne is a master of historical fiction and tales of redemption, carefully crafted in prose that leaves a powerful emotional impact. I found this one a challenging read, being set against the backdrop of the Holocaust, with a plot that moves backwards and forwards in time. However, Boyne’s versatile ability to write in a woman’s voice as convincingly as a man’s is very impressive - and I could not resist getting caught up in the elderly female protagonist’s story. This will no doubt reach the NYT bestselling list once more.

Delighted to have had the opportunity to read this book as I am such a fan of John Boyne. I was nervous about reading this as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is such a well known book.
Written this time to tell the story of Gretel as an old lady looking back at key points in her life, interspersed with a developing story regarding her new neighbours.
Interesting to read how her early life affected her adult life, and how her thoughts changed as she matured.
I would definitely recommend this book to others.

📚BOOK REVIEW 📚

📖 Book - A Perfect Stranger
✍️ Author - Shalina Boland
📕 Publisher -Bookouture
🗓 Publication Date - 11th JULY 2022
I have read books by this author before, so looking forward to this! Thanks @netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my review!

Annie is married to Aiden and they have a young son called Josh.. after being made aware that her husband has got himself into debt and they run away, trying to escape, ALSO changing Their names. surprises at the end of the book, there was a secret that came out about Annie - did not expect that but because it was told to us the very end wil.l there be another book - loll!?

Enjoy!!


https://www.instagram.com/Bookstagramshaz

This book is a sequel to "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" and tells the story of the boy's sister Gretel. She is now 91 and living as a wealthy widow in present day London.

The story dips into other times into Gretel's life when her past catches up with her and she has to flee.

Her downstairs neighbour has died and she dreads a family moving in. As it happens,she becomes attached to the wife and her nine year old son, but they also have a dark secret.

A gripping tale and one of the best books I have read this year !


Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Publishing for the chance to review this book.

‘All the Broken Places’ is the sequel to ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ and focuses on Gretel, Bruno’s sister. As John Boyne states in his Author’s Note, the novel explores ‘…guilt, complicity and grief…’. At 91 and still remarkably sharp, Gretel not only ponders her past decisions, some of which have damaged her irrevocably, but also eventually becomes brave enough to confront the violence and terror that is horrifyingly close to home.
As ever, Boyne’s ability to create vivid characters draws the reader into his narrative. We sympathise with Gretel to an extent and it is the author’s intention that we are not entirely on her side. Because she has been so harmed by her upbringing, it would be too neat to imagine that the first twenty years of her life could be easily expunged, as the rather implausible scene with Hitler’s spectacles suggests. (This is not the only clumsy instance in the narrative – her meeting with the Queen chimes false as does her link with her long-term neighbour.)
Nevertheless, Boyne’s exploration of the ramifications of damaged childhood is thought-provoking, not least in his modern-day focus on nine-year-old Henry. Sadly, despite Gretel’s best efforts, we can infer from her own experience that Henry may well carry his scars into adulthood too.
My thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

This is the sequel from the author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. The story of Gretel both in the past and present day. In the 1950’s Gretel lived in Paris hiding an accent, before that in Poland. Today she is in her nineties and lives in a grand apartment in London still trying to forget what happened. Alternate chapters take us back to after the war and to the present day where she has some new neighbours in the apartment below her, their nine year old son Henry brings back memories Gretel would rather forget. When she sees Henry and his parents in the garden, things take a different turn from just being neighbours. Can she protect Henry and his mother whilst keeping things close to her chest?
There is something wonderful about this book that draws you slowly in. I found myself being drawn to Gretel and making assumptions as she was only young at the time of the war. She is sharp as a tack and wiley, having spent her life keeping secrets. Slowly the past is revealed a little at a time, some of which is rather harrowing (but short) whilst at the same time knowing that she wishes things could have been different and how much she misses a very special someone.
Could this be read if you’ve not read or seen The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas? For me yes possibly, but why miss out on another stunning read or film? Do people feel guilty for what has gone almost a lifetime before even if they were not personally culpable? I believe there are exceptions (narcissists for example) but most people are good and kind, or at least I wish to believe so, so yes I think in twilight years the past may loom and they wish to try and at least amend or atone in some small way if possible. As the author points out even in recent times it's not just the monsters but those who knew and turned a blind eye who are just as guilty.
A wonderful story that I found captivating. Of guilt and complicity, of thought and happiness. One I will most certainly remember.
(rest of links on publication)

When I saw this was a sequel to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, I just knew I had to read it and it did not disappoint. What a heartbreaking read but in differing ways to TBITSP.

One of the main characters, Gretel, my heart breaks for her, she’s had such a hard life and ended up fleeing Poland for Paris. Nearly eighty years later, a couple move downstairs from her and this is where the story really begins. Henry, the couples son brings back memories for Gretel - memories she has spent her life trying to forget; trying to heal from.

Gretel is a strong character and even at the age she is, she fights for what is right and tries to help the young boy. Gretel normally sticks to herself but despite being in her nineties, she’s very smart and on the ball. The story takes you through many events in Gretel’s life, the secrets she’s kept for years and how Henry affects it all.

John, you are such a wonderful writer, so passionate and deep both books I’ve read from you and I can’t thank you and @netgalley for allowing me a copy to work of art.

Having read 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' I was keen to read this, the sequel. It did not disappoint, as we follow the 'boy's' sister Gretel as she and her mother cope with the aftermath of the War and the stigma of their attachment to the commandant of a concentration camp. Gretel tries so hard to make a life for herself, while never really forgiving herself for her part in her brother's death. Which is interesting, as everyone else around her who learns her history blames her for not doing something about the Final Solution, as if a 12 year old could have done anything at all, other than identify some perpetrators after the War.

The book is powerful, shocking, and weaves an interesting story. I'm not a big fan of the alternate chapter technique - one in the past, the next in the present. It made the story more disjointed and I would have preferred a straight narrative, but overall its a very good read and makes the reader think about guilt, about responsibility and culpability.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a moving read, as a sequel to The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, detailing what happened to the rest of the German Commandants’ family, but mainly Gretel, Bruno’s sister, who was 12 years old at the time of the first book. It’s moving, heartbreaking and thought provoking. It explores how the families of victims and captors deal with the fallout of their loved ones actions and experiences, as well as survivors guilt. This is so well written, thought out and researched, it has a real impact for the reader. A must read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

All The Broken Places is the follow up to the hugely successful The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Whilst TBITSP was more of a young adult novel, this is clearly written for an adult audience and I have to say I enjoyed this book more than TBITSP.

In this novel, we follow Bruno's sister, Gretel - a largely unlikeable character from the first novel who was largely at odds with Bruno during the course of the novel. We are told Gretel's story in a dual time-line, the present day (where she is a 91 year old woman living in London) and the past after leaving Berlin following Bruno's death.

In the present day, she is living a largely solitary life until she encounters her new neighbours - a family with a young boy who brings Bruno to the forefront of her mind. All is not clearly well next door but can Gretel save this young boy without exposing her own past.

In the past we learn how Gretel ended up in London, trying to leave behind the guilt and the experience of the Holocaust and building a new secret life everywhere she goes, opening up to very few people along the way.

I honestly can't speak highly enough of this book. I am a massive fan of John Boyne and this certainly goes to the top (or maybe top three) of the books I have read this year. I still don't know how I feel about Gretel, her role and decisions as a child and adult and the redemption she seeks even as an older woman. The twist at the end was fantastic and the actual conclusion to the book was excellent also.

Easiest five stars I have given this year.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Doubleday, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review