If you love thrillers, don't miss this gripping, suspenseful tale. Fast paced and a great twist. A great book for 2023

Absolutely outstandingly heartbreaking . The story and characters gripped me from the beginning. Reading the main characters story and understanding the struggles and guilt she encountered post war were hard to read at times but so well written that i couldnt put it down. Id definitely recommend this to read, a very strong follow up to the boy in striped pajamas

I enjoyed this book. I found it intense and thought provoking. I’ve read a few reviews saying that the plot is unbelievable but regardless of opinion, I found it heart warming and I felt all the emotions when reading this. I thought it was a quiet sequel to a book I read as a child; especially now I’m an adult. Seamless

This book is really difficult to describe. The horrors of the past vs the present day is difficult to understand. Recommended.

This is so beautifully written, it has left a place on my heart. Throughly enjoyed it from start to end. In fact I just didn't want it to end. I've not read the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and I assume this book is a general follow on from it. This is definitely one of the best books I've read in a while and it absolutely deserves the 5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley.

Another fantastic story from John, one of our greatest storytellers. He never disappoints. Such poignant and difficult subject matter, yet draws the reader in from start to finish.

I am quite a bit late reviewing this one, for different reasons. I reread The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas before I read this (that was a 5 star read a few years ago). I loved this sequel. I really liked Gretel and felt for her throughout the whole story. There are lots of well written characters and a lot of plot. I enjoyed the various timelines. Loved it. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I read 'The boy in the Striped pyjamas' many years ago, and it made a big impression on me and whilst this book is a little more contrived with reliance on a couple of twists to provide a more contemporary feel it has also provoked many emotions. I thought Gretel was well-drawn, a complex character, the product of a background of beliefs, family influence and finally the realisation that the rest of the world looks at the events of the second world war rather differently now. The sub-story linking the present day boy to her memories of her brother was interesting but I didn't think it added anything to Gretel's development or story. Not all sequels are good, this is definitely worth reading

The boy in the striped pyjamas absolutely broke me, both the book and the film. I knew I needed to read this new offering however and I was not disappointed, I loved it.

In "All The Broken Places" by John Boyne, the acclaimed author of "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas," readers are taken on a poignant and emotionally charged journey through a woman's past, haunted by her family's dark history during World War II. With a compelling narrative and a powerful exploration of guilt, redemption, and the complexities of identity, Boyne delivers a thought-provoking tale that resonates long after the final page.

The protagonist, Gretel Fernsby, is a woman burdened by the weight of her past. Her quiet existence is shattered when a young family moves in below her, and she finds herself drawn to their son, Henry. As their friendship grows, Gretel is confronted with painful memories of her own past, including her father's role as a commandant in a Nazi concentration camp.

Boyne's masterful storytelling skill shines in "All The Broken Places." The writing is evocative and immersive, drawing readers into Gretel's world and the depths of her emotional turmoil. The author effortlessly navigates between the present and the past, seamlessly weaving together the threads of Gretel's history with the present-day challenges she faces.

The exploration of guilt and the search for redemption is a central theme in the novel. Gretel's desire to make amends for her family's atrocities is palpable, and her internal struggle is portrayed with raw honesty. Boyne doesn't shy away from the complexities of the moral choices Gretel faces, raising profound questions about the nature of forgiveness and personal responsibility.

The supporting characters in the story are well-developed and add depth to the narrative. The dynamics between Gretel and the young family below her provide moments of tenderness and vulnerability. The relationship between Gretel and Henry is particularly heartwarming, as the young boy serves as a catalyst for Gretel's transformation and a source of hope amidst the darkness of her past.

One of the strengths of "All The Broken Places" lies in its ability to depict the aftermath of war and the long-lasting impact it has on individuals and their descendants. Boyne's sensitive portrayal of the complexities of identity and the lingering trauma of the Holocaust resonates deeply. The story serves as a poignant reminder of the power of compassion and understanding in the face of unimaginable pain and loss.

However, there are moments when the pacing feels uneven, with certain sections moving slower than others. Additionally, some readers may desire a more detailed exploration of Gretel's post-war experiences in France and the impact they had on her.

"All The Broken Places" is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that showcases John Boyne's storytelling prowess. Through Gretel's journey of self-discovery, readers are prompted to reflect on themes of guilt, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a testament to the enduring power of empathy and the capacity for personal growth, even in the darkest of times.

Absolutely loved this! A perfect sequel to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. I highly recommend this. A really engaging read. Thought-provoking.

John Boyne is a fine writer. ‘All the Broken Places,’ his sequel to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, examines the nature of grief and guilt, of living a long life of secrets. Its some years since I read ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ but ‘All the Broken Places’ stands on its own and can be read independently.
Gretel Fernsby is ninety-one. It is London 2022 as she nervously awaits the new neighbours expected to move into the downstairs flat. She likes familiarity, routine, being anonymous. Gretel carries the guilt of something that happened in the war and which she has hidden, and lived with, for eighty years. The opening sentence sets up the story succinctly. ‘If every man is guilty of all the good he did not do, as Voltaire suggested, then I have spent a lifetime convincing myself that I am innocent of all the bad.’ Boyne explores the concepts of individual and collective guilt, of the sin of inaction, of the culpability of children and the offence of looking away.
Gretel’s younger brother was ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas,’ their father commandant at Auschwitz. She buried all memories of her brother, unable to speak his name or say it silently in her own head, but is unable to forget him. We follow her life after the war, to France and Australia and finally to England. Always, she lives a life of secrets. Until the past comes bursting forth when nine-year old Henry moves in downstairs and Gretel sees his tears, his bruises, his silences. The memories come flooding back. As she considers whether to step in and defend Henry, she must risk revealing what she has hidden for eighty years. Will Gretel find a kind of peace?
It's the best book I’ve read so far in 2023. There are surprises at the end, some beautiful detail. Emotional but never sentimental, Boyne doesn’t shy away from the horror of the Holocaust. Powerful and uncomfortable.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

What an amazing book. Thought provoking, a page turner, simply brilliant. This can be read either as the sequel to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas or as a stand alone book. All I can say is read it!

Loved how this book went from past to present.
A real can't put you down book, makes you think long after you have finished the last page.
An excellent book.

Ok so this book did take me an age to read and I stopped several times reading something else and then coming back to it.

Gretal is one amazing 91 year old. How can someone still be running from the actions of their father after 80 years. The story follows her life flitting between the years but dine in a way it is easy to follow and adds to the suspense of what is Gretal going to do next.
I loved the boy in the stripped pyjamas so always knew this book would be hard to read. The chapter where she enters the concentration camp for the first time is harrowing and it was at that point I could not put the book down anymore.
Everyone who knows the story of the boy in the stripped pyjamas should read this book. It will stay with me forever.

I’m a huge John Boyne fan and The boy in the striped pyjamas was the first book of his I read. I couldn’t wait to see where this follow up would go and needless to say I loved it. My favourite thing about this author is his ability to make every book different and exciting, like you’re reading one of his books for the first time. The characters come alive and I find myself picking up the book at every opportunity. Thank you to John Boyne & NetGalley for the chance to review this book.

I gave this five stars by virtue of the fact that I looked forward to going to bed early, so I could read it and I finished it after three nights. Sometimes I get caught up in whether I think the prose in a novel is beautiful or lyrical or I’ll get stuck on whether it’s important that I like the main characters. But at its simplest., I think if I want to return to the story as soon or as often as possible, then the book, and the author have done their job properly.
John Boyne did his job properly as a storyteller when he took me back to the world he created in The Boy In Tbe Striped Pyjamas and showed me what happens afterwards. Moving, shocking, infuriating : it’s an intense read.

What an amazing book. John Boyne has continued with his excellent style of writing, filled with emotion. If you read 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas,' you definitely need to read this.
Thank you to John Boyne and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I’m a big John Boyne fan and I really enjoyed this novel, the sequel to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.. Told from the point of view of Gretel, the sister of Bruno from the aforementioned, the narrative switches from the past and present day. The novel deals with some big topics, the aftermath of the holocaust, guilt and grief, and like many of Boyne’s books I was compelled to keep reading to find out what happens next. I enjoyed the twist at the end, I didn’t necessarily see it coming but I had been curious reading how he was tie those parts together. I enjoyed reading the Author’s Notes at the end- I definitely think this novel is worth reading,

Such a heart-wrenching read, however one I would recommend people read.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.