engagingly plotted ... several surprises well presented ... past events brought in through short effective flashbacks ... a character you had to root engagingly plotted ... several surprises well presented ... past events brought in through short effective flashbacks ... a character you had to root for ... all set convincingly in post-WWII Berlin ... Brady exposes the horrors of a decent person living within an oppressive totalitarian regime intent on making all of its enemies and potential enemies disappear ... IMO, it portrays exactly what Donald Trump would like to do in America...more
A compelling read, following the adventures of two very interesting characters ... who are together, then apart, then ... you'll have to read the bookA compelling read, following the adventures of two very interesting characters ... who are together, then apart, then ... you'll have to read the book to find out. The historical settings, and side stories, add to the pleasure of the main plot ... the two main characters are presented in a way that drew my emtions hoping for them to succeed ... well done, Susan Shalev...more
This story provides an insight into the difficulties of life and the exaggeration of these difficulties for those who set out to make their fortune ..This story provides an insight into the difficulties of life and the exaggeration of these difficulties for those who set out to make their fortune ... improbable plot lines? yes ... but rendered in a way that makes them seem possible ... characters well developed ... not to be put down...more
This is a great read, especially the last 50 pages or so including the Epilogue, which is a powerhouse of emotion. The motivation of so many good peopThis is a great read, especially the last 50 pages or so including the Epilogue, which is a powerhouse of emotion. The motivation of so many good people to defeat the Nazis and their French allies are well portrayed. Lisbon and in Lyon (circa 1945) come alive in Martin's hands. So also does the terror of living under the evil that the Nazis employed in all their actions. The failure of the world to recognize what the Nazis were doing to Jews, which is a theme in my Holocaust Trilogy A HOLOCAUST TRILOGY: A FLOOD OF EVIL ... A PROMISE KEPT ... AFTER AUSCHWITZ, is also well presented.
There are a few places where the story gets lost in a proliferation of characters, but these are not a major hindrance; just read through them. ...more
I call this a historical fiction thriller ... which is what I try to write ... Mercullo has produced a compelling read, rich in history, conflict, andI call this a historical fiction thriller ... which is what I try to write ... Mercullo has produced a compelling read, rich in history, conflict, and love ... the ending was somewhat predictable but it was so well presented it didn't diminish the read at all...more
this is an excellent read ... deep into the feelings of a woman faced with confusing and dangerous events on many fronts ... and a warning that the fethis is an excellent read ... deep into the feelings of a woman faced with confusing and dangerous events on many fronts ... and a warning that the feelings underlying the troubles in Ireland are still very much alive ... and a warning that similar feelings in America contain their own potential for explosion...more
The tension begins on page one and continues unabated until the end. The plight of migrants is made terrifyingly real and arouses in me at least the fThe tension begins on page one and continues unabated until the end. The plight of migrants is made terrifyingly real and arouses in me at least the feeling that we should be welcoming all sorts of people who want to come to America and work. The writing, particularly the recurrence of prior actions and emotions as the story progresses, is skillful and powerful, arousing emotions and caring for the characters, even the "bad guys."
BTW, I have read the many criticisms of this book simply because the author is not Mexican. So what? It's a novel, and she surely did her research. By the way, the 1* and 2* ratings on Amazon are 4% of the total, while the 5***** and 4**** ratings are 91%....more
on balance a terrific read ... especially when the main characters were interacting with each other ... some of the extended background sections interon balance a terrific read ... especially when the main characters were interacting with each other ... some of the extended background sections interfered with the flow of the story, but for me, the history was interesting and well presented...more
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