but to each their own. readers who can understand that this is a work of fiction with specific flaws should have no problem with it. and while i do think there might be some decent underlying intentions with this sequel and, from a narrative standpoint, i found the story engaging, i honestly wouldnt recommend it to someone looking for a novel about the holocaust or its effects after the war. Her mother was a popular beauty until she became an alcoholic, and Gretel later enjoyed her own privilege of the power people confer on a pretty young woman. She could ask questions and flirt her way through any answers she didn’t want to give. John Boyne: Criticising a book’s intention as a moral fable for taking artistic liberties with Auschwitz is 'like someone studying the Russian revolution criticising Animal Farm because pigs can’t talk'. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Gretel is faced with a chance to expiate her guilt, grief and remorse and act to save a young boy – for the second time in her life. But to do so, she will be forced to reveal her true identity to the world. Will she make a different choice this time, whatever the cost to herself? Tapping into the issue of Nazi perpetrator families and their suffering in the post-war years is likely to be as controversial as the debate over The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas has been. Sequel to the hugely successful The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, All The Broken Places is a moving story about grief, guilt and complicity. Needless to say, that with John Boyne at the helm, we’re treated to a storyline full of insight, from the ugliness of life through to the purity of love. Don’t miss this one! If the point is that this could happen to anyone, it is very obliquely made. There are serious objections to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. A child like Bruno would know what Nazism is, and would be schooled to hate Jews. A child like Shmuel would not be at liberty to walk the fence, and his anger is so muted it is nonexistent. He is not yet dead, and already he is silenced.I had mixed feelings (resistance to be honest) about reading “All The Broken Places”…. another ‘fiction’ story associated with The Holocaust…. From the New York Times bestselling author John Boyne, a stunning tour de force about a woman who must confront the sins of her own terrible past, and a present in which it is never too late for bravery Through three levels of narrative, Gretel ties herself up in knots of guilt, shame and clan liability, grappling with the unresolved and unresolvable tragedy of her life: how can survivor guilt be coped with by someone who survived on the other side of the Auschwitz fence and the wrong side of history? I believe everyone has their own line in the sand, the point beyond which they either won’t go or would be uncomfortable going. As we become more experienced and learn more, we may shift that line from ‘won’t’ to ‘uncomfortable’, depending on pressure and circumstances.

I do feel it’s a positive contribution to the world and to Holocaust studies,” said Boyne, who estimates that he has personally spoken to between 500 and 600 schools about “Striped Pajamas.”Perfect. Not nosy, no uncomfortable questions. A younger (younger than Gretel) neighbour lives across the hall, and they are friendly, although Heidi is a bit gossipy, and her memory is getting shaky. Unfortunately, Mr Richardson has died and Gretel is hoping the new people will be as unintrusive as he was.