“A brilliant book, and one that I wish I had come across years ago...
The book starts with David's escape from a concentration camp under a totalitarian regime in Eastern Europe, and then follows his journey across Europe, ever fearful of being caught and sent back. Unsurprisingly, after a life in a concentration camp, David sees the world very differently to most people, is understandably a constant outsider.
Whilst many of the reviews mention 'WWII' and 'Nazis', it is worth noting that the specific regime is not mentioned. The lack of a specific regime is deliberate, it is a book about how man relates to his fellow man and the importance of freedom, rather than a book pointing the finger at a single regime. If you are someone who is determined to play "spot the regime", then it historically fits with a communist regime in Eastern Europe during the cold war, not during the second world war....worryingly it is a mistake perpetuated by 'teachers' as well as students in their reviews.
Whilst the book is aimed at 'young adults', it is the sort of book that people of any age will enjoy...the sort of kids book we really should all be reading rather than crap like Harry Potter. Personally I would have read it in one sitting, but my girlfriend insisted I stopped for dinner, nonetheless I finished it in an evening. Brilliant book!”
David wrote this review Friday, August 7 2009.
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