misslucyelizabeth's reviews
23 reviews

If you want to waste your time reading of a classically-tortured artist-predator-pervert, then this book is for you. I read a quarter and skimmed the rest as this story was far too obvious right from the beginning. Yuck. I wish these types of men would cease to exist in the literary world. All together would be nice, of course.
Honestly felt like I needed to cleanse my brain, eyeballs, and body, just from reading the character of Michael.   

Written relatively well at least, apart from perhaps a tad too much pretentious wordings.

This needs to be made into a movie!!
It is incredibly interesting to see and read of characters from that side of the war, and from within some of the pure atrocities that happened in the Second World War. 
I do thank the author for helping my mind to see how not every German was responsible. Of how some fought the regime, but as quietly as they could to save not only their lives but the lives of their families. Quite the moral dilemma those Germans would have faced. Although the author showed just how non-remorseful some of the characters were (of their own actions and their country, I think she balanced the line well and was mindful of this book not becoming pro-Nazi. I was hesitant to read this book in fear that it would be some crap trying to make me feel sorry for Nazi’s, but thankfully, it wasn’t.
Most importantly, I applaud Clara and her conscious, for that was something that barely survived that time. Clara carried a lot, if not all, of the weight of guilt upon her shoulders for how her family contributed to the war effort. And in the end, even though she was one of those few Germans who tried to help (the slaved labourers), in the end, she was ready to face all consequences. Her growth was well written and well insightful to read. 

Hmm.  I did enjoy this over all. Ending was a tad flat. I did like Leland more right at the start when he is describing his life with little Abby. 
Then he got a little creepy at times — You can always tell the difference between a female and male author writing a sexual male character.

It does move rather fast, and lacks the right amount of adjectives that lets you sink into the scenes — however, it’s completely worth it. The fast pace is forgivable because the story is so windy and twisty with thrilling turns!

I’m giving Nancy a straight 4 stars due to just how impressed I am with everything she achieved, experienced, and sacrificed in her life. 
Wow. What an inspiration. 

—and women— 

I was caught between rating this either three or four stars. I chose four. Why I chose four stars instead of three, is because the art for educating one on the Vietnam War is unfortunately rather scarce. I have read many upon many both fiction and non-fiction stories and true accounts of the Second World War, so it was incredibly refreshing to read a book about the Vietnam War — especially, about the women and their experiences and sacrifices, that went without knowledge and the immense respect that they deserved. I loved the strong theme of womanly friendship. And I loved how the book didn’t just end with the war, and that it exposed the trials and failures of life post-war that millions experienced and were failed to be supported in during those times in our history. 

In saying this, what made me want to rate this book only three stars was the heavy layering of trauma upon trauma. Yes, Frankie was suffering from immense PTSD (which I also think the author did well in writing), and with PTSD there is usually a good dose of self-sabotage, which of course we saw Frankie experiencing. So I am understanding of that. But it still felt ‘too’ layered with trauma. It was just one thing after another.
I was not too keen on the main focus of romance. I think that Jamie was a good lesson, but Rye should have been rewritten and have worked out, or Henry should have worked out. OR, Frankie should have forgotten about romance and focused on herself — but again, that classic self-sabotage was the antagonist here. 
I also didn’t actually predict Jamie to have survived his extreme injuries and then pop up 10 years later. It was sweet, but no. 
I also wished to have read more about Barb and Ethel, and the Major who assigned Frankie on her arrival. Hello — complete babes. I loved their undying friendship and camaraderie. I loved when they first came to Frankie and took her back to the farm — it should have stayed those three, for at least most of the book. Perhaps, the book could have been even more womanly focused, such as exposing the horrid struggles that the Vietnamese women were forced to face and live through — or die by the hands of. 

In conclusion, I applaud the author of not only writing this story within itself, but for exposing the women of the Vietnam War, for their work and their sacrifices. 
Well done.