Scan barcode
jasyyyy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hphipps's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sanjeevp's review against another edition
2.0
The book is about the story of a German immigrant, Erik Schroder, who fabricates his identity to Erik Kennedy, goes to summer camp, then college, marries and has a daughter, who he kidnaps from her mother and runs away.
The story is depressing and book is a very slow read. Some people may like it, but I could not finish this book.
The story is depressing and book is a very slow read. Some people may like it, but I could not finish this book.
gingerliss's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up because it was featured on a Dutch talk show (for the Dutchies out there: de Wereld Draait Door), once a month (I think) four bookshop employees would gather round the table and each discuss one of their favourite books of the month, at the end of the discussion they would together pronounce the unanimous decision for 'book of the month, ' this was one of the books of the month and were this book first caught my interest.
More than a year later, because apparently according to internet it was the book of the month in February 2013, I have finally gotten round to reading it. Maybe my hopes were too high. I did enjoy Schroder and the story seemed to flow well, it just didn't make me go WOW. It kind of reminded me of the Rosie Project, although a very different story, setting, and characters, I would recommend it to those who enjoyed The Rosie Project (which was, I believe also a candidate for book of the month).
More than a year later, because apparently according to internet it was the book of the month in February 2013, I have finally gotten round to reading it. Maybe my hopes were too high. I did enjoy Schroder and the story seemed to flow well, it just didn't make me go WOW. It kind of reminded me of the Rosie Project, although a very different story, setting, and characters, I would recommend it to those who enjoyed The Rosie Project (which was, I believe also a candidate for book of the month).
cassandralovesfeta's review against another edition
4.0
The author gives the main character a great voice in this novel. Entertaining and well written. I enjoyed it.
dsbressette's review against another edition
3.0
The author did an fantastic job of making the reader feel compassion for Schroder and not just dislike him for his actions. The first half was excellent, but it slowed down a bit and picked up again at the end. I would give it 3.5 stars.
suebee135's review against another edition
4.0
Erik Schroder is writing a letter to his estranged wife. It is an apology and an explanation as to why he felt compelled to kidnap their daughter. Writing from the correctional facility from which he awaits trial, Erik recounts his life and the choices he’s made that have brought him to this point.
Soon after fleeing East Germany with his father, a young Erik made his first mistake, the ramifications of which were not fully realized until several years later. This lie, his invention of a new name and life history on a summer camp application seemed harmless enough at the time. Out of desperation to leave his German roots and Boston home behind him, Erik Schroder becomes Eric Kennedy. It is as Eric Kennedy, not Erik Schroder that he attends summer camp, goes off to college, falls in love and gets married. It is as Eric Kennedy that he kidnaps his daughter, but it is as Erik Schroder that he now sits in jail.
This is a moving and thought provoking novel that will demand discussion, making it a great choice for book groups. The moral and ethical issues that arise, as well as who may be Erik’s most sympathetic victim, are all fodder for a lively conversation.
Soon after fleeing East Germany with his father, a young Erik made his first mistake, the ramifications of which were not fully realized until several years later. This lie, his invention of a new name and life history on a summer camp application seemed harmless enough at the time. Out of desperation to leave his German roots and Boston home behind him, Erik Schroder becomes Eric Kennedy. It is as Eric Kennedy, not Erik Schroder that he attends summer camp, goes off to college, falls in love and gets married. It is as Eric Kennedy that he kidnaps his daughter, but it is as Erik Schroder that he now sits in jail.
This is a moving and thought provoking novel that will demand discussion, making it a great choice for book groups. The moral and ethical issues that arise, as well as who may be Erik’s most sympathetic victim, are all fodder for a lively conversation.
spinstah's review against another edition
3.0
This was pretty good. There are footnotes, which I tend to dislike in fiction. Either the information is important enough to go into the story or it can be cut. These worked OK given that the concept of the novel is that’s it’s a confession.
cupcakes_and_coffee's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow, I have really started 2024 with some intense, double meaning, thought provoking, sometimes crazy, books! This was a rollercoaster for me! It was sometimes awful but also intriguing. I spent a lot of time at the beginning trying to figure the MC out. I truly didn’t know if I felt compassion for him or anger. I think in the end, I found him to be flawed, to have lived through his own struggles, but still loved deeply and in a lot of ways was doing his best. I think it’ll be a great conversation at bookclub because there’s definitely a lot to process and pick apart!