Found on the sales shelf of the Barons Court Library. At 20p who could resist this read?

The story was a gripping one for the first 400 pages but it began to sag a bit and I was urging the author to move the plot along and come to the point. The point being Sophie and her ghastly choice. I was less upset and shocked by Sophie's choice than I expected to be but I guess that's indicative of the changing world and how desensitised to mindless abhorrent violence and torture I seem to have become. I think that's the most haunting thing about the book for me in that it didn't haunt me enough!

Having the post holocaust world put in context by having events and the social scene of New York put in context was an intriguing touch for which I thank the author. I tried to keep in mind that the work was semi autobiographical and that the characters on some (many?) levels were 'real', this was often hard to do. The central characters were never very likeable because of this.

I felt that the plot was tied up and done with and I had to almost drag myself kicking and screaming through the last (to my mind, excess) 30 or so pages.

The end of the book saddens me as I feel Sophie made another bad choice, in fact her life seemed to be riddled with them.

RELEASE NOTES:

Left in the foyer just before a dazzling performance by Iggy & the Stooges. I am truly loving the new Southbank Centre and hope whoever finds the book enjoyed the gig and the book!