THE ORPHAN'S TALE

Every holocaust novel I read has managed to shock me to the core.I just cannot comprehend how inhuman people were and it is heart-wrenching to even read about the atrocities committed on millions of innocent Jews.
The Story:
Set in a travelling circus during a very dark time in history,The Orphan's Tale is narrated from the POV of two extraordinary women,Noa and Astrid and speaks about the special friendship they forge during a time when there is little hope for survival.

Sixteen year old ,Noa has been cast out in disgrace after becoming pregnant by a Nazi soldier and is forced to give up her baby.She lives above a small rail station where she works as a sweeper.When she discovers a box car containing dozens of Jewish infants bound for a concentration camp,she is reminded of the child that was taken from her.Unable to face the scene before her and overcome by emotion ,she snatches one of the babies and flees into the snowy night.She finds refuge in a German circus but she has to learn the flying trapeze act so that she can be considered one of their own and not arouse any suspicion.The task to train her is handed over to Astrid ,the leading aerialist,who initially is not pleased with the arrangement.But the rivalry slowly changes into friendship.But these are harrowing times and everyone has secrets which threaten their very existence if revealed.Does friendship transcend all barriers and is only friendship enough to save one another?

My Views:

I read this book in two -sittings and it was certainly unputdownable.It is a well researched book and the writing is flawless.The circus makes for an interesting background.Even with war raging all around ,it is as if this part of the world is untouched by it.People probably came there to forget about what was going on around them.It was like entering a snow-globe.It was heartening to read that the circus did shelter some Jews.Astrid is one of them and has a past of her own.It was horrifying to read how they constantly lived in fear.

The narration alternated between Astrid and Noa.The voices however were not very distinct and I had to turn back a couple of times to confirm who it was I was reading about.But the characters did propel the story forward.The supporting cast of characters have their own stories and bring to light the fact that people are not all black or white but always have shades of grey to them.

It was heartrending to read about the boxcar full of Jewish babies headed for the concentration camp.Noa ,searching for redemption takes one of them and this decision changes everything forever.

The relationship between Astrid and Noa is beautifully etched.Despite having secrets which can ruin their chance at survival they confide in one another.In times like these ,when its difficult to understand who to trust,a friendship is the thread that holds everything together.Eventually Noa and Astrid are more than family to each other.But time changes everything and sacrifices have to be made.It was heartbreaking to read about love found and then lost.It is an ode to the human spirit which does not die even in the bleakest of conditions.In times of uncertain futures and little chance at survival ,this is a riveting story about love,friendship,family,resilience,courage,sacrifice and survival.

The ending made me really emotional and I thought it couldnt have ended any other way.

This book is highly recommended.
I rate it a  5 out of  5.

THE SNOWMAN

AND im BACK!!!!

and I proclaim here in black and white that im a thriller-aficionada ,so no surprises there when I tell you that I abandoned two books mid-way to pick this one up.I love the process of choosing what to read next.The anticipation is thrilling and I never know what ill be reading until the last minute.There was something really compelling about this book which made me pick it up and finish reading it in a couple of sittings.Besides I had been really wanting to read something by Jo Nesbo since quite a while now.

Just what is it about Scandinavian crime writers that they get it right every single time?!First Stieg Larsson and now Jo Nesbo.They really are at the top of their game.But let me not jump the gun.

So coming to the plot:-

This is the seventh book in the Harry Hole series.Set in Oslo.Its the first snow of the season and a boy named Jonas wakes in the night to find his mother gone.Out of his window he sees a snowman that mysteriously appeared in the yard with his mothers pink scarf around its neck.
Hole is assigned the case and suspects a link between a letter he has recieved and the diasppearances.The course of the investigation unearths more unsolved murders happened over the years always with the first snowfall and all clues point towards the diabolical machinations of a serial killer.
As the investigation deepens,the plot gets murkier,with the killer always being a step ahead in the game.

My Views:

Theres a debate about whether these books should be read in order, this being the seventh book in the series.But I dont believe in playing by the rules so I did not and in my opinion this one is pretty much a stand alone novel. I have previously read and loved Stieg Larsson and just like him Jo Nesbo doesnt disappoint.

The hero is just the way I love them-flawed.There is something about perfect characters that I find terribly annoying.So Harry Hole was perfect in an imperfect kind of way.He is eccentric,defies authority,struggles with alcoholism,has trouble with his romantic life,lives alone,fiercely pursues whatever it is he's chasing and lives for his job.

I found the reference to American politics in the 90's a bit out of place but I chose to see beyond that and soon got lost in Holes world

The book managed to create an electrifying atmosphere.The investigation takes the reader on a wild chase ,the plot is really intricate and you dont see whats coming next--the hallmark of a smashing thriller.The story does not waver from the main plot for even a minute and unnecessary details are avoided.The tension runs high throughout and there are red herrings thrown in for good measure.So its cool to see that even the hero goes wrong before he gets it right.

I hated the fact that I couldnt figure out the case before Harry Hole did and at one point I began suspecting everyone in the book.

The letter he recieves is bizarre.The killer is someone who thinks that he is the best in Norway and does everything he can to prove that point.Totally edge of the seat thriller with a satisfying ending.

And as if this werent enough the movie with Michael Fassbender as Harry Hole is slated for release this year.

The book was totally worth my time.

I rate it a 4 out of 5.