All the Broken Places

A Novel

De: John Boyne

Narrado por: Kristin Atherton, Helen Lloyd

“You can’t prepare yourself for the magnitude and emotional impact of this powerful novel.” —John Irving, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The World According to Garp

“Exceptional, layered and compelling…This book moves like a freight train.” —Amy Bloom, New York Times bestselling author of In Love

From the New York Times bestselling author John Boyne, a devastating, beautiful story about a woman who must confront the sins of her own terrible past, and a present in which it is never too late for bravery

Ninety-one-year-old Gretel Fernsby has lived in the same well-to-do mansion block in London for decades. She lives a quiet, comfortable life, despite her deeply disturbing, dark past. She doesn’t talk about her escape from Nazi Germany at age 12. She doesn’t talk about the grim post-war years in France with her mother. Most of all, she doesn’t talk about her father, who was the commandant of one of the Reich’s most notorious extermination camps.

Then, a new family moves into the apartment below her. In spite of herself, Gretel can’t help but begin a friendship with the little boy, Henry, though his presence brings back memories she would rather forget. One night, she witnesses a disturbing, violent argument between Henry’s beautiful mother and his arrogant father, one that threatens Gretel’s hard-won, self-contained existence.

All The Broken Places moves back and forth in time between Gretel’s girlhood in Germany to present-day London as a woman whose life has been haunted by the past. Now, Gretel faces a similar crossroads to one she encountered long ago. Back then, she denied her own complicity, but now, faced with a chance to interrogate her guilt, grief and remorse, she can choose to save a young boy. If she does, she will be forced to reveal the secrets she has spent a lifetime protecting. This time, she can make a different choice than before—whatever the cost to herself….

Reseñas de la Crítica

“When is a monster’s child culpable? Guilt and complicity are multifaceted. John Boyne is a maestro of historical fiction. You can’t prepare yourself for the magnitude and emotional impact of this powerful novel.”
—John Irving, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The World According to Garp

“This novel, this exceptional, layered and compelling story, is built on modern history and all of us people who live it. The protagonist, the elderly, forthright and mysterious Mrs. Fernsby, is more than memorable and every one of Boyne’s characters, and every scene, dark or light, is limned in truth and insight. This book moves like a freight train,with force and consequence for the reader.”
—Amy Bloom, New York Times bestselling author of In Love

“John Boyne has written a propulsive, heartrending mystery that delivers on both an intellectual and emotional level. It is the story of Gretel Fernsby, a ninety-one year old woman who has spent her life keeping a terrible secret, and the reckoning she faces when past and present collide. Complex. Ferocious. Beautiful and hard. I could not put this novel down.”
—Ariel Lawhon, New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène

“What an incredible feat of storytelling. All the Broken Places is a stark confrontation of evil, an examination of guilt and deflection, and an old-fashioned page-turner. John treads the finest of narrative lines with skill and grace and proves himself yet again to be among the world's greatest storytellers.”
—Donal Ryan, #1 international bestselling author of The Queen of Dirt Island and Strange Flowers

“A powerful novel about secrets and atonement after Auschwitz… All the Broken Places is a defence of literature’s need to shine a light on the darkest aspects of human nature; and it does so with a novelist’s skill, precision and power.”
—The Guardian

“This is a powerful page-turner, a novel that tackles complex issues while keeping its reader utterly gripped. Gretel's "final story" is an essential one.”
—Minneapolis Star-Tribune

“Clear your calendar. Get All the Broken Places and just don’t make any plans, other than to read and read and read.”
—Washington Blade

“A complex, thoughtful character study that avoids easy answers.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“In Gretel, Boyne has created a magnificently dyspeptic protagonist whose self-assurance, sharp tongue and wry humor are at odds with her private agony.”
—the Financial Times

Slow start, but an excellent book overall.

I love books with multiple perspectives and/or timelines. I found myself struggling early in the book to remember who was who. I also love WWII historical fiction, and this did not disappoint. The unique perspectives of the characters are not the usual cookie cutter characters, and I found them to be quite interesting.

A Book I Will Remember

I need time to process this book, it’s one of those that will stick with you. I couldn’t wait to get to the end but didn’t want it to end, if that resonates. Truly stunning book. Bravo to the author.

Exceptional Storytelling

John Boyne is an exceptional storyteller. Just when I thought I had a firm grasp on how the story was making me feel, up popped an unexpected significant twist, delivered perfectly... yet almost nonchalantly... that immediately altered my perspective and made me ponder: we really don't know anyone, do we? Sometimes even our own hearts. Beautifully performed by both narrators.

The narrator

I Loved everything about this book. The topic, the characters, the different settings and descriptions were marvelous.

Compelling

The story grips you and holds your attention till the end. Character development is excellent and the narration is wonderful. Highly recommended.

Stroy lines

Loved the narration and story. I didn't even realize it wad related the boy in the striped pajamas until like chapter 4 and that's embarrassing but a wonderful listen and painfully addicting story.

John Boyne is a genius

Beautiful and tragic and heartfelt and disturbing. Reading Boy in the Striped Pajamas first is a must.

A great layer storyline

The book kept me wanting to know more about each character. I truly enjoyed this book!

Great story - exceptional

The story is terrific and the narration, really well done. We hear a diversity of accents from various characters, easy to understand but true to the countries of the characters. One of the best novels I have listened to, and I have listened to many!

Read it!

Such a phenomenal sequel to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I loved the ending especially. So many call backs to the first book.