66 pages 2 hours read

John Boyne

All the Broken Places

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

All the Broken Places by John Boyne follows Gretel, Bruno's sister from The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, navigating the aftermath of World War II. She deals with guilt and secrets about her family's Nazi history as a teenager in Paris and later as a 91-year-old in London. The novel alternates between her past and present, exploring themes of trauma, guilt, and the impact of historical atrocities. The book depicts trauma tied to the Holocaust and World War II, as well as child and domestic abuse, gaslighting, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and grooming.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

John Boyne's All the Broken Places is lauded for its compelling narrative and deep character development. Readers appreciate the nuanced exploration of guilt and redemption. However, some criticize the pacing and find certain plot points implausible. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read that effectively engages with complex themes.

Who should read this

Who Should Read All the Broken Places?

Readers who appreciate deeply emotional narratives, historical fiction, and complex character studies will be drawn to All the Broken Places by John Boyne. Similar to fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See, this novel offers a poignant exploration of the shadows cast by World War II.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Drama / Tragedy

Period

Holocaust

WWII / World War II

Topics

Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Military / War

History: World

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Guilt

Relationships: Family

Relationships: Mothers