Tuesday, December 7, 2010

"Summer of My German Soldier" by Bette Greene (Spoiler Alert)

Alright... I have to start of by apologizing.  This will be my third review and I realize I am going to sound like a huge critic, because, so far, let's just face it... They haven't been raves.  It's weird because, honestly, I'm usually not that hard to please when it comes to books.  Anyway, I guess I better get on with it.  This won't take long.

"Summer of my German Soldier" by Bette Greene is a book I've wanted to read since I was in the sixth grade.  It's about a Jewish girl, living in Arkansas, who falls in love with a German prisoner of war.  That's about it.  I thought it would be this sweet, charming tale with a little bit of drama (possibly war related) entwined.  Boy, was I wrong... This book completely failed to meet my expectations and all I can say is I pretty much hated it.

I hated almost everything about it and, I'm sorry, but I have nothing good to say about it.  I understand some people love this book and that's great for them, but I really don't understand why.  The entire time I was angry with the parents, annoyed with the writing, and just flat out depressed with everything else.  I kept reading it hoping that it's saving grace might be a sweet romance of a forbidden love. (Forgive the 'Romeo and Juliet' in me.  I'm a sucker for that stuff.)  Oh no... Not only is there no substantial love story, but the boy dies!!  HE DIES!!  WHAT!?!  And he died a fair piece before the book was over.  Quite honestly, at that point, I almost said "Forget this... There's no point in reading it now."  However, I figured "I've already made it this far... I may as well finish."  So I did... And I was right... There was no point.  It only gets more depressing as the girl is sent to a reform school because she fed and clothed and starving German kid.  What a horrible thing to do (*Insert Sarcasm Here*).  She loses the few people who ever loved her and the book ends with a "trying to be meaningful" message about how she's got her life ahead of her and now, after all that's happened, she needs to figure out how to live it.  Fail... 

Terrible... That's all I can say.  For those of you who liked the book... I admire your strength.  You probably liked 'Animal Farm' too, but for me... This book could very possibly go on my "Least Favorite Books of All Time" List... Right above 'Animal Farm' and just below that stupid vampire book I read during my 'Twilight' phase.  (That one was so bad, I, obviously, can't even remember the name of it.)

All of that being said... I'm glad I read it.  I'll never again have to wonder about that book that I always said I would read, but just hadn't gotten around to yet.  On the other hand, the version that I made up in my head would have been much better.  Maybe I would have been better off believing that's how the story actually played out.

Okay... I'm done.  I think I made my point.  I'll leave you now to your own devices.  Coming up next is my review of "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" by Stephanie Meyer.  

But, for now... Go read something else!  Ciao.
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My purpose for this blog is to express my opinions and thoughts of the books I read. I want to inform the world (or, more specifically and realistically, my friends who may actually be interested) on which books inspire me, which make me angry or sad, and which I just plain love for the simplicity of them.

Too often I read books and, because I do not discuss them or share them with others, the meanings behind them just drift into the nothingness that is the back of my mind, very likely never to be recalled again. Too often do I say, "Yes, I've read that! I loved it!" and then realize I don't remember a thing about the book in question. I don't like that... I don't like that at all, Jerry.

So... Here I am. I've decided to blog about it. Why? Because it seems like that's the thing to do when you want to say something but don't know who to say it to. This blog will be me... Giving my own personal (and ultra valuable) opinion. Some of the posts may have information about the books that you do not want to know. The posts in which I feel may be giving something away, will have "Spoiler Alert!" in the title. In these, I may, quite possibly, be going into detail on the story, so if you haven't read the book and don't want to know about it, then PLEASE don't read that particular post. Just sayin'... I don't want any of you book club ladies getting angry with me because I spoiled the end of 'Pride and Prejudice' for you. (;

There you go... That's what this is all about. And, here I go... Off to cuddle up in my jammie jams with a warm cup of tea and read something. I'll be back when I'm back. Enjoy!