'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' is the only book where I have ever had to sit there for half an hour afterwards just staring at the cover in stunned disbelief after finishing it. So when I found out a few months ago that a sequel was being released, it immediately went on my TBR list. 'All the Broken Places' follows Gretel, Bruno's big sister, both in the immediate aftermath of the war as she and her mother try to outrun the horrors perpetuated by her father at 'Out-With', and as a woman in her nineties faced with another nine year old boy whose life might just be in her hands.

The has a very similar vibe to a lot of other books I've read recently; 'Her Fearful Symmetry', 'The Alice Network' and 'All the Light We Cannot See' among them. It's not dark in itself, but it deals with uncomfortable themes and there are certainly dark moments therein. The author is giving us an unvarnished view of Gretel's life and asking the reader to judge her based on that. 

It's powerfully written; the narrative is very well put together, and although you have to navigate two intertwined timelines, this one is very easy to follow. The flow of the story isn't interrupted by the continual back and forth; indeed, it one of the best executed books I've read in this style. It was a quick read for me; I only picked it up from the library this morning! And, despite the heavy subject matter, it is surprisingly easy to read.

I would argue that there are elements of a redemption arc for Gretel, but it's not that straightforward either. She's not a sweet old lady, and yet there are moments of genuine tenderness between her and her nine year old downstairs neighbour. I can't say you end up cheering this girl on, but at the same time there is a sense of her actions being justified. This book definitely leads to complicated feelings!

The sad thing is that this book doesn't offer that same gut punching emotion as its predecessor. I think calling it a 'sequel' is probably misleading. It uses the same characters and develops them, but it's tangential. I'd say you're better off considering them a duology - a two part series, rather than a prequel and sequel. Subtle difference I know, but it may help temper expectations. It does still make you think, but I'm not sitting here now, dumbfounded.

If you did enjoy 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas', do consider giving this a go.