MY POOR HEART COULDN'T TAKE THIS BOOK.

To say this was an emotional read is a huge understatement. I think I actually made some inhuman noises on the train while reading this.

The best thing about this book is how much John Boyne just 'gets' people. The characters are so real and tangible, and he brilliant balances the plot and characters. The subtlety with which he wrote is incredible; very few authors manage to make the readers care for the characters so, so much, while still getting across their underlying message with a combined emotional punch.

Conclusion? Just read it. I cannot recommend this book enough.