Historical fiction is not usually my top pick, but after reading A View Across the Rooftops by Suzanne Kelman, I may have to re-evaluate and read more of this genre. It was an extraordinary lyrical book that perfectly captured the hopelessness of occupation while also celebrating the human spirit and instinct for survival.
I thought Josef’s character was exceptionally well-done (which is good, since the whole plot centers around his actions). He had allowed his grief to envelope him to the point that he was barely living any meaningful existence. It takes a few actions by the Nazis to make him realize that his self-imposed emotional prison is nothing compared to the atrocities that his neighbors and friends were facing.
The author did an excellent job of conveying the mood and atmosphere of all aspects of occupation and did so by personifying them in her characters. For example, Ingrid’s eagerness to support the Third Reich showed how much she longed for stability and a comfortable life, mainly due to her unsettled childhood. She was blind to the true nature of the Nazis in her desire for steadiness. And her realizations about the truth come only after some truly horrific events.
Honestly, I wish I had the time and space to analyze each of the characters because I think each one of them was multifaceted and changed throughout the story. The journey of the characters through occupation is as long and complicated as the war itself.
An underlying theme of perseverance through adversity is also well-thought-out. Michael maintains his personality for most of the book, only falling into real despair once (no spoilers). Hannah realizes that she has more courage than she thought possible. Even little Eva finds something that keeps her motivated while destruction surrounds her.
I do not get emotional at books, but this one had me crying in quite a few places. Some of it was due to the author’s ability to convey the emotions of the moment, but it was also at the realization of the sheer evilness that humanity can exhibit. Hate, and the belief of inherent superiority, is a destructive force. Those who ignore the rise of suppressive forces are doomed to suffer under it. It takes internal fortitude, and a belief in the fundamental good in people, to overcome it.
A View Across the Rooftops is well-written, full of description and depth, and it should go straight to the top of your reading list. Â Â
A View Across the Rooftops by Suzanne KelmanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Epic. There is no other way to describe this story. It is an incredible journey through occupied Amsterdam, from 1941 to after the war in 1947. The characters are realistic, and the author did an excellent job of creating a representative cross-section of people, from the Nazi sympathizer to the members of the Dutch Resistance. When it comes to books, I am not a crier, but I found myself tearing up several times at both the sheer beauty and the utter despair on the pages. This is one of my favorite books I have read this year, by far. For a detailed review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of the book.
View all my reviews
Author bio
Suzanne Kelman is a 2015 Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Finalist, Multi-Award-Winning Screenwriter and a Film Producer. As well as working in film she is also an International Amazon Bestselling Fiction Author of the Southlea Bay Series – The Rejected Writers’ Book Club, Rejected Writers Take the Stage and The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding. Born in the United Kingdom, she now resides in Washington State. Â
- https://www.suzannekelmanauthor.com/Â
- @suzkelman
