I'm somewhat amused by the fact that folks either totally love this book or totally loathe it, which to me is a sign of a good book as it strikes many nerves.

Personally, liked the writing style and it moved me. I didn't feel it was gimmicky at all.

When I was growing up, we were still very close to the war and the incredible wounds it left. The stories of the atrocities and suffering were burned into our minds and psyches - which is a good thing, so we hopefully don't do the same thing again.

However, many today of a certain age and younger have no clue and it's apparent in how much intolerance and jingoistic thinking we seem to be awash in these days.

My daughter read this book and studied WWII this last semester and it affected her deeply and has furthered her questioning of the world around her, which pleases me. I wish more young people were encouraged to do the same.