Nineteen Steps: The emotional Sunday Times bestselling WW2 historical romance debut novel

It’s 100 good

El primer libro que mi hija se pidio leer en inglés

Nineteen Steps is fantastic! I didn't know what to expect given it's the debut novel of a teenage actress, but I tried to go in with an open mind and give it a shot. The three-page prologue hooked me immediately and drew me into the world of the novel, which was a good first impression. From there, the book is divided into three parts, each spanning a separate time period in WWII. The first part does a nice job setting the stage, introducing the characters, and detailing the rhythms of everyday life in 1940s Bethnal Green without being too long or wordy. The prose is generally succinct and clean and it is a rather efficient read at 300 tightly plotted pages. The second part, though...that's where the book really hits hard. I was flying while reading most of the book and two separate flight attendants asked me if I was ok because I was in tears multiple times at the profoundly devastating events that unfold. They're so affecting because you really care for the book's main character, Nellie, and she endures so much trauma in such a short period of time. I truly did not expect some of the more tragic twists in her personal story - often in similar stories they happen to secondary characters rather than primary characters - and by the time you get to part three, you'll be entirely wrung out. Part three is a relatively short denouement that does a great job not ignoring or effacing the past trauma, but showing how someone can pick up the pieces and try to move forward. The end is somewhat surprising and perhaps a little too neat/coincidental, but it still manages to pull on the heartstrings and deliver on the emotional promise of the rest of the book. Highly recommended - great historical fiction wrapped around a sweet love story. Prepare yourself for waterworks!

Sehr gut

Muy buena novela, 100% recomendable

Comme j'admire et que j'aime cette incroyable jeune femme, j'ai aimé son roman que j'ai dévoré. Merci!