The Resolutioners Book Club discussion

Let's be honest, I didn't really like this book for the longest time. It's slow building (very slow), but beautifully written. I knew that I needed to stick with it until the end, and I am glad I did. I want to thank this book club for forcing me to read something a little out of my comfort zone, something I would not have picked up on my own, and something I would have normally given up on long ago.

This book is set during WWII and showcases two main (including small other's) points of view--a blind French girl who is named Marie-Laure and a boy who is a radio expert in the German army named Werner. This story focuses not only on their childhood and development during this time of war, but also on the mentality of the world at large during this unforgettable time.

I think that a big reason why I did not originally enjoy the flow of this novel was because of the lack of linear plot line. It does not have a singular focus and often jumps from different points of view, different times, and ever changing topics. However, when everything seems to connect in the end (whether it be how I anticipated or not) I started to flip through the pages much faster and find myself getting lost in all of the subtle hints to each characters past.

If you're looking for a book that will be a quick and easy read, something that will occupy your mind only for the moment that you are reading it then this book may not be for you. This book is thought provoking for days at a time; you can expect to set the book down and continue thinking of the characters and the war and their trials all through your day. While the book is slow starting and can be difficult to read, I think that sticking with it and contemplating the deeper meaning of each short segment within the chapters will impact your views on WWII, the people who serve for our country, and the feelings of others throughout the world.

I also rated it 4 stars. I would recommend starting this book when you have enough time to devote to reading the first 60 pages straight though. I did so and found that was the point that I had developed attachment to the characters and their relationships and wanted to continue reading to see how they evolved. I wished there had been a relationship between Marie Laurence and Werner much sooner with more of a romance to keep readers enticed. I felt deflated in the realization that the main characters cross paths for mere hours and the only tie they have is her uncle's radio broadcast. I find myself asking, "Why couldn't they have corresponded over the radio somehow?" and "Could they have survived together in the cellar to build a relationship against all odds?," but then maybe that would be too cliche. I also wished there was more of an emotional connection to Jutta in order to feel a stronger impact during her travels at the end. Overall I enjoyed reading this book, especially the relationship between Marie Laurence and her father and the friendship of Werner and Frederick.