Play Book Tag discussion

The Uncommon Life of Alfred Warner in Six Days by Juliet Conlin - 3* - My Review

This is a novel about mental health and a family secret. Alfred, now approaching eighty years of age, travels by train to Berlin to meet his granddaughter Brynja. When she does not appear, he tells his life story to a kind stranger, Julia. There are three rotating narratives, one for each of these three main characters. Alfred’s life story is powerful and compelling, covering the loss of his parents in his youth, his experiences in World War II, the voices in his head, marriage, and his later life in Scotland and England. The other two stories were not of the same quality. Brynja’s chapters are told in reverse chronological order and contain a great deal of disturbing content. Julia serves the role of witness, as she takes Alfred into her home and listens to his life story. For me, this book could have been entirely focused on Alfred and I probably would have loved it. Brynja’s part contains more graphic content and abuse than I could handle, and it seemed unnecessary. Alfred’s story deserves 4 or 5 stars, but the other two could have been shortened and incorporated into the main story.

PBT Content Warnings: (view spoiler)[suicide, graphic sex, many forms of abuse, and untreated schizophrenia (hide spoiler)]