La pouponnière d'Himmler - Caroline de Mulder

 

One of the usual random books that I pick up because I like the title (well, I really, really, really don't like Himmler, but let's say the title sparked my curiosity). 

Bonus points for allowing me to read about a reality that I vaguely knew of, but that I rarely read about in my history books and articles. And in general for being quite touching in the portrayal of the solitude of a young girl who comes to the realization that she has been taken for a ride and that will always be an outsider, no matter where she is. 

And to be honest, given the nature of book, I'm also quite willing to accept the (relatively) uplifting finale (also because it's not overly saccharine after all). 

Normal People - Sally Rooney

And this is the third book of Sally Rooney that I've read, and probably the one that I liked the least (though in all honesty I was most likely put off by the mention of the "Netflix series inspired by this book" on the cover). 

Problem 1: the decision to only look at particular episodes in the characters' lives and jump ahead in time feels overdone (I find it cheap in general, though at least Rooney does it better than Michael Cunningham in his latest book)

Problem 2: the 50 Shades of Grey turn left me indifferent to say the least

Problem 3: Marianne comes across as a bit too desperate and devoid of agency by the end of the novel, which I found a bit too much of a downer