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The Boat Runner: A Novel
Escrito por Devin Murphy
Narrado por Matthew Waterson
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In the tradition of All The Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale, comes an incandescent debut novel about a young Dutch man who comes of age during the perilousness of World War II.
Beginning in the summer of 1939, fourteen-year-old Jacob Koopman and his older brother, Edwin, enjoy lives of prosperity and quiet contentment. Many of the residents in their small Dutch town have some connection to the Koopman lightbulb factory, and the locals hold the family in high esteem.
On days when they aren't playing with friends, Jacob and Edwin help their Uncle Martin on his fishing boat in the North Sea, where German ships have become a common sight. But conflict still seems unthinkable, even as the boys' father naively sends his sons to a Hitler Youth Camp in an effort to secure German business for the factory.
When war breaks out, Jacob's world is thrown into chaos. The Boat Runner follows Jacob over the course of four years, through the forests of France, the stormy beaches of England, and deep within the secret missions of the German Navy, where he is confronted with the moral dilemma that will change his life—and his life's mission—forever.
Epic in scope and featuring a thrilling narrative with precise, elegant language, The Boat Runner tells the little-known story of the young Dutch boys who were thrown into the Nazi campaign, as well as the brave boatmen who risked everything to give Jewish refugees safe passage to land abroad. Through one boy's harrowing tale of personal redemption, here is a novel about the power of people's stories and voices to shine light through our darkest days, until only love prevails.
Ações de livro
Comece a ouvirDados do livro
The Boat Runner: A Novel
Escrito por Devin Murphy
Narrado por Matthew Waterson
Descrição
In the tradition of All The Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale, comes an incandescent debut novel about a young Dutch man who comes of age during the perilousness of World War II.
Beginning in the summer of 1939, fourteen-year-old Jacob Koopman and his older brother, Edwin, enjoy lives of prosperity and quiet contentment. Many of the residents in their small Dutch town have some connection to the Koopman lightbulb factory, and the locals hold the family in high esteem.
On days when they aren't playing with friends, Jacob and Edwin help their Uncle Martin on his fishing boat in the North Sea, where German ships have become a common sight. But conflict still seems unthinkable, even as the boys' father naively sends his sons to a Hitler Youth Camp in an effort to secure German business for the factory.
When war breaks out, Jacob's world is thrown into chaos. The Boat Runner follows Jacob over the course of four years, through the forests of France, the stormy beaches of England, and deep within the secret missions of the German Navy, where he is confronted with the moral dilemma that will change his life—and his life's mission—forever.
Epic in scope and featuring a thrilling narrative with precise, elegant language, The Boat Runner tells the little-known story of the young Dutch boys who were thrown into the Nazi campaign, as well as the brave boatmen who risked everything to give Jewish refugees safe passage to land abroad. Through one boy's harrowing tale of personal redemption, here is a novel about the power of people's stories and voices to shine light through our darkest days, until only love prevails.
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Avaliações
Set during the Second World War this is a saga of a young Dutchman watching family, country and society collapse. That might sound very grim, but the book is highly engaging, superbly written and hopefully accessible. I'd just finished "Katalin Street" by Magda Szabo which describes similar devastation in Hungary. While the former is not the towering literary achievement of the latter (the interiority of that novel is incredibly tightly psychologically wound) "The Boat Runner" is very evocative from the narrators perspective and distinguishes itself by showing explicitly that targeted minorities would ultimately not be the only victims of Hitler's empire.
Rating: 5The Boat Runner is a fast moving coming of age story set in Holland during the Nazi years. Jacob is a Dutch teen who is confused about the war and uncertain about where his loyalties lie: Should he fight the German occupiers of his country, or the British, who dropped the bombs that destroyed much of his port town. The characters in the novel are well drawn and the plot is believable and engaging, making the book an enjoyable read.
Rating: 4I read a lot of books about WWII and this novel was a different look at the war than I've read before. The author did a fantastic job of creating a main character who drew the reader into the book from page one until the last page. It was more than just your normal coming of age story - it was a coming of age story during a time that the wrong decision could have cause your death or that of someone close to you.At the beginning of the novel, Jacob is 14 and living in a small Dutch town with his parents and his older brother. Due to the father's business, the family lives quite well and the boys are planning on a fun summer during 1939. Their lives are soon to be drastically changed when the Germans invade their town, set up camp and take over the town. After their father sends the two boys to Hitler youth Camp in Germany, Jacob is unsure of his loyalties even after the invasion. His loyalties are tested over and over throughout the next four years until he is face with a life altering decision and has to fight to stay alive. This is a beautiful well written novel about a terrible time in the history of the world. Even though the story is told about one family in one part of the world, it represents the stories of millions of people in Europe throughout this time period. This is a definite must read!Thanks to Librarything for a copy of this book to read and review.
Rating: 5A fantastic debut novel. It is 1939, Jacob is 14 years old, his father owns and runs a light manufacturing plant in their Dutch town. He looks up to his brother Edwin, and adores his mother, respects his father, who has made a very decent living for this small family. This begins to change with the arrival of the Nazis, his father trying to curry favor in the hopes of landing the large and profitable Volkswagen contract. He even sends Jacob and Edwin to the junior Nazi camp. Jacob's, Uncle is a fisherman with a large boat, his experience in the North Sea, and in an effort to save his family, goes to work for the Germans. He is, however, doing much more than is apparent.This is a coming of age story, a book about conflicting loyalties, and about a family trying to stay alive, while overcoming profound grief. A different aspect of the war, another book that adds additional information to the WWII canon. It is Jacob though, who we follow as he reacts in startling ways to the events as they unfold. He grows up during this war, quickly as many had to, watches and observes, though at first he reacts foolishly. He finely sees, and in the end will make the right, albeit dangerous choice. Some people he encounters are as need as him, some help and are invaluable to his survival. Such an interesting and well written book. It felt very honest, very authentic. While I can't say I enjoyed some of this book, the realities of that time being particularly harsh, but I did like how Jacob changed, grew up, and never gave up hope. A very good first novel.ARC from library thing.
Rating: 4Told from the first person perspective of fourteen year old Jacob Koopman. He lives in a Dutch town during the early stages of World War II with his artistic older brother, Edwin, light bulb manufacturer father and musician mother, Drika. His father, in an attempt to build better relations with the Germans for their Volkswagon business, sends Jacob and Edwin to an SS training camp where they learn different aspects of warfare through fun and games. It seemed innocent enough until all hell breaks loose. It starts with a forbidding crack. Suddenly their quiet town is overrun with soldiers imposing curfews and taking over Father Koopman's factory, then Edwin goes missing and Uncle Martin starts running ammunition and supplies for the Germans. When the Allied bombs begin to fall Jacob's life changes forever. This is a tragic story of loyalty and survival; of doing whatever it takes to take your next breath.I thoroughly enjoyed Murphy's style of writing. There were certain angular sentences that really stuck out to me. You couldn't help but catch your breath on their sharp corners. I still have scars...
Rating: 5The Boat Runner by Devin Murphy was a well-written, well-researched, engaging historical novel, but it was also incredibly intense. This was not an easy story to read; it was heart-breaking in fact, and the characters endured such grief, tragedy and heartache that this reader was left numb. That being said, It was a fascinating, emotional read about the invasion of the Nazis into Holland and the impact WWII had on the Dutch Communities, their residents, and the young boys who unwittingly became part of the Nazi campaign. Be prepared for a brutal, violent, devastating read. Recommended
Rating: 4With the onslaught of WWII, Jacob is caught between his Dutch heritage and his family's reliance on German business. When his father is forced underground, Jacob begins working on his Uncle Martin's fishing boat. While Uncle Martin appears to be a German collaborator, he is doing everything in his power to kill and sabotage the Germans. When Jacob's remaining family is killed by an allied bomb, Jacob breaks ties with Martin and joins the German army.This was a well written and interesting book. Jacob was a very likeable and sympathetic character. His struggles with nationality are pretty intriguing and, I imagine, are characteristic of the time period. Overall, well worth picking up.
Rating: 4Jacob Koopman lives in Holland with his family as war breaks out and suddenly his world turns upside down. His father, eager to land a big account with Volkswagen for his lightbulbs, travels to Germany frequently and encourages Jacob and his brother to improve relations with them by sending the boys to a German summer camp. Soon after war is declared , the Koopmans begin to feel the sting of the Third Reich and also from the relentless bombs of the Allied troops. Jacob begins to help his Uncle sabotage the Germans while pretending to aid in ferrying troops and supplies using his Uncle's boat.With the war raining down hardships and Jacob's losses adding up he begins to lose his way and finds he can no longer help either side but just survive. He begins as a boat runner and ends as a boat runner. This tragic tale is one of many in an ugly war where families were torn apart and heroes made where yesterday children stood. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Rating: 4A powerful story of a young Dutch boy coming of age at the beginning of WWII. Through Jacob's eyes we see the attraction of the Nazi's story and why he chooses to do many of the things he does as his family disappears one by one. Once he realizes the true horror of the Nazi's goal to purge the world of all the people they consider unfit, he searches for redemption and a way to come to terms with the devastation of the war both to Germany and to the rest of the world. Jacob is not easy to like and the author does not make a hero of this boy. The choices he makes are often thoughtless and cruel, but throughout his journey he recalls over and over the power of stories and how these stories bind us together and help us get through the dark times.
Rating: 5The book takes place in Denmark before and during the German occupation. The main character is a young man on the brink of adulthood. After his brother drowns (he believes thru his fault) and his father flees (after sabotaging a factory), he is emotionally mixed up. Before his father dies he sends the boys to a German boys camp (preparing them for combat). After the father leaves the boy questions who is causing all the problems. Then his mother is killed in a factory explosion and he decides the Allies are to blame and joins the Germany navy. His uncle is a secretly killing Nazi soldiers and doing whatever he can to stop the invasion. The problem is that his personal journey becomes to full of thoughts and words. You knew where it was all leading but became too lengthy for my liking.
Rating: 2This is a coming of age story set in Holland during World War II. It is told from the point of view of Jacob who is 14 at the start of the book. The book felt young adult to me, not just because of the teenaged protagonist, but because the language and images were very simple. This might have been more appropriate if the story had been told in the present tense, but Jacob is an adult now and looking back and his descriptions should have been informed by his knowledge and experience. Maybe I have just read too many WWII books and this one didn't really add anything new. It was just ok for me. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Rating: 3WWII historical fiction is my fav. This was just ok.
Rating: 3
Brilliant description of the turmoil and indecisiveness of the young mind, and how hardships of life shape and seal the metal of mankind. Gorgeous fresh perspective on war and peace, and the foul game of nationalism.
Rating: 5Started slowly. I liked it. I hated it. I liked it.
There wasn't enough "boat runner" story, but it really was more about Jacob's coming to terms with who he was and who he was going to be.
The Thump-Drag story at the end confused me at first. I thought... WHAT??? Then I went back and read it again and gave the book 4 stars.
ODD REVIEW, I know. But- read it.
Rating: 4There wasn't enough "boat runner" story, but it really was more about Jacob's coming to terms with who he was and who he was going to be.
The Thump-Drag story at the end confused me at first. I thought... WHAT??? Then I went back and read it again and gave the book 4 stars.
ODD REVIEW, I know. But- read it.
Jacob Koopman is a very young fourteen year old living in Delfzijl, Holland, in 1939. By the end of the novel Jacob is a very old twenty year old. His small town is across the estuary from Germany so there are many local ties to that country. His father owns the major business in the town, a light bulb factory, which supports its economy. He is trying to get an exclusive contract with Volkswagen to supply headlights for all their vehicles.When Mr. Koopman decides to send Jacob and his sixteen year old brother to a Hitler Youth Camp for four weeks, his wife bitterly opposes him. But, he argues, it would be good for business by showing the Germany government that his family is invested in Germany’s future. He does not advocate the Nazi doctrine; he is just a businessman with many responsibilities to his family and town.Jacob thoroughly enjoys the experience; the shooting and hand-to-hand-combat lessons, the team-building games and races, the marches and songs. He admits that his Jewish teacher does not look like the Jews in the movies the boys watch at night, but the movies are exciting. He really seems unaware of the ideology behind the activities.At some points I became frustrated with Jacob because he was so naïve. But that is what the author wanted to show…how people could be exposed to Nazi philosophy and have it really not sink in. When the Germans occupy the Dutch town, at first nothing seems too different Only when the Allies’ bombing raids cause too many personal tragedies in his life, does Jacob join the German navy. He sees the Allies, not the Germans, as the people who destroyed his secure life.Jacob’s journey from an innocent boy to young man who faced with evil redeems himself is a journey worth following. Another strong aspect of this novel is the response of the Dutch people to the crisis. Many tried not to think about it until it affected them personally. When the Germans invaded, they cooperated in order to keep their lifestyles and, later, just to keep their families safe. Some actively collaborated but most kept going through the motions in an attempt to survive. Others, like Jacob’s fisherman uncle, were a part of a resistance who risked their lives to help Jews and other "undesireables" to escape to England. War turns ordinary people into heroes and villains. A four star novel.
Rating: 4This coming of age war story is a powerful page turner. While it successfully deals with Holland’s invasion and occupation by Nazi Germany and the loyalty struggles the Dutch were faced with, it also addresses the unspeakable human savagery that takes place during war. As I read this book, I was reminded of a statement I heard on Ken Burns ongoing Vietnam documentary (paraphrased): "Tigers kill, but only to eat, where humans kill simply to murder." No one wins during war, as this novel aptly reveals. A worthwhile read.
Rating: 3Gritty and heartbreaking coming of age story set in World War II occupied Holland. Jacob Koopman and his family were caught between two sides amid the tragedies and horrors of war. It is young Jacob’s harrowing wartime journeys that leads to his loss of innocence and a childhood cut short. Incredibly intense and unforgettable story of this boy’s survival and redemption.
Rating: 5I wasn't totally enamored of this book. It was readable but, for my part, it's not going up with All Quiet on the Western Front or even All the Light We Cannot See as an example of war fiction. I had two fundamental problems with the story. First, it's a coming of age story. Unfortunately, the focus on Jacob, the boy in question, is lost amidst the overwhelming recounting of the horrors of war. From cover to cover the story is an assault of death, torture, mutilation, etc. There's nothing inherently wrong with a story about the horrors of war...but then the author needs to own the fact that he's writing that kind of book and not freight that message on the back of a rather insipid boy growing a little backbone in the final 50 pages.Second, the book is written as a retrospective from later life, yet the tone of the book has none of the maturity of age nor the mood of recollection about it. Given the ending, I would have expected a tone of, "I was a mindless sheep of a boy with dreams of glory until...," to permeate from the very beginning. It didn't. Most of the story is told almost as if it's present-day action. And, there is something about the short, choppy sentences that seems like a youth talking, even though I'm well aware that youth tend more toward run-on sentences.Readable but not memorable.
Rating: 3