All the Broken Places

From New York Times bestselling author John Boyne comes a powerful novel that delves into the complexities of memory and the possibility of redemption. This compelling work of Contemporary Fiction explores the life of Gretel Fernsby, a woman living with the profound weight of her past.

Ninety-one-year-old Gretel resides in a London mansion block, her quiet existence a stark contrast to the disturbing secrets she carries from her childhood in Nazi Germany and the postwar years. Her father's role as commandant of a notorious extermination camp remains a deeply buried trauma. The arrival of a new family downstairs, particularly the young boy Henry, stirs long-suppressed memories and forces Gretel to confront the darkness she has spent a lifetime avoiding.

As Gretel forms an unlikely bond with Henry, she witnesses a disturbing event that threatens her carefully constructed peace. The narrative skillfully moves between Gretel's past and present, presenting her with a critical choice. Faced with the chance to protect a child, she must decide whether to reveal the secrets she has guarded for decades, potentially confronting her guilt, grief, and remorse. This profound exploration of Historical Fiction and Literary Fiction questions whether it is ever too late for bravery and a different path.