69 pages • 2 hours read
All the Broken Places
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
400
Novel • Fiction
London, England • 2020s
2022
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
All the Broken Places by John Boyne follows Gretel, Bruno's sister from The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, navigating the aftermath of World War II. She deals with guilt and secrets about her family's Nazi history as a teenager in Paris and later as a 91-year-old in London. The novel alternates between her past and present, exploring themes of trauma, guilt, and the impact of historical atrocities. The book depicts trauma tied to the Holocaust and World War II, as well as child and domestic abuse, gaslighting, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and grooming.
Mysterious
Melancholic
Emotional
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
85,228 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
John Boyne's All the Broken Places is lauded for its compelling narrative and deep character development. Readers appreciate the nuanced exploration of guilt and redemption. However, some criticize the pacing and find certain plot points implausible. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read that effectively engages with complex themes.
Who Should Read All the Broken Places?
Readers who appreciate deeply emotional narratives, historical fiction, and complex character studies will be drawn to All the Broken Places by John Boyne. Similar to fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See, this novel offers a poignant exploration of the shadows cast by World War II.
85,228 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
400
Novel • Fiction
London, England • 2020s
2022
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.