Happy Thursday! Today I have a review of John Boyne’s newest, much-anticipated release, A Ladder to the Sky, publishing via Crown and Hogarth on November 13, 2018!
My Thoughts:
My first book by John Boyne, and I’d say it’s rather impressive!
Maurice Swift is at the center of this story. He is a handsome fellow and people like him; however, he only cares about success. His own, as a writer. At any cost.
The story begins in West Berlin in 1988. Swift is a waiter in a hotel when he meets famous novelist Erich Ackermann. While he makes fast friends with Ackermann, he takes advantage and lures a scandalous secret about his behavior during World War II.
Swift sees this as free fodder for the book he wants to write. That begins his path to success, and onwards and upwards he travels until he no longer knows the truth from fiction, or even who he is anymore.
Wow, Swift is a character you will quickly love to hate. As much as I disliked him, completely abhorred him, I was entranced with his story and had to know how far he would go for his next story.
Boyne’s writing is what everyone says it is. Smooth, buttery, intricately detailed, smart, and completely absorbing. Maurice Swift made my skin crawl with his hatred for humankind (and probably himself) and his complete moral disregard. When a character turns your stomach in that way, you know you’ve been on a powerful journey.
Thank you to Crown Publishing and Hogarth Books for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
The new novel from the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and The Heart’s Invisible Furies , a seductive Highsmithian psychodrama following one brilliant, ruthless man who will stop at nothing in his pursuit of fame
Maurice Swift is handsome, charming, and hungry for success. The one thing he doesn’t have is talent – but he’s not about to let a detail like that stand in his way. After all, a would-be writer can find stories anywhere. They don’t need to be his own.
Working as a waiter in a West Berlin hotel in 1988, Maurice engineers the perfect opportunity: a chance encounter with celebrated novelist Erich Ackermann. He quickly ingratiates himself with the powerful – but desperately lonely – older man, teasing out of Erich a terrible, long-held secret about his activities during the war. Perfect material for Maurice’s first novel.
Once Maurice has had a taste of literary fame, he knows he can stop at nothing in pursuit of that high. Moving from the Amalfi Coast, where he matches wits with Gore Vidal, to Manhattan and London, Maurice hones his talent for deceit and manipulation, preying on the talented and vulnerable in his cold-blooded climb to the top. But the higher he climbs, the further he has to fall…
Have you read A Ladder to the Sky, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
A fabulous review and picture, Jennifer. I have not read this one. Yes, I am adding this psychodrama to my long tbr list. Thank you and happy reading. ❤️🌺📚😍
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Thank you, Virginia! This is another I think you’d enjoy. Happy Thursday! 💗 xoxo
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Awesome review, Jenn! Glad you ended up enjoying this one. I’ve liked everything I’ve read by the author so far. Will add this one. 🧡❤🧡
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Thanks, favorite M! I’m looking forward to seeing what you think of this one. It seems to be different than his others- a little darker? But so thought-provoking, well-written, and just fantastic. Happy Thursday! ♥️ Xoxo
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Over the top happy that you liked this one. Isn’t Boyne just the best? Now you Must read his The Heart’s Invisible Furies,Jennifer. You will not be disappointed, and yes, hardly a more despicable character than Maurice Swift!
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Thanks, Marialyce! He truly is! I have Heart’s at the very top of my summer reading list. I can’t wait for it! Yes, Maurice- ick!
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Great review! Just reading the synopsis I can already sense feelings of dislike growing internally.
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Just to clarify … for the main character, not the book! ☺️
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Thanks, LP! Yes! He just makes your skin crawl!
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“Smooth, buttery, intricately detailed…” Ooh, you know how to hook me😍 I have this book and now I’ve gotta read it soon. That’s a delicious review, Jennifer!
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Aw, thank you, Jonetta! I’m so excited to hear what you think now! I want to hear your thoughts on Maurice!
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Sadly Jennifer those kind of people are all over the world – and they aren’t just fiction.
Great review.
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Thanks so much, and that’s true, Jina. I think it was the author’s intention to expose some of that darkness.
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You need to read his last book, Heart’s invisible furies, I think you will love it!!
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Thank you, Annie! I definitely need to spend some time with that one- can’t wait! ♥️
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John Boyne is such a fantastic writer. I love his work! 🙂 Fab review.
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Thank you, Chrissi! He truly is! ♥️
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Lovely review! I will be reading this over the weekend!💕
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Thank you, Berit! I can’t wait to hear what you think! I wish I had read it with you! ♥️
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Another author I’ve never read! Wonderful review Jen! Did you see St Martin’s has the new Katherine Center book? I just got it and it doesn’t come out until August!!😊🦃🍁💕
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Thanks so much, Sus! I did! They sent me a physical copy last week. I almost lost my mind! Thank you for telling me though because I bet you remembered how much I loved the last one. Love her! And I’m so happy you have it too! ♥️ xoxo
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Lovely review, Jennifer:).
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Thank you, Sarah!
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Great review, Jennifer! Glad you enjoyed it!
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Thanks so much, Darinda!
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Hmm… the really horrible main character never appeals much to me, though sometimes I’ve been proved wrong. I’ll read The Heart’s Invisible Furies first and see how I get along with his writing style. Anyway, you’re certainly not allowed to add two books to my TBR in one day! 😉
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No way- I definitely cannot add two whole books! I think that’s a good plan because The Heart’s Invisible Furies seems to get universal love. I still need to read that one.
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Great review! You described Boyne’s writing perfectly. He’s just brilliant and I love how he’s always different as a writer (or at least what I know from reading Striped Pajamas). I’m happy we both loved this one, and I need to get my lazy butt in gear and write my review, lol! And I need to read Hearts by the end of the year…but I’ve been saying that all year! 💕💗
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Thank you! I’m happy we both loved it, too! Hey, you have a few more days until this one is “due.” I have a ton of books due next week, so I wrote this review first. I’ve said the same about Heart’s. For me, I’ll plan to read it this summer when I have more time to read a long books. Boyne really is a brilliant writer! ♥️
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You’re welcome! Me too! It’s on my “schedule” for Monday, so I’m good..that means it will probably get written for Tuesday lol. I was going to have one written for today for a different book but spent my night Christmas shopping online.😂 I’ve said that about Hearts all year! I might be able to read it in Dec although I now have way more Jan ARCs than I planned so there possibly goes my plan of a month of reading just books off my TBR, lol. We’ll see! Happy Friday! ❤
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Gosh this Swift guy shouldn’t be given good looks! He definitely doesn’t deserve it!
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So true, Jee! So very true!
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Terrific review Jennifer!!! I look forward to this one!
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Thank you, Lindsay! I hope you love it!
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Whoa. This is interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with a main character that I hated but at the same time, couldn’t put down. 😱 Great review, Jennifer!
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Thank you, Marie! It’s kind of amazing how the author works this, but he does!
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Brilliant review, Jennifer. I really need to read this one. I enjoyed Boyne’s Boy in Stripped Pyjamas although I am still haunted by the story. This one sounds excellent and I love just how much that character got to you 😀
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Thank you, Diana! I think parts of this story are haunting, too. I hope you enjoy this one when you get to it. Yes, Maurice definitely got under my skin!
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Lovely review, Jennifer! I’m so excited for this one! I’ve seen it compared to The Talented Mr. Ripley, which I love, so I’m super intrigued! And Swift sure sounds like a charmer. 😀 And so sorry I’ve been MIA this week. Life has been belly-flopping for me in the past couple of weeks and my reading/blogging/social media has suffered. 😦
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Thanks, Kathy! Oh, that is a wonderful comparison for this one. I can definitely see that. No worries at all about not blogging this week! I’ve missed seeing you and was so happy to your name pop up, but I just hope things are better for you soon. I’m sending lots of good thoughts for it to all even out. ♥️ xo
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So glad you enjoyed this Jenni! I’ve now added it to my Amazon wishlist after reading your review. 😊 Now you MUST read Invisible Furies, it’s so wonderful!!
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Thank you, Beth! I’m looking forward to your thoughts on this one, and I am definitely reading Invisible Furies this summer! I promise! ♥️
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I just finished this – WOW! Totally made my skin crawl as well, but what an amazing piece of work. This was my first John Boyne and definitely won’t be my last!
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Isn’t it amazing how much of a reaction Maurice gave us? And that writing! It was also my first Boyne, and I can’t wait to read more. I will be watching for your thoughts on this one, Kate.
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My first too.. I’m so intimidated by Invisible Furies.. it’s a beast! But yes, I’m totally thinking it will be worth it based on this book alone!
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