Jenoff - Kommandant's Girl - 13/03/07 - 16/03/07

Despite what might at first seem a plot bound for either sentimentality or bleakness, this book manages to capture something of the harsh realities of being a Polish Jew during the Second World War and yet still retain hope, humour and most importantly a cracking storyline. Like the main character, the reader finds their views of the Kommandant challenged - we know he is a Nazi and yet at the same time we find ourselves starting to like him - Emma struggles with this and so do we. The balance between grimness and cloying sweetness is maintained at all times and never better than during the final denouement which sees a believable and classy finish to the book.

A second book picking up on one aspect of this storyline follows and I for one can't wait.