Caging Skies
THE INSPIRATION FOR THE MAJOR MOTION PICTURE 'JOJO RABBIT'
Format:Paperback
Publisher:John Murray Press
Published:12th Dec '19
Should be back in stock very soon
This compelling novel intricately portrays a young man's obsession with a Jewish girl during World War II, revealing the complexities of love and morality in dire circumstances.
In Caging Skies, the story unfolds in war-time Vienna through the perspective of Johannes, a fervent member of the Hitler Youth. Following a traumatic injury during a raid, he uncovers a shocking family secret: his parents are sheltering a Jewish girl named Elsa behind a concealed wall in their home. What begins as a sense of horror gradually transforms into a complex web of emotions, including fascination, love, and ultimately obsession. As the war progresses, Johannes grapples with the implications of this hidden relationship, which challenges his beliefs and loyalties.
The novel delves into the psychological landscape of Johannes, who finds himself increasingly isolated after the mysterious disappearance of his parents. With the weight of responsibility resting on his shoulders, he becomes the sole guardian of Elsa's existence, navigating a delicate balance between protector and captor. The dynamic between the two characters evolves into a tumultuous bond that oscillates between passion and possessiveness, dependence and apathy. As the war draws to a close, Johannes is haunted by the fear of losing Elsa, forcing him to confront the moral complexities of his actions.
Caging Skies is a profound exploration of the nature of truth and deception, both in the realm of politics and within the depths of the human psyche. It reveals the darkest aspects of human behavior, challenging readers to reflect on the consequences of love and obsession amidst the chaos of war.
Enthralling throughout... * My Weekly *
A vivid and deeply compelling novel, Caging Skies is an existential battle of moral and ethical extremes. Christine Leunens is an adept and eloquent storyteller -- Georgia Hunter * New York Times bestselling author of We Were the Lucky Ones *
The good-natured humour and quirkiness of the film and the drama of the novel are quite fun to contrast, and both are impactful in their own right. * Cherwell *
The best part of this interesting novel is its ability to show parts of our history which others dismiss: why suffering can make some people more sensitive but others more cruel, and how a war, such an outrage to human dignity, blurs the line between the victorious and defeated * Elle *
Leunens said the film showed moviegoers that "we have a choice, are we going to go back to this kind of thinking ... superior, inferior ... or are we going to move on and bring more love and compassion to our relationships?" * Guardian *
Totally compelling * Woman's Weekly (NZ) *
Leunens has an ear for language and the ability to create a vividly sensual world for her characters that I found highly satisfying -- Cushla McKinney
A novel that breaks all the rules. In spite of this, or maybe because of it, the result is a disturbing and gripping novel that has haunted me ever since I finished reading it. * New Zealand Books *
Disturbing, moving, eminently readable - this is a story you won't be able to put down * My Weekly *
. . . a novel about Hitler's Third Reich without equal * Design Observer *
ISBN: 9781529396355
Dimensions: 196mm x 128mm x 26mm
Weight: 220g
304 pages