The new novel from this well-loved, bestselling author. Two Brothers is a heartrending story of two boys growing up under the darkening shadow of the Nazis. Born in Berlin in 1920 and raised by the same parents, one boy is Jewish, his adopted brother is Aryan. At first, their origins are irrelevant. But as the political landscape changes they are forced to make decisions with horrifying consequences.

Two Brothers

This book should be added to the school curriculum. It's amazing - a totally human story of how normal life is changed by evil. It's different to other accounts of being Jewish in the Third Reich but I can't quite put my finger on why... I think it's the way they author writes (I'm a fan of Ben Elton's anyway but this is the first 'serious' book I've read by him). I think it's so readable because nothing is overplayed; not the tragedy, not the emotion, not the lunacy and not the 'normality'. And Elton doesn't insult your intelligence by belaboring a point, either.   There were parts where I almost cheered and one of the main character's deaths (towards the end of the book, you'll probably know which when you get to it) had me in floods of tears. And whereas Elton shows how the unique situation post-WWI Germany was in allowed Hitler and his ilk to 'take' the minds and hearts of the populace he also shows how easily it could happen in any country you care to name, which is a very sobering lesson.  Just all in all an amazing book.

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