Author: Esi Edugyan

In 2011, the book won the Giller Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

The story is told through two time periods – the present (1992) and the past (1940). In the present, two bandmates are reminiscing and preparing to attend a festival honouring another member of their band. In the past story we learn about the band’s escape from Germany into Paris during the war, and their time in Paris as the Nazi’s take control.

When I started the book I didn’t think I was going to like it but by the middle of the book I was caught up in the story. I was a bit disappointed in the ending as some of the “gaps” didn’t get filled in as well as I would have liked.