For some reason, this is my 2nd book in a row that features twins, but they're v. different books. This one is set (probably) in #Hungary, near an unspecified border during WWII (again, probably), with twins that harden themselves to survive all the hardships they may encounter. None of the characters are likeable. Warning for cruelty, abuse (including sexual), murder - all the wartime horrors and more. Thankfully short & sparsely-written. ⬇
How I spent my day. 😬 What happens when you have lockdown boredom + cold weather + a Visa gift card.
I'll be getting shipments from three different places. 😂
#sorrynotsorry 🤷♀️
pickThis is a review of Kristof‘s trilogy - The Notebook, The Proof, and The Third Lie. It‘s a brilliant story of twin brothers who endure WWII together, are separated by Cold War, then reunited. But it is so much more! These are novels about the importance of writing and about the pains of both separation and reunion. Trigger warning for The Notebook https://cannonballread.com/2021/04/the-notebook-and-the-proof-and-the-third-lie-...
pickFirst of the haunting trio THE NOTEBOOK, THE PROOF, THE THIRD LIE. Abandoned twin brothers sent to live with Grandmother in a broken country, prone to cruelty and perversity, but locked in the bond of brotherhood. Such a strange, cruel story from a child‘s perspective, simple and direct language. Memorable. Published 1986-1991.
pickI am a bit surprised this book (first of a trilogy) is not more popular, probably understandable coming from a Hungarian-born Swiss writer. However it is translated to English, so if you ever get your hands on it, don't hesitate. An unnamed war in an unnamed country, seen through the eyes of a pair of 11 year old twins. Twisted and cruel, yet somehow innocent.
Agota Kristof's poignant novel was challenged in 2003 in a reading corpus. Book challenges are a rarity in Québec or we don't hear about them. In my career as a librarian, over 25 years, I've had 4. All the books stayed in. One was moved for older children but stayed in the children collection. #septphotochallenge #bannedbooks
Notebook | 
Pic of Kőszeg, a town near the Austrian border where the author went to school, by Pan Peter12, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons (edited) 3w