Next of Kin

I havn't started to read Next of Kin yet but I'm giving it 5 stars because John Boyne is my favourite author & his books are amazing. I won't be disappointed.

Like others, I have read many of John Boyne novels and enjoyed them all. This is an entertaining read with several plot twists and surprises. The background of the abdication of Edward VIII also adds an additional layer of interest. That said, some plot lines did lack a little credibility, but it is a work of fiction after all. I speculated as to how it might end, there appeared to be several possibilities, and if I’m honest, I was “surprised” by the eventual outcome (So 4 stars not 5!). Nevertheless, it’s well written and a good read.

Although this is quite a long book, it is well written and the story is interesting. The book is based against the background of the abdication of Edward VIII. It raises issues about integrity and how far you will go to maintain that integrity.

Another great novel from Boyne, engaging characters and a tale unravelled to expose them at worst and at best, forcing us to consider ethics, humanity and vengeance. A behind the scenes look at society at the time of historical events of the mid 30’s

Set in the 1930s, this novel illustrates the turbulence of the times both politically and privately. Class divisions, political intrigue and family fortunes all combine to make this book addictive! Couldn't put it down!

I really love John Boyne’s writing and have enjoyed reading many of his books this year but it fair to say this was probably the least enjoyable to date. The book is well written with some good characters but the plot never really hooked me. The story is set in 1936, and everyone is talking about the affair between Edward VIII and Mrs. Simpson. But other people have their own decisions to make. Owen Montignac who has accumulated high gambling debts is eagerly awaiting the reading of his wealthy late uncle’s will. Owen owes casino boss Nicholas Delfy who has given him a warning that if Owen doesn’t pay £50,000 by Christmas he will lose his life. When Owen discovers that he has been cut out of the will in favour of his cousin Stella, he finds that even a royal crisis can provide the means for profit, and for murder. Like I said the book didn’t absorb me and at times seemed to drag but it is nicely written but could have been so much better. Not my favourite read by this author but an author well worth reading.

I enjoyed this book ,it was a bit slow to start until I got half way through and then it became a page turner, Any excuse to read a bit more.

Excellent

636 Seiten voller Spannung. Das schafft nur John Boyne. Ein absolut packendes Buch mit guten „Twists & Turns“. Klare Empfehlung.

This is the third John Boyne book I've read. My favorite is still "The Hearts Invisible Furies," but to read this man's words is a treat. He is such a masterful storyteller. He weaves history and fiction together as no one can. His characters become so real you believe they were actually a part of the historical time period. This one is a bit lighter in tone than the other two I've read but equally engaging, fast moving and interesting from start to finish. This is a story of good, evil, trust and deceit. It is certainly a good read and does not disappoint. I'm now on the 4th Boyne novel.

The story of an unprincipled villain who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Hugely entertaining and the story moves on a pace. Quite different from the usual much more serious John Boyne style but highly enjoyable.

I was thoroughly disappointed. The plot of the novel is rather boring, it totally lacks suspense. The characters are two-dimensional, flat and lifeless, mere puppets. Even the main character Owen never stirs any emotion in the reader and never develops or changes in any way. The reader can't identify with any of the characters because they don't show any true emotions. The whole plot is somehow wooden and not interesting. I kept waiting for something to happen and was really surprised when the novel suddenly came to an abrupt ending. It seems the writer simply lost interest in the whole thing.

"Next of Kin" - a subtle and appropriate title for this book. Who is the next of kin? Depends on how you look at it - an intriguing aspect of the novel. Owen Montignac, the protagonist, starts out as a moderate villain, and I'll avoid a plot spoiler by leaving it to the reader to find out if he seeks redemption or continues down the path toward unrepentant evil As with Boyne's other excellent books, this one has woven into the plot an actual controversial, historical event - the question of whether Edward VIII could marry Wallis Simpson and still remain on the throne. Edward and Wallis make a cameo appearance, but it's how their situation affects the views and actions of the British government and aristocracy that is one major factor in the book. Gareth Bentley, another leading character, shows up as a young Cambridge law graduate, from an aristocratic family, who has no desire to follow in the footsteps of his father's legal career, and is depicted as rich and aimless. But I'm not convinced he is any different from others of his sex, class, and age - in 1936 England. The father, of course, is a working judge, but are expectations for male members of upper-class families any different then than in earlier decades, when such folks were routinely expected, as in "The Importance of Being Earnest," to avoid work at all costs. It does seem, however that Gareth may be too easily influenced by Owen and his other friends. If you haven't yet read any Boyne books, start at once. I've now read four, and have thoroughly enjoyed each one. Character development is superb and the plots are both intriguing and believable. No need to start with the first book, as they all treat different topics and introduce different characters. Also, the books defy instant classification. Although deaths (sometimes murder) occur, they are not "thrillers," or "crime novels," or "mysteries." Likewise they are not "romances" or any of a number of other set categories. They are simply intelligently written, fascinating stories.