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Very happy (but not surprised) to see those 5 stars.

Oh Kris, this is one of my all time favourite novels, like you I absolutely love and admire Sebald's writing. I copied whole passages of it, as even more than The Emigrants or his other novels Austerlitz in particularly touched me - the Antwerp central railway station where it starts such a familiar place to me and the evocation of the Breendonk camp (which I shamefully still didn't dare visit despite a friend runs guided tours there) simply gut-wrenching. I didn't read his poetry collection yet, but hope to do so soon...and also revisit Austerlitz.

Ilse, I just finished reading the concentration camp scene and I’m still reeling—also the evocation of the Nazis� rise to power the restrictions placed on Jews. I actually thought about you in the opening scenes of the novel set in Belgium (“no wonder Ilse loves this�).

(Posting this comment again, got confused earlier because I don’t really know many places in Europe.)

Noel, I am so glad to hear you are actually reading this! That scene is Breendonk is indeed gut-wrenching and also the memories on Theresienstadt/Terezin further on won't leave you untouched. You are right that because I am living in the Flemish part of Belgium the sense of place in the opening scenes resonated particularly with me - the railway station in Antwerp (which is in the heart of the Jewish quarter) is a place I come regularly - and the Breendonk camp is very near to the home of my parents. I must have passed it countless times, but never had the courage to visit it, despite a good friend works there part time as a guide. Looking forward to your thoughts!

I actually was referring to Theresienstadt, I’m pretty sure. (view spoiler)[The scene where Agata is sent to the camps. (hide spoiler)] I’m pretty far into the novel now and am expecting to finish today or tomorrow. I’m still debating whether to even leave a review—should I stain the silence with words? :)

Something that I’m confused about: is Vera also Jewish? I’m guessing not but if she is that adds more layers to the novel.

Given how highly you think of the book, Ilse, I am hoping that we will have further insights from you