Skeletons at the Feast - by Chris Bohjalian (Paperback)

About the Book

In January 1945, in the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives: an attempt to cross the remnants of the Third Reich to reach the British and American lines, in this richly crafted novel that puts a face on one of the 20th century's greatest tragedies.

Book Synopsis

A masterful love story set against a backdrop of epic history and unforgettable courage

In the waning months of World War II, a small group of people begin the longest journey of their lives.

At the center is eighteen-year-old Anna, the daughter of Prussian aristocrats, and her first love, a twenty-year-old Scottish prisoner of war named Callum. With his boyish good looks and his dedication to her family, he has captured Anna's heart. But he is the enemy, and their love must remain a closely guarded secret. Only Manfred, a twenty-six-year-old Wehrmacht corporal, knows the truth. And Manfred, who is not what he seems to be, is reluctantly taken with Anna, just as she finds herself drawn uncomfortably to him.

As these unlikely allies work their way west, their flight will test both Anna's and Callum's love, as well as their friendship with Manfred-and will forever bind the young trio together.

Includes special bonus material: Chris Bohjalian responds to questions from book groups and readers

Review Quotes

"A tightly woven, moving story for anyone who thinks there's nothing left to learn, or feel, about the Second World War."--The Los Angeles Times

"Harrowing."--The Washington Post Book World

"Bohjalian has given us an important addition to the story of World War II, and, not at all incidentally, may expand the vision of those who may have avoided 'Holocaust literature' in the past."--The Boston Globe

"The perfect novel for a book club . . . this book sucked me right in. It's vivid and heart-wrenching."--The Today Show

"Right and wrong shift depending on the situation. Ignorance is tolerated and murder is justified. "--USA Today

"Rich in character and gorgeous writing."--Jodi Picoult, Real Simple

"This story mixes the nail-biting brutality of The Kite Runner with the emotional intimacy of Anne Frank's diary."--Austin American-Statesman

"Immensely readable . . . Bohjalian takes a fresh perspective and details the brutal realities of World War II in a novel that for once does not focus entirely on the Allies. Recommended for fiction collections."--Library Journal

"Careful research and an unflinching eye . . . Bohjalian's well-chosen descriptions capture the anguish of a tragic era and the dehumanizing desolation wrought by war."--Publishers Weekly

"Bohjalian is especially good at conveying the surreal 'beauty, ' the misshapen lyricism, of the war-torn landscape: 'Even the stone church had collapsed upon itself . . . the once imposing pipes of the organ reshaped by heat and flame into giant copper-colored mushrooms.' From harrowing to inspiring."--Kirkus Reviews

"A compelling read with its mix of history, romance and portrayals of strength in the midst of severe adversity: War really is hell, the book says, but the human spirit is ultimately salvageable."--Bookpage

About the Author

CHRIS BOHJALIAN is the critically acclaimed author of eleven novels, including Midwives (an Oprah's Book Club Selection and a Publishers Weekly Best Book), Before You Know Kindness, and the 2007 blockbuster The Double Bind.