Nikoloz Maglakelidze

This book, although fictional, represents the cruelty and real irregularities of the Lebensborn program. Max, not even a teenager, was subjected to and almost allowed to watch prostitutes, smoke and drink, and do activities that are not healthy for a young child to do just because the authorities called those actions development into manhood. To add on, this book displays the confusion many of the Hitler Youth had after the war had ended since their country had always propagandized how Germany would always win and when the Allies rolled in, they were all confused on who to listen to. However, WARNING: THIS IS A SPOILER DON'T READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK YET, at the end of the book I found it to be a little unrealistic that Max would unintentionally reunite with her mother only to see her get killed by the Soviets. Besides that, I think the book was full of action and was one of the most interesting novels I have read.

Although I am not really regarding the beginning of the play, which was decent, I just wanted to say that this play was very confusing and sort of fast at the end. Sorry if I am spoiling for anyone, but the main antagonists of the play, Duchesses Regan and Goneril, both suddenly die at the end after Goneril poisons Regan and Goneril commits suicide. This particular scene was briefly regarded to during the end of the play which made the story jump ahead. To add on, Cordelia is hanged even though the Duke of Albany sent a soldier to save her. And to make the end even more fast and confusing, King Lear suddenly also dies from grief. I don't know, maybe it is just because I am not really used to reading Shakespeare but I think some could argue along with me that the end should have been as constructive and clear as the beginning. However, if you like plays that are dramatic, tragic, and comedic, I think, in general, this would be a nice play to read.