Samara's review of 'Then'
By Samara Straker / Spinebreakers Crew
‘Then’ is an emotionally complex book, two children; Zelda and Felix, are dodging the Nazis, however, there is a problem, Zelda’s parents died Nazis and her repulsive ways puts them on the borderline of getting into trouble and I think this is what got on my nerves. Can’t she just learn to accept who her parents are, it will serve the greater good? Doesn’t she realise she is putting the people around her lives in danger by having this repulsive attitude? In some sense you even want to ask why can’t Felix ditch her, he’ll be better off? However, this is when you’re forced to take Zelda’s age in to consideration and sympathetically blame it on her naivety. Also, you’re forced to take into consideration the harshness of the time. This is what makes ‘Then’ so good - the dynamics of emotions. Zelda’s repulsion creates the theme of acceptance, acceptance of her parents, also the fact that Felix has accepted her under his wing despite her parents which works as a basis for unconditional love. Although a Jew, Felix thinks that being a daughter to a Nazi is ‘far worse’ than being a Jew. He protects Zelda beyond reason. I think this unconditional love is caused by his young innocence and the fact that humans are inclined to love unless turned cold by the harsh world, which by the way, happens to him at the end.
Gleitzman had worries before about professional book people; librarians, teachers, reviewers etc. not understanding what he was trying to create because the story is from a child's perspective. If you think about it, the book size and the size of the font does look patronising. However, as the old cliche' says never judge a book by it’s cover, I often think the ideal that something looks more complicated is better needs to be challenged, I am a great fan of simplicity, I think it does the trick.