Title – All that I am

Author – Anna Funder

Book Summary

WINNER OF THE 2012 MILES FRANKLIN LITERARY AWARD

When Hitler comes to power in 1933, a tight-knit group of friends and lovers become hunted outlaws overnight. United in their resistance to the madness and tyranny of Nazism, they flee the country. Dora, passionate and fearless; her lover, the great playwright Ernst Toller; her younger cousin Ruth and Ruth’s husband Hans find refuge in London. Here they take awe-inspiring risks in order to continue their work in secret.

But England is not the safe-haven they think it is, and a single, chilling act of betrayal will tear them apart.Some seventy years later, Ruth is living out her days in Sydney, making an uneasy peace with the ghosts of her past, and a part of history that has all but been forgotten.

Group Comments

Most of the Group found the book very interesting. We were aware of the political refugees who went to England but the personal aspect was still very interesting.

The chapters written by the different characters were interesting, some members found this required staying focused, but others found the characters ‘voices unique’.

The story of refugees seeking asylum and being viewed with suspicion is very contemporary.

The characterisation is excellent. The character of Ruth was very realistic and the chapters written by her were very well written.

The book is multi-faceted with history, politics, intrigue and romance.

Not everyone who read the book ‘enjoyed it’ but all found the topics and subject matter very interesting.

Well worth reading.