I think the biggest success of this story is how almost exhaustively the author created a little microcosm of the war-afflicted human world within 33 Brugmann Place. That she could cover nearly all aspects of humankind from the kind, compassionate ones to the cruel selfish warmongers and the layers in between, even those who undergo positive changes, in a 350+-word novel is highly, highly commendable. Alice Austen goes right into my list of top authors to look out for when her next book comes out.

I don't think I didn't like any of the characters in the book including the negative shaded ones. I believe the credit for this goes to the author who went deep into everyone’s psyche to understand them well before portraying their feelings and thoughts. That it is historical fiction makes it even more delightful as we get nuggets of golden information from that era seamlessly woven into the narrative.

I loved the interesting tidbit about Cadbury’s changing their formula because of war rationing and how the character in question changes from being a typical Belgian chocolate snob to embracing what the company was willing to offer in the name of chocolate! A happy smile despite the grim situation.

Another incident that touched my heart was when one of the characters was a prisoner of war and made friends with the enemy guard because of their shared love for books and reading. Such instances are irrefutable proof that the human heart can always overcome war even if the consequences are horrible and inhuman. We learn to overcome the consequences too.

Descriptions of the smells of burning flesh of amputated infected body parts in incinerators were gut-wrenching yet not overly dramatic. It was magically matter-of-fact!

Another interesting aspect of men that sort of startled me was when a character said “The point of marriage is to have children,” and like the lady in question, I too thought, “Even in the midst of war, men (unsure if this still holds now) want progeny to take their genes forward! Again, the writing wasn’t judgmental, merely stating the facts through another character.

Such and more episodes, ideas, dialogues, and thought processes in the book made me a huge fan of Alice Austen, and as I said before, she is going right on top of my to-be-read author list!

The ending was also great, I thought. It told me friends meet, lovers marry, unfulfilled love continues to be so, children are born, people die, war happens, artists create, art is lost sometimes saved, and yet life goes on as seemingly unremarkable as ever. It’s only when we stop to think we see that ordinary human life is filled with literary greatness warmly beckoning writers like Alice Austen!

An incredible and heartbreaking tale about perhaps one of the most atrocious times in human history. I'm no stranger when it comes to consuming war-related content; I have watched a lot of movies on the topic but never a book and specifically one that focuses mostly on the lives of ordinary people behind the trenches. I thoroughly enjoyed the so many different perspectives that we get to read in the book which is a testament of the author's skill.
I recommend this to anyone who likes to read about human condition and the many different approaches to atrocity, grief and survival.

This is the story of the residents of 33 Place Brugmann starting pre-Nazi occupation and moves through to about half way through WWII. It is such a unique way to approach WWII because it is told from the perspective of a diverse group of people that live in the same building. While some readers may find the change in perspective is disruptive to the plot line, I think like it added to it. I felt like I was always moving and catching up with everyone, and I enjoyed that. It was like I was traveling the continent and seeing the effects of the war through different perspectives. I think it kept the story from getting too stale. The end was a bit abrupt. While the fate of some characters was made clear, the ending of others was a bit muddled. I really wanted to know more so I hope that a prologue will be included to fix that. I also think that there's a couple of characters included in the story that by the end became "obsolete". They didn't seem to drive the plot line one way or another.

Overall I enjoyed the reading. I enjoyed the different perspectives, I think that kept me coming back. I was also happy to see the author make use of the word "pusillanimous" I feel like the word just isn't used enough.

Thank you NetGalley & Grove Press for this ARC.

#netgalley #33PlaceBrugmann

This book was a different take on WWII. It explores deep stories, emotions, love, friendship and loyalty of the people who love at 33 place brugmann.

Told in each residents POV with the war and occupation of Brussels in the background, this was a fairly slow paced read. It took me sometime to keep track of the storyline.

This book was good but not a standout.

#netgalley #33PlaceBrugmann

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

33 Place Brugmann by Alice Austen is an extraordinarily accomplished debut novel that masterfully intertwines love, mystery, and philosophical musings. Set in a Beaux Arts apartment building in Brussels on the eve of the Nazi occupation in 1939, the story captures the lives of its residents as they face the impending threat and the choices it forces upon them.

The narrative is told through the singular voices of the building’s inhabitants, each chapter offering a unique perspective that enriches the overall tapestry of the story. At the heart of the novel is Charlotte Sauvin, an art student and daughter of a prominent architect, whose keen observations of her neighbors and the building itself provide a poignant lens through which the unfolding drama is viewed.

Austen’s writing is lyrical and precise, capturing the essence of each character and their internal struggles. The residents of 33 Place Brugmann are vividly drawn, from the enigmatic Julian Raphaël, the eldest son of an art collector, to Masha, the seamstress entangled in a dangerous affair. Each character’s journey is marked by the tension between submission and resistance, revealing their true selves in the face of adversity.

The setting of pre-occupation Brussels is brought to life with rich detail, creating an atmospheric backdrop that heightens the sense of urgency and danger. Austen’s exploration of themes such as courage, love, and the role of art in times of crisis adds depth to the narrative, making it not just a historical novel but a profound reflection on human resilience.

For readers who appreciate historical fiction with a strong emotional core and complex characters, 33 Place Brugmann is a must-read. This debut novel is a testament to her storytelling prowess and promises great things for her future works.

A World War II story told through the eyes of the residents in an apartment complex in Brussels. The premise had me wanting to read but after a quarter the way through, I had lost interest. There wasn’t really anything to keep me reading. I did continue however only out of respect for the author.

This simply wasn’t for me but others who like World War II stories should try it.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately, I ended up not finishing the book. I appreciate receiving it through NetGalley, so thank you for that opportunity.

While I enjoyed the beginning and was engaged during the first third, my interest waned as the story progressed. Despite my efforts to continue, I struggled to stay invested. I found the plot lacking in intrigue and couldn’t connect with the characters, which ultimately led to my decision to stop reading.

A poignant portrait of life in Brussels during the second World War, told from the perspectives of residents of 33 Place Brugmann. We follow the residents in their everyday life as individuals, and gradually uncover the connections they have with each other. The war's brutalities are discussed and not sugarcoated, but the book is not merely a melancholic rendition of life in wartime. Art, artists, and philosophies are discussed and related to the story. Humanity and empathy can be found.

Austen's writing style is wonderful and adapts beautifully to every different character. Each character's emotions, thought processes and developments can be truly felt by the reader, giving the story extra depth.

The ending of the book felt somewhat abrupt, maybe because I was so invested in the story that I subconsciously was not ready for it to be over. We're left wondering what happened to some of the characters, yet the book is suggestive of some of their fates.

I'm looking forward to the publication of this book and hope Austen will write many more.

Unfortunately not for me. In a world with SO many books being published, I just don't see this as a must in our collection.

Set in Brussels during WWII, 8 families live in an apartment building and follow the activities of their neighbors. The war affects everyone differently and some families are impacted more. The main character is Charlotte, a young woman who is color blind. It’s a slow start reading getting to know all the characters, but very good as the book progresses. The ending is unexpected. There are so many WWII historical novels and this book has a different location and different angle . Very good.

I do think this book is a love or hate situation.

for me it was a bit hard get trough it because of the complexity. I was in much need of a guidance to make certain connections.

in general i think i lost a lot in this book because i didn't understand it very well.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was a combination of tragedy, bravery and love.

It’s a tale set in the backdrop of the Nazi occupation, and tells a story of the residents at 33 Place Brugmann. The way each character’s POV is so well devised, and profound in tying the story together is truly masterful. The author does a great job to compel you into the story itself, and awaking each, and every emotion. You are consistently stuck between fear for the characters, as well as hope they might survive, and have a somewhat happy ending.

Thank you to net galley giving me this opportunity to read this book.
The story place in Belgium at the beginning of WWII.
The characters in the story live at 33 Place Brugmann, the title of the book.
Each of the residents who live there have a secret that they are hiding from one another.
The story kept me intriqued as to who was doing what and what were they up to.
These are my own oppinions.

The structure of this wartime novel is built around the personalities and foibles of an apartment house in Brussels. The characters include an older single woman who is an unrepentant busybody, members of a wealthy Jewish family, a wounded veteran of the Great War aand his colorblind artist daughter. Also included is an undocumented Jewish woman who is genius with a sewing needle.

The plot starts out strong, just prior to the Nazi invasion of Belgium, with several of the characters being brought into focus over a relatively few pages.. Unfortunately , the author does not spend much time with any one character and spreads them out geographically so that she has a difficult time creating a cohesive plot that fully gives each character their due. People meet, fall in love but the reader isn't fully aware of why this comes about. To put it bluntly , the plot would have been better had it been located entirely in Brussels with fewer main characters.

I liked the premise of this debut novel: the focus on an apartment building in Brussels on the eve of WWII creates an intriguing backdrop to a story involving a varied cast of characters. However, I found it a bit of a slog and it took me weeks to get through this book. Perhaps I may have not been in the right frame of mind at the time, it just seemed to take a long time before anything really happened. I did like many of the characters and enjoyed reading about their relationships with one another. There are a lot of them but I was able to keep them straight in my mind. This is a tumultuous period in history and that creates a lot of drama in this building. The book is beautifully written and I think that many readers will find it captures the spirit of the time—both the challenges that ordinary people faced and the ways they fought against their oppressors. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

33 Place Brugmann was an interesting read. I was expecting more mystery and love story going solely on the description of the book, and was quite disappointed that the mystery and love story only revealed itself in the last few chapters of the book. However, on reflection, Charlotte had a love story of her own with art, photography, painting, architecture, nature, storytelling, and of course a love story with her father.

The entire book and all of the characters and their narratives read entirely as a philosophical and poetic form of writing which kept the book interesting and vivid enough to keep reading, but the total lack of mystery and thrill that is expected in this setting and time period counteracted what would have and could have been an extraordinary book.

For the plot of the book and the overall storyline, I wouldn’t give this book any stars for rating. The 3 star rating I have given is for the excellent writing style, captivating characters and narratives that were kept consistent throughout.

This is a gorgeously told story of art, family, and love in a time of great strife. It gives an intimate portrayal of the early days of Nazi occupation in Brussels through the lens of the residents of 33 Place Brugmann. With so many WWII historical fiction novels out there, it's difficult these days to find a new story. It can feel like the story has been told many times before. Alice Austen manages to add a new perspective, at least to me, of preserving art and keeping it from being stolen by the Nazis.

This is a fantastic novel, and I think even readers who aren't interested in historical fiction would enjoy this book.

33 Place Brugman is a compelling debut novel by Alice Austin. Set in Brussels, just before World War II, the plot centers around the lives of a diverse set of characters, all residing in the apartment building named in the title. There is a large cast of characters and the book features multiple points of view, each one offering their own unique perspective of the events and challenges of living on the brink of war. While this technique is a favorite of mine, some readers may find it difficult to juggle so many characters and also hard to connect to any one person in the book. The historical details are rich and provide a complex backdrop to the individual stories. Austen uses lyrical prose to explores themes of love, identity and resistance.

As suggested by the title, Alice Austen’s book centers on the residents of an apartment house, 33 Place Brugmann, Brussels, beginning in 1939 and onwards through the early 1940’s. Political dynamics in Europe were shifting dramatically and quickly as Nazi influence and local regulations on Jewish residents in Belgium and Brussels specifically increased.

To be honest, what I learned in US high school about Nazi repression and actions against the Jewish populace in Belgium was virtually nil, as was Nazi suppression of unapproved newspapers. So the book was an eye-opener in so many ways. I had never even heard of the VNV, the Flemish National Union, which supported the Nazis, and I’m pretty sure most readers had not either. That several characters were identified as Flemish and Flemish attitudes were addressed was illuminating.

What I loved about this book was the exquisite writing, an almost-impressionist wartime portrait of wartime Brussels and how residents of the apartment house achieved daily errands such as buying bread with ration cards. What I felt was less than optimal was the lack of a cohesive story line, odd daydream and dream sequences by Charlotte and others, and the loose ends of the story at the book’s end.
I found the book interesting but not an easy flowing read, was tempted to abandon the effort a few times despite the author’s undoubted writing talent.