The Bone Church

An unusual but rewarding book.

At first glance The Bone Church by Victoria Dougherty appears to be a straightforward thriller set in Czechoslovakia during the dark, paranoid and vicious days of 1956 and World War 2 Czechoslovakia.

However, the book is more profound and complex than that covering a wide range of emotions, as well as the nature of loyalty and friendship.

Some of the book has an almost dreamlike quality and there’s some great use of language making some of the sentences are worth re-reading again and again for their delicious construction.

The Bone Church of the title resonates throughout the book to a delightful and expected ending.

This book will not be everyone’s cup of tea, particularly of you are looking for something straightforward, but for those up to the challenge you will get a rich and rewarding read.

History lovers will totally enjoy immersing themselves in the story. The story takes place in the fifties in Europe. The book is a tightly written thriller that captures the reader's attention. I liked that the author included gypsy history. Captivating historical read that history thriller buffs will totally enjoy reading! Toss in a love story and Nazi's too!

The Bone Church Victoria Dougherty 5 stars

In war there are no winners, only victims.

This book is set in Czechoslovakia during World War II and then again in 1956 when that country is under the control of the Russians. It concentrates on those who had most to fear from Nazi Germany; the Jews and Gypsies, both totally excluded from both oppressors.
Magdalena is part Jewish and through Felix Andel, is thrown together with his friend Srut when he becomes involved with trying to get Magdalena to safety. The story jumps between Felix’s love affair with Magdalena during the war, and the very different relationship in 1956 when she has been married and borne a son, and Felix is now a Jesuit priest.
This book is beautifully written and is peppered with sub-plots, which means that at no time is the reader bored. As well as Nazi and Russian oppression, there is a love story, theft of a sacred icon, a doomed assassination attempt, great heroism and sacrifice, and plenty of despair.
Above all else it is a searing account of the depths of cruelty and depravity to which humans may sink, and more positively the power of love in rising above tragedy.
Victoria Dougherty shows her impressive command of both history and superlative writing, and produces a gripping and emotional story which draws you into the characters, their pain and their moments of joy. These characters aren’t gung-ho super-men and women, but real people, who feel real emotions and who at times despair. The reader can only be in awe at the sacrifices made by the Resistance.
I only have two issues with the book; firstly I got a little confused as the book switched timeframes, often just saying ‘the same day’ in the chapter headings and not the year. Secondly that, despite the title, other than a brief reference early on, the Bone Church wasn’t mentioned again until two-thirds of the way through, and I failed to grasp the significance of it until I resorted to Google and found photos of this terrible but eerily beautiful place, reminding all who visit it of the universal truth that, ’in the midst of life we are in death’.
Overall a stunning read!

Pashtpaws