This book was actually quite strange. I'm not going to go into very much detail because the main character, Jacob, says more than necessary. Half of the pages I read contained unnecessary details. Anyways, it's a well-written story so I shouldn't be complaining. I was entertained, in good ways and awkward ways.
The beginning section of the book has a bang in it. Jacob is in Amsterdam, hoping to "honor" his grandfather that died during World War II. His grandfather's name was Jacob, but I won't call them both Jacob. Jacob is Jacob and grandfather Jacob is grandfather. So, Jacob is visiting a foreign city and he decides to go to an outdoor beer place. I'm not sure what they'd be called here in America. It's like an outdoor beer cafe. Jacob is at an outdoor beef cafe and this girl comes up to him and asks to sit at his table. Jacob accepts. Jacob's attracted to her sexy boyishness. (If that's what you call it.) So they talk and talk and talk. Her name is Ton, BUT she really isn't a she. She's a he. It messes him up. He gets a message from she/he but Jacob doesn't know what it says. Then, she/he leaves. Jacob is left there completely dumbfounded, and then some kid steals his sweatshirt. He had everything in his sweatshirt. Money, map, everything. So then, Jacob is all alone, in the rain, with nothing. He has no idea where he is, and that starts his adventure.
About half of the book is from the perspective of Geertrui. Geertrui is Jacob's actual grandmother, but Jacob doesn't know that. Jacob's grandfather was one of the soldiers Geertrui tended to during World War II in her basement. They fell in love. Geertrui talks a lot about the status of the war. The war takes over her family's life. Their house becomes shelter for the tommies. Tommies are the English soldiers that have come to liberate Geertrui's home country.
Jacob goes through a lot during his visit in Amsterdam. The truth unveils to him about who his grandmother really is. Jacob was raised by Sarah, not Geertrui. Sarah was Jacob's best friend and she would've gone with Jacob to Amsterdam if it weren't for her injury. Anyways, Jacob meets Geertrui and that's when the real truth unveiling happens.
It was a good book from what I've read so far. I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys books about characters trying to find the truth in themselves.
Until next time, GLG.
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