The Kites

Romain Gary — 2017

On a small farm in Normandy, as Hitler rises to power in Germany, young Ludo comes of age in the care of his Uncle Ambrose, an eccentric mailman, kite-maker, and pacifist. Ludo’s quiet existence changes the day he meets Lila, a girl from the aristocratic Polish family who own the estate next door. In a single glance, Ludo instantly falls in love forever; Lila, on the other hand, remains elusive. Thus begins Ludo’s adventure of longing, passion, and steadfast love for Lila, who begins to reciprocate his feelings just as Europe descends into war. After Germany invades Poland, Lila and her family disappear, and Ludo’s journey to save her from the Nazis becomes a journey to save his loved ones, his country, and ultimately himself.

Reviews

surtified™@heartrender081

Jul 13, 2024

It was good, but, as with basically all historical war ficiton novels that I read, the plot gets lost mid way and the book just becomes a fog of cloud and action. Lila is probably the most unlikeable character ever. She's so naive, so hateable, so narcassistic, she has no empathy like that girl is the complete opposite of Ludo, who's so empathetic and sweet and understanding and helpful. I think like the last 80 pages I was just spacing out whilst reading and not processing anything.

Rose Stanley@roseofoulesfame

Jan 4, 2022

Fourth book in Shakespeare & Company Year of Reading. This book lulled me into a false sense of security by starting off as a nostalgic pastoral love story between two teenagers who could do with copping on and getting over themselves (I nicknamed Lila Ms Manic Bronicki Dream Girl because HONESTLY)...but then World War 2 happened and my heart got well and truly stomped on. Repeatedly. Not cool, Romain Gary. Not cool. Anyway Hans, Bruno and Tad (my cynical fave) deserved better, that's all I'm saying.

Krishna Saul@saul

Jul 23, 2024

eleanor moseley@eleanormos

May 4, 2023

Alexander Lobov@alexlobov

Jun 10, 2022

Jeremy Boyd@jboydsplit

Mar 4, 2022