Carry Me by Peter Behrens is a beautifully woven tale of the world wars that gives a unique perspective into the life of people in those times.

The first half of this book was incredibly addicting to me, and I could hardly put it down. It was a solid five out of five stars, and I wish I could have kept reading! Unfortunately, life hit me and I came back a week later to this novel. When I started reading at about page 243 I found myself not as interested and the story began to drag on and on and on. Some of the information could have been left out and the story would have felt just as full when I got to the end.

While this book seemed a little to long, I think the descriptions Peter wrote were divine. I couldn't believe how clear I could imagine this story in my head! The beauty in Peter's words truly wow-ed me, and if you love a descriptive author/book then this one is for you! It's truly exquisite, and I'm surprised this book hasn't won many awards for it's intense descriptions.

The story goes back and forth between World War 1 and World War 2. Sometimes I found it hard to distinguish between the time lines (even though it stated which was which), and I almost wish Peter would have written the timelines in different tones. This wasn't a major issue, but it did make this book a little more confusing for me (personally).

There is a small bit of romance in this novel, but you can hardly call it romance. While that was part of what drew me to the novel (you read the back of the book and it makes it seem like an epic war story with a splash of romance), yet there wasn't much there in terms of romance. There was attraction and sweet comments, but it was more just happening in the story - there was no focus on the romance specifically. This could be a pro or a con for you, but to me I felt the marketing portrayed the romance as more than it was.

The battles in this story were well written - the war itself, the battle between leaving and staying in a place you love, and the troubles of complete opposites (woman vs men, idealisms, romanticism, etc). If you're into themes and like reading into a book, there is so much potential to pick apart in this novel.

And then the ending is somewhat expected (I mean, most people know about history so we kind of know where it was going), but it still blew me away. Without spoiling, I think the way Peter tied this story together and increased conflict was truly incredible.

Overall, this piece of writing is a definite must read for fans of history, war stories, descriptive fiction and historical fiction. I normally stray far away from novels about history, but this one was fantastic!

Three out of five stars.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. ( )

The book is the reason why I'm in book groups. I had never heard of this book, or tis author, Peter Behrens, but after reading the story of how a vision of a landscape that none of the characters had ever seen carried them through the worst o times, I want to read more by this remarkable writer.

The story of Billy Lange and Karin Weinbenner who spend magical pre-World War I summers on the Weinbenner estate on the Isle of Wight. Karin's father is a rich industrialist who was one of the founders of the IG Farben chemical conglomerate and was made a Baron by the Kaiser, and Billy's father is his nautical racing manager. They are separated by the war, but then reunited in its aftermath at the Baron's palatial estate outside of Frankfort Germany. There Billy and Karin become fascinated by Karl May's tales of the American west - specialically the Llano Estacado - the high plains that stretch from West Texas into New Mexico. At first Billy thinks the place is one of fantasy. But then, when looking at an atlas, he discovers that it is a very real place indeed.

That's when I saw the words LLANO ESTACADO strewn across an otherwise empty map of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico and realized that the landscape of Winnetou actually existed, For me this was a great, wonderful shock - like finding God listed in the Frankfort telephone directory.

Billy and Karin grow up to lead very different lives: He as a salesman for IG Farben and she a rather flighty starlet in the German film industry. Their idea of the Llano Estacodo, however, remains with both of them and shines like a beacon as the terrible nightmare of Nazi Germany begins to unfold. Billy is the one who ends up being strong, while Karin has a bad time facing the truth and Billy finds he has to carry her to safety.. How this happens and how they each react to finally arriving at the land of their childhood fantasies makes for a glorious read. ( )