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The Deceptions

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( 300 ratings, 68 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Deceptions by Suzanne Leal is a gripping tale set against the backdrop of World War II. It explores the intertwining lives of several characters, each carrying secrets and confronting moral dilemmas during a tumultuous period. The narrative delves into themes of identity, survival, and the complexities of human nature, offering a compelling blend of historical and personal drama.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are drawn to stories that weave together historical intrigue with contemporary revelations. It explores themes of survival, identity, and redemption, and may appeal to those who appreciate rich narratives set against a backdrop of World War II's moral complexities.

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Long-buried family secrets surface in a compelling new novel from the author of The Teacher's Secret.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Moving from wartime Europe to modern-day Australia, The Deceptions is a powerful story of old transgressions, unexpected revelations, and the legacy of lives built on lies and deceit.

Prague, 1943. Taken from her home in Prague, Hana Lederova finds herself imprisoned in the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, where she is forced to endure appalling deprivation and the imminent threat of transportation to the east. When she attracts the attention of the Czech gendarme who becomes her guard, Hana reluctantly accepts his advances, hoping for the protection she so desperately needs.

Sydney, 2010. Manipulated into a liaison with her married boss, Tessa knows she needs to end it, but how? Tessa's grandmother, Irena, also has something to hide. Harkening back to the Second World War, hers is a carefully kept secret that, if revealed, would send shockwaves well beyond her own fractured family.

Inspired by a true story of wartime betrayal, The Deceptions is a searing, compassionate tale of love and duplicityβ€”and family secrets better left buried.

'The Deceptions is a stunning example of the way fiction tells war better than any other form - I could taste its madness, its horror. Saw from the outside, its utter absurdity. For days after reading the novel I found myself wrestling with the price of betrayal, and the value of truth.' - Sofie Laguna, winner of the Miles Franklin Literary Award

'At what cost can a survivor of hell rebuild a seemingly normal life? The Deceptions is a gripping and tragic story for our times.' - Leah Kaminsky, author of The Hollow Bones

'Impossible to put down. Leal is a master storyteller. Mesmerising, heartbreaking, honestβ€”The Deceptions is ferociously good.' - Nikki Gemmell, author of After

'Those who grew up in the shadow of the Second World War had Elie Wiesel's Night to define for them the enormity for the Holocaust. Those who were born later can now rely upon Suzanne Leal's brilliant and confronting novel The Deceptions to open their eyes to the true horrors of Nazism.' - Alan Gold, author of Bloodline

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Deceptions is praised for its powerful portrayal of war, delivering an intense and gripping narrative that captures the madness and horror of the time. Critics commend its ability to provoke reflection on the themes of betrayal and truth, highlighting its contemporary relevance. The novel is described as mesmerising, heartbreaking, and remarkably well-crafted, with comparisons to significant historical accounts, illustrating its impact and depth.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760875275

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 31 March 2020

Country: Australia

Imprint: Allen & Unwin

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 155.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 365g

Pages: 288

About the Author

SUZANNE LEAL is the bestselling author of The Teacher's Secret and Border Street. A regular interviewer and presenter at literary events and festivals, she was the senior judge for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards from 2017 to 2019. Suzanne is also a lawyer experienced in child protection, criminal law and refugee law. She lives in Sydney with her husband and four children. www.suzanneleal.com

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