A Bag of Marbles Paperback – Illustrated, 13 Aug. 2013

I can't stop buying this book for friends. It is moving, terrifying and very funny, showing the effects of the German occupation of France on the lives of two streetwise little Jewish boys. You see the brutality and the mixture of efficiency and incompetence of the occupiers, and how big-scale events have an impact on the children: for example, the Allied invasion of Italy entails the withdrawal of Italian troops from the south of France, which in turn puts a stop to the amiable black market in olive oil and brings about the brutal appearance of the Nazis. I think that this has been used as a children's book, which is quite acceptable, but behind the surface story we can see the great events unfolding.People have complained that it is ghost-written. Of course it is. These education of these boys stopped.at late elementary school. But the truth of their story and their perception of events rings out on every page. Fundamentally bright boys, of necessity they had to become sharp and aware, but even when fleeing and in danger of their lives, they would stop to have fights. I read this in French and was a little put off by the American English. Nobody who was given the book by me felt likewise. Then I asked myself why on earth the translation should be in UK English.

Very interesting version of the book. There was no indication that the book was in graphic form, otherwise a bit like a comic strip.I had read the French version and was looking for a translation for others to read, so in this respect I was disappointed. Perhaps more information about the format of the book would have been helpful. Is there a word for word translation among the other versions?

An enlightening, scary and depressing look into the effects of the Nazi regime on how people view the world as well as the consequences thereof. It was sad, hopeful and tense throughout. It was well done artwork that really adds to the story.

I was disappointed with this as the description is not clear that this is a comic book style rather than just the English version.

This version of Joseph Joffo’s book in American /English is not what I expected, I thought I was buying the translation of Un Sac De Billes, , not an adaptation in “comic form” of the original book. I don’t feel that this genre, being mostly pictures does justice to Joffo’s work; indeed, unless you have read the book in its original language, some of the pictures and the flow of the story become hard to understand. Personally, I wanted to read an English translation in order to compare it to the original language, so this version was totally unhelpful.

This is a very good book

Best book ever both my husband and me thought the book was great

Good book well written suitable for teenagers of adults. Very good discussion at Book Club

I thought it was a great book that I am going to recommend to my grandchildren. I hope they enjoy it as much or more than I did.

although the *book3 arrived in time & in good condition.It'll only get 1 star(less isn't posible9 due to the fact that it is a cartoonwhich was not mentioned in the decription.As I would not have bought it if known.

Ho letto il libro in italiano, e volevo leggere anche il fumetto, per curiosità. Bei disegni e interessante, anche se ovviamente non completo come il libro.

Unfortunately the true nature of this publication is obscured by the description. It is a well drawn comic book. Suitable only for those who cannot yet read confidently, sadly.

great account of the travels of two Jewish children on their own through occupied and 'free' France in 1942-44. Very good translation.