I honestly had a really hard time getting into this book, I kept hoping it would pick up but it was so slow and I had a hard time following along with all the different characters in the book. I normally really enjoy this genre so I really did try to enjoy it. If it weren’t for Netgalley I don’t think this would be a book I would pick for myself.

I thought this was overall okay. The pace of the story was slow, wish it had eventually picked up. The format felt a bit disjointed. I struggled focusing at times. I didn't feel like I connected with the characters.

A hyper focused take on WWII historical fiction, this novel follows the residents of a single apartment building in Belgium throughout the war. The character development in 33 Place Brugmann was excellent, and even though I’m usually more of a plot driven reader, so much of the plot was motivated by the choices each character made as they aimed to survive this horrific time period. Did they become Nazi informants to save their own skin? Would they join the resistance, fall in love, start a family, find their lost loved ones?

I loved how zoomed in the storytelling was, and found it to be unlike any of the WWII historical fiction I’ve read before. It wasn't surprising that author Alice Austen is a playwright/screenwriter/director because there were theatrical elements to her writing that lent itself to a very visual reading experience, which I deeply enjoyed. I'd recommend this for fans of intimate, introspective novels of historical fiction.

33 Place Brugmann is a skillfully written and intellectually stimulating work of historical fiction centring around the residents of a small, elegant apartment building in Brussels in the time leading up to and during World War II. Austen’s novel presents the German occupation of Brussels, antisemitism and the plight of Jews (focusing on one cultured Jewish family in particular) within that city, the operations of the resistance network that returned downed airmen to England, and the importance of art to civilization (one character is intimately involved in the transporting of the treasures of Britain’s National Gallery to mines in Wales, where they’re protected from bombing). Philosophy (Wittgenstein), mathematics (especially risk, chance, probability), and love also figure in this rich and sophisticated creation.

Initially, I found the novel fragmented and rather slow going due to the presentation of multiple points of view, but I’m glad I held on. It’s an ambitious work, perhaps too much so. I don’t feel I grasped much of the Wittgenstein at all (or the author’s inclusion of so many abstruse passages from the philosopher’s Tractatus). Furthermore, the central character, the completely colourblind ethereal young artist Charlotte, did not convince, a major flaw in the work in my view.

In the end, though, I felt rewarded and changed by reading this. With its mixture of realistic and surreal elements and its European flavour, I can imagine it as the basis for a motion picture. This is unusual historical fiction. It won’t be for everyone, but I do recommend it.

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an advance reading copy of the book.

1939 Brussels and on the eve of occupation, the lives of those in the Beaux Arts building are going to be changed forever, and not for the better.

Starting with Nazi occupation, looming threats, the solidifying of previous unheard of atrocities, the rationing and the build up of mistrust amongst neighbours, friends all with the aim of turning in someone you didn’t like, didn’t trust was becoming commonplace. At the same time resistance to the occupiers was very real, and hiding national treasures was very much the goal of many.

The story builds up within these eight apartments from betrayal to resilience and the determination to survive.

Emotional reading but any story set in this era was hard reading.

The apartment building at Place Brugmann is a clever premise for a war novel. Housing a spectrum of characters, each with their individual ideologies, social levels and morals, lead to a wide variety of viewpoints and storylines. These threads were not always easy to follow, and I found it a little difficult to always remember whose viewpoint was whose, but generally the writing is excellent and once the threads came together the ending was satisfying. This novel humanises the small decisions people make during difficult times and how these can impact the lives of others. Alice Austen will be an interesting author to watch. 3.5 stars

My thanks to Grove Atlantic House and Netgalley for an advance review copy.

Not for me. I found the pacing of the story to be too slow and couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I normally love books from this time period, but this is me didn’t grab my attention.

I loved so much of this and yet it was all so heartbreakingly tragic. A wonderful view of WW2 that we often don't see.

I was honestly having a very hard time following along with this book since the ARC formatting was throwing me off. The spacing and lack of chapters and paragraphs so it just made it a bit harder. It felt slow going and the storyline was from various perspectives which made it hard to follow along. Again I think this is due to the format I received it in. I think I will try the audiobook and update my review then.

This is a gut punch of a book that kept me hooked from start to finish. Alice Austen has crafted an array of interesting characters who all bring something special to the apartment building of 33 Place Brugmann. I am not a usual reader of wartime historical fiction, but the premise of exploring Nazi-occupied Brussels through the eyes of neighbours in an apartment block drew me in. This really is a character-driven book that explores the human condition and how communities change as a result of the horrors of war. The characters can be seen to represent a microcosm of society - in the inhabitants of 33 Place Brugmann we can recognise the artist, the good samaritan, the spirited youth, and the cynic, just to name a few. The prose is written beautifully and those who enjoy thematic books that utilise a lot of metaphors and symbolism will be sure to enjoy this read.

33 Place Brugmann is a touching story, based on true facts, told from several points of view of people who lived in the same building, in Brussels, before and during WWII, and how they felt through the ignominies perpetrated against humanity by the Nazis. It also shows how people persevere doing the good, how they help and lean on memories and possibilities of what is to come whilst at the same time it shows how people are greedy, selfish and not prone to help one another if it's not to benefit them. Although about a difficult topic, the author was able to deliver a beautifully written story where in spite of the harsh situation they faced they could still find hope for better days and find help where they would usually not see it coming from. Highly recommended!
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I LOVED the structure of this book. While some of the characters' stories felt very similar to others in the genre, the structure made this a standout in WWII fiction.

Like many readers, even fans of historical fiction, I often feel that there is an oversupply of novels set in World War II. Yet there was something about 33 Place Brugmann that kept calling to me until I eventually gave in and read the book. That thing was setting - twice over. Not only is the book set in Belgium, much less read (by me at least) than say France, Germany or even Poland, but most of the action takes place in a small apartment building, the titular 33 Place Brugmann, and focuses on the experiences of its residents. There is something about apartment buildings, the way they bring sometimes very different people into close proximity and make it easy for them to know each other's business, that makes for interesting tension and storytelling. That was the case here. We've got a range of different characters, including an art student, a Jewish family, an architect, a lawyer, a retired army colonel, a seamstress, a busybody, and a housewife. Once the Nazi occupation begins, their lives begin to change, and soon all have choices to make. Some choose to submit and even collaborate, while others choose to resist. None of the individual story lines are particularly unique. I've certainly read similar plot points in other World War II novels, but there is something about the close proximity that heightens the risk to those who are resisting, and that adds a sense of claustrophobia for the reader, an extra frisson of excitement to the storytelling. I appreciate learning through my fiction reading and this book exposed me to some interesting aspects of Belgian history during the period including the ethnic divisions among the population and the role of the Flemish VNV in collaborating with the Nazis. This book got off to something of a slow start, a common occurrence for books with a large cast of characters. However, it soon got going, and the tension really ramped up by the end. It wasn't a perfect book for me - the philosophical musings and references to Wittgenstein became a little grating. However, the good outweighed the bad. Overall, a solid, very readable WWII novel whose setting provides it with a freshness and point of difference.

This book was interesting, I liked the multiple perspectives and the clever setting which gives some great opportunities to explore those points of view. That made it a little hard to keep up with at times and i was more invested in some characters than others, which is to be expected.

This one took me awhile to get through, I'm not sure if was some of the funky formatting or the disjointed feel from time to time. I'm not sure that I would recommend it to others, but I am glad I gave it a try. I will read others from Austen.

33 Place Brugmann was quite a heartbreaking book that was, overall, well done, but the different perspectives could get confusing at times. However, as you get more invested in the characters, it gets easier to differentiate their voices.
Thank you, Netgalley and Grove Press, for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

A terrific read for fans of historical fiction. This is told by the residents of a single apartment building in Brussels, starting as the Nazis begin their march across Europe. It's not neat, there are no clear lines, and you'll fund yourself caught up in the lives of these people. In the lives of the family who leaves, in the life of Charlotte an artist who is unable to see color, and her father. In the life of Masha, who had already fled her home once, In the life of Julian who loves Charlotte. And Dirk who is repugnant. And the Colonel and Zipper his dog. All of them do small acts of revolt or assistance or betrayal. There are surprises here so be patient with everyone. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. The storytelling is subtle and accomplished. This is a debut to be proud of and Austen is a writer to watch.

Thank you Netgalley & Grove Press for an eARC ♥️♥️♥️

I was completely absorbed in the story of the residents of 33 Place Brugmann in Brussels, 1939. I mean, can you even imagine living through that time? The fear, the uncertainty, the impossible choices... it's all so heartbreakingly real.
What really got me, though, was the way the author explores the human condition. It's like she's speaking directly to your soul, you know? The book is about the choices we make, the sacrifices we make for love, and the resilience of the human spirit.
I'm not gonna lie, this book destroyed me. I sobbed, I raged, I felt all the feels. But it's a beautiful kind of destruction, the kind that makes you feel seen and heard and understood.
I think what I loved most about "33 Place Brugmann" is its ability to make you feel like you're part of the story. The characters are so richly drawn, so complex and multifaceted... you'll fall in love with them, just like I did.❤️‍🩹

33 Place Brugmann is told in the singular voices of the residents of a Beaux Arts apartment house in Belgium during World War II. Charlotte Sauvin, an art student raised by her beloved architect father in apartment 4L, knows everything about the building and the people who live there. Her grandmother lives upstairs. Across the hall from Charlotte is, Julian Raphaël, the son of an art dealer. The Raphaël family and their artwork disappear in the middle of the night.

What great debut novel! I found telling of the stories through the eyes of the residents of a singular building was unique and I loved it.

Thank you NetGalley and Grove Press for the ARC. #33PlaceBrugmann #NetGalley

3.5 Stars

This novel, set during World War II, focuses on the residents of an apartment building in Brussels. They are a diverse group of people of different ages and from different backgrounds. There’s a Jewish family, the Raphaëls, who disappear one night, leaving everything behind but their valuable art collection. There’s a Russian immigrant and a widowed war veteran. There are a number of students, including Charlotte, a colour-blind art student. There are professionals: an architect, an art dealer, an attorney, and a notary. There’s a nosy busybody. Once the Nazis occupy the city and life becomes more difficult with restrictions on movement and food rationing, each resident must choose whether to submit to the regime or resist. Some people make sacrifices and endanger themselves to save others and some people betray others to save themselves.

There are multiple points of view. At least one person from each apartment provides his/her perspective. This narrative technique provides an opportunity for the reader to encounter the thoughts of the best and worst of people, both heroes and cowards. Though they are not narrators, the Nazis are also represented, and even there, we see differences – a Nazi officer who shows compassion more than once and a collaborator who shows none to either human or animal.

There’s a disjointed feeling to the novel because of the constant shifts between so many narrators. What also affects the narrative flow is the insertion of dreams and visions, sometimes in stream-of-consciousness passages. Charlotte, for instance, at the beginning of the novel sees that “blood is seeping out under [the massive church doors], too, flowing from the church and flooding the square. Blood is everywhere. The passersby wade through blood, and it spatters their pant legs and skirts, but they take no notice.” This vision obviously symbolically foreshadows what is to come, but others are less clear.

What is also less clear is the philosophical musings. There are repeated references to Wittgenstein and I found these less than interesting. Charlotte dislikes Wittgenstein’s writings and comments, “I’d rather read a magical book with the illusion of a beginning and an end. Not pithy little bursts that force me to consider every damn sentence.” When encountering another discussion of Wittgenstein’s philosophy, I found myself agreeing with Charlotte.

Charlotte is a central figure in the novel. Her point of view is included several times, and it is her life that provides considerable action to the plot; she’s involved in the romance story and the most suspenseful scenes. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to relate to her. Others speak so highly of her, but I found it difficult to grasp her personality. For me, she remains an indistinct character, always hazy and lacking definition.

There are quite a few coincidences which troubled me. Julian’s arrival at Herman’s apartment stretches credibility. And then there are the connections among Dirk and Putzeis and the Gorilla and Masha.

I have read quite a bit of historical fiction set during World War II, but I believe this is the first set in Brussels, so I learned a great deal from this book. I learned about the VNV, the Flemish nationalist party which became the leading force of political collaboration in Flanders during the German occupation of Belgium. I also learned about the 1943 solo bombing of the Nazi headquarters in Brussels by Jean de Selys Longchamps.

Though there are elements of the book I did not enjoy, it does offer a look at how Nazi occupation affected ordinary people whose survival was threatened in many different ways. It also inspires the reader to consider how s/he would react in similar circumstances. Would one choose submission or resistance? Some statements certainly made me draw parallels with current events in the US: “When we stop trying to understand how others see the world, when we lose our compassion, our empathy, we become animals. Worse than animals” and “Elected. The meaning of the word has changed for me since [the election of Hitler]. Or else my understanding of my fellow humans’ basic intelligence has changed. I don’t know if it will come to shooting, but I know it might.”

For many writers, especially those writing for the American market, World War II and the Holocaust seem to form a convenient drapery for what is, essentially, historic romance fare. If you’re in a book club, you’ve probably been exposed to those books. I’m wary of any new fiction set in that period because of too many bad experiences with these books before. Give me a real history book any day.

Still, I decided to read this book because the description hinted at what I find interesting in the social history of WW2, and that is how ordinary people responded when under the pressures of occupation. By centering the action in an apartment building with only eight lodgings, and using the POVs of various residents, we see what the personalities are before and then how they act during the occupation.

It occurred to me while reading that the author shares a surname with the famous Jane Austen. While there isn’t much resemblance between Regency era England and World War II occupied Belgium, both Austens share an observational approach to characters that manages to conjure them with little description.

What’s most impressive about this book, especially for a debut, is its accomplished style. The writing tends to be opaque (sometimes a little too opaque) and impressionistic, but then it will suddenly bite with an astute and acid observation—many of which can sadly be applied to current circumstances in the world, especially the US. I wrote down so many of these, which I can’t quote since i read an ARC.

I will definitely look for more books from Alice Austen in the future.