The Darkest Corner of the World Paperback – August 21, 2012

I love Estonia and Estonians. (Some of the greatest people on the planet!!) I read this book and everything I can about Estonia, her people, her culture and history because I'm burdened for their future. I realize this book was written for a younger audience and would be perfect for 12 yrs. and older, but the subject and topic is timeless, full of stories that need to be heard. I was sad when the book ended and I really wanted the story to continue...which of course, in reality, it does. Stories of how Nazi's impacted this beautiful little nation also need to be shared. What better way than in story form with endearing characters you grow to care about and some you learn to distrust. And who better to read them and take them to heart than the next generation!

"I trust the trees, the shadows, the way the sun makes it's mark.""Finally she heard her thoughts, not the pounding of her own heart."A story about the experiences of a young girl during WWII in Estonia. Heart breakingly sad, absolutely real and beautiful. This book wrenches tears from your eyes. You experience every emotion coursing through the veins of the characters. The girl's father is in jail and throughout the book she writes diary entries addressed to her father."History tells us what people do; historical fiction helps us imagine how they felt." - Guy Vanderhaeghe

This is much more than a young reader's book. It is historical fiction truly grounded in the reality of a period of great chaos and repression for the people of Estonia. Caught between two vicious superpowers, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, the country, much like the major protagonists in the book, struggle merely to survive in a time when the world turned its back on the Estonian people.This is a story well told.

Marvelous. Great writing about an extremely important part of modern history that we didn't know about. I could not put this book down. I will recommend it to anyone who wants to know about the beginning days of living behind the Iron Curtain.Thank you for writing this book!

It was a very good read and brought back a lot of memories about things I had heard

Teen years are riddled with angst. Pimples sprout, perspiration takes on the rank odour of mouldy cheese, and, no matter how many notes change hands at the back of the classroom, the puzzle on which a young girl's entire future rests can not be solved.Does he like me?In 1941 Estonia, 15-year-old Madli faces these universal teen challenges, and also the same teen firsts. First crush. First kiss.First war.Twenty years before the British invasion, forty years before the punk regime brandished sex pistols, and half a century before loyalty--Team Edward or Team Jacob--was boldly declared on a T-shirt, Madli's country became lost in the folds of an iron curtain.In Madli's world, the Soviets were the enemy, holding Estonia's culture and its people hostage. In a clash stranger than fiction, the invading Nazi army became Estonia's hope.In The Darkest Corner of the World, a lost remnant of World War II is sewn into the fabric of history, revealing a a thread of the past few Westerners can imagine. Through Madli's eyes, Estonia's tragedies become real and relatable, as newcomer Urve Tamberg weaves the upheaval of war into the tapestry of Estonian life with the skill of an accomplished embroiderer.

I found this book informative about a time in Estonia which was not covered previously.The story line was expertly conveyed by fifteen year old Madli. It provided details of life in Estonia and the countryside which transported the reader. Although this book was written for teens I found the style and language made it as compelling to adult readers. The author 's description of the characters were spot on . She was able to keep us in suspense and wondering and caring for Madli and her family every step of the way. I would recommend this book as a historical fiction based on recent history in Europe and as a spell binding account of the Russian occupation of Estonia. I hope that there is a sequel to this novel. I know that I want to know more about Madli and her family during the coming years.

I so enjoyed this well told story about Madli and her family during the iron rule in Estonia. This is a part of the world that is very rich in history. While this book may be classified as a 'young adult' book, it can be appreciated by all audiences.Urve is a true story teller. I hope there will be a sequel to this story as I am sure that Madli and her family still have much more to share with their audience. I was captivated right until the end of this book savouring the final pages.I also enjoyed the style of font used throughout the book.Congratulations to the author on a great first novel!

After reading Between Shades of Grey, which I absolutely loved, I wasn't sure I could like this book as much. I give both books 5/5 stars. The Darkest Corner Of The World is about a 15-year-old girl named Madli living in Soviet-occupied Estonia. While she is away with her family at her grandparents' farm, the Nazis start to invade Estonia. And the Estonians are happy - they think the Nazis are going to free them.The Darkest Corner Of The World isn't nearly as gritty, heart-wrenching, or painful to read like Between Shades of Grey. It was definitely easier to read, but it was still very powerful. Madli is betrayed by someone very close to her and her family. Fear makes people do and say horrible things. But she gets her revenge. Madli is an incredibly strong heroine, and I liked her a lot. She is dedicated to her family and is very protective of her brothers, even though one is 3 years older than her. She is very brave, optimistic, and smart. She loves Estonia and wants nothing more than to see it free, yet she knows about the Nazis' hatred for Jews and hates that she has to accept them as the lesser of two evils (or are they?) Madli is a teenage girl thrust into a world of adults. I think most people will like her a lot as a heroine. I found that her only real flaw was her obsession with her father's papers.The Darkest Corner Of The World was very educating for me. I knew very little about Estonia and had no idea that it was under Soviet and Nazi occupation. I highly recommend this book to anyone who liked Between Shades of Grey.

I bought the book out of sheer curiosity to find out how a Canadian Estonian sees Estonia`s very painful past.The feelings are true to life, but the book contains a few factual errors that are somewhat upsetting.Still, I do not regret buying the book because it is important that people abroad know what happened in Estonia during the Soviet occupation.It is weird to hear when somebody comments on the deportation, like, "Why didn`t you call the police?"And thanks to Amazon.ca for a very fast delivery!

This book is billed as teen fiction, because it's about a year in the life of a teenage girl, told from her perspective. But it's an exciting read for those well past their teens as well. Beautifully written, historically accurate, what other praise can I give it?

I haven't finished this yet but what I have read I like. We take too many things for granted and this is a story we need to know. How can a few people make decisions about the the lives of others?

Finally a book that 2nd and 3rd generation Estonians can really connect with. An educational and compelling read for all. There is not enough written about what happened in the Baltic States. I will definitely have my teenage daughter read this.