Unbroken

Summary: The true story of Louie Zamperini unfolds as he transitions from being an Olympic athlete to navigating the chaos of World War II. Serving as a bombardier, Louie and his fellow soldiers crash into the ocean, left with just two life rafts, a few cups of water, and a chocolate bar to share among the three of them. After enduring forty-seven days adrift and near death, only Louie and Phil survive the ordeal, only to be captured by Japan. As a prisoner of war, Louie faces challenges that test not only his physical endurance but also his faith in God.

Suggested age rating: 18+ based on frequent language and violence, sexual references and situations, as well as some racism and people being slaves.

Review: As someone who enjoys action novels but tends to avoid biographies, I had mixed feelings when I began reading this novel. However, as I progressed, I was pleased to see the author detail Louie's humble beginnings, even though it made for a slow start, but later the pace of the novel picked up alongside Louie's running achievements. When the story of the Olympic athlete took an unfortunate turn, I appreciated the author's inclusion of research footnotes, which highlighted her dedication to the hero's life. She also portrayed the depth of Louie's hardships as a prisoner of war in Japan while providing insight into events beyond his immediate situation. The book does contains some inappropriate content that was unnecessary for the telling Louie's life story, making it unsuitable for younger readers. However, there is a young adult version worth considering that may omit this violent and vulgar content. Despite these issues, the book was an excellent read, conveying an important message about faith in overcoming adversity and how God can support you through the most difficult of times not matter who you are.

Language: 2 ba***** (1 is in Italian), 6 uses of the Lord's name in vain, 2 a**, 12 he**, 5 da**, 2 pi**, 1 bi***, 6 sh**, 1 fu** (pg 290), some racial slurs, and Di** is a nickname for Richard.

Indecency/Sex: Mention of a child and men running naked, sex out of wedlock, masterbat*** (pg 11), the size of women's genitalia (pg 11), and thousands of people being raped and taken pictured of. Girls spank a guys butt, a man poops outside a window, and pee is said to go all over a man. A room filled with pornography (not graphic) is present Sex slaves, men's parts becoming swollen, sores on butts, people having to eat animal parts, and men finding a brothel are brought up. A man sexually violates a bird (not graphic, pg 231). Discussion of a naked, scantily clad and unclad women being drawn on planes, a man receiving sexual pleasure from beating people, and a man gropes a woman's butt.

Violence and Gore: Guns, a broken rib and jaw, killing and gutting of animals, legs being slashed, skin peeling off, and a graphic description of men being splattered on a runway are present. A severed toe, a leg being impaled, a guy hitting a girl, people being beheaded, shot, mutilated, crucified, and mauled by dogs are mentioned. Discussion of a child being beat and shot at, people being executed and enslaved, men being eaten or partially eaten by sharks, bloody diarrhea, cannibalism, and dog's skinned head. Pictures of peoples bodies and severed heads, people being killed for sport, are brought up. Men are tortured by limbs being sawed off, sticking files up nails, ripping nails off, burning of their bodies, and forced to eat feces. Prisoners of war are beat, harassed, spit on, stabbed, forced to eat animal remains, hanged. Book also mentions how prisoners are ritually sacrificed for cannibalism, a husband strangling his pregnant wife, a man slaps and throws his wife, and a wife hits and throws things at her husband.

Frightening Scenes: The treatment and torture of the prisoners of war are intense.

Substance Abuse: A child smokes, drinks, and becomes drunk. Mention of alcoholics and several people smoke and drink.

Spiritual Content: Heaven, the devil, God, the Bible, and a pastor are brought up. Sermons are preached and people turn their life over to God.

Genres: Nonfiction, adult, World War 2, biography, Christian, war, documentary.