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bluedijon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Exactly the type of mystery novel that shines an unflinching light onto the social patterns that cause evil. A side of history rarely examined but so, so urgent - the fact that there are any parallels between 1936 Germany and 2025 USA, let alone being able to recognize some of the trends, is horrifying and utterly necessary to know about. Not an easy book by any means, but a worthwhile one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Sexual harassment
graff_fuller's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
When you read a story, you want to like the protagonist (for the most part).. You want to sympathize with his plight. You make excuses for him/her when they do something that you (in real life) do not agree with. BUT, eventually, you have to understand...that the protagonist is being put in situations that you yourself have never been put in. The "walk a few miles in their shoes" comes to mind.
This is the second book that I've read with Bernie Gunther as the protagonist. The first one is a prequel to this current book, but also the lates book in the series (#14). It was set in 1928. Already you could see (through the story being unfolded) that there was rapant racism going on in Germany, especially in Berlin (where the story is set).
What we'd learn through the history books, was also revealed in the story...though now you have someone you are rooting for, Bernie.
He isn't a perfect human being. He has his own foibles, insecurities and environmental factors that make him the person that he is when we meet him.
Around him (in Berlin and in all of Germany) in 1928 is the rise of the Nazi regime. What they once thought outlandish...is now becoming routine. The salute, for example...and the praising of Hitler (yikes!).
In this book, it is NOW 1936...and it is much, Much, MUCH worse. Now, if you do not salute, or praise Hitler...you are seen as a subversive...and sent to one of the DK (camps).
Bernie is a detective...and he's pretty good, but in this story, he finds himself in a pinch...and he ends up in Dachau. When I read this...there is ONLY one thing that is brought to mind...one of the worst concentration camps in all of Nazi regime.
I really enjoyed the tightrope walking that Bernie is doing, but will it be enough to save his sanity? Will I want to read on...in the story? By the end of this tale (the Bernie Gunther series), will I have lost all sympathy for him...or will he become heroic and overcome the weight of the moral degrade that occurred during the Nazi regime?
When the next book becomes available at the library...I will read it. What an interesting tale. Learning history, through a fictional character...through one of the worst eras in history.
This is the second book that I've read with Bernie Gunther as the protagonist. The first one is a prequel to this current book, but also the lates book in the series (#14). It was set in 1928. Already you could see (through the story being unfolded) that there was rapant racism going on in Germany, especially in Berlin (where the story is set).
What we'd learn through the history books, was also revealed in the story...though now you have someone you are rooting for, Bernie.
He isn't a perfect human being. He has his own foibles, insecurities and environmental factors that make him the person that he is when we meet him.
Around him (in Berlin and in all of Germany) in 1928 is the rise of the Nazi regime. What they once thought outlandish...is now becoming routine. The salute, for example...and the praising of Hitler (yikes!).
In this book, it is NOW 1936...and it is much, Much, MUCH worse. Now, if you do not salute, or praise Hitler...you are seen as a subversive...and sent to one of the DK (camps).
Bernie is a detective...and he's pretty good, but in this story, he finds himself in a pinch...and he ends up in Dachau. When I read this...there is ONLY one thing that is brought to mind...one of the worst concentration camps in all of Nazi regime.
I really enjoyed the tightrope walking that Bernie is doing, but will it be enough to save his sanity? Will I want to read on...in the story? By the end of this tale (the Bernie Gunther series), will I have lost all sympathy for him...or will he become heroic and overcome the weight of the moral degrade that occurred during the Nazi regime?
When the next book becomes available at the library...I will read it. What an interesting tale. Learning history, through a fictional character...through one of the worst eras in history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Genocide, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism
ellers6's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Antisemitism
hystericalonion's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
For some reason I just could not get into this book, despite it being very recommended. I did not find the main character lovable, and really did not like how the women were narrated. The mystery to solve wasn’t gripping. The end of the book almost feels like a different story, and that was far more interesting. However, some details were straight up horrifying and even as I finished it, my mind kept on going to them. Read the content warnings before starting the book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Rape, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Torture