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susie_m's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this spy novel set in the alternative history of 1952. The book begins with the decision to make Halifax the prime minister in 1940, rather than Churchill, and supposes that Britain then surrendered to the Germans after a short war. To someone with limited historical knowledge it contained enough names and places to make it feel that this outcome was possible, and the historical setting was, after all, only the setting and premise for the plot of a fictional spy drama.
The drama moved along at a reasonable pace, and, although it may have appeared somewhat contrived in places, I wanted to know whether they got away in the end. What I found most thought provoking however, was the speed with which the people could be persuaded towards nationalism and the ill treatment of others. Let's hope this was the real fiction of the novel.
The drama moved along at a reasonable pace, and, although it may have appeared somewhat contrived in places, I wanted to know whether they got away in the end. What I found most thought provoking however, was the speed with which the people could be persuaded towards nationalism and the ill treatment of others. Let's hope this was the real fiction of the novel.
alisarae's review against another edition
Almost 200 pages in and I think this book is just not for me. Nothing wrong with it, but 650 pages are a lot of pages when you aren't thaaat interested.
ja_hopkins's review against another edition
4.0
As a fan of alternate history, and someone interested in WW2, this appealed to me immediately. Set just over a decade after WW2 ended with surrender in 1940, the book tells the dystopian story of Nazi controlled Britain. Those familiar with the history of the time will recognise peripheral characters such as Beaverbrook and Mosley. Britain is under authoritarian rule, with the press muzzled and focused on pro-German propaganda, and the fate of British Jews hangs in the balance. A resistance organisation fights on, headed by Churchill.
The lead is a civil servant, David Fitzgerald, who is recruited by a friend to work for the resistance. A mutual acquaintance from their university days drags them into a far more dangerous conspiracy than copying documents related to British Dominions – the peace of 1940 allowed Britain to maintain its Empire, whilst Germany controlled Europe. He is pursued by a relentless, brilliant Gestapo man, Gunther Hoth and a Special Branch policeman. A disparate cast of unlikely resistance activists are pulled into the conspiracy as the story moves along.
The story is well written, and I really enjoyed the detail of London in the 1950’s. The characters are deep enough that you care, and I read this very quickly as I wanted to find out what happened next. I have two slight criticisms – firstly, I was hoping for more (maybe that’s not a criticism). I felt the wrap-up was all a bit quick. Without wanting to risk spoilers, I was hoping for more from this well created world – the ending precludes any sequels. The second point is the way the story jumps around – it follows a character for several days (or longer), then moves onto another and you move back in time those several days which I found quite jarring. My preference is to proceed broadly sequentially and move between the characters more often. However, I’m sure Sansom had his reasons.
Overall I highly recommend this book. As I said, I’m a bit disappointed there won’t be more works set in this extremely well crafted alternate Britain.
The lead is a civil servant, David Fitzgerald, who is recruited by a friend to work for the resistance. A mutual acquaintance from their university days drags them into a far more dangerous conspiracy than copying documents related to British Dominions – the peace of 1940 allowed Britain to maintain its Empire, whilst Germany controlled Europe. He is pursued by a relentless, brilliant Gestapo man, Gunther Hoth and a Special Branch policeman. A disparate cast of unlikely resistance activists are pulled into the conspiracy as the story moves along.
The story is well written, and I really enjoyed the detail of London in the 1950’s. The characters are deep enough that you care, and I read this very quickly as I wanted to find out what happened next. I have two slight criticisms – firstly, I was hoping for more (maybe that’s not a criticism). I felt the wrap-up was all a bit quick. Without wanting to risk spoilers, I was hoping for more from this well created world – the ending precludes any sequels. The second point is the way the story jumps around – it follows a character for several days (or longer), then moves onto another and you move back in time those several days which I found quite jarring. My preference is to proceed broadly sequentially and move between the characters more often. However, I’m sure Sansom had his reasons.
Overall I highly recommend this book. As I said, I’m a bit disappointed there won’t be more works set in this extremely well crafted alternate Britain.
aasnur's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
jeep8read's review against another edition
5.0
What if Germany had won World War II? Sansom creates an alarming picture of Europe in that mode. Well conceived and written.
roshk99's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read many of these alternative history books, but since this was by Sansom, I wanted to give it a go. The premise is that Britain surrenders at Dunkirk and signs a treaty with the Nazis, prompting Churchill to go on the run and a Resistance to form against the increasingly fascist and pro-Germany British government. Excellently written and fast-paced.
didactylos's review against another edition
4.0
I don't like 'alternative histories' so that made me less likely to like this novel. However with most of it is was very atmospheric, very clever and rattled along as a good thriller ought to. At times made me think about some of the characters who appear who are actual people, and their role the writer ascribes to them....
The stuff on Churchill and Chartwell was straining the bounds of credulity though.
The stuff on Churchill and Chartwell was straining the bounds of credulity though.
gk873's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
dja777's review against another edition
3.0
A little slow, and I agree with the reviewers who state that the author's worry about the Scottish National Party gets intrusive in weird ways. Not my favorite alternate history novel.
karen_barrington's review against another edition
2.0
I wish there had been a character you could really warm to but I guess maybe keeping them distant and...I don't want to say cold...was part of the point of the story. You don't really connect with or root for any individual but I guess the cause which is more important.
I do like alternate history stories though so that aspect was interesting.
I do like alternate history stories though so that aspect was interesting.