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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
An incredible book that I devoured. Much more action adventure like a James Patterson book than a lot of harrises later work however the commitment to realism and research in the setting made it come to life as either all of harrises books.
Thouroughly enjoyed the story and despite spotting the twist half way through the story still kept enough close to its chest that I was surprised at the end.
Although he was an archetypal broody action hero Xavier marsh had at least a little more depth than most but wasn’t the study of the story so his depth mattered little.
The romance between marsh and Charlie felt forced more by the genre than by the characters who were living it but didn’t pull me out of the story.
Ultimately as with all of his books so far Harris pulled me into a world completely different from the one I occupy and managed to convince me of it wholeheartedly.
Would definitely recommend to any historical fiction fans as an amazing alternative history setting.
Thouroughly enjoyed the story and despite spotting the twist half way through the story still kept enough close to its chest that I was surprised at the end.
Although he was an archetypal broody action hero Xavier marsh had at least a little more depth than most but wasn’t the study of the story so his depth mattered little.
The romance between marsh and Charlie felt forced more by the genre than by the characters who were living it but didn’t pull me out of the story.
Ultimately as with all of his books so far Harris pulled me into a world completely different from the one I occupy and managed to convince me of it wholeheartedly.
Would definitely recommend to any historical fiction fans as an amazing alternative history setting.
History is just littered with so many "what ifs", which is why it's really difficult to create a plausible scenario in which a major event like the end of WWII is completely altered in a realistic manner. Nonetheless, Robert Harris does a marvelous job painting a starkly different yet realistic world in which the Germans win the Second World War and the United States pursues a policy of appeasement not too dissimilar from that of Neville Chamberlain's approach in the 1930s.
But, even so, against this backdrop of politics, grandeur, and conspiracy come insights into the lives of ordinary Germans, including Xavier March, the police officer and protagonist of this novel. Such descriptions provide the novel with a dose of realism that makes it a more rounded work of literature than a typical historical thriller.
But, even so, against this backdrop of politics, grandeur, and conspiracy come insights into the lives of ordinary Germans, including Xavier March, the police officer and protagonist of this novel. Such descriptions provide the novel with a dose of realism that makes it a more rounded work of literature than a typical historical thriller.
Considering my boyfriend has only read two books in his entire life (Fatherland is one of those two) and he really enjoyed this (and he detests reading), I think speaks for itself.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Suicide, Torture, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail
Peerless alternate-history detective thriller. A benchmark for the genre.
This was a request by a Patron. I let them know that I never reached for alternate history, but that I would give this one a try as it was nice and short. I also listened to a full cast audio version from the BBC which I recommend! (Though I will say that a lot of the male characters sounded the same so I struggled sometimes to figure out who was talking).
Alas this is just not to my taste. Alternate history, and especially the type where Hitler won the war are just not my jam. I don't see the appeal, but that's okay. There is an audience for it and they love it so I'm glad for them.
I will say this was well written and the story was intriguing enough, even if it was in a genre that I don't like. An issue I have with this genre is because they have a lot of writers who are men, and also an audience of predominantly men, they have a certain style that is very...we'll just say masculine. This was no different. There was one important woman character and she got to do exactly what you'd expect, and then the man heroically sacrifices himself and she escapes. Not for me, thanks anyway. The gals in these books are also always at least slightly sexually attracted to the male leads. Because why would a woman ever just...not be attracted to a man?
Anyway, long story long, while this was a good, snappy story, the setting and genre just are not my thing and this book did not change that.
Alas this is just not to my taste. Alternate history, and especially the type where Hitler won the war are just not my jam. I don't see the appeal, but that's okay. There is an audience for it and they love it so I'm glad for them.
I will say this was well written and the story was intriguing enough, even if it was in a genre that I don't like. An issue I have with this genre is because they have a lot of writers who are men, and also an audience of predominantly men, they have a certain style that is very...we'll just say masculine. This was no different. There was one important woman character and she got to do exactly what you'd expect, and then the man heroically sacrifices himself and she escapes. Not for me, thanks anyway. The gals in these books are also always at least slightly sexually attracted to the male leads. Because why would a woman ever just...not be attracted to a man?
Anyway, long story long, while this was a good, snappy story, the setting and genre just are not my thing and this book did not change that.
A genuinely intense, interesting and emotive spy thriller set in an alternate history Germany where the Nazi's won the war, Hitler is turning 75 and President Kennedy is about to visit the Reich. The story follows disolutioned and unbelieving Nazi detective March, whom gets caught up in a conspiracy after a body of a Nazi official washes up on the shores of the Rhine.
Harris does a brilliant job really selling you on the alternative history by including real people, places and events amongst the fiction that seems like it could be real. The story is interesting and continues at a solid pace with characters you genuinely learn about and want to know more.
It's phenomenal historical fiction.
Harris does a brilliant job really selling you on the alternative history by including real people, places and events amongst the fiction that seems like it could be real. The story is interesting and continues at a solid pace with characters you genuinely learn about and want to know more.
It's phenomenal historical fiction.
I did like this one. It was slow starting, but then it picked up in the middle. I was interested to see how he would do the alternate. I liked the way he put Germany in place of the Soviet Union, and still gave it an ideological spin, but different than the Soviets. I would recommend this to someone who liked WWII, mysteries, John LeCarre etc.