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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I have to admit that during the first few pages of Robert Harris' Vaterland, I wasn't particularly impressed. The book seemed to rely on many typical clichés that initially appeared superficial and contrived to me. However, as the book progressed, a coherent picture emerged that gradually drew me in.
The story of the protagonist, Kripo detective March, may seem utopian at first glance, but ultimately, this is the central theme of the book. The plot is cleverly constructed and remains suspenseful until the very end. The increasing hopelessness and helplessness of March are frightening and are reflected emotionally and intelligently.
The book's dark and oppressive atmosphere deeply touched me. The tension remains until the end, and the book provides plenty of food for thought for some time after reading. I must say that this book will stay with me for a long time.
Although I was initially skeptical, I can wholeheartedly recommend Vaterland by Robert Harris. It is an engrossing tale with a dark atmosphere that captivates the reader until the end.
The story of the protagonist, Kripo detective March, may seem utopian at first glance, but ultimately, this is the central theme of the book. The plot is cleverly constructed and remains suspenseful until the very end. The increasing hopelessness and helplessness of March are frightening and are reflected emotionally and intelligently.
The book's dark and oppressive atmosphere deeply touched me. The tension remains until the end, and the book provides plenty of food for thought for some time after reading. I must say that this book will stay with me for a long time.
Although I was initially skeptical, I can wholeheartedly recommend Vaterland by Robert Harris. It is an engrossing tale with a dark atmosphere that captivates the reader until the end.
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
fast-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:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
5* for page-turning excitement
4* for alt-history verisimilitude
2* for the believabilty of the characters
Difficult to say much here without giving away the story.
It is well written and for the most part, the plot just about holds water.
The occasional reveal of documents is chillingly effective and the depiction of Berlin in 1964 as a grand vanity project turned grey is also well done. To keep up the pace and excitement, Harris has sacrificed some of the detail and nuance of his characters, but if you want a book that will keep you reading past your normal bedtime curfew then you could do a lot worse than this.
4* for alt-history verisimilitude
2* for the believabilty of the characters
Difficult to say much here without giving away the story.
It is well written and for the most part, the plot just about holds water.
The occasional reveal of documents is chillingly effective and the depiction of Berlin in 1964 as a grand vanity project turned grey is also well done. To keep up the pace and excitement, Harris has sacrificed some of the detail and nuance of his characters, but if you want a book that will keep you reading past your normal bedtime curfew then you could do a lot worse than this.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A terrific speculative spy thriller. It’s 1964 Germany in an alternative world history where Germany has won WWII and Hitler is approaching his 75th birthday celebrations. A body is found and Detective Xavier March heads the investigation. He soon learns the corpse’s identity is that of a former high ranking Nazi officer and he is swiftly ordered off the case. But March has already uncovered enough evidence to show that this is not a suicide or accident as was initially suspected but obviously a murder. Further digging also reveals that this is simply the latest in a string of coincidental deaths of Nazi officials who were all present at meetings convened to address the Jewish problem during the war. With the help of an American journalist, March uncovers horrific top secret documents that explain the disappearance of the Jewish population throughout this all powerful, expansive, modern German Reich, to which all have subsequently turned a blind eye since the successful German victory against the allied forces. March knows this truth needs to be exposed but how to get it across the border? It becomes a deadly race against time to expose the reality of Nazi war crimes.
When the movie version of this came out in the 1990'S I saw it on TV. Reading it 20 years later was very enjoyable. I love well researched alternative history. The fact that the historical landscape is not necessarily the emphasis, but rather a double edged mystery is compelling for me as a reader. In some was, it reminded me of Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policeman's Union.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The world that Harris builds is utterly convincing, fantastically vivid and keeps you turning pages on it's own. Add to that an ironclad plot and the result is a truly entertaining and engrossing book.