'Richly evocative' The Times
'Fascinating' The Observer
'Riveting ... fast-paced, brilliantly constructed' Spectator
'Profound and moving... a beautifully written evocation of turbulent times' Daily Express
It is the early 1930s, and Europe is holding its breath. As Hitler's grip on power tightens, preparations are being made for the Berlin Olympics. Leni Riefenstahl is the pioneering, sexually-liberated star film-maker of the Third Reich. She has been chosen by Hitler to capture the Olympics on celluloid but is about to find that even his closest friends have much to fear. Kim Newlands is the English athlete 'sponsored' by the Blackshirts and devoted to his mercurial, socialite girlfriend Connie. He is driven by a desire to win an Olympic gold but to do that he must first pretend to be someone he is not. Alun Pryce is the Welsh communist sent to infiltrate the Blackshirts. When he befriends Kim and Connie, his belief that the end justifies the means will be tested to the core.
Through her camera lens and memoirs, Leni is able to manipulate the truth about what happens when their fates collide at the Olympics. But while some scenes from her life end up on the cutting room floor, this does not mean they are lost forever...
'A masterly exploration of conflicting loyalties ... Sharply characterised, richly atmospheric and completely engrossing' John Preston, author of The Dig
| ISBN: | 9780857527172 |
| Publication date: | 24th June 2021 |
| Author: | Nigel Farndale |
| Publisher: | Doubleday an imprint of Transworld |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 480 pages |
| Genres: |
Historical Fiction Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
'Richly evocative' The Times
'Fascinating' The Observer
'Riveting ... fast-paced, brilliantly constructed' Spectator
'Profound and moving... a beautifully written evocation of turbulent times' Daily Express
It is the early 1930s, and Europe is holding its breath. As Hitler's grip on power tightens, preparations are being made for the Berlin Olympics. Leni Riefenstahl is the pioneering, sexually-liberated star film-maker of the Third Reich. She has been chosen by Hitler to capture the Olympics on celluloid but is about to find that even his closest friends have much to fear. Kim Newlands is the English athlete 'sponsored' by the Blackshirts and devoted to his mercurial, socialite girlfriend Connie. He is driven by a desire to win an Olympic gold but to do that he must first pretend to be someone he is not. Alun Pryce is the Welsh communist sent to infiltrate the Blackshirts. When he befriends Kim and Connie, his belief that the end justifies the means will be tested to the core.
Through her camera lens and memoirs, Leni is able to manipulate the truth about what happens when their fates collide at the Olympics. But while some scenes from her life end up on the cutting room floor, this does not mean they are lost forever...
'A masterly exploration of conflicting loyalties ... Sharply characterised, richly atmospheric and completely engrossing' John Preston, author of The Dig
The Dictator's Muse features in the following genres: Historical Fiction, Modern and Contemporary Fiction
The Dictator's Muse is available in Paperback, Hardback
The Dictator's Muse was written by Nigel Farndale and published by Doubleday an imprint of Transworld
The Dictator's Muse has 480 pages
£15.29