November 2011 Guest Editor Victoria Hislop selects Fatherland...
Fatherland by Robert Harris is an amazing novel. In fact all his novels are great, but this just happens to be my favourite. Robert Harris always does extensive and exhaustive research into the history/ideas behind his novels but he then deftly puts it to one side and crafts his story. He does something that I greatly aspire to: he wears his research lightly so that we learn a lot while reading his books, but we are not being hit over the head with his knowledge though we know it is there. I admire him hugely and would like to achieve the same effect.
The Lovereading view...
It is April 1964 and one week before Hitler's 75th birthday. Xavier March, a detective of the Kriminalpolizei, is called out to investigate the discovery of a dead body in a lake near Berlin's most prestigious suburb. As March discovers the identity of the body, he uncovers signs of a conspiracy that could go to the very top of the German Reich.
_________________________ 'The highest form of thriller . . . non-stop excitement' The Times NOW AVAILABLE: THE SECOND SLEEP, ROBERT HARRIS'S LATEST NOVEL _________________________ What if Hitler had won the war? It is April 1964 and one week before Hitler's 75th birthday. Xavier March, a detective of the Kriminalpolizei, is called out to investigate the discovery of a dead body in a lake near Berlin's most prestigious suburb. As March discovers the identity of the body, he uncovers signs of a conspiracy that could go to the very top of the German Reich. And, with the Gestapo just one step behind, March, together with an American journalist, is caught up in a race to discover and reveal the truth - a truth that has already killed, a truth that could topple governments, a truth that will change history.