In September 1939, World War Two is declared. For RAF fighter pilots patrolling the Franco-German border it is a bizarre time: one moment they are chasing an elusive Luftwaffe, the next ordering champagne in Paris. Then, in May 1940, Hitler launches Blitzkrieg and the Hurricane squadrons find themselves engulfed in battle. Blue Man Falling follows the fortunes of two RAF pilots; Englishman Kit Curtis, and American Ossie Wolf, who clash not only with the Germans, but also with each other, fighting for different reasons and employing different methods as France collapses and the Allies face humiliation and defeat. They also encounter the insidious Fifth Column, the enemy within, and those intent on profiting from chaos...
Blue Man Falling
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This is brilliantly researched with terrific flying and combat scenes - a fictional version of the very successful non fiction book "FIGHTER BOYS".
About the Author
Frank Barnard trained as a journalist before moving into public relations. He worked as managing director for major international consultancies before quitting at 50 to write full time and race cars. He is married with two children and four grandchildren with whom he enjoys sailing and sea-fishing near his home in Rye, Sussex.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Smithy
Format:Paperback
"Blue man Falling" is a great first novel and a welcome addition to the smallish realm of WWII aviation fiction. I must admit that initially I was a little sceptical being a great fan of Derek Robinson's novels and espeically "Piece of Cake". However I was very pleasantly surprised. This is a great novel, well-written, good characterisation, and a writing style that whips along without detracting from discription. In fact Barnard has done an exemplary job recreating the time, places, people and atmosphere of the Phoney War and Blitzkreig in France. However what really made the book stand out were his brilliant discriptions of aerial combat, these being some of the best I have read in a novel and, dare I say it, better than those of Derek Robinson. As the old cliche goes, they really put the reader in the cockpit - stirring stuff! The only minor point I would make is that the book tended to "waft off" a little in the middle to latter stages with the secondary plotline which was a flashback to earlier during the Phoney War. However this is by no means a major gripe and overall I think it's a splendid read. Well done Mr. Barnard and I'm looking forward to "Band of Eagles" and (hopefully) forthcoming titles.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A. J. Sudworth
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
This is a great story of the RAF and I only dropped a star as the the civilian subplot was not critical to the main story.
The quality of the writing describing the flying and the conditions was great with some of the banter between the pilots reminding me of 'A Piece of Cake' by Derek Robinson (another cracking read). The UK / US pilot split also reminded me of that book but this is better in that they seem to want to at least understand each other.
I finsihed the book thinking ' I hope there is a sequel ' - and now I find that there is - excellent !
The quality of the writing describing the flying and the conditions was great with some of the banter between the pilots reminding me of 'A Piece of Cake' by Derek Robinson (another cracking read). The UK / US pilot split also reminded me of that book but this is better in that they seem to want to at least understand each other.
I finsihed the book thinking ' I hope there is a sequel ' - and now I find that there is - excellent !
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Blue Man Falling is a tale of a fictional RAF squadron in the doomed battle for France that took place in May and June of 1940. The story centres around two main characters and focuses on their experiences, their histories, and their conflicting attitudes to the conflict.
One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is that Barnard has not found it necessary to tie himself to factual people, engagements, and places in the way that many writers do. Instead he uses the general sequence of events and dates as they happened as a framework round which to construct a plausible but entirely fictional novel.
The book is split into four parts, the second of which goes eight months back in time and follows the lives of the pilots during the `phoney war' between the declaration of war and the start of the blitzkrieg across France. It describes the ludicrousy of a situation where pilots may be sipping champagne in a 5 star hotel one day and patrolling the sky for enemy fighters the next. The drawback is that this part of the book can be seen as slightly dull and one of the characters maintains a mediocre sub-plot that lasts through out the rest of the book, slowing the story and essentially causing it to be 80-odd pages too long.
The depth of characterization in both the main and secondary figures is excellent as is the development of the characters as time progresses. `Blue Man Falling' may not be as full of action as one might expect and it may not have a very clear and structured plot. Some may also find it slightly repetitive at times. But what is produced here is a very real and graphic portrayal of life in a fighter squadron at this time, without the tiresome propaganda found in the many novels of this type written in earlier decades.
One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is that Barnard has not found it necessary to tie himself to factual people, engagements, and places in the way that many writers do. Instead he uses the general sequence of events and dates as they happened as a framework round which to construct a plausible but entirely fictional novel.
The book is split into four parts, the second of which goes eight months back in time and follows the lives of the pilots during the `phoney war' between the declaration of war and the start of the blitzkrieg across France. It describes the ludicrousy of a situation where pilots may be sipping champagne in a 5 star hotel one day and patrolling the sky for enemy fighters the next. The drawback is that this part of the book can be seen as slightly dull and one of the characters maintains a mediocre sub-plot that lasts through out the rest of the book, slowing the story and essentially causing it to be 80-odd pages too long.
The depth of characterization in both the main and secondary figures is excellent as is the development of the characters as time progresses. `Blue Man Falling' may not be as full of action as one might expect and it may not have a very clear and structured plot. Some may also find it slightly repetitive at times. But what is produced here is a very real and graphic portrayal of life in a fighter squadron at this time, without the tiresome propaganda found in the many novels of this type written in earlier decades.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blue Man Falling
I am pleased to get this book as I have been looking for it for a long time. First class service. Will use again.
Published 4 months ago by Terri Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars
A superb story
I would like to express my thanks and admiration to the author for this excellent story. I found the plot and characters very engaging and persuasive. Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2010 by Dr. Richard M. Pearson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Yup i agree with the first review
Good book except for the flash back wanderings into the depths of Paris.
Shame really.
Shame really.
Published on 13 Mar 2010 by M. Jackson
1.0 out of 5 stars
a very difficult read
I recently bought this book,and the other two in the trilogy,based largely on other reader reviews. Most of these reviews indicated that this was a good read. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2010 by J. goldsmith
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
Like other reviewers i had already read and enjoyed Piece of Cake by Robinson. I was hoping that that Barnard's book would flesh out this fascinating period of history with new... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2010 by Paul Shorter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping book, excellently written
I first read 'Band of Eagles' so I already had a taste for Frank Barnard's writing. I must say this book is brilliant, and in response to the reviewers who claim the secondary plot... Read more
Published on 27 April 2009 by Mr. J. E. Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars
May 1940 and the lights of Europe are extinguished...
This really is a brilliant and highly accomplished first novel.
For me it captures the harrowing, insidious shadow of despair that swept across France and the civilised... Read more
For me it captures the harrowing, insidious shadow of despair that swept across France and the civilised... Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2008 by B. C. Rost
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and emmotive
A very absorbing read in which the characters and situation are really bought to life. There is none of the gung-ho / boys-own approach to war, which is a relief. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2008 by A. Perry-Smith
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not a piece of cake
I am probably a lone dissenting voice in failing to be won over by this book. I am afraid that no matter how hard I tried I could not stop myself continually comparing "Blue Man... Read more
Published on 13 Nov 2007 by Smokey Joe
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hate to disagree
I bought this book on the strength of other reviews but I have to say that I was very disappointed. I found the storyline and events lacking any credibility and cohesion. Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2007 by Biggles
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