- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Headline Review; First Edition edition (4 Nov 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0747268738
- ISBN-13: 978-0747268734
- Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 2.2 x 19.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 71,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Early One Morning
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
In the Roaring Twenties an Englishman and a Frenchman were fierce rivals not only on the European race circuits but also for the sensuous Eve Aubicq. When war breaks out both sign up for missions in Occupied France. They cause havoc to the Nazis until their cover is blown and they are captured and tortured. This is an acclaimed novel of heroism, self-sacrifice, love and betrayal.
Time Out
'The combination of fast cars, sex and romance, spies, nasty Nazis and plucky heroes is damn near irresistible, and Ryan's grasp on the plot is hard to fault'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I wouldn't normally read a book about the war but I'd just seen Charlotte Gray so thought I'd give this one a go and it was fantastic. In fact, much better than Charlotte Gray because this is all based on real people and events. I had no idea that Grand Prix drivers had been recruited for Resistance work before I started reading and, fortunately for Ryan, they were all incredibly glamorous and colourful characters so the book's full of the most wonderful stories about their exploits. Ryan's obviously done loads of research and there are fascinating insights into all sorts of areas of war-time life (like how French prostitutes were recruited to give German soldiers sexual diseases). But the most unusual thing is I loved it (the romance between Williams and Eve is really powerful) and my husband loved it too (all the stuff about cars). It's rare we both can really enjoy the same book. You could buy this book for anyone.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Early One Morning is an immensely engaging blend of fact based adventure, all the more gripping for the unlikely background of the racing driver protagonists, interwoven with an unsentimental but moving love story. The early chapters set in pre-war Paris capture in superb detail the decadence which was to end all too soon. This contrasts starkly, for instance, with the harrowing scenes of Jewish prisoners en route to the camps. The twists and turns as Williams and his close friend Benoist keep ahead of the Gestapo are in the best traditions of war time escapades (though some of the later war scenes including Williams own incarceration in a concentration camp do not carry quite the same punch).
All this is carefully wrapped in a series of flashbacks from the present day as the truth (?) about Williams is finally uncovered.
Early One Morning is a terrific read with wide appeal; its basis in fact only adds to this appeal.
All this is carefully wrapped in a series of flashbacks from the present day as the truth (?) about Williams is finally uncovered.
Early One Morning is a terrific read with wide appeal; its basis in fact only adds to this appeal.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If I had judged this title by the artwork on its cover or the blurb on the back cover I doubt that I would have chosen to read it. Based on my husband's recommendation I decided to give it a try. I am so glad that I did as somewhat to my surprise I thoroughly enjoyed this story of the resistance movement in France during WWII.
What made it particularly intriguing was that this novel is based on real events and inspired by the protagonists of the story who were real people. William Grover, an Englishman and Robert Benoist both drove for Bugatti on the European Race Circuits and I believe that to this day trophies in their names are raced for. Eve Aubicq was the beautiful woman whose charms they both fell for. Their relationships and friendships are tested to the limits as these two brave men work for the British government behind enemy lines.
In 2001 a car that has remained submerged since WWII is retrieved from an Austrian Lake. We are then told the incredible story of the devotion and bravery leading up to this event.
At times Early One Morning is emotional and disturbing but it is certainly well worth reading.
What made it particularly intriguing was that this novel is based on real events and inspired by the protagonists of the story who were real people. William Grover, an Englishman and Robert Benoist both drove for Bugatti on the European Race Circuits and I believe that to this day trophies in their names are raced for. Eve Aubicq was the beautiful woman whose charms they both fell for. Their relationships and friendships are tested to the limits as these two brave men work for the British government behind enemy lines.
In 2001 a car that has remained submerged since WWII is retrieved from an Austrian Lake. We are then told the incredible story of the devotion and bravery leading up to this event.
At times Early One Morning is emotional and disturbing but it is certainly well worth reading.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A worthy read
Based on a true story, but imaginatively fictionalised, this centres on the life of William Grover Williams, an Englishman with French connections, and Robert Benoist, a cultured... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Benjamin
Strong fiction, and fact
I was intrigued to read from the back cover that Early One Morning is based on a true story. I was even more intrigued with the storyline; based around 2 main characters who before... Read more
Published 17 months ago by meltow
Early One Morning by Robert Ryan
My first Robert Ryan book and my last. Tedious in the extreme, but I must admit to not finishing it. Half way through I lost the will to live. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Jane Field
Tension Building
To start with I couldn't help but think this book must have taken a lot of inspiration from Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks but as I read on the book came into its own. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2010 by E. H.
Far from his best due to suspect research!
I have read, and usually enjoyed, other Ryan books. But I found this offering is woeful in a lot of areas. I thought some of the plots and events were stretching my belief too far. Read more
Published on 2 Mar 2010 by Lullaby-in-Ragtime!
Riveting
A really well written yarn, which leaves you both exhilarated by the action and humbled by the knowledge that men and women such as these really did carry out such deeds.
Published on 10 Mar 2005 by "dieseldem3"
Fantastic finish
The story line builds slowly but stick with it. After a few chapters it's tough to put down and has a wonderful finish.
Published on 4 Mar 2004 by The Hamster
Top Notch
It's crass to say "best book I've ever read", but this one certainly comes close. I was so impressed, I subsequently spent hours searching the web for more information on Messrs. Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2004 by Mr. Michael Read
It didn't need fictionalising
Well, it's certainly an enjoyable read. But whenever I see the words "based on a true story" I'm driven to find out the facts behind the novel. Read more
Published on 10 Jun 2003 by M. J. Mooney
Loved it!
Before you start reading this book ensure that the children and the cat are fed and asleep, that you have a cup of tea and have visited that toilet because once you start you are... Read more
Published on 27 April 2003 by Sinead Clacy
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