Fatherland is set in an alternative world where Hitler has won the Second World 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.
Fatherland: 20th Anniversary Edition
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Review
"A writer who handles suspense like a literary Alfred Hitchcock."
--Nelson Mandela
"Robert Harris has recreated the whole structure of a totally corrupt society in a way that makes the flesh creep."
--John Mortimer
"Power and chilling... convincing in every detail."
--Martha Gellhorn
"Gripping in the way John Buchan, Len Deighton and John LeCarre are. The writing is superb."
--Woodrow Wyatt
--Nelson Mandela
"Robert Harris has recreated the whole structure of a totally corrupt society in a way that makes the flesh creep."
--John Mortimer
"Power and chilling... convincing in every detail."
--Martha Gellhorn
"Gripping in the way John Buchan, Len Deighton and John LeCarre are. The writing is superb."
--Woodrow Wyatt
Book Description
What if Hitler had won the war? The 20th Anniversary edition of this iconic novel, a number one bestseller from the award-winning master of the literary and historical thriller genre: Robert Harris. A gripping historical thriller, set in an alternative world, where Hitler won the war, and the Nazis the world.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
77 of 83 people found the following review helpful
By "jamesoles"
Format:Paperback
I bought this book to read on a train journey home a few years ago. The journey lasted about an hour and a half, but I finally put the book down after reading the final word of the final page at 4am the next morning. Apart from showing my ticket to the conductor I don't think I talked to anyone in between. I was hooked. I even ignored the pretty brunette sat opposite me. Set in 1964, with Hitler having won the war and ruling over a Greater German Reich, a German policeman investigates a supposedly routine death and ends up uncovering a secret that some people will go to any length to protect. A great read that will leave an impact on you years after your first read.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In this book Robert Harris describes vividly a world in which the Nazis won the Second World War and all of their grand schemes came to fruition. His attention to detail is what makes this work so well and feel so real. The Berlin of the sixties he describes is the one set out in Albert Speer, the Nazi architect's plans. The documents Zavi discovers are based on, and in some cases are, actual documents from the time, and the atmosphere and setting are just right because of it.
This is a tautly plotted, suspenseful thriller set in the Berlin of 1964, just as the Americans are due to enter into a period of detente with the Germans under the leadership of Joseph Kennedy. Zavi, the hero, a disillusioned cop with a broken marriage behind him, is called to investigate the death of what turns out to be a previously high ranking Nazi official from the early days of National Socialism. As he gets deeper into the investigation it becomes clear that this death is not as straightforward a matter as he previously suspected, and intrigue piles upon intrigue, resulting in a beautifully complex plot in which it becomes clear that Zavi is on shaky ground and knowing who to trust will make the difference between life and death.
This is a tautly plotted, suspenseful thriller set in the Berlin of 1964, just as the Americans are due to enter into a period of detente with the Germans under the leadership of Joseph Kennedy. Zavi, the hero, a disillusioned cop with a broken marriage behind him, is called to investigate the death of what turns out to be a previously high ranking Nazi official from the early days of National Socialism. As he gets deeper into the investigation it becomes clear that this death is not as straightforward a matter as he previously suspected, and intrigue piles upon intrigue, resulting in a beautifully complex plot in which it becomes clear that Zavi is on shaky ground and knowing who to trust will make the difference between life and death.
31 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Fatherland is a cracking good yarn, a highly readable story of political intrigue and personal secrets. The plot moves swiftly and intelligently, building to an ending which is both intriguing and awesomely plausible. Above all, Harris draws a fascinating and all too believable picture of a Europe reshaped and defined by German victory at the end of World War II, a vision which not only intrigues and reminds one that history could have been very different, but also reinforces the view that history is written by the winning side. While not great literature by any means, this is a thought provoking book, and seriously recommended for its readability.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Robert Harris takes us to Berlin in 1964, a German capital that is the cultural, social and economic centre of Europe. Architecturally, philosophically and socially the Nazis have made their mark through Europe applying their ideology to everything that stands in its path. There is a world wide detente with (presumably) three political superblocs USSR, the USA and the Greater Germany.
This book addresses the old conundrum of how do you spy on the spys? Or in this instance how do you investigate the secret police especially when it is in an extrememely effective and efficiently run totalitarian state? The story takes us from a run of the mill accidental death to a crime that could bring the existence of this perfectly modelled aryan society to an end, not to mention world harmony.
This is a thriller that almost keeps the reader guesssing to the end. As thrillers go it is very good in its own genre but I did have a strong feeling of a missed opportunity. The totalitarian super state or the Nazis Europe concepts are not new - see Orwell and Deighton. There was one key missing factor in this book; and that is, at no point did I feel that I was reading a book about the 1960's.
For all of the work that Harris has done manufacturing the detail he has missed out on the back drop. All of the references and historical notes and even the people are taken from the 1930's as if nothing has happened from 1940 to 1964. Even in a totalitarian state attitudes, behaviour and points of view change both from governments and citizens. Harris will have us believe that the increased German state of the early 1960's is identical in character to the Germany of the 1930's.
... Read more ›41 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Follow following advice:-
1. Buy book
2. Open first page
3. Cancel plans to visit pub/work/eat/drink for approximately 2 days
4. Immerse in contents until final page read.
5. Tell your friends that this book is superb
6. Resume boring life...
Say no more. Brilliant.
1. Buy book
2. Open first page
3. Cancel plans to visit pub/work/eat/drink for approximately 2 days
4. Immerse in contents until final page read.
5. Tell your friends that this book is superb
6. Resume boring life...
Say no more. Brilliant.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By catsatcastle
Format:Audio CD
This is a brooding adaptation of a good novel by Robert Harris and I would highly recommend it.
Anton Lesser is superb in the role of March, switching from the gentle, loving and violent and all points along the scale. The other characters also play their parts well too but I think he is key.
It is quite clear that the crew making this went for atmosphere and it shows. The use of real background noises and music managed to create something that sounds naturalisic but was the result of effort. From the opening scenes when the phone call which starts the whole story off chimes in with the music, there is such attention to detail.
The final moments are genuinely chilling.
It's an interesting take on "what might have been" if Hitler had won WWII and how America would have reacted. If you like a good thriller, I would recommend this.
Anton Lesser is superb in the role of March, switching from the gentle, loving and violent and all points along the scale. The other characters also play their parts well too but I think he is key.
It is quite clear that the crew making this went for atmosphere and it shows. The use of real background noises and music managed to create something that sounds naturalisic but was the result of effort. From the opening scenes when the phone call which starts the whole story off chimes in with the music, there is such attention to detail.
The final moments are genuinely chilling.
It's an interesting take on "what might have been" if Hitler had won WWII and how America would have reacted. If you like a good thriller, I would recommend this.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An enthralling read
I love history, I'm in yeat school and would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in history, thank you robert Harris!!
Published 10 hours ago by josh shenstone
1.0 out of 5 stars
Only read for superficial excitement
Robert Harris is a political journalist and this was his first novel. Unfortunately, the many inaccuracies and errors plus the incorrect and inconsistent German reflect very badly... Read more
Published 8 days ago by Alexander
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good
WWII fantasy. It has an awesome mix of theoretical visions loosely linked to today's world in which it may highlight some uncomfortable truths with humanity as well as some... Read more
Published 16 days ago by gamey7
3.0 out of 5 stars
Okay I guess
I bought this book for the vision of a world in which Nazi Germany had won the war. Intruiging idea not developed anywhere as much as I would have liked. Read more
Published 23 days ago by "nadenshadow"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fatherland
I love this book. Well written & genuinely interesting as an alternate history story. I haven't read the kindle edition yet but my hard copy edition is well read & well loved.
Published 26 days ago by Nicola A. Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning Read
Fatherland by Robert Harris is up there with the best books that I have ever read. The book is set against the backdrop of a very different world to the one we currently live... Read more
Published 28 days ago by pphillips
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, dramatic, well written.
Alternative histories have huge obvious problems - but suspend any overly rational thinking and just enjoy the possibilities. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Costello
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just imagin this but twice as bad
Some people who vote for particular parties should read this and think again. Integration is better than isolation.
Corruption in politics is the first step.
Corruption in politics is the first step.
Published 1 month ago by Emmanuel Annenberg
4.0 out of 5 stars
A crime thriller and a very good one.
This book first and foremost is a crime thriller. Those disappointed that it is not an in depth historical/apocalyptic study of post WWII Europe seem to me to miss the point. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bluecashmere.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
Great book for anyone interested in European history and enjoy a good mystery thriller. Definitely worth a read (holiday book, perhaps?).
Published 1 month ago by K. Leslie
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