Zoo Station
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Review
'An extraordinary evocation of Nazi Germany'
C.J. Sansom
'A remarkable achievement . . . David Downing is one of the brightest lights in the shadowy world of historical spy fiction'
Birmingham Post
'Excellent . . . Downing's strength is his fleshing out of the tense and often dangerous nature of everyday life in a totalitarian state'
The Times
'Stands with Alan Furst for detail and atmosphere'
Donald James, author of Monstrum
'Think Robert Harris and Fatherland mixed with a dash of Le Carré'
Sue Baker, Publishing News
'A wonderfully drawn spy novel . . . A very auspicious debut, with more to come'The Bookseller on Zoo Station
'Exciting and frightening all at once . . . It's got everything going for it'
Julie Walters --...
C.J. Sansom
'A remarkable achievement . . . David Downing is one of the brightest lights in the shadowy world of historical spy fiction'
Birmingham Post
'Excellent . . . Downing's strength is his fleshing out of the tense and often dangerous nature of everyday life in a totalitarian state'
The Times
'Stands with Alan Furst for detail and atmosphere'
Donald James, author of Monstrum
'Think Robert Harris and Fatherland mixed with a dash of Le Carré'
Sue Baker, Publishing News
'A wonderfully drawn spy novel . . . A very auspicious debut, with more to come'The Bookseller on Zoo Station
'Exciting and frightening all at once . . . It's got everything going for it'
Julie Walters --...
Product Description
Englishman John Russell is a member of the foreign press corps in Berlin and a first-hand witness to the brutal machinations of Hitler and the Nazi party in the build-up to war during the early months of 1939.
When an old acquaintance turns up at his lodging house, Russell's life begins to change. Gradually he is persuaded by a combination of threats, financial need and appeals to his conscience to become a spy -- first for the Soviet Union and then, simultaneously, for the British.
The grim streets, the constant fear and the skin-deep glitter of pre-war Berlin -- with excursions to Prague, Danzig, London and the Baltic seashore -- form a rich backdrop as Russell, a reluctant hero and a saviour for some, treads an ever narrowing line between the Russians, the British and the Gestapo.
When an old acquaintance turns up at his lodging house, Russell's life begins to change. Gradually he is persuaded by a combination of threats, financial need and appeals to his conscience to become a spy -- first for the Soviet Union and then, simultaneously, for the British.
The grim streets, the constant fear and the skin-deep glitter of pre-war Berlin -- with excursions to Prague, Danzig, London and the Baltic seashore -- form a rich backdrop as Russell, a reluctant hero and a saviour for some, treads an ever narrowing line between the Russians, the British and the Gestapo.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book on the strength of it being brought to my attention by Amazon when I was ordering some of Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels (the March Violets triple-set).
I have long been fascinated by this period of history - what made ostensibly intelligent and rational people embrace Nazism, either wholeheartedly or by simply tolerating the pervading power of the State machinery in everyday life?
Previous reviewers have noted the lack of set-piece action (though the story itself is taut and believable), but I think the events of this book probably better reflect the reality of the situation, in particular the inability to trust all but a select few with your true thoughts, and the fact that simple kind deeds could leave you in very real danger.
In fact, when compared to Kerr's entertaining Gunther mysteries, Downing's protagonist (John Russell) emerges the much more plausible character. Gunther - particularly by the time we reach The One From The Other and A Quiet Flame - starts to enjoy some outrageous coincidences and good fortune, quite apart from the oddity that he has survived the war despite being on first-name terms with Artur Nebe and Reinhard Heydrich (amongst others).
So in short, a worthwhile and credible read with a good feel for the times. If you want a more action packed but less plausible feel for the same time period, go with Gunther.
I have long been fascinated by this period of history - what made ostensibly intelligent and rational people embrace Nazism, either wholeheartedly or by simply tolerating the pervading power of the State machinery in everyday life?
Previous reviewers have noted the lack of set-piece action (though the story itself is taut and believable), but I think the events of this book probably better reflect the reality of the situation, in particular the inability to trust all but a select few with your true thoughts, and the fact that simple kind deeds could leave you in very real danger.
In fact, when compared to Kerr's entertaining Gunther mysteries, Downing's protagonist (John Russell) emerges the much more plausible character. Gunther - particularly by the time we reach The One From The Other and A Quiet Flame - starts to enjoy some outrageous coincidences and good fortune, quite apart from the oddity that he has survived the war despite being on first-name terms with Artur Nebe and Reinhard Heydrich (amongst others).
So in short, a worthwhile and credible read with a good feel for the times. If you want a more action packed but less plausible feel for the same time period, go with Gunther.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book on a 2 for 3 in Waterstones (so if it was rubbish it hadn't cost me anything) impulse and enjoyed it so much I have just been out and bought the second instalment of what is going to be a trilogy.
It is a mixture of spy novel and exploration of what it must have felt like to be a non-German living in Germany in the immediate run-up to the Second World War. The main character is a journalist with a foreign passport - so the means to escape the Nazis - being simultaneously sought as a spy by Germany, Britain and Russia. He is also, however, a compassionate individual dealing with all sides of the situation and sometimes compromising his ideals to both protect those he cares about and resist the impending crisis he can see looming.
Downing manages through the eyes of this character - an Englishman called John Russell - to create a powerful sense of disorientation and of a shifting moral landscape - while at the same time telling a story which keeps you turning the pages.
Excellent read - highly recommended to both fans of spy novels and those with an interest in how the Nazi (or any other repressive state) could come into being.
It is a mixture of spy novel and exploration of what it must have felt like to be a non-German living in Germany in the immediate run-up to the Second World War. The main character is a journalist with a foreign passport - so the means to escape the Nazis - being simultaneously sought as a spy by Germany, Britain and Russia. He is also, however, a compassionate individual dealing with all sides of the situation and sometimes compromising his ideals to both protect those he cares about and resist the impending crisis he can see looming.
Downing manages through the eyes of this character - an Englishman called John Russell - to create a powerful sense of disorientation and of a shifting moral landscape - while at the same time telling a story which keeps you turning the pages.
Excellent read - highly recommended to both fans of spy novels and those with an interest in how the Nazi (or any other repressive state) could come into being.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was the first novel, from this author, that I have read. I found it a first class read, mixing fact with fiction seamlessly. Having visited Berlin many times I could almost walk the streets with the characters. I have now read his follow up books (Stettin Station,Silesian Station) and await delivery of the final, Potsdam Station. Had trouble putting it down!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not gripping enough
What saves this is the quality of the writing. If "readable" is not too much of a put-down then this is it. The narrative flows along. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gargoyle
So realistic athmosphere
I was only going to give this 4 stars but on reflection it definitely think it is a 5.All the characters are so real and you can really feel the brutality of the third reich. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Shamrover
Very enjoyable
This little book is a simple read, but one which is very fun to read.
The story is engaging, the characters realistic and plot very believable. Read more
The story is engaging, the characters realistic and plot very believable. Read more
Published 4 months ago by joevascotia
Great idea, shame about the writing
I was interested to read the extremely favourable reviews of this book. I started it very much on the author's side, but although I agree with the person who found Russell a more... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sandro Clementi
Credible look at pre-WWII Germany
I read David Downing's excellent "Silesian Station" before taking on "Zoo Station," but the latter (being the first in the series so far), didn't suffer by comparison and there was... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Blue in Washington
The John Russell - Effi Koenen saga Part 1
A terrific read set in pre-war Berlin.
I can only agree with the good reviews of others before me. Read more
I can only agree with the good reviews of others before me. Read more
Published 6 months ago by HuddyBolly
Fantastic read
Can't believe It took me so long to buy and read this book. Set in Germany before the outbreak of war, it's very atmospheric and the story just rolls along. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Whodunnit
First station on a long line I hope
This is a well written historical novel. It has a good story , interesting characters and a great period feel. Read more
Published 7 months ago by A. Browne
Furst still first - and not among equals!
I was prompted to read Zoo Station (my first David Downing) from seeing it mentioned in a newspaper on someone's summer reading list. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Peter J Kemp
Gripping but padded
It's a real page turner, but I have to agree with the comments about the travels round Berlin. I was in Berlin last month and to start with it was quite interesting remembering... Read more
Published 12 months ago by John Slaytor
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