Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #747 in Books
• Published on: 1993-05-06
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Synopsis
"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.

Customer Reviews

Magnificent.

Read 'Pompei' and loved it, bought 'Fatherland' and found it was even better. 'Fatherland' is in fact one of my favourite books of all time.

first book of the year
Impressive ideas and great story line.
Obviously put a lot of research into this book and definitely paid off.

Learn From the Past
It's the mid 60s and not everything is as it should be in Robert Harris `Fatherland'. Churchill did not lead the allies to victory in 1945 and instead that honour went to Adolf Hitler. The National Socialists have taken a firm grip of Europe and rule it from Britain all the way to the borders of Russia. In this Fascist state the SS and SA still exists. The police force work within these groups and one such officer is Xavier March. When asked to investigate a routine case he stubbles across a set of secrets that could blow apart the cooling relationship between the German Empire and the Americans. Will March follow the teachings of his Fuhrer or does he believe the secrets he has found are too large to keep quiet?

`Fatherland' is an interesting take on the crime genre as it exists in an alternative past. It has a very Orwellian feel to it and Harris has obviously used his non-fiction background to base the story in a reality that could have existed. The world with the Nazis in power is painted provocatively here, but I did find it slightly cliché. Therefore, it was not enough just to set a crime story in this world for me to be impressed. Luckily Harris creates an interesting story as well and after a slow start the action and discoveries increase. The idea that the Nazi party could still fall under their greatest crimes is an interesting one and Harris based his investigation in real texts giving it a sense of authenticity. `Fatherland' was an interesting diversion from my usual crime thrillers and one for people looking for something a little different from a good author.