I liked this book, which surprised me because it's not what I thought it would be. It's really about a Nazi who wants to defect, along with his American girlfriend. I was on the edge of my seat through the entire book, which I couldn't put down. VERY well written, I like this author a lot. His book, "Munich", is a must-read, and I am enjoying his "Enigma" as we speak. As with all his books, I have to keep reminding myself, it's just FICTION. But it's really more; it's VERY entertaining.

I read this book many years ago and never forgot it. I recently purchased it again and enjoyed it even more the second time around. Harris is a great story-teller, and he makes his historical subject matter, while fictional, easy to believe.

I read this book twenty years ago and thought it was extraordinary in using a WW 2 Victorious Nuclear Germany as the backdrop for a Detective story. I remembered a completely different book. It was better upon the second reading. What remained the same was the surprise twist at end, which pulled the whole story together.

Robert Harris painted a 1964 Germany as if it was "Airstrip One, Oceania" of Orwells "1984", except with German Gestapo, SS Police, Regular Police and Petty Functionaries, in place of "Big Brother". All extremely devoted to their Fuher and their current leadership. The German population accepted that 11 million Jews were "resettled to the East" but had in fact just disappeared. Everyone accepted the lie because if the rumours were true, the German people would have to recognize they were complicit in those deaths, through "in-action". That was too terrible for them to accept, so no one questioned the "open lie".

The story starts off with the protagonist, SS Strumbannfuher (Major) Xavier March, of the Kriminalpolizei (SS Crimial Police), being assigned to investigate the death of a formerly high ranking WW 2 Officer. Xaiver "Zavi" March begins to see "inconsistencies" within the death and begins to seek answers. These question lead to a disconcerting pattern of deaths among a specific group of High Ranking WW 2 Officers and Department Heads. March finds a clue related to a "disappeared" Jewish Family that formerly lived in his apartment. Robert Harris slowly brings together two seemingly unrelated events/clues that seem to begin to to be part if the same events from 1941-1946.

The detective story leads to tales of corruption, theft and greed perpetrated by the Old Members of the "Master Race" but also clues as to 11 milion persons involuntarily re-settled "to the East", that can't be found today. No records. This investigation is happening during the days leading up to a fictional event, the Fuher's 75th Birthday Celebration and possible detente with Germany's last "nuclear" adversary, the U.S.A. Also important is a scheduled conciliatory visit from President Joseph Kennedy Sr. A first tentative step towards peace and the ending America's support for Soviet Guerillas fighting Germany, far East of the Ural Mountains.

March is assisted in his search for answers by a young American-German Investigative Journalist, Charlotte "Charlie" Maguire. Many of the German antagonists are real people that existed and their lives are historically acurate through about 1943-44. "Poetic license" is taked from there up to and including 1964.

The story includes theft of famous pieces of art, the deaths of corrupt "Old Guard" German Bureaucrats and the disappearance of 11 million people. March wants to expose the truth of all these things to a goverment and people that don't want to hear the truth. If Xavier and "Charlie" can prove these things with physical factual evidence, a great lie will be revealed and history will be re-written. The Peace with America, "hangs in the balance".

First and foremost, "Fatherland" is a detective story (think Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, film noir, etc ). The twists and turns of the story, are many. Some you can see coming, others not. It is a book worth reading. Germany as a WW 2 victor, is a interesting idea and brings with it difficulties, unimagined, for what is essentially a Policeman trying to do his job and the "right thing", in a very dangerous place. I feel I can recommend this book to fans of, Suspense thillers and/or students of WW 2 or a "what if" alternate histories. 🌎 ðŸŒ

Historically quite accurate, which helps keep the story grounded and the mystery/conspiracy thrilling. The best part of this text is the misdirection in the plot. At face value, the story is thrilling and fast paced, with no filler. Without giving anything away, only at the end (through hindsight) did I realize the signs that lead to where things ended up. Masterfully well written, if you've heard of Robert Harris, start here!!

Whether it's ancient Rome, or an alternative history of the Third Reich, Robert Harris does NOT disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed Fatherland. Prior to reading the Cicero trilogy last month, I'd never read Robert Harris. He's an excellent writer and can hold the reader spellbound with his well developed historical mysteries. Currently, I'm in the midst of Pompeii, and look forward to reading all the Harris novels.