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12th out of 19 books
—
70 voters
Hornet Flight
by
Ken Follett (Goodreads Author)
Ken Follett follows his bestsellers Jackdaws and Code to Zero with an extraordinary novel of early days of World War II...
It is June 1941 and the war is not going well for England. Across the North Sea, eighteen-year-old Harald Olufsen takes a shortcut on the German-occupied Danish island of Sande an discovers an astonishing sight that will change the momentum of the war....more
It is June 1941 and the war is not going well for England. Across the North Sea, eighteen-year-old Harald Olufsen takes a shortcut on the German-occupied Danish island of Sande an discovers an astonishing sight that will change the momentum of the war....more
Mass Market Paperback, 518 pages
Published
November 25th 2003
by Signet
(first published January 1st 2002)
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This is a story of the Danish resistance during WWII. The Germans have occupied Denmark, and the police, goaded by the Gestapo, are on the prowl for spies. Harald Olufssen is a student at a boarding school when he gets drunk and paints an anti-Nazi slogan on a kiosk in Denmark. He is led from there to a police interrogation to an active role in the resistance.Hermia Mount is a british daughter of a diplomat who speaks Danish and helps to organize the resistance. Peter Fleming is a Danish boyhood...more
It's early in 1941, and the Luftwaffe is shooting down RAF bombers with frightening accuracy; losses are 50% and higher. No one in the British High Commanc can understand how the Germans are doing it--it's as if they have prior knowledge of where the RAF is going to strike so as to scarmble their fighters at the best possible moment for interception. The British are working on radar but are convinced that the Germans do not have it yet. But the mystery remains--how are the Germans determining th...more
I can't understand why Follett named this thriller 'Hornet Flight.' Already from one third through the book we know it is going to end with a flight by the Hornet Moth and from half way through we know who will be flying. It would have been so much better if he had given it a neutral title which most of his other books have. The Nazi iron cross on the cover begs the question "why?" German Nazis play a minor role in the story and no German will be awarded the cross for valour as a result of event...more
Ken Follett is one of my favorite authors and a master story-teller. Hornet Flight is a historical set in World War II Denmark. It has a good story and the characters are engaging, but there are several flaws in the plot, which are distracting and ultimately leave the critical reader disappointed. The major flaws are unbelievable events, or coincidences which are just too much of a stretch.
I'll just mention a few. The teenage protagonist is able to breach security without assistance twice at a t...more
I'll just mention a few. The teenage protagonist is able to breach security without assistance twice at a t...more
Bummer, I read Whiteout (by Follett) two days before reading this book. That was a mistake. Whiteout was a page turner, and so I expected Hornet Flight to be one also. It was not. However, setting that aside, it was an enjoyable historical novel.
I have been enjoying historical novels lately, because they give such a great picture of what "kinda" happened back then. So much more fun than reading a history book.
Hornet Flight is about Denmark during the German occupation of WWII. It gives a great i...more
I have been enjoying historical novels lately, because they give such a great picture of what "kinda" happened back then. So much more fun than reading a history book.
Hornet Flight is about Denmark during the German occupation of WWII. It gives a great i...more
I've been on a Ken Follett kick lately. He writes characters that I like, despite occasionally showing their stock-character seams. This story was especially good - Danish folks getting involved in the Resistance against Nazis, and the Danish police who are torn between doing their duty for their new bosses in funny pants or shirking responsibility. I had put off reading this because I have a hard time, in war stories, reading page upon page of descriptive on planes, trucks, guns, and the trappi...more
The story was excellent and I enjoyed reading about WW 2 again in an exciting and engaging book that was taken from the prospective of the Danes instead of the American's and British. The one thing I did not like was all of the sex, it did nothing for the story although it was interesting to watch the progression of Peter's downhill ride as he became more and more obsessed with catching his countrymen who were against the occupation by Germany. As he became more set on power and glory and recogn...more
I've read only one other book by Ken Follett. It was Pillars of the Earth and I really enjoyed reading that one. I had high expectations for this and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. It was my first spy novel, so I don't have much to compare it to.
Honestly, it was gripping and well written. The thing I like most about it, was the fact that Follett really does a great job with leaving out the details that your imagination can fill in. Where other authors might tell you all the details o...more
Honestly, it was gripping and well written. The thing I like most about it, was the fact that Follett really does a great job with leaving out the details that your imagination can fill in. Where other authors might tell you all the details o...more
I really enjoy the suspense and fun of Ken Folletts books. The characters and how he spins them together are amazing.
In this novel Harold and his brother Arne are forced to take sides after Denmark is invaded by the Nazi government and Germany. The king hands over the country to invasion and agrees to follow the direction of the Germany goverment. However, fear begins to rise among Arne, Harold and their friends that the Nazis will continue to do what they have done to the Jews in their country....more
In this novel Harold and his brother Arne are forced to take sides after Denmark is invaded by the Nazi government and Germany. The king hands over the country to invasion and agrees to follow the direction of the Germany goverment. However, fear begins to rise among Arne, Harold and their friends that the Nazis will continue to do what they have done to the Jews in their country....more
This, like all the Follett books I have read, is a cut above other books of this genre. Along with an entertaining “thriller,” I learned about the early days of Nazi occupation (sadly helped by Danes who admired the “law and order” aspect of Nazism), something of Danish geography, and something of the competency of the Germans in early radar (not completely dominated by the British). I had never looked at a map and discovered Bornholm Island before, and never realized that one had to take a ferr...more
Really liked it, so much so, I had to steal some time from my studying to read this; studying suffered of course, even worst studying came with an assignment deadline. But, the story line had such a pull factor.... i can't resist.
The story is about a Danish boy, Harald (though he describes himself as a man sometimes)a son of a very very strict pastor and set during the WW2 era. Nazi germany had just occupied Denmark. The war and german occupation changed the landscape that Harald grew up in and...more
The story is about a Danish boy, Harald (though he describes himself as a man sometimes)a son of a very very strict pastor and set during the WW2 era. Nazi germany had just occupied Denmark. The war and german occupation changed the landscape that Harald grew up in and...more
This is another classic Ken Follet, a suspenseful historical fiction.
The book was excellent and worth the read, however, it is not an analysis I want to share.
There were a few moments of humor. This was for me, my favorite quote, between a classy English lady Hermia (seperated by war from her fiance) and her would be suitor.
"But you know I have to get in touch with my fiance. He is the only person I can trust to help us."
"Yes"
"And I'll probably see him all the sooner in consequence."
"Tha...more
The book was excellent and worth the read, however, it is not an analysis I want to share.
There were a few moments of humor. This was for me, my favorite quote, between a classy English lady Hermia (seperated by war from her fiance) and her would be suitor.
"But you know I have to get in touch with my fiance. He is the only person I can trust to help us."
"Yes"
"And I'll probably see him all the sooner in consequence."
"Tha...more
The time is 1941, and British bombers attacking Germany are being blown out of the sky in horrific numbers. How do the Nazis know they're coming? The answer is an infant technology called radar, and the Brits--with help from the Danish Resistance--must figure out how and where the German radar stations operate.
Harald Olufsen, a brainy 18-yearstumbles across a German installation by chance, realising its importance when he meets a member of the early Danish resistance. Harald find a tiny wood-and...more
Harald Olufsen, a brainy 18-yearstumbles across a German installation by chance, realising its importance when he meets a member of the early Danish resistance. Harald find a tiny wood-and...more
A good story based partly on fact. Set in Denmark in 1941, the protagonist, 19 year old Harald Olufsen stumbles across a German radar system on the Danish Island of Sande. This experimental radar installation enables the Germans to pinpoint the flight of the allied bombers early and to direct the Luffwaffe fighters to their target accurately. As a result the allies lose an unacceptably large number of bombers. With London trying to get information from the Danish contacts of Hermia Mount, and th...more
HORNET FLIGHT by Ken Follett is 416 pages in paperback form and 10 cassettes 1 1/2 hours each in audio form. I listened to this one and it was narrated by John Lee.
Brief Description:
It is June 1941 and the war is not going well for England. Somehow, the Germans are anticipating the RAF's flight paths and shooting down British bombers with impunity. Meanwhile, across the North Sea, eighteen-year-old Harald Olufsen takes a shortcut on the German-occupied Danish is-land of Sande and discovers an as...more
Brief Description:
It is June 1941 and the war is not going well for England. Somehow, the Germans are anticipating the RAF's flight paths and shooting down British bombers with impunity. Meanwhile, across the North Sea, eighteen-year-old Harald Olufsen takes a shortcut on the German-occupied Danish is-land of Sande and discovers an as...more
Who woulda thunk that I'd be reading a war story and enjoying it? Hornet Flight takes place during WWII with just the right mix of character development and technical military information. The story held me spellbound from page one and I'm not even a GUY, lol. I've always been somewhat of a history buff, but happily skipped the study of any of the more current wars. Follett's book proves once again that any type of history is fascinating if it is presented properly. I felt like I wasn't just rea...more
My first Follett read. I did this one via Audible, and thoroughly enjoyed John Lee the narrator. Most of the book is set in WWII Denmark. The author does an excellent job relating the overall feeling of being in a country occupied by the Nazis. I found myself getting agitated by the local police and other government officials who took to acting like "mini nazis." I can't imagine a time/place where "papers please," was the norm. I hope we here never reach that point.
As a pilot, I thoroughly en...more
As a pilot, I thoroughly en...more
It's a pretty good yarn about a young man in Denmark who ends up becoming part of the resistance to German occupation. His journey from boy to man, the sacrifice of those around him, all congeal nicely into an exciting tale of intrigue and espionage. This was my first time reading Ken Follet's work, and I enjoyed his story telling. This book has good pacing, well rounded characters, and a solid setting into WWII historical Denmark. It was a bit predictable as to how it was going to play out, onc...more
Not a bad book at all, but Follett can't seem to make up his mind which kind of book was intended. Generally, you can divide his works into two categories: historical drama (Pillars of the Earth, A Dangerous Fortune, World Without End) and political thrillers (Eye of the Needle, Jackdaws, The Key to Rebecca). There is often a little overlapping. The historical dramas usually have some suspense. The thrillers are often set in an historic period, including World War II as in this one. The book ope...more
You'd probably never guess by its cover, but Hornet Flight a YA novel. It may not have been pitched as such, or even intentionally written as such, but nonetheless, that's exactly what it is. So whether you're a teenage girl swooning over some handsome vampire, or a teenage boy who can't get enough Call of Duty action, this book was written for you. And don't fret that the main character, a tall and handsome eighteen-year-old named Harald Olufsen, doesn't enter the book until page 15 — trust me,...more
World War II, England is against the wall; in 1941 they were all that was left to stand against Nazi Germany. Bombing runs were proving futile as more and more planes were lost. In the east the Russian army was reeling from the German invasion, something had to be done. England was organizing a massive bombardment of German territories but need an edge to make the plan work.
Hornet Flight, written by Ken Follett, was a good story; this is the fourth book I’ve read by Follett. I liked the story an...more
Hornet Flight, written by Ken Follett, was a good story; this is the fourth book I’ve read by Follett. I liked the story an...more
Sure it's formulaic but it works!
Ken Follett's Hornet Flight is a rousing World War II adventure full of all of the characters you'd expect in a film noire spy thriller about the Nazis. We have the plucky Englishwoman, spunky high school kids, brave soldiers and a scarred-up German officer who wears the jackboots and everything.
You know how it's going to end even before you start thanks to too much information on the description page but it's still a rollicking fun ride. It hit me just right d...more
Ken Follett's Hornet Flight is a rousing World War II adventure full of all of the characters you'd expect in a film noire spy thriller about the Nazis. We have the plucky Englishwoman, spunky high school kids, brave soldiers and a scarred-up German officer who wears the jackboots and everything.
You know how it's going to end even before you start thanks to too much information on the description page but it's still a rollicking fun ride. It hit me just right d...more
I listened to the audiobook version narrated by John Lee.
The story is the kind of WWII-era spy-thriller Follett is known for. I was hoping it would involve something of the amazing true story of how nearly all the Jews in Denmark escaped Nazi persecution. But the action precedes those events. It involves the attempt by young people, drawn into the Resistance, to smuggle top-secret military secrets out of the country and into the hands of the British.
Follett always attempts to give his characters...more
The story is the kind of WWII-era spy-thriller Follett is known for. I was hoping it would involve something of the amazing true story of how nearly all the Jews in Denmark escaped Nazi persecution. But the action precedes those events. It involves the attempt by young people, drawn into the Resistance, to smuggle top-secret military secrets out of the country and into the hands of the British.
Follett always attempts to give his characters...more
Completely satisfying!!!!
All of it blended well like in Seizure but this is more of a page-turner compared to seizure though I both liked them!
These ideas weren't what I usually read but after I read them, I'm inspired to read more of the books/novels I don't usually go for!
The characters managed their roles well and now, I realize how Harry Potter must have felt when he held triumph yet wasn't that bragging about it because in this book, the main character of Harald Olufsen's feelings were grea...more
All of it blended well like in Seizure but this is more of a page-turner compared to seizure though I both liked them!
These ideas weren't what I usually read but after I read them, I'm inspired to read more of the books/novels I don't usually go for!
The characters managed their roles well and now, I realize how Harry Potter must have felt when he held triumph yet wasn't that bragging about it because in this book, the main character of Harald Olufsen's feelings were grea...more
This is my 6th novel by Ken Follett. He has written a total of 19 novels and I already have in my possession, 17 of those. I think that I am collecting his novels because I also want to be "loyal to a brand." Yes, just like ice cream but I am not eating double dutch one scoop after the other; I also go for variety so I also try reading fiction works of other authors writing in formulas. Examples of this are John Grisham, Elizabeth Mayer and how can I forget the master of them all Nicholas Sparks...more
We're slowly knocking off Follett's booklist, having been wowed to say the least by the "Pillars" stories. "Flight" is one of his more classic spy stories, set in Denmark, during the middle of WWII as England was reeling from devastating bomber losses trying to attack Germany, while the Nazi's had just invaded Russia. The leading man, Harald Olufsen, just 18 years old, becomes part of the Resistance as he literally stumbles across a German radar setup and later sketches it for the Brits. It was...more
I just can't get myself to like Ken Follett's novels in any way. (I got this book for Christmas as a surprise.) I just don't like how obsessed his male characters are with sex and how the constantly think about going to bed with one of the (as usual) weak female characters. I know, some men probably do think like that, but really, this doesn't mean I want to read about it in a book. The plot is also a bit Gary Stu-ish and the ending is completely rushed. I also could have done without the techno...more
this was a charming and very quick little read. tho' the place names in denmark are mostly made-up, if you're familiar with denmark, you can easily guess where they are. i don't think anything like this actually happened, but you do find yourself wishing it had. the escape in the long-disused hornet moth plane has everything against it and is a bit unbelievable in all that they must overcome, but you suspend your disbelief because you so want them to succeed. and succeed they do. and even get to...more
Good rather than great, Follett has definitely written more creative and sharp-edged espionage novels. However, this is still a good read - very well paced and characters you want to succeed - all told within a (mostly) believable framework. It is set mainly in Denmark shortly after the German occupation early in WW2. The Germans are in that period of the war when they seemed unstoppable as they declare war on Russia and dominate the skies over Western Europe. By the end of the war the Danish re...more
This was an historical novel that was hard to put down. It was interesting to learn that there were Nazi sympathizers in Denmark. I have always heard how the Danes wore armbands to support their fellow residents who were Jewish, but hadn't considered the possibility of other sentiments. This novel is set in this environment where the Nazi sympathizers and the resistance faction form a suspenseful background. The main plot is of the effort to get photos of a military instalation to England to aid...more
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Ken Follett burst onto the book world in 1978 with Eye of the Needle, a taut and original thriller with a memorable woman character in the central role. The book won the Edgar award and became an outstanding film.
He went on to write four more bestselling thrillers: Triple; The Key to Rebecca; The Man from St Petersburg; and Lie Down with Lions.
He also wrote On Wings of Eagles, the true story of ho...more
More about Ken Follett...
He went on to write four more bestselling thrillers: Triple; The Key to Rebecca; The Man from St Petersburg; and Lie Down with Lions.
He also wrote On Wings of Eagles, the true story of ho...more
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“Fear could paralyse. Action was the antidote.”
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May 26, 2011 09:10am