The Odessa File: In Progress (No Spoilers Please)

[Adelaide]

This topic is for those who wish to discuss the book in progress. No spoilers please!

[Cheryl]

I almost gave up as I was reading the first chapter. Peter Miller is a bit too good to be true, a real playboy journalist with the perfect car and a stripper girlfriend that's perfect too. Once I pushed past that chapter, however, the book improved alot. The diary found next to the old man was riveting, and a bit hard to read, emotionally. I am a little over halfway through, and am enjoying Peter's investigation of ODESSA.

[Cheryl]

Finished it. Pretty fast-paced and it held my interest the entire time. I was never bored reading it. I, too, am not usually interested in books about Nazis and the Holocaust and would never have read this book on my own. I'm thankful to Adelaide (I'm assuming that's who suggested this book) for scheduling it as the group read. I'm always happy to expand my reading horizons, and this group helps me do that. Thanks!

[Adelaide]

I agree that the first chapter seems annoying because Peter seems to just have it all, but I believe that it serves a purpose. Peter is part of a German post-war generation that is almost completely disassociated from the Holocaust. Everything in his life is perfect and there is no ugliness from the past to intrude. The events of the diary are so foreign to his experience, he cannot help to be sucked in and strongly impacted. Had what he read not been so shocking to him, he might not have had the urge to go on the hunt.

[Cheryl]

It is a bit of a light start, which makes what comes up in chapter 2 all the more shocking to read about. You are right - it is a contrast.

[Adelaide]

"Hey Peter, wanna go undercover in a situation where others have failed and died?"

Does not even think about it. "Okay."

For reals, I would have thought about it for a looooooong time.

[Cheryl]

Adelaide wrote: ""Hey Peter, wanna go undercover in a situation where others have failed and died?"

Does not even think about it. "Okay."

For reals, I would have thought about it for a looooooong time."

The ending will tell you something that will explain this. No spoilers from me!

[Adelaide]

Iasa wrote: "I like how Forsyth blends the factual and the fictional but sometimes with that short choppy prose it doesn't feel like a novel.
"

I think Forsyth is pretty workmanlike in his prose. I enjoyed this book, but I would never think he was a great writer.