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nlaws87's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as his previous WW2 novels, but kept me engaged throughout.
laurapf's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
davidpanik's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shermanberry's review against another edition
3.0
I have been a long time fan of Robert Harris. Some of his novels are amongst my all time favourites (e.g. Fatherland, Archangel, Enigma, Imperium etc.).
Despite this, V2 left me a little underwhelmed. The story didn’t ever really grab me and there didn’t seem to be much tension. The storyline alternates between Kay (a young English intelligence officer) who is leaving behind an affair to work towards locating the V2 rocket launch sites in the north of Holland and Willi (an idealistic German rocket engineer who has been dragged into the war effort and has little respect for the Nazi hierarchy after losing the love of his life in an Allied bombing raid).
Learning about this part of WWII and the V2 rockets themselves was fascinating and I applaud the level of research that the author has done (as with all his novels).
The story itself though, ultimately fizzled out without too much of a climax and I was left wondering “oh, is that it”?
Not his best but average for Robert Harris still comfortably outshines most other authors.
Despite this, V2 left me a little underwhelmed. The story didn’t ever really grab me and there didn’t seem to be much tension. The storyline alternates between Kay (a young English intelligence officer) who is leaving behind an affair to work towards locating the V2 rocket launch sites in the north of Holland and Willi (an idealistic German rocket engineer who has been dragged into the war effort and has little respect for the Nazi hierarchy after losing the love of his life in an Allied bombing raid).
Learning about this part of WWII and the V2 rockets themselves was fascinating and I applaud the level of research that the author has done (as with all his novels).
The story itself though, ultimately fizzled out without too much of a climax and I was left wondering “oh, is that it”?
Not his best but average for Robert Harris still comfortably outshines most other authors.
eiridium's review against another edition
4.0
A decent read. Tight and enjoyable, with a decent amount of suspense in the narrative to keep you going.
It's a short novel that reads like a short novel, much like Munich. Through the creation of a group of fictional characters, Harris enlivens a real-life drama and well-known actors during the bombardment of London and Antwerp during the waning days of WWII. Two intertwined personal stories (Kate and Graf) are set against the broader episode of the development of Nazi rocket technology and the British battle to combat it is quick. It allows for the elaboration of related events outside of the short 4-day timeframe of the novel.
I am glad to have read the novel and appreciated Harris' creativity in superimposing Kate and Graf's individual stories. They encompass the frustrations of war-weariness and personal tragedy, with the vicissitudes of fate shaping the lives of those caught up in the maelstrom of the war. However, the short length of the novel forces the author to do very rapid character development and unfortunately, there is little time to develop any empathy or sympathy for them. The gradual spinning of the tale goes a length towards explaining the protagonists seemingly well established and sometimes extreme actions and reactions. In case of the Graf especially, the reader may question the shifts from resolute altruistic action and otherwise a bitter ennui. Although inexplicable within the space of the novel, one is forced (and almost willing) to allow the author the gaps in backstory and accept that there is a deeper untold story.
In the end, enjoyable, but there is a sense of wanting more - as there was with Munich. The author does not claim a wider narrative nor more than what is delivered. Still, one cannot help but express and appreciation for his style and hope for a more extended, more in-depth and ultimately more satisfying treatment, such as that offered in An Officer and the Spy.
It's a short novel that reads like a short novel, much like Munich. Through the creation of a group of fictional characters, Harris enlivens a real-life drama and well-known actors during the bombardment of London and Antwerp during the waning days of WWII. Two intertwined personal stories (Kate and Graf) are set against the broader episode of the development of Nazi rocket technology and the British battle to combat it is quick. It allows for the elaboration of related events outside of the short 4-day timeframe of the novel.
I am glad to have read the novel and appreciated Harris' creativity in superimposing Kate and Graf's individual stories. They encompass the frustrations of war-weariness and personal tragedy, with the vicissitudes of fate shaping the lives of those caught up in the maelstrom of the war. However, the short length of the novel forces the author to do very rapid character development and unfortunately, there is little time to develop any empathy or sympathy for them. The gradual spinning of the tale goes a length towards explaining the protagonists seemingly well established and sometimes extreme actions and reactions. In case of the Graf especially, the reader may question the shifts from resolute altruistic action and otherwise a bitter ennui. Although inexplicable within the space of the novel, one is forced (and almost willing) to allow the author the gaps in backstory and accept that there is a deeper untold story.
In the end, enjoyable, but there is a sense of wanting more - as there was with Munich. The author does not claim a wider narrative nor more than what is delivered. Still, one cannot help but express and appreciation for his style and hope for a more extended, more in-depth and ultimately more satisfying treatment, such as that offered in An Officer and the Spy.
allenjd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
monkeyboystiff's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastically written and I'll definitely check out some others of his. But plot was a little flat, and didn't really have much driving it. It just kind of ended - true to life maybe, but I was hoping for a bit more energy.
Once finished, it felt like it was a bit churned out, rather than one of the author's best. But still enjoyed the actual reading.
Not sure when I finished it.
Once finished, it felt like it was a bit churned out, rather than one of the author's best. But still enjoyed the actual reading.
Not sure when I finished it.