News from Berlin

Item: News from Berlin
Author: WhichBook

Otto de Kat

June 1941: Berne, London, Berlin as a separated diplomatic family try to do 'what is right' and a young Congolese soldier dies in a European hospital. I cannot think of a novel which captures the horror and futility of war better. Powerful stuff and an absolute must read.

Extract

The long expected attack on Russia was finally to be launched and he, Oscar Verschuur, knew the date and the hour.

Operation Barbarossa, a code name for murder, obviously, even as it was a childish appeal to old myths and legendary heroes. Super-kitsch, if it weren't for the deadly intent. Emma had been incapable of keeping the news to herself. She had blurted it out to her father, who she was sure would know what to do.

Parallels