August 1940
He wasn't supposed to be on the plane. Now Major Faust is a prisoner of the English and he must escape before they break him. But every time he gets away, a woman is raped and murdered. The English need someone to hang. He's the hot suspect. He's got to catch the killer, even though he's helping the enemy. It's collaboration. Almost treason. It's making a Deal with the Devil.
He wasn't supposed to be on the plane. Now Major Faust is a prisoner of the English and he must escape before they break him. But every time he gets away, a woman is raped and murdered. The English need someone to hang. He's the hot suspect. He's got to catch the killer, even though he's helping the enemy. It's collaboration. Almost treason. It's making a Deal with the Devil.
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J. Gunnar Grey asks:
"Is the World War II combat novel now a cliche, or are there still stories to be told? Not talking about tales from the home front, or which are merely set during the war, but actual war stories, with soldiers and spies and sabotage."
"Is the World War II combat novel now a cliche, or are there still stories to be told? Not talking about tales from the home front, or which are merely set during the war, but actual war stories, with soldiers and spies and sabotage."
Leave a comment on this post and all week--all comments from the week of July 18th 2011, will be entered to win a weekend spot on the APA Blog. Its part of our 4th Year Celebration!
There are always stories to be told -- new stories and old ones told in different ways. World War II defined a generation, not just in the United States, but around the world. As the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of these people who lived and fought during World War II read and write about that time, we see through new eyes. But it is a time that must not be forgotten. I think the only mistake would be romanticizing the era and forgetting what really happened and why.
ReplyDeleteThat's a sound perspective, KH, and much my own thoughts. But I've noticed lately how few actual combat stories are being written. And when I glance through those available on Amazon, they feel like the same old stories told by the previous generation, just rewritten, and not necessarily adding anything new.
ReplyDeleteConsidering we're following behind such master storytellers as Alistair MacLean, Jack Higgins, Hans Hellmut Kirst, and Willi Heinrich, I can't help but wonder if there's much new room left.
There are always stories that can be told. My parents met during WWII and I did a fictionalize account of their meeting and marriage
ReplyDeleteThere are many, many stories to be told regarding WWII. I know that my husband and I will always watch a television show or movie about this era. This history of our country is intertwined in these years and the more we see and read, the more we will know about ourselves.
ReplyDeleteLet me try asking the question another way. Leaving aside questions of theme, relationships, the home front--what new can be written regarding the battlefields and the intelligence operations?
ReplyDeleteWe've done the concept of hard water and atomic bomb experiments by the Nazis to death, with the Allied commandos going in to destroy the research and either rescue or kill the scientists. Jack Higgins, Willi Heinrich (The Cross of Iron), and Lothar-Gunther Buchheim (Das Boot) have covered the gallant German soldier fighting the losing war. Alistair MacLean did such a great job writing espionage novels (The Guns of Navarone, Where Eagles Dare) that his books feel like the last word on the subject.
When I'm scrolling through WW2 books on Amazon, they seem to fall into categories: Allied agents on a doomed or time-sensitive mission, German soldiers or civilians realizing the war is lost but fighting on anyway, fighter pilots who knew each other before the war. There are also some interesting paranormal ideas, with one author taking the Nazi Werewolf last stand to a literal conclusion and Fred Saberhagen with A Century of Progress.
So speaking specifically of combat or espionage stories, where do we go from here?
I'm not sure, Gunnar...but I suspect YOU have an idea. Love your writing!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks fantastic...there is a part two coming?
ReplyDelete"Is the World War II combat novel now a cliche, or are there still stories to be told? Not talking about tales from the home front, or which are merely set during the war, but actual war stories, with soldiers and spies and sabotage."
Mmmmmm...honestly, I'm torn on this question. The historian in me, says of course it is not a cliche. Of course we need to keep telling stories based on passed world events, even fictionally (in hopes it encourages people to look at the actual factual history)
On the other hand, I do wonder how current it is in this media landscape and even in the writing/publishing world.
Really enjoyed learning about this book and its a fantastic thought provoking question.
Thanks, Kay! Madeline, Deal part two is also available on Amazon. Think of Deal as a two-part serial novel with a cliffhanger ending between the parts, rather than a two-book series of standalone novels. Don't want anyone disappointed when part one doesn't have a real resolution.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's a difficult question. History qua history isn't a cliche, of course not. But it may be difficult to write anything new about the battlefields of WW2 without the plotline becoming ridiculous.
Ok I might be jumping the gun here because I have only yet read 3/4 of the book. As to date my comment would be that I usually stay away from movies books or such re WWII. I am German and my mum grew up during WWII - the few times she's talked about those dasy she made sure that I always heard both side of the story - ie the story that usually gets forgotten by movies or books. I love DWTD so far because it gives the German soldier a face, a character, a name and some genuine feelings. And in answer to your question - I still believe there's still space for books like these .....
ReplyDeleteJ. Gunnar Grey, it was lovely to feature Deal with the Devil, part one. Thank-you so much for sharing your work with us and asking such a great question.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting me, APA. It's been fun! And I assure you and your readers, this question isn't rhetorical for me, as I consider my next project.
ReplyDeletePsst, Iris--Glad to hear you're enjoying the book!
Gunnar Grey