Alexander reviewed Der Vater by Jochen Klepper
review "der vater"
3 stars
i just finished these 900 pages and here is the first impression: it is a really well written work of historical ficton, but... it combines thought provocing questions of state, religion, responsibility, but... from a modern view it falls every time on the wrong side.
the meaning of building up a true faithful and ever so benign monarch in Friedrich Wilhelm II collides with the events, which from time to time are barely held back from attacking this picture.
how to solve this? it's a weakness of the text that a great part of the pages are lamenting about the ill understood intentions of the king and talking about the pain this induces to him. but the reader seldom learns about this events, they're more often shadwos of the king's thoughts and feelings.
it is still an interesting read. the style is really fine and it's an accomplishment to write …
i just finished these 900 pages and here is the first impression: it is a really well written work of historical ficton, but... it combines thought provocing questions of state, religion, responsibility, but... from a modern view it falls every time on the wrong side.
the meaning of building up a true faithful and ever so benign monarch in Friedrich Wilhelm II collides with the events, which from time to time are barely held back from attacking this picture.
how to solve this? it's a weakness of the text that a great part of the pages are lamenting about the ill understood intentions of the king and talking about the pain this induces to him. but the reader seldom learns about this events, they're more often shadwos of the king's thoughts and feelings.
it is still an interesting read. the style is really fine and it's an accomplishment to write a gripping novel you want all the time to contradict.