Review: Our Father by James Farner

Published: August 2016

Pages: 191

Synopsis: ““The German Revolution had indeed begun.”

The Second German Reich has collapsed in the flames of World War I and the country is in chaos. Republicans, rogue soldiers, and communists are rampaging through the cities and villages of Germany. Faced with destruction, the nationalists fight back against their enemies, turning the country into a battlefield.

In Munich, Erich and Johann Brandt are a pair of impressionable teenagers just trying to get by. When Erich falls under the sway of young speaker Adolf Hitler, he joins the party without a second thought. Erich drives further and further into Hitler’s inner circle, which all culminates in a deadly march through the heart of Munich.

Horrified at his brother’s fall into National Socialism, Johann does what he can to fight back against the spell that Hitler has placed the country under. That is until he attracts the brutal attentions of SA captain Oswald Yorck.

As elections turn against the democratic parties, Johann does his best to save his country before it’s too late. But it could cost him his life…”

Rating: ****

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Our Father follows two brothers during the rise of the Nazis; Erich and Johann, showing how divisive politics and war can be. I had continually changing feelings towards Erich; who’s POV the first half of the book was written from, including what kind of a man he was and whether I liked him as a character. Overall, I think I leaned towards not liking him, but this in itself showed how well written Our Father was as it takes a certain level of skill to create and write such a unlikeable character. There were some situations where I felt Erich reacted well and could have started to redeem himself, but not quite.

It was easier to read the second half of the book which was from Johann's point of view, as he was a much more relatable character with views and motives that were easier to read.

Our Father appeared to be well researched and had an authentic feel about it. I imagine books such as this are difficult to write as the reader knows how the events mentioned will end but the author still needs to provide them with a hook to keep reading. In this case, it was the seamless mix of historical and fictional characters.

I will probably read the second book in the series to see how things develop, but am undecided about whether to read the series as a whole.