Review of Untertauchen
Posted: 17 Aug 2024, 00:18
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Untertauchen" by Arthur M. James.]
Hans Bracher was arrested by the SA and molested; he had to leave Berlin hurriedly. Hans went to Nochern to live with Anna Gerson and her parents, but things soon took a bad turn when all Jewish businesses were boycotted and forced to close up. Hans was still widely searched for by the SA. Due to this, he has to leave Nochern again and go to France. How will Hans navigate through this hurdle? What will become of all the Jews living in Germany? How far will one go to protect his family, his dignity as a human, and their very existence in a world that seems intent on erasing them? Read Untertauchen by Arthur M. James to follow the life of the Brachers and their quest towards survival.
Untertauchen by Arthur M. James is a masterclass in suspense, thought-provoking, emotive, and strong character development. The book follows the treacherous themes of survival, resilience, fear, moral ambiguity, family, and evasion. The book begins with Hans’s effort to evade the SA and disappear from a society that threatens his safety and that of his kinsmen, and then transforms into intricate physical and psychological warfare, both outside and internal struggles. The book further explores the impact of isolation, rejections, constant fear, and tension between trust and betrayal. The book also greatly explores the complexity of human psychology and human identity. The theme of resilience, fear, and moral ambiguity permeates every aspect of the book. For instance, Hans and Anna had to register at the police station to get a permit to live in Berlin. Hans is faced with his past and fears for his life if his record surfaces again.
What I found most impressive is the author’s ability to depict humanity's resilience in the face of adversity. Also, I love the swift and layered storytelling; the author’s written style is immaculate and immersive, pulling readers into the growing sense of unease and paranoia experienced by the protagonist. The tone employed in the book is tense and foreboding, yet the author weaves moments of introspection and serene reflection into the book, giving readers the time to breathe and bask in the serene moment before the next suspenseful moment. The imagery and suspense in these moments are a testament to the author’s skill. The author’s writing tone is best depicted by the phrase “the calm before the storm." The character development is gradual but highly rewarding; the author shows the characters' deep and evolving inner battles. This is shown in Hans's growing desire to protect his family more when he witnesses his struggle instead of just leaving when faced with struggles. Another standout moment is the protagonist's ability to show appreciation for the goodwill shown to them by their employer even in the face of great peril and danger surrounding them.
My favorite character in the book is Anna, as her courage, determination, and inner conflicts are palpable throughout the book, and this is well portrayed in her effort to accumulate more food and groceries for everyone at the Boys’ Home despite the danger involved.
There is nothing I dislike about this book, as the lull in the pacing is well-aligned and helps add to the impact of the book and its effect on the reader's experience.
The book is excellently well edited. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars due to how well-structured and coherent the historical details are, thus enhancing the reader's immersion in the story and the lives of the characters. I recommend this book to readers of historical fiction, as the book offers emotional depth.
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Untertauchen
View: on Bookshelves
Hans Bracher was arrested by the SA and molested; he had to leave Berlin hurriedly. Hans went to Nochern to live with Anna Gerson and her parents, but things soon took a bad turn when all Jewish businesses were boycotted and forced to close up. Hans was still widely searched for by the SA. Due to this, he has to leave Nochern again and go to France. How will Hans navigate through this hurdle? What will become of all the Jews living in Germany? How far will one go to protect his family, his dignity as a human, and their very existence in a world that seems intent on erasing them? Read Untertauchen by Arthur M. James to follow the life of the Brachers and their quest towards survival.
Untertauchen by Arthur M. James is a masterclass in suspense, thought-provoking, emotive, and strong character development. The book follows the treacherous themes of survival, resilience, fear, moral ambiguity, family, and evasion. The book begins with Hans’s effort to evade the SA and disappear from a society that threatens his safety and that of his kinsmen, and then transforms into intricate physical and psychological warfare, both outside and internal struggles. The book further explores the impact of isolation, rejections, constant fear, and tension between trust and betrayal. The book also greatly explores the complexity of human psychology and human identity. The theme of resilience, fear, and moral ambiguity permeates every aspect of the book. For instance, Hans and Anna had to register at the police station to get a permit to live in Berlin. Hans is faced with his past and fears for his life if his record surfaces again.
What I found most impressive is the author’s ability to depict humanity's resilience in the face of adversity. Also, I love the swift and layered storytelling; the author’s written style is immaculate and immersive, pulling readers into the growing sense of unease and paranoia experienced by the protagonist. The tone employed in the book is tense and foreboding, yet the author weaves moments of introspection and serene reflection into the book, giving readers the time to breathe and bask in the serene moment before the next suspenseful moment. The imagery and suspense in these moments are a testament to the author’s skill. The author’s writing tone is best depicted by the phrase “the calm before the storm." The character development is gradual but highly rewarding; the author shows the characters' deep and evolving inner battles. This is shown in Hans's growing desire to protect his family more when he witnesses his struggle instead of just leaving when faced with struggles. Another standout moment is the protagonist's ability to show appreciation for the goodwill shown to them by their employer even in the face of great peril and danger surrounding them.
My favorite character in the book is Anna, as her courage, determination, and inner conflicts are palpable throughout the book, and this is well portrayed in her effort to accumulate more food and groceries for everyone at the Boys’ Home despite the danger involved.
There is nothing I dislike about this book, as the lull in the pacing is well-aligned and helps add to the impact of the book and its effect on the reader's experience.
The book is excellently well edited. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars due to how well-structured and coherent the historical details are, thus enhancing the reader's immersion in the story and the lives of the characters. I recommend this book to readers of historical fiction, as the book offers emotional depth.
******
Untertauchen
View: on Bookshelves