Review of Truth and Evil
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Amanda Collier
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Review of Truth and Evil
[Following is a volunteer review of "Truth and Evil" by G. Edward Martin.]
G. Edward Martin’s Truth and Evil paints a stark picture of the choices we make and the ripples of impact they can have on our lives.
Set in Germany deep in the throes of WWII, Truth and Evil follows the story of a young German soldier. The nameless soldier is staunchly loyal to Germany, obeying whatever orders are given to him. He sees the Russian people as the enemy, less than human, and worthy of nothing more than death. When he is given the order to search a cellar, he doesn’t think twice. A young girl is hiding there. Seeing her as less than human, he sees no issue with treating her as such. Soon he will learn that every action has consequences. Face to face with God, he begins to question every choice he has ever made.
This novella is bleak. Seeing through the eyes of a German soldier and how they viewed the world around them was a bit terrifying. The young men who fought in WWII believed that what they were doing what was right. They were fighting for their country. They had been raised to believe that Germany was on the right side of things, and whatever they did in the name of the war was justified. When such violent indoctrination is impressed on young people, it is almost as if they have no choice but to grow up seeing other people as less than human.
The story also shows us that even if what we know is all that we have been taught, it does not make it morally correct. The laws and ways of humanity are not the same as the morality of God. On page 19, the author writes “You must decide whether you care more for your life or your soul.” This is a very powerful statement. Choices that we make have consequences. Sometimes we have to choose between what is easy and what is right.
Another theme that this novella portrays very well is the fact that we have free will. We are influenced by both good and evil, and that is by design. Without evil, we would not be able to comprehend what good is. It would just be the way the world was, and that eliminates the existence of free will. On page 55, the author writes “because without the struggle of good and evil, there is no purpose to life; there are no choices.” Our ability to choose proves that there is free will. Sometimes we will get it wrong and make the wrong choice. Oftentimes our choices hurt, even if they are the “right” one. Either way, living life by making good choices will make the world a better place.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. I always try to point out some negative aspect of a work that could be improved on. I found it difficult to pinpoint a flaw in this novella. It has a good balance of dialogue and description. The plot is well fleshed-out. The only thing that I would have liked to see is a follow-up of the young girl that was the catalyst for the main character's trials. It would have been interesting to see how his change of choice impacted her life in the future.
Truth and Evil is very well-written with practically no typographical errors. That is a rarity and was quite refreshing to see. Despite the bleak nature and painful realities that it portrays, it offers a glimpse of hope. Even if we have done bad things in our lives, it is never too late to change. I would give this novella 5 out of 5 stars.
******
Truth and Evil
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
G. Edward Martin’s Truth and Evil paints a stark picture of the choices we make and the ripples of impact they can have on our lives.
Set in Germany deep in the throes of WWII, Truth and Evil follows the story of a young German soldier. The nameless soldier is staunchly loyal to Germany, obeying whatever orders are given to him. He sees the Russian people as the enemy, less than human, and worthy of nothing more than death. When he is given the order to search a cellar, he doesn’t think twice. A young girl is hiding there. Seeing her as less than human, he sees no issue with treating her as such. Soon he will learn that every action has consequences. Face to face with God, he begins to question every choice he has ever made.
This novella is bleak. Seeing through the eyes of a German soldier and how they viewed the world around them was a bit terrifying. The young men who fought in WWII believed that what they were doing what was right. They were fighting for their country. They had been raised to believe that Germany was on the right side of things, and whatever they did in the name of the war was justified. When such violent indoctrination is impressed on young people, it is almost as if they have no choice but to grow up seeing other people as less than human.
The story also shows us that even if what we know is all that we have been taught, it does not make it morally correct. The laws and ways of humanity are not the same as the morality of God. On page 19, the author writes “You must decide whether you care more for your life or your soul.” This is a very powerful statement. Choices that we make have consequences. Sometimes we have to choose between what is easy and what is right.
Another theme that this novella portrays very well is the fact that we have free will. We are influenced by both good and evil, and that is by design. Without evil, we would not be able to comprehend what good is. It would just be the way the world was, and that eliminates the existence of free will. On page 55, the author writes “because without the struggle of good and evil, there is no purpose to life; there are no choices.” Our ability to choose proves that there is free will. Sometimes we will get it wrong and make the wrong choice. Oftentimes our choices hurt, even if they are the “right” one. Either way, living life by making good choices will make the world a better place.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. I always try to point out some negative aspect of a work that could be improved on. I found it difficult to pinpoint a flaw in this novella. It has a good balance of dialogue and description. The plot is well fleshed-out. The only thing that I would have liked to see is a follow-up of the young girl that was the catalyst for the main character's trials. It would have been interesting to see how his change of choice impacted her life in the future.
Truth and Evil is very well-written with practically no typographical errors. That is a rarity and was quite refreshing to see. Despite the bleak nature and painful realities that it portrays, it offers a glimpse of hope. Even if we have done bad things in our lives, it is never too late to change. I would give this novella 5 out of 5 stars.
******
Truth and Evil
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Josh the Firetruck by Bob A Goldstein
