The Redbreast: A Novel
by Jo Nesbo
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Book Summary Information
Author: Jo NesboTranslator: Don Bartlett
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-12-23
ISBN: 0061134007
Number of pages: 544
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Book Reviews of The Redbreast: A Novel
Book Review: Rare bird, the redbreast 90% of them migrate south. A few take the risk, hoping for a mild winter if they're wrong they die!
Summary: 5 Stars
Extra Information : The first two books for this Harry Hole series The Bat Man and The Cockroaches have not been produced for translation at this time. The Redbreast would be the third book in this series; if you were to start this series my recommendation would be from The Redbreast. The series then follows through in order with Nemesis: A Novel (Harry Hole), The Devil's Star and finally The Redeemer (A Harry Hole Mystery) which will then bring everyone up to date for the release of The Snowman March 2010.
Review - The Redbreast
The Redbreast is a wonderful complex, tightly constructed novel; shifting between history and a contemporary modern day crime plot. The Author Jo Nesbø brings us into his Oslo and story during late 1999. Detective Harry Hole and work partner Ellen Gjelten have been given a routine security assignment but it doesn't take long for a communication break down and all to go horribly wrong. Over at police HQ a decision from the seniors are quickly made to promote Harry to the rank of inspector, a promotion combined with a move to a screened operation in POT, also known as getting him out of the way and cover up any police blunders. Harry's new assignment is to monitor neo-Nazi activities; he soon discovers a high-calibre rifle has been smuggled into the country, a favourite weapon for any assassin.
The second story is the heart of where this tale starts World War II, 1942 this plot is constantly moving itself forward through the war. Norwegian soldiers many without any initial training were sent to the front, they thought they were fighting for their country but the realization was very different they were fighting a losing battle for Hitler on the Eastern front. The Russians were gaining ground and survival was simply taken a day at a time, fear became every soldiers best friend. Many deserted or became prisoners of war others joined the Norwegian Resistance. War with its deepest psychology, one man's darkness will never end, wanting his own justice severed.
I first read this book in 2007 it was suspenseful and gripping then, the second time around was very much the same but strangely enough my re-read was around Remembrance Day just gone, which was nothing more than a coincidence but it did make this book more thought provoking. Jo Nesbø based parts of this book on his own family stories from WWII this I feel is a wonderful tribute to his own parents. Personal family stories from any war are the ones normally told quite differently from our history books, so his own family stories makes this whole storyline very intriguing to read. The Author gives us a clear outline of Norwegian life, different perspectives, outcomes, it covers quite a lot of views, choices and actions during and after the war; actions that shows peoples future fate. Two sides, one outcome, both sides looking to win, for some it will never end, anti-Stalinist on one side and Norwegian Resistance on the other, characters share stories and tragedies while everything remains on a conclusion course for the final dark modern day twisted finish. The author builds suspense and tension throughout, incredibly descriptive with some real heartbreaking moments too.
Brilliant characterization, clear insight, observation and mannerism of people it's all quite uncanny. If you're reading about Harry Hole for the first time, expect a loner, an alcoholic full of cynicism but he remains likeable, when his job bears too much evil it keeps him from staying on the wagon. Another reason to start here you will also meet quite a few other characters in this book that continue through the series, especially on his love life as it starts to flourish in this one.
It's the little things: The humour in Jo Nesbø novels never escapes my notice, it translates into an English dry sense of humour and it works well with everything else going on. Something else I've noticed about this authors writing his very descriptive, he pays great attention to detail, however small, for this book it's anything from a mechanical hitch in Harry's run down old Escort (most of us have all been there, trying to get the car to start on a cold morning alone, hoping it might just turn over the first time) or just the simple things that happen in every day life to make realness and imagination connect. Thoroughly enjoyed this authors work and with the history, mystery, twists combined he never missed his mark, highly recommend, great book for any evening, especially a winters one.
Also adding here a thank you to Don Bartlett for the clear translation in the series.
Andrea Bowhill
Summary of The Redbreast: A Novel
Detective Harry Hole embarrassed the force, and for his sins he?s been reassigned to mundane surveillance tasks. But while monitoring neo-Nazi activities in Oslo, Hole is inadvertently drawn into a mystery with deep roots in Norway?s dark past?when members of the nation?s government willingly collaborated with Nazi Germany. More than sixty years later, this black mark won?t wash away, and disgraced old soldiers who once survived a brutal Russian winter are being murdered, one by one. Now, with only a stained and guilty conscience to guide him, an angry, alcoholic, error-prone policeman must make his way safely past the traps and mirrors of a twisted criminal mind. For a hideous conspiracy is rapidly taking shape around Hole?and Norway?s darkest hour may still be to come.
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