Title: Untertauchen: A Historical Novel
Author: Arthur M. James
Publisher: Fulton Books
ISBN: 979-8889825449
Pages: 616
Genre: Historical Thrillers / Fiction
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
One universal constant in any life is that of survival. Survival can come in many forms, whether it is a way of surviving a simple conversation that makes one uncomfortable, or surviving a medical procedure, or even surviving a physical conflict. Yet there are far deeper and more dangerous forms of survival, and people throughout history have had to face shocking moments of horror and learn what it means to truly survive in a harsh and cruel world.
No one understands this better than the survivors of WWII, from soldiers taking part in the fight to the millions of innocents who became victims of the Nazi war machine. In author Arthur M. James’s Untertauchen: A Historical Novel, survival becomes a way of life for the two protagonists of the story. The novel, based around true events, tells the story of a German Jewish couple who found themselves forced to hide in plain sight as the Nazi forces invaded Europe. Hiding their Jewish descent and going underground, the couple lived each and every day nearly within reach of capture, never knowing if one day would be their last.
The novel expertly weaves together historical facts with powerful storytelling and rich characters that readers can easily invest in. The chilling nature of the novel’s setting and the shocking details of everyday life for the people there, from going hungry and having to find ways of making deals for just a few bites more of food using stamps and special identification, to instantly becoming second class citizens due to one’s heritage. The gritty and grim setting with the bomb-scorched countryside and townships, as well as the major cities of the continent, made the comprehensive detail the author brought into the novel surrounding Hitler’s rise to power and the political and military scope which he brought when he and the Nazi party seized power highlighted the thoughtless violence and power-mad leadership that made life each and every day for the people there more and more difficult.
For those readers who enjoy historical novels, especially historical fiction which includes a hint of romance, thriller elements, and an eye towards genre fiction, this novel is the one for them. The core of the theme could be found in Hans and Anna’s story, as each brought an emotional component to their tale. Their passion and love for one another was never in doubt, and the evolution of their relationship, from the moment they became engaged on the eve of war, to the harrowing journey which led to their escape years later – and everything in between – the author created a realistic and honest depiction of what love and romance looks like in the face of such harsh environments and troubling moments of survival. A truly remarkable story of enduring the impossible, this is one must-read historical fiction thriller with a hint of romance that readers will not be able to put down.