Field Gray: A Bernie Gunther Novel

This book covers the period's of 1930's, 40's and 50's in Germany. Paul Hecht does a great job of narration. This book looks at WWII from the view of a German policeman. It is very interesting and the treatment of German POW by the Russian was accurately portrayed in the story. I found myself checking up on various events described in the book to see how historically accurate they were. I must say the ending of the book took me by surprise. I was going straight and the story took a big turn. Exciting. This was my first Phillip Kerr book.

Don't start with Field Gray, save it for after you have listened to the preceding volumes in the "Bernie Gunther" detective series. Kerr's creation is an engaging, wryly comic, and morally challenging character. Paul Hecht's reading deeply and unobtrusively captures the spirit of Gunther, as well as the many adversaries Kerr pits against him in this expansive, complex, but eminently clear political detective story, steeped in a history no one should have the pleasure of forgetting about. Field Gray is as much a warning as it is a retelling about the depths of inhumanity in which humanity can so easily lose itself.

Another wonderfully written, dark, but revealing look into the evil of which man is capable. Gunter is a bit of a "superman" himself, but not outrageously so as his escapades reveal the darkness that is the Nazis, and war itself. This character's behavior would not have survived in the real Nazi regime, but Kerr makes a very plausible case for Bernie's doing so. He's done enough with Bernie, so while I am sure his children's books are great, I hope he can invent another character to reveal another of mankind's inner workings and soon.
And whatever happen to cause him change narrators is a clear case of over thinking. John Lee was the perfect Gunter and the change had a negative effect on my listening pleasure!

For the first time with a Kerr book, I have to say the book is much too long. It would be much shorter if Kerr simply resisted the urge to include one inane wise crack after another. It was a good story about an interesting period. However, after 5 books, I've had all of Bernie's smart mouth I can take. I'd have shot him myself---just to shut him up.

This one is a "must read." Flashes forward/backward are handled extremely well and are singularly appropriate in their timing. Narration is outstanding.

The book jumps around and the descrption of the places are narrow. I just could not get into the book.

This character has all the worldweary charm of the era. I love the writing and it was very well read. Makes a nice companion piece with Mission to Paris by Alan Furst.

Too much to change. I could find nothing to admire in the main character or the others. After listening for a couple hours I gave up. The language is explicit and disgusting. I would be embarrassed to let this play out loud in the presence of other people.

Never.

Was fine.

Kerr is probably one of those writers that you either really like or really don't like. His books on Audible benefit from good narrators (Paul Hecht is as delightful as John Lee once you get used to him) as well as interesting historical plots. I have no idea how accurate his Nazi world is, but it makes for enjoyable listening. Gunther is hard not to like as a hero because he so often turns out to be incredibly vulnerable. In this book Gunther gets a little out of his element, or maybe it is Kerr and his experimental style that goes a bit awry. Nevertheless, Kerr still delivers and Bernie does not disappoint.

I have read every Kerr book ,so I must like them. I have gone to US holocaust Memorial Museum website. I guess one is saying and the other is proving : there is no god, there is no justice, and nothing is solved by war.
I don't know how to rate this book. I don't know if I like or not. I guess the one liner by the old peasant to Pancho Villa says it all "doesn't matter who is in charge, they all still you chickens." However , this is much to simple for this book that starts slow and familiar and grows on you.