The German

By: Lee Thomas

Narrated by: Jeff Schine

Set during the height of World War II, The German examines the effect a series of ritualistic murders has on a small, Texas community. A killer preys on the young men of Barnard, Texas, leaving cryptic notes written in German. As the panic builds all eyes turn toward a quiet man with secrets of his own, who is trying to escape a violent past.

Ernst Lang fled Germany in 1934. Once a brute, a soldier, a leader of the Nazi party, he has renounced aggression and embraces a peaceful obscurity. But Lang is haunted by an impossible past. He remembers his own execution and the extremes of sex and violence that led to it. He remembers the men he led into battle, the men he seduced, and the men who betrayed him. But are these the memories of a man given a second life, or the delusions of a lunatic?

Winner of the Lambda Literary Award! Winner Il Posto Nero (The Black Spot): Best Foreign Language Book. A finalist for the 2011 Bram Stoker Award! A finalist for an EDGE Award. A finalist for the TLA Video Award. Named one of the Best Books of the Year by The Advocate.

©2011 Lee Thomas (P)2013 Lee Thomas

Was actually refreshingly good

There were some moments that immersion was broken by a beleaguered analogy or two but otherwise the author portrayed a pretty vivid picture of the setting and characters. The plot was a little predictable but not annoyingly so.

Incredibly good

One of the most moving stories ive read in a long, long time. Many great one liners. Heart wrenching, devestating, but beautiful.

Exemplary

The narrator does a wonderful job with the southern accents, giving each character personality. I had to knock off a star because he didn't do the German characters justice.

The book was astoundingly moving. A story about prejudice, ignorance, hate, violence, and eventually betrayal, this narrative through a boy's coming of age perfectly outlines the darker side of man's inner beast.

heart wrenching

What made the experience of listening to The German the most enjoyable?

the absolute story itself gripped and held me, the horror ,m the intrigue the sadness.

What other book might you compare The German to and why?

I really cant come up with anything offhand, It was stand alone in many respects. the prejudice, the murders the commentary of bias of humans.

Which character – as performed by Jeff Schine – was your favorite?

well obviously the german himself. I can empathize with his troubles, the way others are quick to judge and all the kindness performed is forgotten in a breath.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The true horror of war at home

Any additional comments?

I was reluctant to purchase this title for a while, but man , I am glad I did. It sucks you in in the first 20 minutes and holds you there. I don't wish to give any spoilers, but try this book, it wont disappoint.

Amazing good

I was surprised how good this book was. Kept me guessing who the killer was until the end . Would recommend