Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Erik Larson, IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS: Love, Terror and an American Fami
Like many other people I know, I loved Larson's DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY. But I was disappointed in BEASTS; I have to confess I read the first few hundred pages but didn't finish it. I think the topic of an ambassador's family in 1930s Berlin is fascinating and important; but while DEVIL had that wonderful dual-plot structure (vicious murders/building of the World's Fair), this book seems to be structured as a serial accounting of the different Nazis that the ambassador's daughter flirted with, talked with (including Hitler), or slept with. Part of my problem was that I didn't find her engaging as a character--although perhaps my expectations are unfair, the result of 20/20 hindsight, an understanding she couldn't possibly have; she is by turns persistently astonished by what she sees around her and sympathetic to Germany's right to rise up.
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The early days of Dodd's tour were enjoyable and reminiscent of his prior time in Germany when he spent time there as a student. Now, however, as time progressed he began to see the evil of Hitler and how Germany was rapidly changing. His warnings to our country of what was happening were often dismissed and he was never taken seriously by many in our State Department.
ReplyDeleteThis story is an especially good look at a time in history few of us know much about. Larson has done an excellent job with his research and this is a very engaging story. I highly recommend it.
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This story is an especially good look at a time in history few of us know much about. Larson has done an excellent job with his research and this is a very engaging story. I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteMarlene
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