Fatherland

First things first, Robert Harris has a way with words in this one that just brings me into the setting. I could see, feel, and smell things so vividly down to how the fucking rainwater slaps against my ankles. Even I would curse at that disgusting feeling. Fatherland is tragically beautiful. The rise, the beautiful intermissions, the climax (the many climaxes, wink wink), and then it just ends. Harris writes gorgeously but also frustratingly. He brings all the feels and then decides to pull the plug too soon. Literally, when you want more, he says “end scene.” And it works so well! The deduction is snappy, the romance hits great, and the betrayal hits even harder — stabs you in the chest, breaks your wrist, and then pummels you with a baseball bat. Xavier March is painfully written — too observant for his own good, his mind running all the time; I can see why this was recommended for me. And then during pivotal moments, he’s forced to wind down. To take a serious pause, to regroup, to feel, to taste, to live. But even during those low moments, he’s always on, and so he’s not really there. He knows what he wants, and he works to get it at the cost of what he needs. Each day in this book left me holding my breath or wanting more. I was so frightened to turn to the next part, but we keep at it — because March would have done that. And to the very end, he upholds his principles. He keeps his dignity. And for once, he actually gets to live. Fucking beautiful. Made me scream, hold my breath, and even take a moment to pause and nurse my brain from the stress and anxiety. Jesus Christ, thank you, Harris. Experience improved with the following playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0n5...

Rating: 4/5

tinru's