Vandenberg: A Novel

by Oliver Lange

Fantastic. A well-paced and compelling novel. On top of that, a gut-punch of a concept. A frighteningly realistic scenario of the U.S.'s demise. Going out with a whimper is indeed more chilling than a bang. Lange does a great job keeping every part interesting by frequently changing perspectives from characters to journals to enemy notes to government reports. Consistently engaging, real and flawed characters and the perfect length and depth. How this wasn't made into an amazing movie in the 70s is a mystery to me. Highly recommended.

Genres: Fiction, War

333 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that performs on two levels: the first is the obvious story of a middle age man with an adult downs syndrome son who lives on a remote New Mexico ranch during the time of a Soviet invasion and occupation of the U.S. This man by the name of Vandenberg decides at a point that he isn't going to be pushed around any longer by the occupying forces. Not because of ideology, or revenge, but because they wish to take away his freedom and force him to conform. They want him to conform, not because he is politically dangerous to them but because he is an anomaly: a man who does not participate in the consumer society of the country and thus cannot be controlled by denying access to that society.

Secondly, the story delves deeply into the wussification of America and of American men in particular. It explores the conformity of society and the abandonment of ideals for material goods.

It is a grim tale. If you are looking for Red Dawn, you won't find it here.

[Alien · Rating 1 out of 5]

A painter is wanted for killing s.b. He hides in the woods with his son. Actually he wanted to fight against the Russian occupation but now it's just about survival.

I quit after 50 pages. It had some quality, I guess, but for me it was no fun at all. It was all rather bleak and I did not care about the characters at all.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Oliver Lange was one of the best. It is dated now but it has an amazing forecast of what is happening today. Prepare yourselves if you believe in it at all.

[Ray Greenway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall the book was good, but I did not like the ending. Lange could have ended it slightly differently. I say this as my child had Down.

[Marco den Ouden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about an iconoclast named Vandenberg who battles the Soviets after they have conquered the USA.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1976. The Soviets invade the U.S.

[Chris Oakley · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Red Dawn" this ain't.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't read Vandenberg: A Novel without noticing how Oliver Lange exposes the absurd lengths institutions go to just to maintain the illusion of order.

[Leroy Wow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alternate history where the Soviet Union invades the USA and the people capitulate, except for a cranky WWII vet and New Mexico artist named Gene Vandenberg and his mentally challenged adult son. Realistic depictions of re-education camps and armed resistance.

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised by how this book drew me in. It wasn't terrific, but it managed to keep building and building, up to the moment of truth. It took a little while to get my mind back into a late-seventies / early-eighties mindset (the period in which this book was both written, and in which the action takes place), but once I did that, it all started to become more enjoyable.

There were some recurring awkward writing issues, where the author switches person, so that you can't be sure if it's some sort of internal monologue, or exposition of the main character. Sometimes, it was neither, which leant to the awkwardness. In spite of some structural hiccups, it moves along fine.

Reading it was a blast from the past, in a depressing "Red Dawn," Reagan-esque, Cold War sort of way. There was nothing in the book that made you feel that things were ever going to have a happy ending, and I think that's appropriate. For a $0.01 book, it was a worthwhile purchase. I don't think I'd want to read it a second time, though. That's for sure.

[Nadir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published back in 1971, this novel is a set in a hypothetical post-Soviet-invasion United States. There is no widespread resistance nor rebellion - the people simply accept one overlord government system in lieu of another, and get on with their lives. A few, however, are sent to what amount to re-education camps, and that is where the story takes off, but in unexpected directions. Much of the novel explores the reality of living alone both on a 'ranch' (main character before the Soviet invasion) and in the wilderness (after escaping from the camp). This element of the novel (living a solitary life) is essentially auto-biographical.

I found the novel interesting, but not as compelling as the "action thrillers" of today (and an interesting comparison in that regard). Ultimately, I see the author's view of life as excessively pessimistic, but I certainly can't say he was wrong to feel that way.

[Grump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. A well-paced and compelling novel. On top of that, a gut-punch of a concept. A frighteningly realistic scenario of the U.S.'s demise. Going out with a whimper is indeed more chilling than a bang. Lange does a great job keeping every part interesting by frequently changing perspectives from characters to journals to enemy notes to government reports. Consistently engaging, real and flawed characters and the perfect length and depth. How this wasn't made into an amazing movie in the 70s is a mystery to me. Highly recommended.

[carl theaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A goodread! Cold war era 70s: Soviets have occupied the USA kind of France 1940,
a psychological letdown as much a militarily, so no signs of a guerilla movement.

Our man Vandenberg, an independent,living in the country of the West kind of guy, gets together
a crew of misfits to launch an attack on a Ruski outpost. Good details on the
characters of both sides and the organization of their efforts.

[wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

great story. you don't lean back and pick up the dictionary to define a word used. clean straight-forward story-telling about dystopian america. gene vandenberg, 50, living w/his son in new mexico.

natural settings, the elements, horses being rode and used...i think the polish uses horses against the nazis, right? anyway, a group gets together and tries to resist what has come to pass. entertaining read.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

....

[Howard R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suggest you read my October 4th review on Amazon both as a critique and as a bit of biog details.
Best wishes, Mark Sutherland