Fireweed

by Richard Vaughan Davies

Adam, a young British military lawyer, is posted to the shattered city to assist in the prosecution of Nazi war criminals.

He meets Rose, who is beautiful, educated, clever ... but has been forced into prostitution to survive. Adam becomes increasingly obsessed with her.

Henryk van Reen is responsible for the murder of hundreds during the war and is destined for the hangman. He escapes while in Adam’s custody.

Adam needs to find him. Even if it means using the woman he loves as bait.

Genres: Historical Fiction

341 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2023

Reviews

[Lynn Bushell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Vaughan Davies is a born story-teller. In this haunting and powerfully written novel set in post-war Hamburg, he captures the utter bleakness, poverty and moral bankruptcy of a defeated city. But as often happens in a devastated landscape, Nature soon begins to fight back. Weeds spring up amongst the rubble, people fall in love, succumb to passion, betray each other and occasionally themselves. And so the cycle begins again.

This was a thoroughly absorbing read, slightly marred, I felt, by the interspersal of the text with quotations from Shakespeare which seemed extraneous and interrupted the narrative. Vaughan Davies starts and ends his book in the present but uses the past tense, whereas as soon as he begins to talk about the past he reverts tellingly to the present tense, turning chronology on its head and clearly indicating where his interest lies. He is at his best when his descriptions are backed up by history. Less convincing are those sections that rely completely on invention, notably 'Foxy' the blimp-like colonel with his stereo-typical speech and some exchanges between Rose and Adam which suggest the author's discomfort as much as that of his hero.

These are small criticisms. 'Fireweed' keeps the reader engaged throughout. It's is a cracking story, vividly told, about a fascinating period in history.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very impressive piece of literary writing! I was completely immersed in the telling of how Adam lived the post war Hamburg preparing juridical files in order to sue the Nazi prisoners. An eye-opener about the way the trials were going to be run leading to thought provoking questions about justice.... Adam's story is not about his work, but also the strong love he feels for Rose, a German woman who ended up as a prostitute as a way of surviving. What I particularly enjoyed about this novel apart from the important questions it raises, is the characterisation: A very naive Adam, a very difficult to pin down Rose, an ex doctor, Ernst , a man with a conscience ... All of these personalities fit well with the disturbing and ominous questions raised by the novel: can there be justice, guilt (I was following orders), survival, human values... The conclusion confirms the realism mastered by the author in his very powerful, poignant and convincing skill with words. Highly recommended!
I read this novel with my online book club, the Pigeonhole, and I would like to say thank you to Richard for this enriching opportunity.

[Gianfranco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just an amazing and comfortable book

For me, this book is not just a book; it is a powerful and curious experience that stays in your thoughts for a long time and that you can't stop reading until you finish.
In my opinion the best thing about the book is the main character, her name is Liza, and she is the kind of character that stays with you and becomes your unconditional friend; she faces the harsh reality of loss, survival and reinvention, something that has happened to all of us, this is why I felt so identified. The reading is easy and enjoyable for all audiences; in my case, I'm more of a self-help book but this one got me involved. What struck me most was the author's ability to capture the essence of resilience. It's not just about bouncing back, it's about getting stronger through pain and hardship.This book served as a poignant reminder to me that we too can flourish in the midst of life's challenges. It is a must read for anyone looking for a narrative that ignites inner hope. Highly recommended

[Pheadra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this beautifully written story through my online book club, Pigeonhole. From the opening line quoting Shakespear's As You Like It "All the world's a stage..." it held my attention and became a daily reading addiction. Adam, post-Second World War is stationed in Hamburg, Germany, and is part of the British forces dealing with the aftermath of Hitler's atrocities. His function as a lawyer is to defend Nazis accused of war crimes. He is incredibly naive which may well be why he was chosen for this role. Adam's life changes when he meets Rose, a very attractive younger woman forced into prostitution to survive, and he becomes obsessed with her. Their relationship is filled with challenges, especially as Adam who starts as a customer for her services falls head over heels in love with her, but she like the fireweeds that sprout between the rubble is a survivor doing what she must rather than becoming embroiled in emotions, to survive in the post-war-torn land. Richard Vaughan Davies is a gifted storyteller. I will look out for other books by him. 5 Stars!

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one of the best I have read. This historical novel set in the effects of World War II really immersed me on its pages. Fireweed by Richard Vaughan Davies is based on Adam, a young British military lawyer, assigned to prosecute Nazi war criminals. His life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Rose, a beautiful, intelligent woman forced into prostitution for survival. Their deepening relationship is filled with challenges and moral dilemmas, particularly as Adam becomes consumed by his feelings for her.
I loved to see such a well written plot with a lot of twists and turns, adding more intrigue when Henryk van Reen, a war criminal responsible for numerous deaths, escapes while under Adam's custody. Adam's desperate pursuit to recapture van Reen, risking the use of Rose as bait. It's a book that is interesting but also deep, exploring themes of love, justice, and the moral quandaries faced in the wake of war.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a lot of fiction set around the WWII era. It's a time period that fascinates me. I've read many with a focus on romance, codebreaking and concentration camps. I've read them from perspectives of soldiers, evacuees and of how life was in different countries across Europe. But I haven't read anything like Fireweed before.

The story begins with an elderly Adam before he recalls his time in Hamburg in 1947. British military lawyer Adam is deployed to the city to assist in the prosecution of war criminals. But he is tasked with providing their defence and listening to these men talk about the joy they felt causing the suffering of others begins to break him. Adam finds solace in Rose, a young woman who has lost everything and has been forced into prostitution to survive.

This is a real gritty story. It shows the dark, bleak reality of life after war. It's a brilliantly written book that kept me engaged.

[Maria Paula Castellanos Monroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fireweed” by Richard Vaughan Davies is a book to understand history while you try to disregard love.
I must confess that sometimes reading about history does not appeal to me so much, however, this book is spectacular as it taught me about history while having fun. I think it is an excellent way to learn while having fun which makes the book easy to read, to understand and leaves you with many learnings.

The book takes place in the context of the Second World War in which there is a character named Adam who helps Nazi prosecutions who have committed crimes, who crosses paths with Rose, a woman who would change his life and the way he perceives decency.

This is a book to laugh, to be informed, to cry, to reflect and I think it is an excellent recommendation for you!

[Lauraforero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting novel
This book takes place around the events of the second world war with the protagonist, Adam, who works in a shattered city assisting the prosecution of nazi criminals. In his work, he meets Rose, who is a clever and a beautiful lady but had been force to prostitution to be able to survive. Adam ends up falling in love with her to the point of being obsessed. From this point on the story develops combining real life events and contexts with amazing characters and unexpected scenarios that personally captivated me and kept me sticked to the book until the very end. This is a masterpiece that also goes back to such an important time on the human history and makes out of it a novel full of passion, excitement and action.

[Dani Savante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fireweed tells the powerful story of Adam, a young British military lawyer, whose life becomes intertwined with the dark and painful secrets of the post-war period. I found it to be a very gripping and enjoyable story. The plot unfolds in a post-war setting, exploring not only the criminal hunt, but also personal redemption, the emotional cost of war and the complexity of human relationships in the midst of destruction. The novel offers a captivating blend of suspense and romance.
I enjoy romance novels with tinges of drama and self-improvement. The characters are very worthwhile and the scenes in the book perfectly punctuate the narrative. I recommend it for lovers of dramatic and romantic novels.

[Kriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terribly British story about an injured, inept soldier in post war Hamburg with very little emotional intelligence. Was fascinated with the idea of trade offs with regard to war criminals and had to wrestle with the pragmatism of such ideas. So much food for thought, challenging in the most British way, never beating us around the head but continually presenting moral dilemmas of various kinds. reminders of a bumbling English man abroad who appears to fall into one scrape after the-other, beautifully written and most absorbing. Have never read anything on post war Germany, didn’t want to hear but this was a great entry point and will look for more. Thanks to Richard and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity.

[Kim Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading the historical novel Fireweed by Richard Vaughan Davies, stave by stave with The Pigeonhole. It’s set in 1947, in the ruins of Hamburg, where Adam, a young British lawyer, is posted to help prosecute Nazi war criminals. After meeting Rose, a beautiful aristocrat who has become a prostitute in order to survive, his life changes, and he becomes obsessed with her, to the point of wanting her for himself. When Adam allows the murderer Henryk van Reen to escape custody, he turns to Rose’s pimp for help and ends up using her as bait. This book was so immersive. The setting was described in realistic detail, the characters were believable, and the plot took us into dark places – my kind of book.

[Bruno Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Fireweed brings to mind La dame aux camélias (La Traviata) and Pretty Woman, it’s steelier and less sentimental — more real and all the better for it. Rose is strong and only in it for one person, of course. Adam is feeble, incompetent and out of his depth both professionally and in what passes for love amidst Hamburg’s ruins. The writing is good — poetic at times and economic and pacy at others. It's shame about the opening and last chapters that are simply not needed and, at the end, take us out of the story with a jolt. I thought the end - the end before the final chapter and the end of the story 'proper' - terrific.

[S Tyty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fireweed is a book which explores different themes which are woven together in an exquisite and imperceptible way. The author does make one think a lot about complex topics, such as murder, prostitution, and love, thanks to the captivating way in which he pens this narrative.
This fast-paced, action-packed historical Irish fiction features an extensive cast of characters who are all well-crafted and thought-out, and the author skillfully weaves their stories together as he draws their paths toward a spectacular finish, not expected for me. It seems as if each thought, scene, and character in this splashy novel has been carefully crafted to elicit a visceral response. A great one!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout 12 chapters, this fiction captivates the reader with its mix of genres, going from romance to history. "Fireweed" tells the story of Adam, a lawyer who leads an ordinary life, but meets Rose. In turn, Adam is guarding the alleged murderer Henryk van Reen, but in his custody he escapes.
One of the highlights of this reading is that the author makes the reader enjoy the book from beginning to end, keeping them on the edge of their seat at all times. I think this book is not only intended for readers who enjoy historical fiction, but lovers of other genres will also like it, which is why I recommend it.

[Saya Jacaranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fireweed” by Vaughan Davies is an amazing book if you like history. I personally have always been fascinated by nazi history. It is really entertaining to read about Adam who is assisting in the prosecution of nazi war criminals. Post war time was definitely hard, but this book showed me so much closer what it meant to live in that time. It is intriguing and scary at the same time. Sometimes, you have to coerce your inner morals in order to get to the greater good. It is definitely not a book for soft souls but it is captivating for sure. I learned a lot and appreciate the opportunity I had by reading this book.

[CarlitasFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page-turning novel
I came across “Fireweed” by Richard Vaughan Davies and I became fascinated by this story. Adam, a British military lawyer, is summoned to look for some Nazi War criminals. He must find the whereabouts of Henrynk van Reen. In the meantime, he becomes entangled with a beautiful woman who then will be a help for his search.
It’s a story that has a bit of everything- danger, love, obsession, action... and will leave you at the edge of your seat all the time. The way the writer describes the tense scenes is great! In fact, I felt the adrenaline of some of those scenes. In short, this is a compelling novel with dynamic and complex characters worth the while.

[Sarah Truckell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read via online book group The Pigeonhole. A fabulous well written book set just after the Second World War. Adam is a British military lawyer posted to Hamburg to assist in the prosecution of Nazi war criminals. He meets beautiful German Rose, she has been forced to turn to prostitution to survive. Adam visits regularly and is captivated by her. He needs her help when one of the war criminals escapes custody.

[Laura Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid 4 stars.
This was beautifully written, with very vivid descriptions. It could be a challenging read, given the setting of post war Hamburg, the devastation and poverty where very apparent. Also difficult given some of the revelations made by characters and the work Adam was doing as a lawyer in the war crimes tribunal service.
With thanks to the author and Pigeonhole for the opportunity, will definitely look out for this author in the future.

[Mags Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, atmospheric writing by Richard Vaughan Davies.
Complex characters that really kept me guessing as to their motives. Was Rose just playing games? Was Adam really so naive?
I really enjoyed this, despite being unable to comment on the final stave due to a gagging order by The Pigeonhole.

[Gail Danks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This just wasn’t for me unfortunately

[Tim Rideout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow.

[Mike Kanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daves did an excellent job recreating the despair of post-World War 2 Germany.

However, I found the main character to be annoying which reduced my enjoyment of the novel. The narrator/main character, Adam, spends most of the novel whining about his inadequacies and does not take any action of his own volition. He lets others make decisions and he just goes along. Rose, the wealthy German who is surviving as a prostitute, is a far more interesting and resilient character.

It was good, but I am not sure that I would recommend this novel.