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The Boys from Brazil
A Nazi hunter uncovers a fugitive SS doctor’s terrifying plot to create a Fourth Reich in The Boys from Brazil, a riveting techno-thriller from the incomparable master of suspense, Ira Levin. This edition includes an introduction by Dr. Efraim Zuroff, Chief Nazi-Hunter of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
Veteran Nazi hunter Yakov Liebermann finds himself entangled in a web of unimaginable horror when he is tipped off to a sinister conspiracy hatching in the depths of South a plan to establish a new, globe-spanning Fourth Reich.
Why has Dr. Josef Mengele—Auschwitz’s fiendish “Angel of Death”—tasked a team of former SS men with the slaughter of ninety-four harmless, aging men across the globe? What hidden link binds these men together? What significance could they possibly hold for their pursuers?
With the clock ticking, and the future of humanity hanging in the balance, can the ailing Liebermann take on a seemingly unstoppable enemy and alter the course of history?
Adapted into the film starring Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier, The Boys from Brazil is a gripping, thought-provoking thriller that explores the depths of human malevolence, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Veteran Nazi hunter Yakov Liebermann finds himself entangled in a web of unimaginable horror when he is tipped off to a sinister conspiracy hatching in the depths of South a plan to establish a new, globe-spanning Fourth Reich.
Why has Dr. Josef Mengele—Auschwitz’s fiendish “Angel of Death”—tasked a team of former SS men with the slaughter of ninety-four harmless, aging men across the globe? What hidden link binds these men together? What significance could they possibly hold for their pursuers?
With the clock ticking, and the future of humanity hanging in the balance, can the ailing Liebermann take on a seemingly unstoppable enemy and alter the course of history?
Adapted into the film starring Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier, The Boys from Brazil is a gripping, thought-provoking thriller that explores the depths of human malevolence, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1976
626 people are currently reading
17392 people want to read
About the author
Ira Levin
75 books1,721 followersLevin graduated from the Horace Mann School and New York University, where he majored in philosophy and English.
After college, he wrote training films and scripts for television.
Levin's first produced play was No Time for Sergeants (adapted from Mac Hyman's novel), a comedy about a hillbilly drafted into the United States Air Force that launched the career of Andy Griffith. The play was turned into a movie in 1958, and co-starred Don Knotts, Griffith's long-time co-star and friend. No Time for Sergeants is generally considered the precursor to Gomer Pyle, USMC.
Levin's first novel, A Kiss Before Dying, was well received, earning him the 1954 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. A Kiss Before Dying was turned into a movie twice, first in 1956, and again in 1991.
Levin's best known play is Deathtrap, which holds the record as the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway and brought Levin his second Edgar Award. In 1982, it was made into a film starring Christopher Reeve and Michael Caine.
Levin's best known novel is Rosemary's Baby, a horror story of modern day satanism and the occult, set in Manhattan's Upper West Side. It was made into a film starring Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes. Ruth Gordon won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance. Roman Polanski, who wrote and directed the film, was nominated for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.
Other Levin novels were turned into movies, including The Boys from Brazil in 1978; The Stepford Wives in 1975 and again in 2004; and Sliver in 1993.
Stephen King has described Ira Levin as "the Swiss watchmaker of suspense novels, he makes what the rest of us do look like cheap watchmakers in drugstores." Chuck Palahniuk, in , calls Levin's writing "a smart, updated version of the kind of folksy legends that cultures have always used."
Ira Levin died from a heart attack at his home in Manhattan, on 12 November 2007. He was seventy-eight at the time of his death.
After college, he wrote training films and scripts for television.
Levin's first produced play was No Time for Sergeants (adapted from Mac Hyman's novel), a comedy about a hillbilly drafted into the United States Air Force that launched the career of Andy Griffith. The play was turned into a movie in 1958, and co-starred Don Knotts, Griffith's long-time co-star and friend. No Time for Sergeants is generally considered the precursor to Gomer Pyle, USMC.
Levin's first novel, A Kiss Before Dying, was well received, earning him the 1954 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. A Kiss Before Dying was turned into a movie twice, first in 1956, and again in 1991.
Levin's best known play is Deathtrap, which holds the record as the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway and brought Levin his second Edgar Award. In 1982, it was made into a film starring Christopher Reeve and Michael Caine.
Levin's best known novel is Rosemary's Baby, a horror story of modern day satanism and the occult, set in Manhattan's Upper West Side. It was made into a film starring Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes. Ruth Gordon won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance. Roman Polanski, who wrote and directed the film, was nominated for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.
Other Levin novels were turned into movies, including The Boys from Brazil in 1978; The Stepford Wives in 1975 and again in 2004; and Sliver in 1993.
Stephen King has described Ira Levin as "the Swiss watchmaker of suspense novels, he makes what the rest of us do look like cheap watchmakers in drugstores." Chuck Palahniuk, in , calls Levin's writing "a smart, updated version of the kind of folksy legends that cultures have always used."
Ira Levin died from a heart attack at his home in Manhattan, on 12 November 2007. He was seventy-eight at the time of his death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,370 reviews
December 11, 2021
A group of men with South American names gather at a Japanese restaurant in Brazil; they appear to be having some kind of long-time in coming reunion, and exchange pleasantries; they flirt with the waitresses, eat their meal and drink; when the meal ends and the restaurant staff leave closing the doors behind them, a more quiet conversation ensues, but now in German! Under one of the half-eaten rice dishes a tape recorder continues to spool. This is about the Boys from Brazil!
Ira Levin's interesting thriller set in the world of the Nazi hunters of the mid and later twentieth century has a lovely feel of long form conspiracy based on historical facts; where it fails in my opinion is how it portrays the remaining living Nazis from the Second World War being so organised, proactive and efficient; what it does well is portray how the passage of time led to so many countries and international bodies no longer taking Nazi hunting so seriously, in addition to the truly amazing work of the Nazi hunters being more about education via justice as opposed to just revenge. Every time I read a book related to the German Nazis it further sickens me that so many (mostly Americans and Eastern Europeans, but may others worldwide) can seriously consider Nazi ideology as anything but inhuman and monstrous. Interesting read, but a bit over the top in the third act. 6 out of 12. I love how the book points out that the three most important ingredients for another Reich is the socio-economic conditions, people to follow and the elevation of a God-like status to a 'leader'.
2021 read
Ira Levin's interesting thriller set in the world of the Nazi hunters of the mid and later twentieth century has a lovely feel of long form conspiracy based on historical facts; where it fails in my opinion is how it portrays the remaining living Nazis from the Second World War being so organised, proactive and efficient; what it does well is portray how the passage of time led to so many countries and international bodies no longer taking Nazi hunting so seriously, in addition to the truly amazing work of the Nazi hunters being more about education via justice as opposed to just revenge. Every time I read a book related to the German Nazis it further sickens me that so many (mostly Americans and Eastern Europeans, but may others worldwide) can seriously consider Nazi ideology as anything but inhuman and monstrous. Interesting read, but a bit over the top in the third act. 6 out of 12. I love how the book points out that the three most important ingredients for another Reich is the socio-economic conditions, people to follow and the elevation of a God-like status to a 'leader'.
2021 read
January 9, 2025
a metaphor of Hitler
❣️The book turns out to remain not so much a sci-fi thriller about the possibility of biologically cloning and replicating Adolf Hitler, as becoming, fifty years later, a metaphor of replicating Hitler in the minds and hearts of millions by a global resurgence of Nazi ideology.
Ira Levin has his Simon Wiesenthal character muse that a Third Reich cannot happen again because people are smarter and no longer see politicians as gods. Moreover there is TV now and TV shows people the truth. Ah, Ira. People venerate politicians as gods more than ever before in modern history, they aren’t smarter, and TV can be used to obscure and pervert the truth as well as exalt those politicians to godlike status.
This novel is important for the warning it gives us about a cloning that is real and not fiction, the cloning of Hitler’s teachings across a broad expanse of humanity pathetically eager to embrace them.
I should mention that the neo-Nazi dream is a Fourth Reich and that is the term they consistently utilize.
❣️The book turns out to remain not so much a sci-fi thriller about the possibility of biologically cloning and replicating Adolf Hitler, as becoming, fifty years later, a metaphor of replicating Hitler in the minds and hearts of millions by a global resurgence of Nazi ideology.
Ira Levin has his Simon Wiesenthal character muse that a Third Reich cannot happen again because people are smarter and no longer see politicians as gods. Moreover there is TV now and TV shows people the truth. Ah, Ira. People venerate politicians as gods more than ever before in modern history, they aren’t smarter, and TV can be used to obscure and pervert the truth as well as exalt those politicians to godlike status.
This novel is important for the warning it gives us about a cloning that is real and not fiction, the cloning of Hitler’s teachings across a broad expanse of humanity pathetically eager to embrace them.
I should mention that the neo-Nazi dream is a Fourth Reich and that is the term they consistently utilize.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2025
Who are The Boys From Brazil? And can there really be a Nazi plot to implement the "Fourth Reich"?
"Two factors are necessary for a resurgence of Nazism ... a worsening of social conditions till they approximate those of the early thirties and the emergence of a Hitler-like leader."
- Yakov Liebermann, "The Boys From Brazil."
Ira Levin was a great writer of "What if?" novels and plays, ten of which have been turned into the sort of films which have the audience gripping the sides of their seats. Before his play, "Deathtrap" became a film, it held the award for being the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway, and the horror film of "Rosemary's Baby", based on his novel, was hugely popular, spawning many imitations. Stephen King called Ira Levin,
"The Swiss watchmaker of suspense novels", adding, "he makes what the rest of us do look like cheap watchmakers in drugstores."
Just as with Stephen King's novels, the boundaries of the suspense novel are pushed by Levin's tales. Yes, he writes page-turners, novels of nail-biting suspense, but there is often something speculative or even other-worldly there too. He studied Philosophy as well as English, and perhaps this is responsible for his ability to "think outside the box." He uses favourite themes - human automation, the rebirth of the devil, biological engineering. In this one, his basis is on solid facts. It is about everybody's favourite baddies, the Nazis, and even has one of the most evil real life war criminals as one of the main characters.
In The Boys From Brazil, the central theme is breathtakingly audacious. If you have seen the famous film from 1978, starring Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier, you will know what the plot hinges on, although the main character, Yakov Liebermann, does not fully comprehend it himself until half way through. Familiarity with the story does not spoil the reading of this novel, although if you do not know, then it may well be an even better read. If you don't know it, please do not read the blurb on the book!
In 1976, when The Boys From Brazil was published, the world was still very concerned with tracking down notorious Nazi criminals, many of whom had fled to South America. Adolph Eichmann had been captured in Buenos Aires and brought to trial. He was hanged in 1962. One of the worst, nicknamed "The Angel of Death", was Joseph Mengele, a concentration camp medical doctor. In 1976 he was still at large. During the second World War, Mengele had performed many experiments on twins, people with heterochromia (each eye a different colour), dwarfism and many others with a physical abnormality. The experiments were ostensibly to gain information about genetics and heredity, and intended to "prove" the theory of Aryan supremacy. Mengele had his pick of the prisoners before they were sent to the gas chambers, and treated the whole concentration camp as a potential pool to provide fodder for his experiments. The horrific experiments were mostly on especially selected children younger than six. They were deadly, conducted without anaesthetic, and were deemed inhuman by any standards. In 1976, Mengele was still at large in Paraguay, near the border to Argentina. He died while swimming in 1979, but this was not finally confirmed until forensic examination in 1985.
The timing of this novel was therefore particularly critical, and feelings worldwide were running high that this man should be brought to justice; he had escaped the War Trials in Nuremberg partly because people had believed he was already dead. It was an inspired idea to make the real life Josef Mengele a main character in Ira Levin's fictitious book. Twins were Mengele's main interest. Because of his obsession with genetics, it was very likely that Mengele would have continued his experiments deep in the South American jungle. Indeed, even as recently as 2009, evidence came to light that he may well have pursued his fanatical experiments undercover.
A small town in Brazil, Candido Godoi, has a record number of twins on record; one in 5 births instead of the average one in 80. Additionally, most of these twins are blond haired and blue eyed. Residents say that Mengele made repeated visits there in the early 1960s, posing at first as a vet, but then offering medical treatment to the women of the town. The first twins were born in 1963, the year in which Mengele arrived in the town. It look very much as if Mengele was putting his theories of Eugenics into practice, and trying to "improve" the genetic quality of the human population.
The viewpoint character in The Boys From Brazil is Yakov Liebermann, who is heavily based on the real life Nazi hunter, Simon Wiesenthal. In the novel, Liebermann runs the "War Crimes Information Office" in Vienna, collecting information on Nazi war criminals, helping to find them and helping with their prosecution. However, Liebermann is elderly, and suffering from lack of funds for his work. Western nations are becoming less inclined to spend more money and effort on tracking down the remaining criminals. He is dispirited and disinclined to listen to any more "rumours".
Liebermann receives a phone call from a young Jewish man, Barry Koehler, from Illinois, who claims to have eavesdropped on a meeting of former Nazi SS officers in São Paulo, Brazil. It had been chaired by the "Angel of Death", Mengele, himself. They were part of the notorious "Comrades Organization in South America". The young man said he had overheard details of a Nazi plot, which planned the deaths of 94 men world-wide, all of whom had similar jobs, and all of about the same age. It sounded bizarre, as one of the committee of Nazis reportedly said, incredulously,
"All of them elderly civil servants, and by killing them we fulfil the destiny of the Aryan race?"
It is a crazy idea. Yet it is up to Liebermann to make sense of it, and painstakingly track down the culprits, without any backing from official bodies, either financial or in terms of manpower.
Liebermann has old friends whom he calls on for various favours. One of these is Sydney Beynon, Reuters's senior Vienna correspondent, who has useful access to newspaper records and current reports. Liebermann also enlists the help of the "Young Jewish Defenders", but they are just as likely to get in trouble with the police themselves.
The puzzling premise makes use of many of Levin's favourite devices, and with skilful writing, the reason stays a secret until roughly halfway through the book. We feel sympathy for the protagonist, an ailing elderly man, no longer with the resources he once had, but with the same dedication and determined commitment to the cause.
"In his Jewish heart of hearts, he didn't trust German authorities as much as Americans where Nazi matters were concerned."
Ira Levin keeps his clues close to his chest, carefully controlling the release of each nugget of information until both Liebermann and the reader gain a sudden insight. From then on the action increases in tempo, and the book itself becomes a compelling thriller. There is even a nice little twist at the end, hinting that perhaps not all the ends are quite so satisfactorily tied up.
"The Fourth Reich is coming - not just a German Reich but a pan-Aryan one."
Or is this mere "meshugganah"? Is it just crazy?
"Two factors are necessary for a resurgence of Nazism ... a worsening of social conditions till they approximate those of the early thirties and the emergence of a Hitler-like leader."
- Yakov Liebermann, "The Boys From Brazil."
Ira Levin was a great writer of "What if?" novels and plays, ten of which have been turned into the sort of films which have the audience gripping the sides of their seats. Before his play, "Deathtrap" became a film, it held the award for being the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway, and the horror film of "Rosemary's Baby", based on his novel, was hugely popular, spawning many imitations. Stephen King called Ira Levin,
"The Swiss watchmaker of suspense novels", adding, "he makes what the rest of us do look like cheap watchmakers in drugstores."
Just as with Stephen King's novels, the boundaries of the suspense novel are pushed by Levin's tales. Yes, he writes page-turners, novels of nail-biting suspense, but there is often something speculative or even other-worldly there too. He studied Philosophy as well as English, and perhaps this is responsible for his ability to "think outside the box." He uses favourite themes - human automation, the rebirth of the devil, biological engineering. In this one, his basis is on solid facts. It is about everybody's favourite baddies, the Nazis, and even has one of the most evil real life war criminals as one of the main characters.
In The Boys From Brazil, the central theme is breathtakingly audacious. If you have seen the famous film from 1978, starring Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier, you will know what the plot hinges on, although the main character, Yakov Liebermann, does not fully comprehend it himself until half way through. Familiarity with the story does not spoil the reading of this novel, although if you do not know, then it may well be an even better read. If you don't know it, please do not read the blurb on the book!
In 1976, when The Boys From Brazil was published, the world was still very concerned with tracking down notorious Nazi criminals, many of whom had fled to South America. Adolph Eichmann had been captured in Buenos Aires and brought to trial. He was hanged in 1962. One of the worst, nicknamed "The Angel of Death", was Joseph Mengele, a concentration camp medical doctor. In 1976 he was still at large. During the second World War, Mengele had performed many experiments on twins, people with heterochromia (each eye a different colour), dwarfism and many others with a physical abnormality. The experiments were ostensibly to gain information about genetics and heredity, and intended to "prove" the theory of Aryan supremacy. Mengele had his pick of the prisoners before they were sent to the gas chambers, and treated the whole concentration camp as a potential pool to provide fodder for his experiments. The horrific experiments were mostly on especially selected children younger than six. They were deadly, conducted without anaesthetic, and were deemed inhuman by any standards. In 1976, Mengele was still at large in Paraguay, near the border to Argentina. He died while swimming in 1979, but this was not finally confirmed until forensic examination in 1985.
The timing of this novel was therefore particularly critical, and feelings worldwide were running high that this man should be brought to justice; he had escaped the War Trials in Nuremberg partly because people had believed he was already dead. It was an inspired idea to make the real life Josef Mengele a main character in Ira Levin's fictitious book. Twins were Mengele's main interest. Because of his obsession with genetics, it was very likely that Mengele would have continued his experiments deep in the South American jungle. Indeed, even as recently as 2009, evidence came to light that he may well have pursued his fanatical experiments undercover.
A small town in Brazil, Candido Godoi, has a record number of twins on record; one in 5 births instead of the average one in 80. Additionally, most of these twins are blond haired and blue eyed. Residents say that Mengele made repeated visits there in the early 1960s, posing at first as a vet, but then offering medical treatment to the women of the town. The first twins were born in 1963, the year in which Mengele arrived in the town. It look very much as if Mengele was putting his theories of Eugenics into practice, and trying to "improve" the genetic quality of the human population.
The viewpoint character in The Boys From Brazil is Yakov Liebermann, who is heavily based on the real life Nazi hunter, Simon Wiesenthal. In the novel, Liebermann runs the "War Crimes Information Office" in Vienna, collecting information on Nazi war criminals, helping to find them and helping with their prosecution. However, Liebermann is elderly, and suffering from lack of funds for his work. Western nations are becoming less inclined to spend more money and effort on tracking down the remaining criminals. He is dispirited and disinclined to listen to any more "rumours".
Liebermann receives a phone call from a young Jewish man, Barry Koehler, from Illinois, who claims to have eavesdropped on a meeting of former Nazi SS officers in São Paulo, Brazil. It had been chaired by the "Angel of Death", Mengele, himself. They were part of the notorious "Comrades Organization in South America". The young man said he had overheard details of a Nazi plot, which planned the deaths of 94 men world-wide, all of whom had similar jobs, and all of about the same age. It sounded bizarre, as one of the committee of Nazis reportedly said, incredulously,
"All of them elderly civil servants, and by killing them we fulfil the destiny of the Aryan race?"
It is a crazy idea. Yet it is up to Liebermann to make sense of it, and painstakingly track down the culprits, without any backing from official bodies, either financial or in terms of manpower.
Liebermann has old friends whom he calls on for various favours. One of these is Sydney Beynon, Reuters's senior Vienna correspondent, who has useful access to newspaper records and current reports. Liebermann also enlists the help of the "Young Jewish Defenders", but they are just as likely to get in trouble with the police themselves.
The puzzling premise makes use of many of Levin's favourite devices, and with skilful writing, the reason stays a secret until roughly halfway through the book. We feel sympathy for the protagonist, an ailing elderly man, no longer with the resources he once had, but with the same dedication and determined commitment to the cause.
"In his Jewish heart of hearts, he didn't trust German authorities as much as Americans where Nazi matters were concerned."
Ira Levin keeps his clues close to his chest, carefully controlling the release of each nugget of information until both Liebermann and the reader gain a sudden insight. From then on the action increases in tempo, and the book itself becomes a compelling thriller. There is even a nice little twist at the end, hinting that perhaps not all the ends are quite so satisfactorily tied up.
"The Fourth Reich is coming - not just a German Reich but a pan-Aryan one."
Or is this mere "meshugganah"? Is it just crazy?
May 30, 2016
"Holy sh*tsnacks! Krieger's one of the boys from Brazil!"Yes, once again I find myself reading a book as a result of an Archer reference (see also Bartleby The Scrivener ). The premise (of the book, not of Archer) is that down in South America, the fugitive Dr. Mengele is sending out six men to kill 94 civil servants on precise dates in nine countries.
Renowned Nazi-hunter, Yakov Liebermann receives a mysterious phone call from a twenty-something American boy who went down Brazil to investigate and (no big spoiler here) is killed. As Krieger would say, schiesse!
Despite knowing one of the big twists, courtesy of Malory Archer (), it was still a fun read with plenty of twists to keep me interested. I can see why Ira Levin's books are perfect for film- the writing is incredibly cinematic; shot for shot sequences of driving, blocking for each dramatic death. The last chapter (which I won't spoil), reads like a screenplay (or how I imagine one would read).
It certainly makes you think- what would a world be like with 94 of these mysterious boys out there...
April 28, 2024
4.5⭐'s
Initial Thoughts
Looks like I'm going through a bit of a Ira Levin phase. Last month it was the enjoyable and thought provoking Stepford Wives and this month its the Boys from Brazil. If I take a shine to it then I'll no doubt be sizing up another from this author's bibliography. Shame there's not that many!
I guess the need to churn out a plethora of novels just isn't there when everything you put out there gets a big movie adaptation. And this one was no exception, with a 1978 release starring Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier.
Fortunately I've not got round to watching it yet, so I've got very little knowledge of the plot. Always the best way to go in blind with plenty of surprises. In fact the only movie I've managed to catch by Levin is, you've guessed it, Roman Polanski's Rosemary's Baby. So I'm leaving that one till last. Or at least October. Halloween horror month, you know it baby!
But back to the book in question. The Boys from Brazil wasn't it? Yeah. I'm expecting another taut,tense thriller with an historical edge that has a very cinematic feel. Let's go!
The Story
In case you've been living under a rock the plot revolves around Nazi war-criminals hiding out in South America. Even I knew that! Set in the 1970s, it starts right smack in the middle of a sinister plot. With a charismatic gentleman dressed in white assembling a band of former military personnel with the intention of sending them to various parts of the globe to assassinate a number of men...ninety-four no less. And each death has to look like an accident.
The targets appear to have no connection other than similar occupations and no connection to the Nazis. But you can bet your bottom dollar there is a connection. And it is mind blowing. Look forward to finding out what that is for yourself.
Unfortunately for these upstanding Nazis is that their clandestine meeting is being recorded by a young American, who's been tracking the group. This sets off a chain of events that leads to Nazi-hunter Yakov Lieberman and a game of cat and mouse begins. But you just can't be sure who the one with the claws actually is.
The Writing
Just like in the Stepford Wives, the writing in Boys from Brazil really brings the story to life. It's not flashy. But it is certainly tight, taut and suspenseful giving it a very cinematic feel.
It's also a very easy read, with prose that push you along with some nail-biting action. There's a nice steady flow as this ingenious plot builds toward a satisfying climax. And it's a lot of fun getting there. Well as much fun as you can have when there's a bunch of Nazis involved.
It's worth mentioning that this is a blend of fact and fiction. With some real historical figures making up the cast. But as to how accurate it is I'm not totally sure. Levin might have just taken a few liberties. But that's not important. Just suspend that disbelief and enjoy the ride.
The Characters
Although this is a very plot driven novel, I was actually quite impressed with the character work. Lieberman is a fantastic lead. An older guy who's tenacious in his pursuit. Not your stereotypical hero and he's a breath of fresh air. Certainly a welcome change from the typical protagonists in these espionage thrillers.
And as for the antagonist. Well I can't believe I haven't said who he is. He's fantastically portrayed as charasmatic, intense and chilling all at the same time. I couldn't bring myself to like him...hell no! But he was a brilliant villain who I'm not going to forget in a hurry. Its going to make me think twice about seeing a bloody doctor that's for sure.
Final Thoughts
Another book from Ira Levin and another hit. In fact, I preferred it over the Stepford Wives. Just more my type of story.
Yes The Boys from Brazil may be a touch dated. But it was written in the 1970s, so what would you expect? Before I was born and I'm bloody ancient. It is nonetheless an enjoyable thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
It's also thought provoking and opens up a number of doors for what could happen. Especially with the advancements of modern technology that makes the concept in this one even more plausible than it would have been fifty years ago.
Final word, if you're looking to start your journey with Ira Levin (or Ira Kevin as my phone keeps autocorrecting to) this is a great place to start. Thoroughly recommended.
Thanks for reading and...cheers!
December 19, 2021
The Boys from Brazil book seems dated. I enjoyed the movie and have watched it many times. It has a wonderful cast. Lawrence Olivier plays the Simon Weisenthal character and is magnificent. Gregory Peck played Mengele which didn't quite fit.
I am sure if I had read this before seeing the movie, I would have loved it, but since I did it backwards and already knew the big surprises, it didn't have as much umph. Ira Levin has a deft hand with unusual thrillers and this is an astounding idea, much like his other stories, The Stepford Wives and Rosemary's Baby to name a couple of his powerhouse hits.
I am sure if I had read this before seeing the movie, I would have loved it, but since I did it backwards and already knew the big surprises, it didn't have as much umph. Ira Levin has a deft hand with unusual thrillers and this is an astounding idea, much like his other stories, The Stepford Wives and Rosemary's Baby to name a couple of his powerhouse hits.
July 6, 2008
When I was in Hebrew school, the teacher had us listen to the first chapter on audiobook, and promised to let us hear the rest. When he realized that the book had dialog such as "Fucking bitch, I'd like to cut her tits off," he reconsidered his plans.
May 11, 2016
Another fine read from Ira Levin...........
After reading and loving A Kiss Before Dying, I've decided to read all of this author's novels, and my second one, The Boys From Brazil did not disappoint. Not having seen the film adaptation, the unusual plot was a complete surprise for me.
The intrigue begins with a top secret meeting in a Japanese restaurant to initiate a killer of a mysterious project by 'the comrade organization'. The important operation assigns six hitmen to dispose of 94 elderly civil servants (along with their secrets) scattered throughout the world, and they must die on the designated dates set forth by the still hunted Angel of Death. (no spoiler here)
The secret turns out to be a pretty darn scary scenario, one that could perhaps really happen in our day and age, but not so back in 1976 (I don't think) when TBFB was first published and Dr. Josef Mengele was still alive.
Despite a couple of confusing character narration switches, another great Levin read for me that I could not put down!
October 3, 2023
So, first a disclosure: I read this book only due its referencing in Archer (the cartoon series, from which my avatar picture was sourced).
In Archer - Krieger, also known as Dr. Krieger, is a main character, and was the head of the ISIS Applied Research Department (up until the end of Season 4.). He goes by the title of Doctor and performs many activities that require a medical degree; however, he is neither a medical doctor nor "the other kind" ("technically"). He is trilingual as he speaks fluent English, German, and Portuguese.
And so, I came across a copy, and figured, why not understand it in context?
I understand this is a fairly well known novel, clearly describing the setting in the blurb: Alive and hiding in South America, the fiendish Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele gathers a group of former colleagues for a horrifying project—the creation of the Fourth Reich. Barry Kohler, a young investigative journalist, gets wind of the project and informs famed Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman, but before he can relay the evidence, Kohler is killed.
There is enough in the novel to keep one reading, and while the main plot points are relatively easy to guess prior to their disclosure, it rolls out fast enough not to matter. The end comes around quickly, with the outcome expected, albeit probably not the actual mechanics.
A quick enjoyable read. 4 stars.
In Archer - Krieger, also known as Dr. Krieger, is a main character, and was the head of the ISIS Applied Research Department (up until the end of Season 4.). He goes by the title of Doctor and performs many activities that require a medical degree; however, he is neither a medical doctor nor "the other kind" ("technically"). He is trilingual as he speaks fluent English, German, and Portuguese.
Krieger was raised by a former Nazi scientist who fled with him to Brazil, where they lived until Krieger was 15, when his pet Dobermans killed the man he believed to be his father - this in reference to the book "The Boys From Brazil". It is implied that Malory Archer somehow set these events in motion as he remembers her arranging for him to be brought to ISIS afterwards. Krieger studied and became accomplished in a variety of different sciences including bionics, electronics, neuroscience, chemistry, biotechnology, surgery, and robotics, but, despite this, never earned a formal doctorate degree of any kind which is sometimes evident in his conversations where people ask if he is a doctor.
And so, I came across a copy, and figured, why not understand it in context?
I understand this is a fairly well known novel, clearly describing the setting in the blurb: Alive and hiding in South America, the fiendish Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele gathers a group of former colleagues for a horrifying project—the creation of the Fourth Reich. Barry Kohler, a young investigative journalist, gets wind of the project and informs famed Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman, but before he can relay the evidence, Kohler is killed.
There is enough in the novel to keep one reading, and while the main plot points are relatively easy to guess prior to their disclosure, it rolls out fast enough not to matter. The end comes around quickly, with the outcome expected, albeit probably not the actual mechanics.
A quick enjoyable read. 4 stars.
October 28, 2016
Despite the age of this novel (40 years), it is still a great thriller. It is a masterful mystery, where bit by bit, Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman unlocks a set of clues. He gradually pieces together the details of a terrible conspiracy to kill 94 men, all about 65 years old, around the world. The conspiracy involves Nazis from World War II, who have escaped to South America. There they are led by the incredibly evil Josef Mengele, who seeks to bring back a fourth Reich.
This novel held me in its grip from the beginning to the very end. Something about Ira Levin's writing style just caught me and didn't let me go until I finished the book. While some people claim that the plot is a bit far-fetched, it did not strike me that way. It does not seem like science fiction at all, simply a slight extrapolation. I never watched the movie that goes by the same title, so I cannot comment on how it follows or does not follow the book.
I did not read this book; I listened to the audiobook, as read by Simon Vance. He does a wonderful job bringing the book to life. I especially appreciated his reading of the dialog where the speakers tried, unsuccessfully, to modify their foreign accents.
This novel held me in its grip from the beginning to the very end. Something about Ira Levin's writing style just caught me and didn't let me go until I finished the book. While some people claim that the plot is a bit far-fetched, it did not strike me that way. It does not seem like science fiction at all, simply a slight extrapolation. I never watched the movie that goes by the same title, so I cannot comment on how it follows or does not follow the book.
I did not read this book; I listened to the audiobook, as read by Simon Vance. He does a wonderful job bringing the book to life. I especially appreciated his reading of the dialog where the speakers tried, unsuccessfully, to modify their foreign accents.
February 19, 2023
My second reread of an Ira Levin novel this year is this cracking 1976 thriller.
Dr Josef Mengele dreams of creating a Fourth Reich & although Nazi hunter Yakor Lieberman discovers part of the plot is it enough to stop the Nazis from rising again ? Ira Levin piles on the tension & even if , like me, you've read the book & seen the film before it's still a great read.
A classic thriller from the literary master of suspense.
Dr Josef Mengele dreams of creating a Fourth Reich & although Nazi hunter Yakor Lieberman discovers part of the plot is it enough to stop the Nazis from rising again ? Ira Levin piles on the tension & even if , like me, you've read the book & seen the film before it's still a great read.
A classic thriller from the literary master of suspense.
November 12, 2017
Σχεδόν δέκα χρόνια μετά τον εκδοτικό και κινηματογραφικό θρίαμβο του Μωρού της Ρόζμαρι, ο Ira Levin έγραψε ένα ακόμη συγκλονιστικό θρίλερ, χωρίς μεταφυσικές προεκτάσεις αυτή τη φορά, αλλά το ίδιο τρομακτικό, όσο και η ιδέα ότι το γενετικό υλικό του Αδόφλου Χίτλερ δεν θάφτηκε μαζί του στο υπόγειο καταφύγιο της Καγκελαρίας του Βερολίνου τον Απρίλιο του 1945, αλλά χρησιμοποιήθηκε αργότερα, μέσα από τη διαδικασία της μονοπυρηνικής αναπαραγωγής, για να δημιουργηθούν μερικές δεκάδες κλώνοι του και να αντικρύσουν το φως της ημέρας περισσότερα Αυγά του Φιδιού.
Γεννήτορας της αποκρουστικής ιδέας της κλωνοποίησης του τέρατος (ποιος άλλος;) ο Γιόζεφ Μένγκελε, ο επικεφαλής ιατρός/δολοφόνος του Άουσβιτς Μπιρκενάου, ο διαβόητος Άγγελος του Θανάτου∙ που, ως γνωστόν, διέφυγε τη σύλληψη και με πλαστά χαρτιά κατέφυγε στη Νότια Αμερική (Αργεντινή, Παραγουάη, Βραζιλία), όπου επί έτη πολλά (μέχρι τον θάνατό του στο Σάο Πάολο, το 1979) συνέχισε να οραματίζεται και να εργάζεται για την επικράτηση της Άριας φυλής και τη δημιουργία του Τέταρτου Ράιχ.
Τη γέννηση των ενενήντα τεσσάρων (!) παιδιών (από τη Βραζιλία) με την ίδια γενετική κληρονομιά με τον Χίτλερ, ακολούθησε, βάσει του σχεδίου του Μένγκελε, η υιοθεσία τους από ζευγάρια που είχαν την ίδια διαφορά ηλικίας με τους γονείς του Χίτλερ και, κατά το δυνατό, αντίστοιχη κοινωνική θέση. Παρά τις αδιαμφισβήτητες, όμως, γενετικές ομοιότητες των παιδιών αυτών με τον δότη τους, για να εξελιχθούν όπως ο Χίτλερ (και να ηγεμονεύσουν, ενδεχομένως, στον αγώνα για την εγκαθίδρυση και την επικράτηση ενός Τέταρτου Ράιχ) απαραίτητο ήταν να βιώσουν αντίστοιχες επιρροές κι επιδράσεις: κι ο Άγγελος του Θανάτου είναι εκεί για να αναλάβει δράση και να διαφυλάξει τη μοίρα του λαού των Αρίων. Όπως κι ο Γιάκοβ Λίμπερμαν, όμως, ο διάσημος κυνηγός των ναζί (πρόσωπο αποκλειστικά μυθιστορηματικό), που θα πληροφορηθεί το σχέδιο του Μένγκελε, θα τον αναζητήσει και θα αναμετρηθεί μαζί του σε έναν αγώνα θανάτου.
Ο Levin επιφύλαξε για τον Μένγκελε ένα τέλος φρικτό και βασανιστικό. Ένα τέλος που, αν μη τι άλλο, άρμοζε πολύ περισσότερο στον διαβόητο εγκληματία από τον θάνατο που τελικά είχε (τρία χρόνια μετά την έκδοση των Παιδιών από τη Βραζιλία, ο Μένγκελε πέθανε κολυμπώντας, από εγκεφαλικό επεισόδιο, κατά τη διάρκεια των διακοπών του).
Συναρπαστικό, ευφυές, διαβάζεται λαίμαργα. Ενημερωτικά, τον δρ. Γιόζεφ Μένγκελε στην κινηματογραφική διασκευή του βιβλίου του Levin [‘The Boys from Brazil’ (1978), ελληνικός τίτλος: ‘Ανθρωποκυνηγητό σε δύο ηπείρους’] ενσάρκωσε ο Gregory Peck και η ταινία ήταν υποψήφια για τρία όσκαρ.
Γεννήτορας της αποκρουστικής ιδέας της κλωνοποίησης του τέρατος (ποιος άλλος;) ο Γιόζεφ Μένγκελε, ο επικεφαλής ιατρός/δολοφόνος του Άουσβιτς Μπιρκενάου, ο διαβόητος Άγγελος του Θανάτου∙ που, ως γνωστόν, διέφυγε τη σύλληψη και με πλαστά χαρτιά κατέφυγε στη Νότια Αμερική (Αργεντινή, Παραγουάη, Βραζιλία), όπου επί έτη πολλά (μέχρι τον θάνατό του στο Σάο Πάολο, το 1979) συνέχισε να οραματίζεται και να εργάζεται για την επικράτηση της Άριας φυλής και τη δημιουργία του Τέταρτου Ράιχ.
Τη γέννηση των ενενήντα τεσσάρων (!) παιδιών (από τη Βραζιλία) με την ίδια γενετική κληρονομιά με τον Χίτλερ, ακολούθησε, βάσει του σχεδίου του Μένγκελε, η υιοθεσία τους από ζευγάρια που είχαν την ίδια διαφορά ηλικίας με τους γονείς του Χίτλερ και, κατά το δυνατό, αντίστοιχη κοινωνική θέση. Παρά τις αδιαμφισβήτητες, όμως, γενετικές ομοιότητες των παιδιών αυτών με τον δότη τους, για να εξελιχθούν όπως ο Χίτλερ (και να ηγεμονεύσουν, ενδεχομένως, στον αγώνα για την εγκαθίδρυση και την επικράτηση ενός Τέταρτου Ράιχ) απαραίτητο ήταν να βιώσουν αντίστοιχες επιρροές κι επιδράσεις: κι ο Άγγελος του Θανάτου είναι εκεί για να αναλάβει δράση και να διαφυλάξει τη μοίρα του λαού των Αρίων. Όπως κι ο Γιάκοβ Λίμπερμαν, όμως, ο διάσημος κυνηγός των ναζί (πρόσωπο αποκλειστικά μυθιστορηματικό), που θα πληροφορηθεί το σχέδιο του Μένγκελε, θα τον αναζητήσει και θα αναμετρηθεί μαζί του σε έναν αγώνα θανάτου.
Ο Levin επιφύλαξε για τον Μένγκελε ένα τέλος φρικτό και βασανιστικό. Ένα τέλος που, αν μη τι άλλο, άρμοζε πολύ περισσότερο στον διαβόητο εγκληματία από τον θάνατο που τελικά είχε (τρία χρόνια μετά την έκδοση των Παιδιών από τη Βραζιλία, ο Μένγκελε πέθανε κολυμπώντας, από εγκεφαλικό επεισόδιο, κατά τη διάρκεια των διακοπών του).
Συναρπαστικό, ευφυές, διαβάζεται λαίμαργα. Ενημερωτικά, τον δρ. Γιόζεφ Μένγκελε στην κινηματογραφική διασκευή του βιβλίου του Levin [‘The Boys from Brazil’ (1978), ελληνικός τίτλος: ‘Ανθρωποκυνηγητό σε δύο ηπείρους’] ενσάρκωσε ο Gregory Peck και η ταινία ήταν υποψήφια για τρία όσκαρ.
November 23, 2022
This thought-provoking thriller was written in the 70's, and it's interesting to read in the current era where our political discourse has devolved into everyone accusing everyone else of being a Nazi. It's dated in style, slow moving and overly descriptive sometimes - I often suspected Levin was writing more of a screenplay than a novel.
But once this gets going, and the clues start to come together, it is a truly astonishing and imaginative story - at least it was for me, I never guessed what Mengele was really up to! And the moral ambiguity of the final dilemma, and the choice Liebermann makes, will keep turning around in my head. I won't soon forget this one.
Note: the movie version starring Gregory Peck as Mengele and Laurence Olivier as Liebermann (also a very young Steve Guttenberg and a small role for Anne Meara) is available for free on YouTube. Of course I watched it as soon as I finished the book, and they did an excellent job on the adaptation. I thought it was kind of funny that the painfully long intro section that Levin set up - my feeling that he was staging a screenplay - was completely discarded in the film. Also, I thought the slightly different ending scene of the book was MUCH better than the movie. I had been looking forward to how they would bring that scene to life, and in my opinion the movie botched it.
But once this gets going, and the clues start to come together, it is a truly astonishing and imaginative story - at least it was for me, I never guessed what Mengele was really up to! And the moral ambiguity of the final dilemma, and the choice Liebermann makes, will keep turning around in my head. I won't soon forget this one.
Note: the movie version starring Gregory Peck as Mengele and Laurence Olivier as Liebermann (also a very young Steve Guttenberg and a small role for Anne Meara) is available for free on YouTube. Of course I watched it as soon as I finished the book, and they did an excellent job on the adaptation. I thought it was kind of funny that the painfully long intro section that Levin set up - my feeling that he was staging a screenplay - was completely discarded in the film. Also, I thought the slightly different ending scene of the book was MUCH better than the movie. I had been looking forward to how they would bring that scene to life, and in my opinion the movie botched it.
November 18, 2021
Nazi doctor Josef Mengele is alive and well and living in South America. He is also starting a project that he hopes will lead to the creation of the fourth Reich. Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman hopes to stop him. Ira Levin has that special ability to set the scene with a puzzle and then slowly let it unfold as you read. A thoroughly enjoyable thriller
July 22, 2018
I read this book many years ago, one of my first mystery/thrillers beyond the classics. I recall being totally enthralled by the story, reading it during my subway commuting in NY. Since I hadn’t read the blurb (bought it because I was exploring new authors and so many other commuters were reading it), it was a fascinating journey with a unique premise. Lots of twists and I think it’s probably timeless.
December 12, 2017
Αυτό το βιβλίο ηταν ένα πραγματικό ξεπετοσέλιδο/γρηγοροδιάβαστο/page-turner!
Η δράση ήταν σχεδόν κινηματογραφική σε σημείο που έβλεπα εικόνες να περνάν μπροστά από τα ματια μου...
Ένα μείγμα τρόμου, αγωνίας και ΕΦ από έναν συγγραφέα που ξέρει την συνταγή.
Η υπερβολή ειναι διάχυτη μέσα σε όλο το βιβλίο (και κάπου αναμενόμενη) όμως δεν ενοχλεί, μιας και ο λόγος του Λέβιν είναι στρωτός και καθημερινός χωρις να στερείται την λογοτεχνικότητα που χρειάζεται...
Ο Δρ. Μένγκελε λοιπόν, ετοιμάζει ένα σκοτεινό σχέδιο για την δημιουργία του 4ου Ράιχ μαζί με κάποια μέλη των Ες-Ες που έχουν γλυτώσει από την δίκη της Νυρεμβέργης και την καταδίκη. Ο μοναδικός άνθρωπος που μπορέι να τον σταματήσει, και ο αδιαφιλονίκητος πρωταγωνιστής του βιβλίου είναι ο Γιάκομπ Λίμπερμαν.
Βιβλίο που διαβάζεται μονορούφι...
4/5
ΥΓ1: Υπάρχει και κινηματογραφική μεταφορά του βιβλίου, με τον ευφάνταστο τίτλο "Ανθρωποκυνηγητό σε 2 ηπείρους" με ένα σχεδόν μυθικό καστ πρωταγωνιστών όπως ο Λόρενς Ολιβιέ, ο Γκρέκορι Πεκ και ο Τζέιμς Μέισον...
Η δράση ήταν σχεδόν κινηματογραφική σε σημείο που έβλεπα εικόνες να περνάν μπροστά από τα ματια μου...
Ένα μείγμα τρόμου, αγωνίας και ΕΦ από έναν συγγραφέα που ξέρει την συνταγή.
Η υπερβολή ειναι διάχυτη μέσα σε όλο το βιβλίο (και κάπου αναμενόμενη) όμως δεν ενοχλεί, μιας και ο λόγος του Λέβιν είναι στρωτός και καθημερινός χωρις να στερείται την λογοτεχνικότητα που χρειάζεται...
Ο Δρ. Μένγκελε λοιπόν, ετοιμάζει ένα σκοτεινό σχέδιο για την δημιουργία του 4ου Ράιχ μαζί με κάποια μέλη των Ες-Ες που έχουν γλυτώσει από την δίκη της Νυρεμβέργης και την καταδίκη. Ο μοναδικός άνθρωπος που μπορέι να τον σταματήσει, και ο αδιαφιλονίκητος πρωταγωνιστής του βιβλίου είναι ο Γιάκομπ Λίμπερμαν.
Βιβλίο που διαβάζεται μονορούφι...
4/5
ΥΓ1: Υπάρχει και κινηματογραφική μεταφορά του βιβλίου, με τον ευφάνταστο τίτλο "Ανθρωποκυνηγητό σε 2 ηπείρους" με ένα σχεδόν μυθικό καστ πρωταγωνιστών όπως ο Λόρενς Ολιβιέ, ο Γκρέκορι Πεκ και ο Τζέιμς Μέισον...
September 15, 2023
The Boys from Brazil is scary, you feel a cold shiver sliding down your spine, delicately, menacingly in a subtle manner.
There is this hunt for the 'Future Fuehrer'...He will take over as the Fuehrer, after the present Fuehrer is no more...
Yakov Liebermann, the Nazi Hunter, has eliminated all those ‘Boys from Brazil’ clones of the Fuehrer, Adolf Hitler, or so he thinks...
But as in every Levin book, there is question posed...the other side of the coin...
Can we ever be absolutely sure that there are no 'Fuehrers' lurking in our midst?
Mengele had carried out hundreds of experiments, during the War.
Did he stop experimenting when he fled to South America and lived a peaceful life there with a great deal of help from the Argentine Government?
Nothing prevented him from carrying out experiments on cloning the Fuehrer in Argentina? He was devoted to his experiments, so what about cloning a Fuehrer from the cells of the old Fuehrer?
And now we get to Ira Levin’s book, which has the scariest part of all...
What about that little Boy....The little Boy painting those hundreds of dots...his audience... whose tremendous applause he can hear in his mind...
Much scarier than Hell...
There is this hunt for the 'Future Fuehrer'...He will take over as the Fuehrer, after the present Fuehrer is no more...
Yakov Liebermann, the Nazi Hunter, has eliminated all those ‘Boys from Brazil’ clones of the Fuehrer, Adolf Hitler, or so he thinks...
But as in every Levin book, there is question posed...the other side of the coin...
Can we ever be absolutely sure that there are no 'Fuehrers' lurking in our midst?
Mengele had carried out hundreds of experiments, during the War.
Did he stop experimenting when he fled to South America and lived a peaceful life there with a great deal of help from the Argentine Government?
Nothing prevented him from carrying out experiments on cloning the Fuehrer in Argentina? He was devoted to his experiments, so what about cloning a Fuehrer from the cells of the old Fuehrer?
And now we get to Ira Levin’s book, which has the scariest part of all...
What about that little Boy....The little Boy painting those hundreds of dots...his audience... whose tremendous applause he can hear in his mind...
Much scarier than Hell...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2022
No ha estado del todo mal aunque esperaba algo más de acción, intriga, persecuciones...
May 2, 2014
"The Boys from Brazil" was one of those paperbacks that found its way into the ever growing collection of book boxes I moved from residence to my parent's home back to residence back to my parent's and then to my first bachelor apartment. But I didn't read it until I was married and living in my first real adult domicile. I woke up sick on a weekeday and called into work. I went back to bed but after my wife left I felt like I could sit up and read. I opened "The Boys from Brazil" and read it from beginning to end. When my wife came home I'd had this magical daylong escape that was entirely private.
Amazing as it sounds I had not seen the movie and did not know what the book was about when I started with the first page. Levin is a master of high-concept horror. I was gripped as the genetic secret was slowly revealed. I won't add more spoiler than that. But I loved the book and have reread it since. It's a taut thriller that scares intellectually and emotionally.
Carac
October 21, 2025
Ira Levin (1929-2007) is a remarkable weaver of stories. In this short and gripping novel (280 pages), the American writer follows in the footsteps of Yakov Liebermann, a famous Nazi hunter. It's difficult to say more about the story itself without spoiling your enjoyment.
Suppose you're looking for a suspense-oriented novel, well-written, well-constructed, with a genuinely original plot. In that case, I recommend "The Boys Who Came from Brazil," which I find flawless, except for the excessive length of its chapters.
Suppose you're looking for a suspense-oriented novel, well-written, well-constructed, with a genuinely original plot. In that case, I recommend "The Boys Who Came from Brazil," which I find flawless, except for the excessive length of its chapters.
September 11, 2018
One of my best assigned reads in high school (together with Patrick Süskind's Perfume: The Story of a Murderer).
It drives home the futility of the "it can't happen here/again" philosophy.
Economic despair & charismatic leadership offering easy solutions are a timeless strategy for dictatorial disaster.
It drives home the futility of the "it can't happen here/again" philosophy.
Economic despair & charismatic leadership offering easy solutions are a timeless strategy for dictatorial disaster.
March 5, 2017
So definitely better than just okay, but not so riveting that it was exceptional. The storyline was really rather engaging and prescient. But at times the plotting just involved two characters talking about unveiling the mystery of the storyline and was therefore kind of stale on the action end of things. Overall a solid read and I'd recommend it.
March 6, 2015
An excellent reasonably quick read by author Ira Levin. I had previously watched the film many years ago and couldn't quite remember in detail but it did not stop my enjoyment at all. Ira Levin has written so many classic novels that have been turned into film blockbusters 'Stepford Wives' 'Rosemary's baby' and this is one more. An interesting plot and great descriptive writing that brings the book to life.
October 28, 2022
Actual rating 2.5/5 stars.
"Alive & hiding in South America, the fiendish Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele gathers a group of former colleagues for a horrifying project--the creation of the Fourth Reich."
This horrifying synopsis is what hastened me to pick the book up but what was delivered was something far tamer than what I had anticipated reading. I don't think a book with the themes running throughout it that this did can be 'enjoyed' in the traditional sense, but I did appreciate the storyline and Levin's focus. The pacing, however, was almost stagnant in some central areas and then felt a little chaotic in the final quarter.
"Alive & hiding in South America, the fiendish Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele gathers a group of former colleagues for a horrifying project--the creation of the Fourth Reich."
This horrifying synopsis is what hastened me to pick the book up but what was delivered was something far tamer than what I had anticipated reading. I don't think a book with the themes running throughout it that this did can be 'enjoyed' in the traditional sense, but I did appreciate the storyline and Levin's focus. The pacing, however, was almost stagnant in some central areas and then felt a little chaotic in the final quarter.
September 2, 2018
This novel was published in 1976 and centers around a Nazi hunter named Yakov Liebermann. The interest of Western nations in tracking down Nazi's is waning and the bank where Liebermann kept his centers funds has failed and he is now elderly. For these reasons he is skeptical and not eager to listen to rumors or take on help. In September 1974 he receives a phone call from Barry Kohler, a young investigative journalist whom he had previously turned away. Kohler is calling from Brazil and claims he has a tape in which Dr. Josef Mengele, the "Angel of Death", has met with several members of the 'the comrade organization'. Mengele is dispatching them on a mission to kill 94 men in various countries. The men are all elderly and civil servants ... and they must die on specific dates. Before Kohler can play the tape for Liebermann he is killed.
Liebermann is skeptical. He wonders if the phone call is a prank but he has friends, including someone from Reuters's, whom he asks for assistance. Before he was killed Kohler told him the names of the countries where the 94 men lived and the date of the first killing. Liebermann discovers that there were several deaths on that date that match what Kohler told him and begins to investigate further.
What helps makes the story so intriguing is the why. Why 94 elderly civil servants in various countries with no apparent connection to Nazi's? Why specific dates? Liebermann, and the reader, do not learn the answers until almost half way into the story. Mengele, who had degrees in anthropology and medicine from Munich University, performed horrific genetic experiments on camp victims during World War II. He escaped to South America in 1949 eventually settling in Brazil in 1960. Ira Levin provides the reader a "what if" question that makes for a suspenseful story. Science fact vs science fiction. In his quest Liebermann enlists the aide of the "Young Jewish Defenders", who are just as likely to get in trouble with the police themselves, and I found it hard late in the story not to compare the YDL with the Nazi's.
My biggest complaint was with the format of the book that I read. I read the Kindle version and often found that without a change in chapter, paragraph, line break, etc. the characters and location changed. One minute the story centered around two characters in one location and in the next sentence you were reading about two different characters somewhere else. Made it difficult to follow and understand what was taking place.
Liebermann is skeptical. He wonders if the phone call is a prank but he has friends, including someone from Reuters's, whom he asks for assistance. Before he was killed Kohler told him the names of the countries where the 94 men lived and the date of the first killing. Liebermann discovers that there were several deaths on that date that match what Kohler told him and begins to investigate further.
What helps makes the story so intriguing is the why. Why 94 elderly civil servants in various countries with no apparent connection to Nazi's? Why specific dates? Liebermann, and the reader, do not learn the answers until almost half way into the story. Mengele, who had degrees in anthropology and medicine from Munich University, performed horrific genetic experiments on camp victims during World War II. He escaped to South America in 1949 eventually settling in Brazil in 1960. Ira Levin provides the reader a "what if" question that makes for a suspenseful story. Science fact vs science fiction. In his quest Liebermann enlists the aide of the "Young Jewish Defenders", who are just as likely to get in trouble with the police themselves, and I found it hard late in the story not to compare the YDL with the Nazi's.
My biggest complaint was with the format of the book that I read. I read the Kindle version and often found that without a change in chapter, paragraph, line break, etc. the characters and location changed. One minute the story centered around two characters in one location and in the next sentence you were reading about two different characters somewhere else. Made it difficult to follow and understand what was taking place.
January 30, 2023
One of the books from my childhood. I first saw the movie in 1979 and loved it. I was just a kid and failed to realize that the movie was totally over the top. I realize it now and I still like to watch it now and again.
Excuse the digression. After seeing the movie, I read the book. My parents belonged to The Book of the Month Club and the Mystery Guild book club back then and our library was full of the cheap hardbacks made exclusively for book club members. But, regardless of the low-quality book binding, my parent's memberships gave me access to a vast number of mainstream novels from the seventies. The Boys from Brazil is one of the books that I devoured.
At the time I found it a fascinating and horrifying prospect. Cloning was getting lots of attention in the seventies and a (seemingly) resurgent Nazi movement was causing some real concern. The concept of cloning Hitler just blew my mind as a kid. It was a fascinating concept. Many were convinced that there was a Fourth Reich in South America and it was just a matter of time before the world's nations would find themselves dealing with another Nazi menace. No doubt this fear added kick to Levin's novel. As it did for William Goldman's classic novel Marathon Man.
It is now known that the so-called Fourth Reich in South America was just a scattered and weak "community" of war criminals hiding in fear (see the story of the real Joseph Mengele) and German ex-patriates singing Horst Wessel & Deutschland Uber Alles over their beer and bratwurst while swapping war stories. Hardly the omnipotent, highly organized, and well-funded Teutonic war machine that was the stuff of thrillers in the sixties and seventies.
With this additional knowledge the book has some of its punch dissipated. But, regardless of the fact that Levin wrote what was a popular/mainstream potboiler approximately thirty-five years ago, it still holds one's attention. Like Marathon Man the novel has held up well. That both books are set in the mid-seventies actually helps. They are period stories now and, if one requires it, can be considered "secret histories" of the attempt to build the Fourth Reich by the fugitive Nazis in South America.
It's a good read. Very easy and can be completed in a day. Classify it as a classic "beach read".
Excuse the digression. After seeing the movie, I read the book. My parents belonged to The Book of the Month Club and the Mystery Guild book club back then and our library was full of the cheap hardbacks made exclusively for book club members. But, regardless of the low-quality book binding, my parent's memberships gave me access to a vast number of mainstream novels from the seventies. The Boys from Brazil is one of the books that I devoured.
At the time I found it a fascinating and horrifying prospect. Cloning was getting lots of attention in the seventies and a (seemingly) resurgent Nazi movement was causing some real concern. The concept of cloning Hitler just blew my mind as a kid. It was a fascinating concept. Many were convinced that there was a Fourth Reich in South America and it was just a matter of time before the world's nations would find themselves dealing with another Nazi menace. No doubt this fear added kick to Levin's novel. As it did for William Goldman's classic novel Marathon Man.
It is now known that the so-called Fourth Reich in South America was just a scattered and weak "community" of war criminals hiding in fear (see the story of the real Joseph Mengele) and German ex-patriates singing Horst Wessel & Deutschland Uber Alles over their beer and bratwurst while swapping war stories. Hardly the omnipotent, highly organized, and well-funded Teutonic war machine that was the stuff of thrillers in the sixties and seventies.
With this additional knowledge the book has some of its punch dissipated. But, regardless of the fact that Levin wrote what was a popular/mainstream potboiler approximately thirty-five years ago, it still holds one's attention. Like Marathon Man the novel has held up well. That both books are set in the mid-seventies actually helps. They are period stories now and, if one requires it, can be considered "secret histories" of the attempt to build the Fourth Reich by the fugitive Nazis in South America.
It's a good read. Very easy and can be completed in a day. Classify it as a classic "beach read".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2015
This book was about this:
Just kidding, not really... But it had swastikas involved, I swear, and their asses got kicked. And it was well written and kind of scary, an improvisation on subject "What if?...". If you want to know what if what - go read it for yourself. Ira Levin is never disappointing when it comes to speculative fiction.
Just kidding, not really... But it had swastikas involved, I swear, and their asses got kicked. And it was well written and kind of scary, an improvisation on subject "What if?...". If you want to know what if what - go read it for yourself. Ira Levin is never disappointing when it comes to speculative fiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2019
I found this book to be... ridiculously hilarious, but for all the wrong reasons. Fairly sure it wasn't meant to be a comedy--Ira Levin didn't write comedies and the plot is about hunting down the guy attempting to "recreate" Hilter. But still, despite all of that, this was the funniest thing I've read all year long, and I don't know... it must be the stress taking me over.
Nashville International Airport, TN
Nashville International Airport, TN
April 25, 2024
From 1976
When this is good, it's good. Ira Levin is terrific. But it is such a big, complicated book with 100 characters. And a silly, timely fantasy by the writer of the Stepford Wives. Should have been shorter, like that book.
I feel like I should say what this silly fantasy is. Doesn't everyone know this is about cloning Hitler? That's it in a nutshell.
When this is good, it's good. Ira Levin is terrific. But it is such a big, complicated book with 100 characters. And a silly, timely fantasy by the writer of the Stepford Wives. Should have been shorter, like that book.
I feel like I should say what this silly fantasy is. Doesn't everyone know this is about cloning Hitler? That's it in a nutshell.
September 27, 2022
Умопомрачаваща спекулация и надпревара с времето и историята! Айра Левин, и то през 70-те, така се заиграва с природата на възраждането на злото, че разстоянието от първия до последния ред е като черна дупка, без усет за пространство и време.
Единствено съжалявам, че все пак съм гледала филма, както осъзнах почти веднага, а той също беше много въздействащ, но ми оспойлери действието… Но това е бял кахър. Та читателят получава ловеца на нацисти Визентал, пардон - Либерман, в двубой срещу самия д-р Менгеле, с европейска дълбочина и с размаха на американски комикс, но от незабравимите!
Доверете се на стария американски евреин от филмовия и сценичния бизнес, и се впуснете в гонката! Все пак светът и историята са заложени на карта, битката е безжалостна и интелигентна, а Левин никога не дава гаранции.
Все пак именно Левин е автор и на “Бебето на Розмари” (и това съм го гледала на филм…и то целият филм… оправданието ми е, че бях още в доста младенческа възраст и не подозирах какво ще се стовари), което никога, ама никога няма да прочета - то вече е за екстремисти.
Единствено съжалявам, че все пак съм гледала филма, както осъзнах почти веднага, а той също беше много въздействащ, но ми оспойлери действието… Но това е бял кахър. Та читателят получава ловеца на нацисти Визентал, пардон - Либерман, в двубой срещу самия д-р Менгеле, с европейска дълбочина и с размаха на американски комикс, но от незабравимите!
Доверете се на стария американски евреин от филмовия и сценичния бизнес, и се впуснете в гонката! Все пак светът и историята са заложени на карта, битката е безжалостна и интелигентна, а Левин никога не дава гаранции.
Все пак именно Левин е автор и на “Бебето на Розмари” (и това съм го гледала на филм…и то целият филм… оправданието ми е, че бях още в доста младенческа възраст и не подозирах какво ще се стовари), което никога, ама никога няма да прочета - то вече е за екстремисти.
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