Knitting With Hitler: A somewhat melodramatic black comedy

by Avery Spear

“You have a problem, Philip,” said Louise, one of the old knitting ladies, “Something’s just not right with Carol … Or, perhaps, something’s too far-right.”

The placid life of Philip Williams, a retired geologist, is turned upside down when Carol, his otherwise benevolent wife, gets thrown out of the local knitting club — for adorning a cushion with swastikas! When the old man learns that it makes Carol happier if he indulges her newfound fascination with Hitler, swastikas, and everything Nazi, he is thrust into a wild journey where he must juggle his unconditional love and support for his flailing wife, and a very dangerous idea …

“It’s a real idea,” said the doctor pensively. “The fact that it’s coming out now, means she had it buried somewhere inside her. Somewhere deep.”

As the depths come bursting into the open, not even his knowledge of vulcanology can prepare this geologist for such an absurd eruption of swastikas, Nazism, and strange dinner parties attended by Hitlers of all shapes and sizes …

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2023

Reviews

[Danielle Gamache · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unrealistic but hilarious but also sad scenario comes to life in this book. This story contained lots of laughs and is a good dark comedy. This was a breeze to read through and constantly had me wanting to know what happens next.
It's a bit repetitive at some parts, which I'm not the biggest fan of, but overall this was a fun read.

[Sandra Straub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark humor, quick and easy read

I was in need of something funny and quick to split up the dense reads I have, and this definitely hit the spot. There was dark humor, sad reality of a loved one with the onset of dementia, and the reality of how some people still believe in such outlandish ideas. Great read.

[Jana Elmasry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book as most of my readings are non fiction romance so this one kinda got me out of my comfort zone but I didn’t really regret it so 👏

[Cookie M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an odd book. I don't know if it was funny, sad, a love story, social commentary, or just something weird the author thought up one day and decided to write down. An older, dull, retired geologist's wife begins to show signs of dementia and a fixation with Adolf Hitler. This leads to the geologist traveling down a ridiculous rabbit hole involving people in his village he never knew before, in a quest to figure out what his wife's life was like before he met her.

[Oleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a complimentary e-book from the author through Booktasters.
I was very intrigued by the description of this book and thought that it was either going to be really great or really bad. But now, the story has a lot more shades to it.
The book is well-written and easy to read. I’m glad it didn’t turn into “haha, old lady is a fan of Hitler.” I like how main characters are introduced.
On the other hand, I feel like if the story hadn’t reached its burlesque culmination but stayed closer to the ground, I would have been able to sympathize and empathize with the main characters more.
To sum up, it’s a nice love story of an older couple, although I would prefer it to have more real life depth.

[David Alonzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the start/end dates, this book was actually a page turner! I was just busy with lots things last month, including several other books.

It is as the book jacket says a “black comedy.” The title conveys much of that blackness. As the book description says, the main character decides to placate his wife’s newfound fascination with Hitler, which is the reason she is expelled from the church knitting club, by just indulging this fascination. But the reason for this fascination and indulgence are eventually revealed as part of the blackness of the comedy.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this for free, in exchange for an honest review.

This light read was a dark comedy. In some ways, the eccentricities of the characters came across as a little endearing, and I liked that. There were some moments that struck me as a little bizarre, but I don't think that was entirely unexpected. I'm not sure this would be to everyone's taste or suit everyone's humour, but it did make me chuckle.

Thank you to the author and Booktasters for a free copy to review.

[Asmaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a free copy from booktasters to review this book and I enjoyed it very much. I liked the loving elderly couple and their romantic stone story, the loving caring husband, and even his sick wife seemed like a pretty young woman through the writer's words.
The writing style is full of humour, funny descriptions, and comments from the author, especially in the rock speech part.
The ending was funny and romantic at the same time, such a page-turning book, that is a must-read.

[Lyn O · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is cleverly written and full of wit, making it a truly great read. Philip Williams is a character we aspire to emulate in our relationships, though we often fall short. While some sections were difficult to read due to the central Nazi theme, these themes also highlight the purity of Philip’s love for Carol. Bravo to the author, and many thanks to Booktasters for providing me with a complimentary copy!

[Mirela Lohja · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the first time that I read a book of this kind and I find it very beautiful is not too long but not too short.
It made me laugh a lot but also reflect being that there are also sad parts, this is a dark comedy that I had the pleasure of reading thanks Avery Spear that made me get a copy of his book .

super recommended

[Felice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprise

I was drawn by the title, of course, but the sample was enough to make me want to know the rest.
How can anything with Hitler and a Nazi rally be charming? You have to read and decide. I thought it was worth the time.

[tcape · Rating 2 out of 5]

Left too much unsaid...

It didn't really tell you what was happening. Or what had happened in the past. It did tell you too much that didn't really matter to the story ( to me anyway)
The premise of the story sounded interesting but the writing style is not my cup of tea.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the premise but the inconsistent use of tense really irritated me.

[Jeannie R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out interesting but just got … tacky. I was hoping the end would have a twist to explain but even that was anticlimactic. Don’t bother reading this.

[mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, fuck nazis and dementia and all the old shitheads in this book. That said; it’s a wild ride, alarmingly clever, and quite enjoyable as far as dark comedies go.

[Brian RUDIE · Rating 2 out of 5]

just ok

I worry that there was some people meaning that I miss in the midst of all of this. Generally well written, but it did somewhat drag on.

[Diana Eberhardt]

The premise was interesting but the book was just weird and awful.

[Stacy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This ALMOST went into the "did not finish" pile. That was just terrible and I think I lost a few brain cells by reading it.