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The Oligarch: A Dynastic Saga Set in the Guatemala Civil War
The second novel of the three-part series, Los Chapin!
Wilhelm Hoffman’s mission is to pick up the fight that murdered his German father and his brothers. Returning from a residency in the United States, he takes his assigned post in a small hospital near the western highlands of Guatemala. Within a week he is introduced to the escalated violence of the 14-year civil war. His stepmother, an Indio Indio woman who raised him from his first day knows he is not cut out for the fight. But William, as he calls himself now, persists and reveals a rift in his oligarch family as wide as the country’s own social chasm.
A “Surrogate War” for the U.S., the gut issues in the Guatemala Civil War reveal the oligarch’s willingness to do anything to maintain their inherited entitlements.
A third novel, Twelve Days, due out in 2015, wraps up the story of the civil war.
Wilhelm Hoffman’s mission is to pick up the fight that murdered his German father and his brothers. Returning from a residency in the United States, he takes his assigned post in a small hospital near the western highlands of Guatemala. Within a week he is introduced to the escalated violence of the 14-year civil war. His stepmother, an Indio Indio woman who raised him from his first day knows he is not cut out for the fight. But William, as he calls himself now, persists and reveals a rift in his oligarch family as wide as the country’s own social chasm.
A “Surrogate War” for the U.S., the gut issues in the Guatemala Civil War reveal the oligarch’s willingness to do anything to maintain their inherited entitlements.
A third novel, Twelve Days, due out in 2015, wraps up the story of the civil war.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 4, 2015
Before reading Michael Crumps two novels 'Candyman's War' and this sequel, 'The Oligarch', I had not followed the sad recent history of Guatamala.
Crump has well captured the heart wrenching horror of it all and the human traumas and dilemmas that result.
His characters interact in unexpected ways, through a gripping plot. They are all too human and brilliantly crafted. The dangerous situations and antagonisms within the family, bring home the psychological terrors of a nation tearing itself apart.
The ethical issues facing the central character ring especially true. How can one stand by the Hyppocratic Oath, whilst loved ones and simple villagers are being tortured raped and slaughtered? Should one take up arms and fight? The resolution of moral dilemmas for this and other characters is enthralling. The fear of living of a society where you cannot trust your own family and there are informants everywhere is really brought to life.
We should hear a lot more about this author.
Crump has well captured the heart wrenching horror of it all and the human traumas and dilemmas that result.
His characters interact in unexpected ways, through a gripping plot. They are all too human and brilliantly crafted. The dangerous situations and antagonisms within the family, bring home the psychological terrors of a nation tearing itself apart.
The ethical issues facing the central character ring especially true. How can one stand by the Hyppocratic Oath, whilst loved ones and simple villagers are being tortured raped and slaughtered? Should one take up arms and fight? The resolution of moral dilemmas for this and other characters is enthralling. The fear of living of a society where you cannot trust your own family and there are informants everywhere is really brought to life.
We should hear a lot more about this author.
October 13, 2015
The Oligarch: A Family War Saga by Michael Crump - a book worth reading now!
This indeed is a saga taking up from Mr. Crump’s first novel, Candyman’s War.
Many historical/war novels are often ‘all war all the time,’ The Oligarch, is a blending histories that gives us perspective and a reason to stop and consider what is happening around us now. The histories of interconnected families, the history of nation building often at its worst, a history of a people and a time, turn this book into a vast panorama.
This book, like Candyman’s War, is very much worth reading.
Definitely recommended and definitely an author worth watching.
This indeed is a saga taking up from Mr. Crump’s first novel, Candyman’s War.
Many historical/war novels are often ‘all war all the time,’ The Oligarch, is a blending histories that gives us perspective and a reason to stop and consider what is happening around us now. The histories of interconnected families, the history of nation building often at its worst, a history of a people and a time, turn this book into a vast panorama.
This book, like Candyman’s War, is very much worth reading.
Definitely recommended and definitely an author worth watching.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews