The Dictator: A Novel

by David Layton

“An expertly drawn narrative, well paced and above all intriguing in its portrayal of an odd, little known episode in the Second World War.” —National Post

The Globe and Mail calls The Dictator “suspenseful . . . layered and morally complex”

With a deft touch and a wonderful ability to show the humorous in the tragic, David Layton has written a novel that explores the relationship between fathers and sons, and the way in which events of the past translate down through the generations. The Dictator is at turns funny, poignant and insightful.

 

272 pages, Paperback

Published May 8, 2018

About the author

David Layton is author of the acclaimed memoir Motion Sickness. David grew up all over the world and now divides his time between Toronto and Barbados.
He is the son of the acclaimed Canadian poet Irving Layton and American author and journalist Aviva Cantor.

Reviews

[Dana Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but I felt like I spent a lot of time waiting for something to happen and many of the characters were somewhat one dimensional with very specific traits but little to no explicit or implicit explanations for said traits.

These could have been conscious decisions from the author but made the book somewhat lacking for me.

All this to say I did really enjoy this read! The perspective was mew and fresh plus followed a small but extremely interesting demographic not often spoken about.

[Ruthy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique perspective on the effects of Jewish culture from the Holocaust. Not your typical sad tale, more of a story about the sheer will to survive. Well written and easy to follow, and the conflict will keep you interested as to how the story will resolve. Definitely adding to Reco!

[Proserpine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure what's going on with Goodreads' title--there seems to be a glitch--but I read David Layton's "The Dictator: A Novel" in one sitting because, from beginning to end, it was impossible to put the book down. The story offers insights into the complex and painful themes of parent-child estrangement, family history, connectedness, and how much is ultimately knowable about the lives of the people who are or ought to be closest to us. It's a painful, compelling, compassionate and complex story. Both thematically and in David Layton's lovely, polished prose, there is much to feast on and mull over in this story.

[Victoria Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt and fascinating, the rarely told story of eldercare from the male perspective.