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The Obsession
Claire Maplin, a local British reporter, is assigned to find out why Tom Reid, a hero of World War II, has, thirty years later, become involved with fascist political groups
335 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1984
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May 31, 2015
The Obsession by Frederick E Smith Strange Book This.
Set in England in the 60's. Ostensibly the story of an war hero who is struggling with the permissive 60's told after the 60's by a journalist. Sounds odd? well it is a bit. In the very beginning the main character is described as "complicated" and indeed he is. He is approached by a young-ish female journalist (she's in her thirties). Both parties have agendas and clashing ideologies.A series of very long flashbacks or time jumps but it all hangs together coherently. IT all ends in tears as everything does. But the telling of it is at times tedious and beautiful. Full of contradiction, indignation and outrage and some nicely done sex.It wasn't until I saw the list of the other books by this author that I got the connection to the WW2 Air Force. He wrote the 633 Squadron series of books.One of the things i liked was that this book really captured some of the spirit of the 60's in England, hard as that can be to imagine! The female journalist catches some of that spirit during her journey through this book and ironically it echoes to the experience as described of some of the young airmen of that war too.Would I recommend it? Hard to say, I did enjoy it, but it wasn't an easy read. The main character will challenge you from page one. Sensitively written throughout.
Set in England in the 60's. Ostensibly the story of an war hero who is struggling with the permissive 60's told after the 60's by a journalist. Sounds odd? well it is a bit. In the very beginning the main character is described as "complicated" and indeed he is. He is approached by a young-ish female journalist (she's in her thirties). Both parties have agendas and clashing ideologies.A series of very long flashbacks or time jumps but it all hangs together coherently. IT all ends in tears as everything does. But the telling of it is at times tedious and beautiful. Full of contradiction, indignation and outrage and some nicely done sex.It wasn't until I saw the list of the other books by this author that I got the connection to the WW2 Air Force. He wrote the 633 Squadron series of books.One of the things i liked was that this book really captured some of the spirit of the 60's in England, hard as that can be to imagine! The female journalist catches some of that spirit during her journey through this book and ironically it echoes to the experience as described of some of the young airmen of that war too.Would I recommend it? Hard to say, I did enjoy it, but it wasn't an easy read. The main character will challenge you from page one. Sensitively written throughout.
Displaying 1 of 1 review