Katastrophe: A Novel [Hardcover]

Randall Boyll (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2000

An American Academic is plunged into a maelstrom of terror when he submits to a party game and it is revealed, under hypnosis, that he may be the reincarnation of Adolph Hitler.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Believers of reincarnation, what are the odds that Adolf Hitler is alive, in a new form, somewhere? It's a killer premise, and Boyll rides it for all it's worth in this engaging debut novel of mistaken identity and media frenzy--until the tepid conclusion flatly dissipates the intrigue. Hank Thorwald, a professor in Terre Haute, Ind., agrees to undergo hypnosis at his friend Perry Miller's party, but the gag turns ugly when Hank is led to reveal that he is the incarnation of Adolf Hitler. Thanks to the presence at the party of TV personality Alan Weston (Indiana's version of Howard Stern), Hank becomes a tabloid sensation and soon the hub of catastrophes both tragic and ludicrous, ruining the Thorwald family's life. Hank's wife, Rebecca, is a sharp-tongued, believable heroine who tries mightily to clear Hank's name and to protect 11-year-old daughter Sharri. A f?hrer fanatic pays a visit to the Thorwalds, convinced that Hank knows the secret whereabouts of Hitler's corpse. Boyll, author of several Darkman series paperbacks, keeps the action going, and his plucky characters deliver whip-smart dialogue, even as the plot grows more convoluted. But there are too many blind alleys in what should be a straight-shot plot, with much action occurring offstage and a muddling subplot involving an aged group of ex-Hitler Youths and a dubious lawyer. The first half of this hefty book delivers all it promises of a spiraling mystery and a frightening conundrum, complete with voracious reporters, double-crossing academics and neo-Nazi subcultures, but the ultimate solution to Hank's identity crisis is apt to elicit a "Huh?" from discerning readers rather than a spellbound "Wow!" Agent, Lisa Bankoff. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Professor Hank Thorwald and his wife, Rebecca, attend a faculty party where a parlor game has disastrous consequences for them and their daughter in Boyll's hardcover debut (after ten paperback novels--all horror or movie tie-ins). Under hypnosis, Hank reveals that he is the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler and offers what appears to be convincing proof. This leads to a tangle of perilous and ultimately unbelievable complications involving the Thorwald family, a corrupt investigative reporter, a wily academic with a secret past, neo-Nazis (and their opponents), remnants of the Hitler Youth, and others in search of the F?hrer's bones. As the story ranges from the American heartland to Germany and back, multiple plot lines slowly begin to intersect, but the increasingly violent action becomes almost cartoonish in its excessiveness. This is all the more disappointing given the beautifully developed characters. Still, Boyll's work will interest readers who enjoy suspense. Recommended for public libraries.
-Ronnie H. Terpening, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 560 pages
• Publisher: Harper; 1st edition (May 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060192364
• ISBN-13: 978-0060192365
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,936,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Premise Followed Through, August 9, 2001

By 

Dana Keish (Ohio, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Katastrophe: A Novel (Hardcover)

This book hooked me from the very start. What would happen if a happily married father of one was hyponotized and recalled an earlier life as Adolf Hitler? Author Boyll puts together a chilling tale of how the media will take an incident and create news and what this can do to the life of a family. While far fetched in some aspects, you can quite literally picture seeing this on "Current Affair" or "Hard Copy". The writing is extremely well done and the characters are fully realized. I would recommend this book highly.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dark Read But Mesmerizing, August 9, 2000

By 

Michael Butts (Berkeley Springs, WV USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Katastrophe: A Novel (Hardcover)

Halfway through this rather lengthy novel, I found myself wondering why I was reading it. At that point, however, I found it impossible just to stop reading it! Good thing I didn't! This is an unusual book in its plotting, pacing, and the complexity of its characters. The whole premise of a "reincarnated Hitler" is far-fetched, indeed, but Boyll handles it with finesse and you as the reader know that there is something deeper than this hypnosis-induced confession. The book is populated with some very likeable and dislikable characters. Hank and Rebecca Thorwald are interesting victims, in that they try to react in ways that would get them out of their predicament. Rebecca is particularly resourceful, determined, and a strong female character. Karl Von Wessenheim, Ronno Ulgard, and his mother are villains of the most unusual sort. There are times when you actually root for Karl and Ronno; but the mother is reminiscent of the Angela Lansbury character in "The Manchurian Candidate"---what a witch! (Substitute a b for the w in this one!). A strong supporting characters is Dutch, a retired cop who helps Rebecca out. And of course we can't forget Alan Weston, the epitome of the t.v. tabloid host. A bitter, caustic, and lonely man, Alan emerges as a very focal character in the book. It's scary to think that Adolf Hitler could still have such an influence on any society, and that Americans would react in such a violent way. However, in reading the papers recently, I can see where something like this could unfold easily. But read this book, and enjoy it's excellence. The semi-climax on the train is breathtaking; the final scene with von Wellenheim is priceless. Look for more expert stuff from Mr. Boyll!

Michael Butts

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not a catastrophe, May 15, 2000

By 

Charles M. Poplos (Dover, DE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Katastrophe: A Novel (Hardcover)

This is an excellent read. I usually read only good stories because I spend a lot of time "prepping" my reading. I read reviews, the dust jacket, talk to ople, etc. This was a rare impulsive buy - it looked good from the jacket, I was traveling, I needed something to read, etc. Well, I must tell you this was a good choice. the characters are three dimensional, the plot is just twisted enough to be interesting, the story itself just unbelievable enough to be considered. It is a fast read, but don't skip over too many paragraphs thining you a getting ahead - you will miss something. Buy it, read it, lend it to your best friend. Do it now.