Customer Reviews

The One from the Other

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

William Shakespeare, King Richard III, Act III. Scene VI.
And mark also how well "One From the Other", the sequel to Philip Kerr's Berlin Noir trilogy, hangs together. I picked up Kerr's latest Bernie Gunther novel soon after reading the first three novels. Despite what I consider a flawed plot, One From the Other was an entertaining read.

The first three Gunther novels took place in Germany (usually Berlin) in 1936, 1938, and 1947. They pretty much tracked the rise and fall of the Third Reich. One From the Other takes us into 1949. Germany is still a defeated nation and a divided one as the Cold War continues to get colder. Gunther's wife is in the hospital after suffering a complete nervous breakdown and Bernie is managing his late father-in law's run down hotel. The hotel is located a stone's throw from Dachau's notorious concentration camp and it is no surprise to find that visitors are few and far between. A chance meeting with a U.S. Army officer at the hotel sets off a chain of events that plunges Bernie back into the detective business. Before long, Bernie is swimming through a deadly sea of ex-Nazis fleeing persecution and those secret organizations created to help them escape.

The strong point of all four Bernie Gunther books has been Kerr's excellent portrayal of Bernie Gunther. From the outset Gunther has been the quintessential hardboiled detective (Kerr obviously has great affection for the genre) while at the same time coming across as a believable and all-too human character. One From the Other is no different. Here we find Gunther aging none too gracefully. He is not as spry or as tough as he used to be and he knows it. He is something of a defeated man in a defeated country.

The weak point of "The One From the Other" is its plot. The plots of the first three Gunther struck me as all being well within the realm of possibility, even as Gunther worked his way (at cross purposes) with Nazi higher ups such as Himmler and Heydrich. The plot here just did not fall within those parameters for me. Others may disagree but the one plot device (which cannot be revealed in a review) that propels this story just struck me as being a bit beyond the pale. The plot was not so far fetched as to ruin the story but it did leave me shaking my head a bit.

Despite my quibble over the plot device I found "The One From The Other" to be an enjoyable read. As noted, Kerr is a master at characterization and anyone who has read the earlier Gunther novels should be happy (as I was) to see how Gunther's life is going in post-war Germany.

Four stars for the writing; three and one half stars for the plot. Recommended. L. Fleisig

I am pleased to give this book my unqualified endorsement. Ingeniously, Kerr reintroduces the old Bernie in a pre-war prologue, giving readers new to the series a good taste of the original character. The main story takes place ten years later.

The reviewer who observed that Bernie has lost his snap may be right, but only to a point. Kerr has aged Bernie masterfully, reflecting the horrors, compromises and deprivations of the war and its aftermath in the older man. Of course, he's somewhat subdued, but he's as determined, resourceful and decent as ever. The plot is excellent but read this book for character. You won't be disappointed. In fact, I think you'll find yourself thinking about Bernie--and his creator--for days afterward.

Note to P. Kerr: Well done. Thank you.

I was so delighted to find another Bernie Gunther novel, I pre-ordered it! Kerr is definitely a thriller reader's dream-writer. In the latest installment, we find post-war Bernie Gunther, down and out, operating his late father-in-law's shabby hotel outside of Dachau (the once ambitious notorious concentration camp), drinking the few profits and contemplating how best to move on with life. But, like all Kerr's books involving Bernie, nothing is as it seems and soon Bernie is back at his true game as a fast-talking, irreverent, private detective running, hiding, and scheming to save his life.

Yes, its true Bernie is older and not as spry, but once he's been set up, it won't take him long to ferret out what's up and how to get out of the hole he's in. Kerr's magic happens in character development and plot. Kerr's plot is sinuous and strikes like a viper, bending back on itself, leaving the reader in unfathomable waters that only Bernie can negotiate. Bernie, through his machinations in this thriller, shows the chaos that is post war Germany, without losing his sense of humor, even though there is much that is dark in this novel. Kerr has the ability to force us to look at our past mistakes while continuing to shock us with events, ideas, and characters we'd rather not think about. All of Kerr's characters are vital; many are detestable but all are believable. It's a joy to watch Kerr balance so many subplots and characters and just when you think he can't possibly connect the dots, the picture comes into focus and we see the final form take shape.

Although you may have to suspend your belief system a few times at what seems too incredible to be true, Kerr manages to pick up all of the threads and wrap them up neatly by the end, leaving the reader wondering what will happen next. Please Philip don't make us wait another 15 years to find out what happens to Bernie. Though there were a few seemingly implausible aspects to the plot, this is still my favorite Bernie Gunther thriller. Bernie has lost none of his brashness, humor in the face of defeat, and ingenious ability to rise above his mistakes to outsmart the dirtiest of criminals. Highly recommended. Come back soon Bernie.

I just finished reading this book without having read the Noir books before, so Bernie Gunther was not an old acquaintance of mine. I really enjoyed the book for what it is - a crime novel. The only thing that I found annoying as time progressed was that Bernie's hard-boiledness comes a little forced at times. Sometimes there are simply too many metaphors. One thing is never just big, it is as big as ...whatever. All these metaphors and similes just were a bit much for my taste.
Now, I am a historian and I am German. And from that point of view I have another point of criticism.
Having grown up in Germany (even though not in the post-war years) Bernie's cultural references always seem odd. He seems to know things that would have been unknown to a regular German police officer even after 1945. E.g, Bernie compares something he has seen to an elephant with enormous ears and pink color. That's a clear reference to Dumbo, a movie that wasn't shown in Germany until 1951. And there are more of these little things that - for me - take away from Bernie's credibility as a character. They simply tear me away from the story and make me shake my head a couple of times before I manage to get back into the story.
Bernie is a believable hard-boiled gumshoe. But an American one, I'm afraid.
And a personal pet peeve - some of the German words used simply don't make any sense. That is something that - with a bit of care - could have been avoided.

Even if you haven't been exposed to Kerr's noir detective thrillers before, you soon will be enthralled by this fourth novel in the series. Bernie Gunther is a private detective working in Germany during and after WWII. In a story that spans the 1930's and 1940's, this latest installment of Gunther's adventures involves perpetration and prosecution of war crimes by the Third Reich.

In post-WWII Germany Gunther confront his own culpability as a German in the crimes of the Nazis, as well as becoming embroiled in both the hunting of Nazi criminals and in these criminals attempts to flee prosecution. As is the convention in these novels, it all starts with a gorgeous femme fatale and ends with the exposition of a convoluted plot in which the hapless detective has been but a pawn.

Like his literary ancestor Sam Spade, Bernie Gunther is a sarcastic, witty, hardboiled non-comformist who won't be bought and whose hilarious observations and descriptions of human nature keep the reader laughing even during the hero's darkest hour. Kerr's portrayal of this likeable character is lucid, mordant and finally melancholy. A suspenseful and thrilling plot rounds out the novel. Highly recommended.

I have been a recent reader of Mr. Kerr. I have read all of the trilogy and the recent Hitler's Peace. I am a fan, but one who sees Mr. Kerr's occassional short comings, and idiosyncracies. I thought this book was exceptional, and perhaps the best I have read. There are many good reviews here which capture my thoughts. Instead let me make 5 quick points:
1) Kerr is that magical writer who puts you in Munich in 1947. His attention to detail and detail of feeling is remarkable.
2) His stories are always set up well. His strongest point is his plot set ups, and characters.
3) To me, his challenge has always been his endings. In general there are several logic or other issues which occur in the end of his books. This book i felt was his best thought through until the end.
4) He is able to hold to complex themes without patronizing or lecturing the reader.
5) I enjoyed reading this book more than the others (which i liked)

I have always loved mysteries, and THE ONE FROM THE OTHER, simply put, was a sensational and stirring read. In this novel, Philip Kerr has rendered a seamless blending of fact and fiction, history and the wide-open realm of possibility, all packed up neatly in the form of a compelling page-turner. With his signature grace and panache, Kerr brings the post-World War II era, with all of the complexities of post-Nazi German life and conscience, into sharp relief; he also brings back Bernie Gunther, a crass and dirty detective, who somehow manages to maintain his own version of integrity--nobility, even--in the midst of the worst kind of ignobility. With precise attention to detail and flawless prose, with electrifying twists and turns, Kerr delivers a fast-paced and truly thrilling read.

Apparently after a 15 year hiatus author Philip Kerr resurrects his protagonist Munich based cynical private investigator Bernie Gunther. In the year 1949, we find Gunther running a failing hotel, once owned by his late father in law, outside the gates of Dachau concentration camp. With his ailing wife Kirsten confined to a mental institution, he decides to sell the hotel and resume his career as a detective.

In post war Germany occupied by conquering Allied troops and with plethoras of war criminals scurrying around the countryside, there is fertile ground for investigators, particularly those searching for missing persons.

Gunther having consumated several such cases gets hired by a comely, aristocratic Britta Warzok to determine whether her war criminal husband is still alive, as she desires to remarry. Seduced by a large fee Gunther is only too happy to take the case. Little does he know but he's being duped and set up to take the fall for a group of heinous Nazi war criminals. His investigation leads him on a dangerous trail of intrigue while being chased by both pro-Nazi groups trying to protect former members of the party and Israeli based assassination squads trying to liquidate them.

Kerr's portrayal of post war Germany is done with an emphasis on detail which gives "The One from the Other", enormous historical impact. His empathic hero Gunther, while never a member of the Nazi party, is forced to answer for his recruitment into the dreaded SS, as he tries to survive his past and the plot that threatens to end his life.

One From the Other is the long-awaited sequel to Philip Kerr's Berlin Noir, a trilogy about a private detective who must adapt to continue working in a new world order. Crimes, both ordinary and political, push Bernie Gunther places he would just as soon avoid. Beginning with the 1936 Olympics, through the horror of Kristallnacht, and ending with Soviet occupation this German gumshoe manages to survive on his wits, his charm, and his chameleon-like ability to adapt. By the end of the war this shamus has seen and done things he never would have imagined.

One From the Other takes place in 1949. Germany is struggling to adjust to defeat and yet another world order. Their occupiers are trying to sort out the good Germans from the bad. Or is it the bad from the very bad? The Allies were all spying on one another in preparation for the long Cold War. And, the evil deeds of the Nazi regime hung over them all. Was anyone completely unimpeachable?

As a mystery - thriller - detective story, this book has it all. But, there is something darker and more complex to Kerr's character. Much of his story takes place off the pages of the books during the in-between years. The books haul him back into the reader's view for insight into a moment in time. As this moment comes to a close we watch the war-weary private eye boarding a ship for Buenos Aires. You can almost see the gray film of post-war Europe beginning to lift and feel the vibrant warmth of Argentina in the distance. On the other hand, with a traveling companion like Albert Eichmann, it is doubtful.

A long awaited sequel to the Berlin Noir trio by Scottish author Philip Kerr. The trio recounted the pre-World War II adventures of ex-cop and now private investigator Bernie Gunther. While Bernie's character is modeled heavily upon American hard-boiled detective stories, it is his increasing involvement with the Nazi regime that I found so interesting. Bernie quit the police force when the Nazis took over, but it becomes increasingly difficult for him to stay free of it's tentacles.

"The One from the Other" takes up Bernie's story in post-war Germany. He has escaped from East Germany, living now in Bavaria. After his hotel business flops he goes back to the only other way he knows how to make a living--as a private detective. He finds that his clients are former SS men referred to him because he was himself in the SS briefly. I leave it to the book to explain how that happened. The requisite beautiful woman also appeals to Bernie to find proof that her husband is dead. Now Bernie is really in trouble[...] Bernie is now on the run himself, using the same means that other war criminals used to get out of Germany. He even ends up on the same ship with Adolf Eichmann, whom he recognizes from the war.

Obviously this situation will require another book to resolve. Or will it? Kerr is a master of moral ambiguity. His protaganist is a man who wants to do the right thing, but the times conspire against him. My biggest criticism of this book is that I felt the author was giving Bernie too much of a chance to "make up" for what he had been involved in, even if only tangentially. How could that remotely be possible?