crabbygirl reviewed HHhH by Laurent Binet
Review of 'HHhH' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
fascinating book; never read anything like it. it's historical fiction, but is it really?
the author features himself in the plot and makes a point of talking about inventing narratives to bring historical figures to life, so you think that is his point too - that he is making a whole bunch of stuff up inside this historical event. he mentions numerous films and books that feature (to his delight as a semi-biographer) heydrich.
but surely this man cannot be so spread around; i make an assumption that he is using the author's inventor's licence even as i recognize details from books and films i've seen/read - velodrome d'hiver from sarah's key, terezin from a documentary.
finally, i decide to search for the films, for the books, and yes - they are are true. this is an author who is so well versed in his material, he could have easily …
fascinating book; never read anything like it. it's historical fiction, but is it really?
the author features himself in the plot and makes a point of talking about inventing narratives to bring historical figures to life, so you think that is his point too - that he is making a whole bunch of stuff up inside this historical event. he mentions numerous films and books that feature (to his delight as a semi-biographer) heydrich.
but surely this man cannot be so spread around; i make an assumption that he is using the author's inventor's licence even as i recognize details from books and films i've seen/read - velodrome d'hiver from sarah's key, terezin from a documentary.
finally, i decide to search for the films, for the books, and yes - they are are true. this is an author who is so well versed in his material, he could have easily written a history book but instead he choses fiction, and places his own life inside it.
a true reminder that history does inform us and shape us.
