Enigma - exploring the complexities of Katyn

The film was disappointing in that it degenerated into a chase across Scotland, something Buchan (39 Steps) did better. The book is more interesting, building up the bizarre world of Bletchley Park as they seek within acute claustrophobia and developing paranoia to break the German naval codes the better to protect the convoys from the U-boats. But different agendas impinge upon their engagement with the Battle of the Atlantic, for they are also listening to Wehrmacht signals from the eastern front, where something very strange has been unearthed in the territories over which the Nazi extermination teams are putting down all resistance and more. The devil has found traces of someone worse, at least comparable, if you are Polish. It gradually becomes clear that our new Soviet allies have been up to something none of the Allies want to hear about. And so the chase is on, to stop the U-boats and so break the naval seige of these islands, while coming to terms with what has been going on along the eastern front. Different members of the team to break the German code react in different ways, but all are going to be changed utterly by the remifications of what they are discovering about war at sea and death along the eastern front. Since this book came out much has changed as regards our knowledge of what happened when Poland was divided between the Nazis and the Soviets. The book was a novel way into the complexities of why one of the worse moments of the Second World War was so long hidden not just by the perpetrators but by almost all concerned. It suggests too that no aspect of the war was totally sealed against what was going on elsewhere: this truely was a world war. And most people have to survive with little knowledge to go on, with every choice often little more than the lesser of the two evils. Read/listen to the book (and then read Fatherland for an exploration of an even greater though hidden trauma).

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Abridge

Any additional comments?

Just to mention that it's an abridged version, I didn't realise when I got it and found it was a little light for Robert Harris. So nothing to do with him, just be more careful than me if you're looking for the unabridged version.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

A good listen and introduction to the codebreakers

I,ve read various books on the Bletchley Park code breakers, enigma etc and this story (mixture of fact and fiction) certainly held my interest. It is well read, with enough suspense to keep you listening until the end with the odd twist. Be aware that there is little mention of Turing nor the great debt we owe to the Polish Cypher bureau and their pioneering work. Having said that, whether you are interested in this time period and the events of the code breakers or not I think you will enjoy it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Probably the best audiobook I’ve listened to

I’ve listened to this audiobook more than any other, probably 10 times and it still hooks me in. Detail, character, world, plot, narration are faultless. Recommended.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Robert Harris brilliant story teller

What a great story, compelling and pacey with twists and turns throughout, linking to historical facts.
A believable whirlwind of deception crafted to entertain

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Factual inconsistencies

As a reader fascinated by the Bletchley Park events during the Second World War I was interested to read a fictional mystery based on that place at that time. I'm pretty familiar with the facts surrounding those events so it was a considerable disappointment that this story is so riddled with factual inaccuracies. The characters are plausible enough, but all involved, including the police, seem utterly to ignore the 'need to know ' mantra which is one of the most fascinating aspects of that period of history. A top secret establishment which fails at every turn to be anything but secret is just not plausible to me. The story is well read and it moves on at a good pace, it just fails to suspend disbelief for me.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Superb Narration and splendid suspense

Faultless narration by a wonderful actor allied to a cracking plot with twists and turns all the way. Very enjoyable

Abridged!!!!

So annoyed that this heavily abridged version was the first search hit and the full story was so far down. I made it half way through (2 hours) before I realised. Because it was abridged the story jumped horribly and it kinda ruined an amazing story for me. Everything seemed to happen by magic!

Between Mediocre & Good

Occcasionally dull with a lot of statistics and all the research dropped in leading to a thrilling denouement as all the puzzle pieces are put together. Not his best but sufficient to hold the attention. How the Brits survived the grey meat and weak tea described remains an enigma.

Great pacing and compelling story.

Really keeps you on the edge of your seat! Definitely a must-read for anyone who loves intelligent mystery stories.