The Odessa File

Some books, like wine, have the ability to age well. "The Odessa File" by Frederic Forsyth is one of those books. It's full of history — that can turn in to irrelevant couleur locale in some novels, but in the hands of Forsyth it becomes interwoven with the story. It becomes one of the assets for the reader. It is not difficult to see what has made the Forsyth name into a classic in crime fiction: this ease of welding history, facts and fiction together seamlessly. In the case of "The Odessa File" it means you are sitting pretty whether you know a lot about the Second World War or not, about life in 1963 or not. It is obvious that "The Odessa File" has become somewhat of a classic, one that has also been turned into a motion picture. How has the novel held out through the years? In my opinion Forsyth proves himself a master of using historical and technical facts in a story. The amount of facts in this novel is astonishing (especially about WWII and the holocaust), but it works seamlessly with the story. It is not difficult to understand why filmmakers wanted to turn "The Odessa File" into a motion picure. So, what's attractive about this novel? The story about a nazi plot and a nazi hunt is strong and believable and if it's no longer relevant today, it still stands firmly as a post WWII story. By now, a lot of the "revelations" in this novel have been overshadowed by the real knowledge we have, by what we know about war criminals and where they fled and how long they succeeded in being undiscovered. When it comes to the characters: I found that part of the novel is hard to judge. The stories of human suffering during WWII are so evident and vivid here, that the main character's life remains somewhat bleak by comparison. It's something that didn't bother me; I just realized it in retrospect. Overall you are getting an impressive novel in the crime genre, with a twist close to the end that I absolutely didn't anticipate. Well done, I'd say. See what you think.

Forsyth tells stories that inform, even if they’ve all ready been made into movies. Compared to LeCarre, the reader isn’t dragged through the societal and idiosyncratic trappings of British society. Forsyth characters are created for understanding without guessing. The Odessa File will hold interest and it won’t disappoint the reader.

Great story, history explained. A period in history that was the reemergence of order after a sinister force was defeated. Very believable fiction. Could not put it down.

I highly recommend The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth. It is a methodically, well written, fast paced thriller that will keep you anticipating the next page and chapter. Anyone interested in Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, and the resulting search for Nazi war criminals will enjoy this well-crafted story and along the way you may even learn a bit of history.

Although I much prefer true stories, I love history, and this book has it, even though it's a novel. It sure kept us on the edge of our seats! Very exciting.

I first purchased the Odessa File as an audio book to listen to as I commute back and forth to work. I enjoyed the story line so much I bought this Kindle version to read over again. I think I’ve read this book through about three times. I have personally been to Riga since reading this book. Although much time has passed, it is haunting to go past the areas where the old ghetto stood. Concerning the book, the plot and characters are riveting and each time I put it down I cannot wait to begin where I left off. Forsyth is an amazing author whom I will read again and again.

This is a good book and was fun to read. I saw the movie before I read this book but as is the case most times, the book is better than the movie. There is great character development and the plot is interesting. I found it easy to like Peter Miller and hate the various former SS characters he had to deal with. By the time I was near finished reading the book I was hoping for a different ending. There are loose ends in the book that do not get tied and it was something the author had intended. Even so after I finished reading the book I would have prefered a different ending..........maybe it was more realistic to end it the way Forsyth had. But being a simple man and not a classic author like Frederrick Forsyth I would have liked to see Miller get his revenge!If you like spy thrillers involving the Nazis, the SS, and international intrigue pick this classic book up you will not put it down!Rob Drummond

A GREAT BOOK I have ENJOY EVERY BOOK by the AUTHOR .. I really believe that he was a spy.ONLY SOMEONE WHO LIVED THAT LIFE COULD WRITE LIKE THIS👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

If you like spy fictions based on true facts then is the author for you. Glad Amazon carries his books

A reporter hunting a former SS criminal for his own reasons in post-war Germany. Thrilling and informative. Some twists of the story seem quite unlikely, especially the ending. Otherwise very good.

The detail and the literary style

オデッサファイルは、『ジャッカルの日』に続くフォーサイスの長編第2作。３つか、４つの場面がどんどん変わって物語を織りなしていく。スピーディで面白い。クライマックスの直前では、主人公のミラーが、自分の行動を振り返って、あらためて緊張する場面がある。こちらまでどきどきする。さて、オデッサとは何か？これは、序文にある。「オデッサとは南ロシアの都市名でもテキサスの小さな町の名前でもない」Organization of Former Members of the SS、ナチス親衛隊のOB組織のことだ。ナチス親衛隊は、ドイツ第三帝国崩壊後、名前を変え戦争犯罪人としての追求から逃れている。ミラーは、あるきっかけから、そのOBの一人の正体を暴こうとする。ミラーに協力する人は、彼に聞く。なぜ、そんなことにこだわるのだ？小説として面白いのはもちろん、第二次大戦後のドイツの雰囲気、ドイツ人のナチに対する態度がなんとなく理解できる気がする。もちろん、小説であることを忘れてはならないが。

Great to be able to read a long lost favourite.