Saints and Villains

by Denise Giardina

Book Overview

A fictional recreation of the life of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a would-be assassin of Adolf Hitler, moves from Berlin to New York City, encompassing shattering historical events, clandestine meetings, perilous missions abroad, and eventual death.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393045714
• ISBN13: 9780393045710
• Release Date: February 1998
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 487 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.7" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful account of one's man heroic response to hitler!

This book is several things. First, it is the story of a heroic man's struggle to do his part to fight the evil that he knew existed in Germany during World War Two. Second, it is a story of a boy growing into a man, imperfections and all. Third, it is about the development of one man's soul and sense of purpose. Finally, it is the story of Germany, of a country as it descends into an abyss.The book is extremely well written. It introduces us to an "inside" view of Hitler's rise to power and Germany's response to it. We meet our hero as a boy, and watch as he grows into a man. We follow him through school, through his search for self and meaning. The main character is undoubtedly a hero, but not in a story-book sense. He is - like all of us - not a perfect being. He has trouble with relationships. He has fear - great fear. He has uncertainty. But that makes his heroism all the more striking. Bonhoffer is from a very wealthy, famous German family. He is safe - had he sat back and kept quiet, there is little doubt that he would have made it through the war untouched. Yet, he rises to the occasion. The story is fascinating in its unique perspective - this man, from this very German family, gives us a glimpse of how Germany descended into insanity. We watch as he struggles with his own doubts, his own feelings of frustration and anger, and as he struggles with doing what is right versus fighting against his own country and government. It is simply gripping to read.The writing is clear and crisp and filled with meaning. The story literally flows... you will find yourself unable to put the book down. Read this book and watch and as an incredible man faces danger and fear, and rises above it. A great read!

Making the Familiar New

I bought this book because I had some knowledge of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and because I've read several Ballantine's Readers Circle novels and found them all to be interesting, challenging, and worth my time. Saints and Villains has made me think again about Jews and their place in European history. I have known of the Holocaust since I was a small child, but this novel made me think about day-to-day life as Hitler grew from being a fringe leader (like Pat Buchanan), frightening no one, to the leader of a warring empire, sometimes seeming unstoppable. It's hard to imagine a time in which Hitler seemed unstoppable, but I think we all must, if we can, in order to understand how fear made average people do uncommonly evil things--and, like Pastor Bonhoeffer, uncommonly good.

A compelling read

Giardina has taken only a few liberties with history and has produced a riveting account of a "good German" in the Hitler era. I could hardly put it down while reading, and was prompted to further research about both Bonhoeffer and the Hawk's Nest incident afterwards. I have visited Germany and have friends there, and I have often thought about what it was like to live during that dreadful time. Another aspect of the story is the way it underlines the importance of family in forging and reinforcing values. Highly recommended reading.

Excellent insight into one of great theologians of century

This is a heavily biographical novel about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a noted German theologian and martyr. This book gives significant insight into Bonhoeffer's personality and to the events that shaped him. It also paints a grim picture of the onset of World War II and the mentality of Germany and England at the time. This book shows Bonhoeffer's human side as well as the strong character for which he is famous. It clearly outlines the struggles he went through on his faith journey, and the fortitude with which he faced prison and death for his beliefs. This is an emminently readable book, and I highly recommend it. It was one of those books you hate to see end.

A well written, exciting historical novel!

"Saints and Villians" is a beautifully written historical fiction set in Germany during the years immediately prior to and including the Nazi period. It is the story of Deitrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian who was one of the few who spoke out against Hitler and the Nazis. The story was as exciting as any adventure novel. As the Nazis came to power, the author details the gradual loss of freedoms and increasing oppression of the Jews, immersing the reader in a story made that more devastating because it actually happened. Detrich is pictured as a very believable hero, with plenty of human weaknesses, having doubts and making mistakes along the way. In my opinion, that makes him even more admirable. A love story, plenty of bad guys, a few good guys struggling to prevail against unspeakable evil....all combines to make this novel into one of the best books I've read in a long time.