Simply superb

A superb final instalment of the trilogy of trilogies. I didn’t want this to end, ever, though all good things do. Well done Mr Deighton.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Brilliant

It has been a thoroughly entertaining triple trilogy and a brilliant performance by the narrator.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

An wonderful finale to the best series of books.

I have just finished the whole of the Bernard Samson series - all 10 books. They are undoubtedly the best I have ever listened to. Beautifully written and superbly narrated. The plots, the dialogue, the descriptions - all come together brilliantly. Simply outstanding.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Good twist ending to a good story

Need to read the others first and concentrate! It is really entertains and shines a light onBerlin

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Disappointing ending but wonderful series

I'm so sorry to say goodbye to Bernard Samson and his world. The whole 9 books create an incredibly complex story with single book subplots. It's a window into a hidden part of history which seems so alive.

All of the middle books in each trilogy lagged a bit, but Charity picks up the pace again to offer a rather unsatisfying ending. It's almost as though Deighton couldn't wait to wash his hands of the series and get on to something that interested him more.

Still these books have to be among my most favourite ever and I shall undoubtedly read/listen to them again.

Aufwiedersehen, Bernie.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Disappointing conclusion

Mostly good story with excellent narration and some good set pieces, particularly Werner's party, but the resolution of the protagonist's career and personal life are conveyed in a single long speech by another character. The narrative groundwork for these has not been done, so the specifics feel unconvincing and unearned. Even so, the protagonist takes this cue to plan major changes to the lives of his partner and children without consulting or even informing them, for the second time in this one volume.

This is really not the satisfying finale I expected. There is a strong feeling that Deighton is wrapping up a project that once interested him, but with little concern for what might interest me as a reader. I suppose that's legitimate, but I don't have to like it, and accordingly I don't.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Damn started with the wrong one!

Having said ‘goodbye’ to Bernie Gunther now falling in with Bernard Samson. Have read a few already but started with ‘Charity’ rather than ‘Faith’ and ‘Hope’. Never-mind always an absorbing read and takes me back to when I lived in or visited Berlin.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sorry/Not sorry to finish the triple trilogy

An excellent performance from James Lalley. Tour de force! And I fell under the spell of Berlin when I didn't expect to. And I enjoyed the ennealogy (yes, that's what nine parts are called - I looked it up in a swotty moment.) There were irritations, but, come on, it's a hell of an achievement. But I need to talk about it.
I enjoy espionage literature. The discussion of craft and the action descriptions carried me along. But I found I had problems with characterisation. Minor issue, I know the books are meant to stand alone, but I found the repetition of things like Dickie's curly hair and strange (not to mention camp) wardrobe tiresome. I have a great aural memory so repetitions grate eventually. And I binge-read.
My main issue is encapsulated in the writer's note that Fiona and Gloria were a composite of his wife. Were I Mrs D I would be quite offended, but then Mr and Mrs D are the generation above me, with attitudes commensurate.. Gloria, (crikey, the last Gloria I met was at art school in '62, even then it was an old-fashioned name) vapid dippy and suddenly a genius, unbelievable - had I realised Cambridge could so easily accept candidates I would have tried earlier. And she's always gorgeous, leggy, wonderful figure etc etc ad nauseam. Fiona is almost a bloke. Both are two-dimensional. I make no other apologies, they don't work as real women (pace E.M. Forster). And the underlying career/family theme was well gone by 1987. Old hat. I know. I lived it.
The women are either gorgeous or tarts or dragons. Clue. I was a dragon.
Bernard is a snob, pure and simple, not even an inverted one, perfectly balanced with a chip on each shoulder, and he'd be horrified to be told how middle-class he is. With as many Daddy issues as Fiona.
But I enjoyed it (I can forgive the 'Carrier' watch - easily done, or' joolery' or the obvious fear of the make-up bag).
But I also need to put a massive plug in for 'Winter' which I enjoyed on a deeper level and ar more. I thought this wonderful, on a story level and for excellent writing.
So maybe (another swotty moment, I should have called it a decology.)
Anyway, thank you Mr Deighton. Glad I listened.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Super last in the series. All knots tied in most ingenious ways.

Loved this. Ended just as I had hoped. V ingenious plot and all the fav characters taking part. The narrator helps to Make this series.
Well done James.
Will read the whole series again later in the year. So gripping.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Truly Wonderful 9 Books

If you haven't done so, I urge you to listen to the 8 books before this and then this one. Truly wonderful writing, beautifully narrated. There were many, many moments that took my breath away for one reason or another. What a wonderful treat. Bravo

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!