The Man Who Made an Angel
The year is 1921. A young scholar, unable to cope with the turmoil unleashed by a devastating family tragedy, flees to a war-ravaged Germany in the vain hope he might find tranquility hidden away in the archives of an abandoned university. There he encounters a former biology professor, still living within the bowels of the shuttered campus. The old man is also one of the few remaining followers of Monism. a once-popular German philosophic movement that advocated the integration of science and religion in a new form of faith, a faith in the power of science to unveil the grandeur of God embodied in the beauty of our natural world. The old man’s dream is to restore the crushed German spirit by creating the most inspiring symbol of scientific power that he can conceive. But the result is a travesty and the consequences are harrowing for the university town, and for the entire German nation. And the young man's part in the debacle becomes a burden of guilt he carries for the rest of his life.
Plot/Idea: 8 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 8 out of 10
Character/Execution: 9 out of 10
Overall: 8.25 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: The Man Who Made an Angel is a powerful historical drama set in post-WW1 Germany. Blake's fascinating plot brilliantly melds elements of early 20th century history with dynamic storytelling to create a thrilling and enthralling read.
Prose: Ivan Blake's diligently presents a ravaged post war Germany in brilliant detail in The Man Who Made an Angel. The character relationships slowly unravel through dynamic stretches of dialogue that are measured and engrossing.
Originality: The Man Who Made an Angel is a confidently created historical novel with well written characters and an intriguing plot. Blakes's text evocatively captures time and place as well as exploring pertinent philosophical issues, illness, and the damaging effects of war.
Character/Execution: Blake's fine cast of characters are acutely observed, with their unique traits and personality quirks coming to the fore. Additionally, confidently written dialogue helps add real emotional depth to the relationships.
Blurb: A sharply observed historical drama.
Date Submitted: August 30, 2024
