Review & Giveaway: Dominion by C.J. Sansom

C.J. SANSOM REWRITES HISTORY IN A THRILLING NOVEL THAT DARES TO IMAGINE BRITAIN UNDER THE THUMB OF NAZI GERMANY.

1952. Twelve years have passed since Churchill lost to the appeasers and Britain surrendered to Nazi Germany. The global economy strains against the weight of the long German war against Russia still raging in the east. The British people find themselves under increasingly authoritarian rule–the press, radio, and television tightly controlled, the British Jews facing ever greater constraints.

But Churchill’s Resistance soldiers on. As defiance grows, whispers circulate of a secret that could forever alter the balance of the global struggle. The keeper of that secret? Scientist Frank Muncaster, who languishes in a Birmingham mental hospital.

Civil Servant David Fitzgerald, a spy for the Resistance and University friend of Frank’s, is given the mission to rescue Frank and get him out of the country. Hard on his heels is Gestapo agent Gunther Hoth, a brilliant, implacable hunter of men, who soon has Frank and David’s innocent wife, Sarah, directly in his sights.

C.J. Sansom’s literary thriller Winter in Madrid earned Sansom comparisons to Graham Greene, Sebastian Faulks, and Ernest Hemingway. Now, in his first alternative history epic, Sansom doesn’t just recreate the past–he reinvents it. In a spellbinding tale of suspense, oppression and poignant love, DOMINION dares to explore how, in moments of crisis, history can turn on the decisions of a few brave men and women–the secrets they choose to keep and the bonds they share.

Publication Date: January 28, 2014
Mulholland Books
Hardcover; 640p
ISBN-10: 0316254916 

 

C.J. Sansom is another new author to me, though I have seen his Matthew Shardlake series around (on my bookshelf in fact) and have heard nothing but good things about it.  I was very excited to be asked to be part of this tour. Once I read the synoposis of this book I knew I was in for a good read.  Coming in at over 600 pages it isn't for the faint of heart.  There is nothing better on these cold wintery days than a good door-stopper of a book that is also a remarkable story.  Alternative history is a new genre for me, having only read Stephen King's 11/23/63, I was anxious to see how this one would pan out.  It didn't take long for this book to grab my attention and I was not disappointed at all.

Between the two main protagonists David Fitzgerald (spy for the Resistance) and scientist Frank Muncaster the author's development of their characters was gradual and though I knew a lot about them I think that I bonded more with Sarah, David's wife.

An intriguing look at what England would have been like had they surrendered to Hitler back in 1940, this book (jumping to 1952) is rich in details and believable. As the story slowly develops there was this gradual change that took place which kept me reading and reading some more. Yes there were a few parts that got a bit wordy, but once past the mystery and suspense continued.

This book will appeal to those that like historical fiction, alternative history, suspense and mystery books.

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About the Author

C.J. Sansom is the bestselling author of the critically-acclaimed Matthew Sharlake series, as well as the runaway international bestseller Winter in Madrid. He lives in Sussex, England.
You can find more information on C.J. Sansom and his novels at www.cjsansom.com or on Facebook.