Hitler's Niece: A Novel - Softcover

Hansen, Ron

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060932201 ISBN 13: 9780060932206

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2000

Synopsis

Hitler's Niece tells the story of the intense and disturbing relationship between Adolf Hitler and the daughter of his only half-sister, Angela, a drama that evolves against the backdrop of Hitler's rise to prominence and power from particularly inauspicious beginnings. The story follows Geli from her birth in Linz, Austria, through the years in Berchtesgaden and Munich, to her tragic death in 1932 in Hitler's apartment in Munich. Through the eyes of a favorite niece who has been all but lost to history, we see the frightening rise in prestige and political power of a vain, vulgar, sinister man who thrived on cruelty and hate and would stop at nothing to keep the horror of his inner life hidden from the world.

About this title

Review:

Combining fact with supposition, Ron Hansen's audio novel tells the story of Adolf Hitler's relationship with his half-niece Geli. Beautiful, flirtatious, and 19 years his junior, Geli charms her uncle along with his inner circle, but is found dead at the age of 23 with Hitler's gun by her side. Hansen's glum characterization of the German leader is given stern voice by Tony-winning stage actress Janet McTeer, who excellently approximates male speech. She is equally adept at the accents of the numerous characters, and since the audiobook takes place over a span of 23 years, allows the voices to age. She takes Hitler from bitter to fanatical, and Geli from giddy to heartbroken. McTeer's vocalizations team with Hansen's abridged words to probe how this humorless and repulsive man was able to seduce his niece along with a nation. (Running time: 6 hours, 4 cassettes) --Kimberly Heinrichs

About the Author:

Ron Hansen is the bestselling author of the novel Atticus (a finalist for the National Book Award), Hitler's Niece, Mariette in Ecstasy, Desperadoes, and Isn't It Romantic?, as well as a collection of short stories, a collection of essays, and a book for children. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award. Ron Hansen lives in northern California, where he teaches at Santa Clara University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0060932201
• ISBN 13: 9780060932206
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320