Book Title: The Revolutionist by Robert Tucker
Category: Adult Fiction, 649 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
About the Book
Two different families escape from the political tyranny of their respective homelands, the Josephsons from Sweden and Matias and Kurt Bauman, brothers from Germany and Austria Hungary, with the aid of a Viennese opera diva, Sophie Augusta Rose, and Jean Guenoc, a former Jesuit priest, family friend and protector and partisan of the French underground. Their journey brings them to America in the throes of the industrial revolution during the 1890s and early 1900s.
Ingrid and Olaf Josephson settle on a small wheat farm in North Central Minnesota to raise their children, Newt and Julie. Among the Jewish entrepreneurs forced to leave Germany and Austria-Hungary, Matias and Kurt Bauman re-establish their transportation company in Chicago, Illinois. In search of a secret list of insurgent social democrats, the bounty hunter assassin, Luther Baggot, tracks his victims to the American heartland. Following the murder of their mother and father, Newt, Julie, and their friends, Aaron and Beth Peet, hide from the killer in a Northern Minnesota logging camp. Believing the children have taken possession of the list, Luther tracks them down and they are forced to flee again, this time to Chicago where a different world opens up to them as they are thrust into the turmoil and violence of an urban society and economy careening into the new century.
My Review
The Revolutionist Draws Readers in from the Prologue. I will be honest--there are times when I see a prologue at the start of a book and I dread the story. So often, a prologue gives readers a glimpse of a backstory that is too far removed from the actual storyline for readers to switch gears into the actual novel with the first chapter. That was not the case with The Revolutionist. Tucker created a detailed prologue that did benefit readers as the novel began. We met some characters and understood the motivations behind the scenes that would set the stage for the novel.
The Revolutionist Creates an Engaging Cast of Characters. Readers will meet a number of characters in this novel--and should expect each character to hold a vital role as the plot weaves everything together. While I didn't really love Kurt and his brother and the initial scenes in Germany and Austria-Hungary--I was immediately taken with the Josephson family and their supporting characters. The author creates a very realistic storyline around his cast of good vs. evil characters that engages readers and draws them deeper into every scene.
Tucker Sets Wonderful Scenes and Transports Readers Seamlessly. Sometimes, it can be difficult to move from country to country or switch from rural to urban settings within a page or two--but, the author is able to accomplish his setting changes quite masterfully. From Vienna to a farm in Minnesota to 1900's Chicago--I felt the story change from place to place but the scenes were described and set so well that each transition seemed to happen immediately.
Would I recommend The Revolutionist by Robert Tucker. I loved this book, I loved the characters and I loved the author's writing style. He transported me to the 1890's/1900's and kept the novel historically accurate and detailed all while holding my fast paced, modern attention span from cover to cover. If you enjoy fast paced, historical fiction with depth, realism and suspense--this novel should be on your reading list. I am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future--and already have Burton Blake on my reading list for next month!
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Meet the Author
Robert is published by Tell-Tale Publishing Group LLC / Wise Words Publishing under a multi-book contract. The author of four previous earlier novels, Robert infuses his books with unique dynamic stories and characters that portray social and cultural conflicts of their time. His career encompasses many years as a business consultant that have given him access to a wide range of organizations and an appreciation for people in all areas of society. His life experience is reflected in the literary quality of his work. Born and raised in the Middle-West, he has traveled throughout the United States and abroad.
Now retired, he resides with his wife in Southern California where he devotes full-time to writing. Robert is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Masters Degree in Communications at the University of California, Los Angeles where he received the Samuel Goldwyn and Donald Davis Literary Awards.
An affinity for family and the astute observation of generational interaction pervade his novels. His works are literary and genre upmarket fiction that address the nature and importance of personal integrity.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook
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Ends July 5, 2019
2 Comments
I really like the cover!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great read and I love that it's based off of true stories.
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