They may seem over done these days but there was once a time when there were literal Nazis roaming the face of the planet and the victims of their crimes were in their millions not imaginary. That might sound like a strange way to introduce a fiction novel but bear with me.
Written by Frederick Forsythe and set in 1963 Germany, The Odessa File tells the story of Peter Miller, a carefree German reporter who has his world turned upside down one night when he reads the diary of a Jewish inmate from the World War 2 ghetto of Riga. Setting his sights on tracking down the ghetto’s commandant, Peter must use all his reporter’s guile and tenacity to penetrate the post-war shadow world of the ODESSA.
I first read the novel of The Odessa File and saw the film adaption when I was in my early teens. Having only just recently turned my hand to writing, and writing twists, I knew that there was a good example in Odessa. Although it was spoiled for me already, I reread the book last month, in order to learn how a master story-teller lays his bread crumbs toward the big reveal.
A twist should never leave you feeling short changed. You should emerge from a twist, slapping your forehead, exclaiming your stupidity for not seeing it earlier. The author has done a fine job here telling the reader all they need to know to see the reveal coming then burying it in an incredibly well researched and and detailed novel.
The 50 years since it was written has not dulled Odessa’s impact or lessened the thrill of this great story well told.
I listened to Odessa this time around on Audible. At 10 hours listening it was quite easy to knock over in my weekly commutes. I also recommend the 1973 movie adaptation starring John Voight. A different ending, but the same reveal.
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