HHhH: A Novel

HHhH is the most refreshing historic novel I've read in a long time. Superbly researched, well written, humorous on a painful theme. Laurent Binet starts his novelist career with a real master work !!!

A quirky and fascinating story, in terms of the narrative and the "stream of consciousness" account of historical research - not to mention glimpses into the author's own story and his connection with the subject matter.

Translated from the original French, this historical novel paints a vivid picture of the individuals and events of the 1942 assassination of the author of the Final Solution. Engrossing tale. A must read for anyone interested in World War II history.

I really enjoyed this narratve, I do not know whether it is a novel or not, as per the traditional novel format. Although it took a while for me get used to Binet minglin personal anecdotes amid war story, I ended up absorbed and horrorized by Heydrich's deeds.

Gabcik and Kubis I mean! And the lengths that they and many others went to to stop a monster. Written on a very interesting, narrative style which takes some getting used to but which I really enjoyed. Well worth a read, who knows, you might even learn some history in the process!

I really enjoyed the author's style - dipping in and out of today and Nazi occupation in Europe. The story of the holocaust never gets easier although my appreciation of the humble heroes grows with each story

I was really interested to read this book, as the translation from the original French has been eagerly anticipated. The way it unfolds, with the story alternating between "personal" commentary from the story teller and the actual story takes a bit of time to get used to, but is well worth it. Once again, one is flabbergasted at the degree of systematic evil the Nazi regime represented, as well as the collusion of so many others.

Subject is well known, but told in a differnet way. Author told story as if he was writing a book -what to put in/how to tell story. What he thought characters were thinking. Also, learned some new details.

Suspenseful and moving tale of resistance fighters, with interesting observations on the writing process. I liked the author's candid sharing of his desire for accuracy mixed with his personal obsession with the story that reads like a novel.

Full of worthwhile historical info, but that's not the point of the book. It's really a clever and wise commentary on the role, limitations, and pretentions of the historical novelist. I don't usually love historical novels but this one was special.

Having an interest in history & in literature Binet brings the two together, never allowing the reader doubt if what is happening is historical fact or the plausible events that the records can't fill.

HHhH by Laurent Binet is many things: a history of the Third Reich's eastwards expansion, a novel about the successful plot to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, the Butcher of Prague, and a critique of the art of writing historical fiction. In a quirky but endearing style, Binet develops the story of Heydrich and the story of the plot to kill him. Authors of similar works are prey to Binet's commentary on their failures as writers and as historians. Yet, through it all, Binet in HHhH compels you forward with his narrative as you become a sideline cheerleader for the two Czechoslovakian assassins.

HHhH (which comes from the German meaning Himmler's brain is Heydrich) is not your average historical fiction. It does require the reader to accept Binet as his guide through the story and, with it, to take whatever diversions Binet wishes you to take. However, historical fiction, at its best, is a story and a story requires a strong voice to tell it. Binet, in this excellent translation, is a voice worth listening to and HHhH is a story that needs to be told. Sit back, strap yourself in, and be prepared for an excellent journey.

A fresh, incisive approach to history/biography. As he relates events Binet reviews problems of the relevance of isolated facts, potential bias from sources, and his own personal intent. The subject is compelling.

The book purports to be about the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, one of Hitler's most unpleasant and cruel henchmen during the occupation of Czechoslovakia in World War 2. Czech Resistance workers in London, planned to parachute operatives to Prague to carry out the deed. It is an interesting story, but there is more about the author and his researches than about the actual assassination.

Should have been a much better read. The Author couldn't decide if he wanted to write fiction or non-fiction. Too much time was spent explaining his methodology and research capability and not enough time telling what should have been a real page turner.

It is written like a diary of discovery with rabbit trails. If not for some insightful details into the mindset of the Reich and especially Hydrich I would rate this one star. The comments about his girl friend reading the tidbits, the over reach and back tracking of the supposed story line did not leave a good impression. I already knew the outcome long before I got half way through the book.This published piece seemed like the draft before a first draft was submitted to the editor. I suppose if all the superfluous content was omitted then this would only be a short story for a magazine.

It was a great story but written poorly. The author dragged it on with episodes and thoughts from his own life. He could have made it much shorter and more entertaining if he just stuck with the story.

This book would have been great if the author could have managed to leave himself out of it. I wanted to read a historical novel but this book is more of a narcissistic, navel-gazing memoir of the author's attempt to write a historical novel.