Author:Douglas Reeman
Multi-million copy bestselling author Douglas Reeman is the master of naval fiction and this action-packed, high-octane WW2 historical adventure is no exception. Jam-packed with tension, drama and all-guns-blazing warfare, it's perfect for fans of Clive Cussler, Bernard Cornwell and Wilbur Smith.
'One of our foremost writers of naval fiction' - Sunday Times
'Just superb!!!' -- ***** Reader review
'Such a joy to read' -- ***** Reader review
'Kept me gripped' -- ***** Reader review
'Hard to put down while reading' -- ***** Reader review
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1943: Now there is to be no more retreat for Britain and her Allies.
At last the war is to be carried into enemy territory. From captured bases and makeshift harbours in North Africa, The Royal Navy's Special Force is to be the probe and the spearhead of the advance.
To this unorthodox war come H. M. S. Thistle and her commanding officer, John Crispin. Both veterans, she from the Atlantic, he from the trauma of seeing his last command and her company brutally destroyed. Soon they are fighting amongst remote Adriatic islands - helping the partisans and guerrillas with whom they have little in common, except an overwhelming common hatred of the enemy who has attacked and destroyed their countries.
When it comes to the crunch, ship and crew have to be welded into a single fighting unit. And it has to be done, not in training, but on active duty.
Skilful . . . daring . . . an extraordinary story
[It is] the unexpected Beckett that is on show here. Baker pays tribute to a man who joined the French Resistance, narrowly escaped the Gestapo, fled south on foot and went into hiding, and was eventually awarded the Croix de Guerre
—— The TimesA fascinating fictional account of Samuel Beckett's wartime years
—— IAN RANKINBeautifully written, empathetic and unflinching, it is very, very good
—— Daily Mailvivid and well-wrought
—— Times Literary SupplementInsightful . . . beautifully paced . . . authentic
—— The Irish TimesIn this worthy successor to Longbourn, she [Baker] skillfully captures Beckett’s world, the rhythms of his bare-bones prose, and the edginess of his point of view.
—— Publishers WeeklyTaking its title from Beckett's most famous play, Waiting for Godot, Baker's historical drama deftly explores the psyche of one of the greatest writers of the Twentieth Century.
—— BooklistPerfectly captures the deprivation, despair and constant creeping fear of an occupied people.
—— Red Magazine Must-Read of the MonthThis exquisitely crafted novel re-creates the World War II peregrinations of Samuel Beckett and the volatile Frenchwoman who became his life's companion
—— Oprah Magazine‘Baker . . . creates a compellingly real experience out of Beckett’s work in the French underground . . . Her writing is assured and often intense . . . enthralling.’
—— The Santa Fe New MexicanA raw novel about the war in Afghanistan . . . the book smells completely authentic
—— ObserverA must-read debut
—— Tom Newton-DunnThis is without doubt the best and most readable account of a modern combat soldier's life that I have read. The unique relationship between officer and soldier is brilliantly explored, as is the impact of war on loved ones left behind. Then there's the raw fear, the shock of the real thing, the loss of comrades and the sense of absolute mutual commitment that carries the day. I cannot commend it too much. A modern classic
—— General Lord RichardsDarkly funny yet moving debut.
—— ShortlistA “serious” novel that is genuinely and frequently funny.
—— Andrew Irwin , The Times Literary SupplementThis debut novel from Jesse Armstrong…is every bit as funny and cringe-inducing as the sitcoms he made his name writing.
—— Charlotte Ellis , Shortlistone of the year’s funniest books.
—— Yasmin Sulaiman , Listbrilliantly funny… the dialogue and the characters are fantastic.
—— Tom Basden , MetroIt’s hard for me to believe that this amazing, touching book is a debut novel. Absolutely recommend and already on the run for a spot in my top 10.
—— www.thebooksmugglers.comIt is a powerful read; you can almost see the endless mud of the trenches, and sense the fear of those young men.
—— pagesandteablog.wordpress.comAnna Hope wove her spell and managed to conjure up an intriguing tale, quite rich with emotion that held me entranced until the last page. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
—— lynnsbooks.wordpress.comWake is a brilliant debut novel, deeply moving, well-plotted and engrossing.
—— http://ourbookreviewsonline.blogspot.co.ukThis is such a brilliant book; one that is both beautifully written and emotionally involving, with a fascinating plot and wonderful characters who pluck at your heartstrings on every page.
—— http://bookssnob.wordpress.comI have no doubt that Wake is going to be included in my Top Ten books of 2014, I know that it's only January, but this is a book that has had a huge effect on me.
—— randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot.co.ukThe only regret I have is that I didn’t read this book sooner. WAKE is luxury. Pure luxury.
—— http://missmoretalks.wordpress.comShe manages to capture every single detail, every emotion and every sound.
—— http://lauraslittlebookblog.blogspot.co.ukWake is that rare and beautiful thing: a first novel that sings with such power and grace that it lifts itself effortlessly from the pack. Powerful, passionate, compassionate, it marks the rising of a new star in the literary firmament. Anna Hope is here to stay.
—— M.C. Scott - Author of Rome and chair of the Historical Writers AssociationIntricately researched and beautifully written, with the kind of restrained yet emotional prose one expects from a seasoned author. Its characters, too, have a depth and quiet tragedy one rarely finds in debut fiction. In this centenary year commemorating the outbreak of war, there've been many novels about the conflict:Wake is without doubt one of the best.
—— Hannah Beckerman - Huffington PostA masterclass in historical fiction
—— ObserverImpressive ... A heart-breaking tale of grief and guilt
—— Psychologies Magazine