Joseph kanon is an american author of historical fiction, spy fiction and thriller novels. Burrowing deeply into patricia highsmith territory, kanon has crafted an absorbing tale. Its late 1945 at the start of this atmospheric historical thriller, and g. Jan 14, 2020 alibi by joseph kanon henry holt and co. At the same time the story revolves around venice after mussolini, and being a german occupied territory.
Alibi book by joseph kanon half price books marketplace. Initially published in 1997, this was to be the first book from joseph kanon as an author to reach the market. His novel the good german was adapted to film in 2006, starring george clooney and cate blanchett and it was directed by steven soderbergh. Adam has just been discharged from the army where he was assigned to a division whose purpose was to help ferret out who the true nazi zealots from the rest.
His previous novels have all dealt with world war ii and its aftermath. Winner of the hammett prize it is 1946, and adam miller has come to venice to visit his widowed mother and try to forget the horrors he has witnessed as a u. Perhaps it is a failed effort at character development, but none of the characters is sympathetic, especially the heroine introduced near the beginning of the book, who starts well but then devolves into such hystrionics and obsessive behavior that she and the book loses. Kanon studied at harvard university, and at trinity college in cambridge.
I did find the main ch this is a well written book that took me a bit of time to engage with as the plot moves quite slowly at the start. Alibi it is 1946, and adam miller has come to venice to visit his widowed mother and try to forget the horrors he has witnessed as a u. Joseph kanons summer potboiler is a weak whodunnit set in the seedy splendor of postwar venice. Kanon is one of my favourite writers and this book did not disappoint. As an undergraduate, he published his first stories in the atlantic monthly.
Alibi by joseph kanon signed first edition book see all titles by joseph kanon. May 28, 2005 alibi set in venice just after the end of ww ii author joseph kanon delivers another winner with alibi. I discovered joseph kanon through his first book and thought id love all his work. Joseph kanon born 1946 is an american author, best known for thriller and spy novels set in the period immediately after world war ii. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. When you have no sympathetic characters it really defeats the story. Joseph kanon s alibi is at once a murder mystery, a love story, and a superbly crafted novel about the nature of moral. Adam miller has come to venice to visit his widowed mother and forget the horrors he witnessed as a us army war crimes investigator in germany. With more books planned to be released soon, it looks like hes set to continue on into the foreseeable future for some time to come. I have read almost all of kanons books this is a very good book which is well written and deals with a topic that is absolutely fascinating the moral ambiguities of war. Using the piazzas and canals of venice as an enthralling but sinister backdrop, joseph kanon has again written a gripping historical thriller. If you like your thrillers elegant, joseph kanon is your man. If you like kanon s other books and the premise of this one, you wont be disappointed.
Shed gone first to paris, hoping to pick up the threads of her old life, but paris had become grim, grumbling about shortages, even her friends worn and evasive. Adam miller has come to venice to visit his widowed mother and try to forget the horrors he has witnessed as a u. Our cheap used books come with free delivery in the us. Jake geismar, an american correspondent who spent time in the city before the war, has returned to write about the allied triumph while pursuing a more personal quest. I have read almost all of kanon s books this is a very good book which is well written and deals with a topic that is absolutely fascinating the moral ambiguities of war, where there is no clear cut distinction between good and evil. Josephs kanons newest novel, alibi, is a collection of the best ingredients of a. Alibi is at once a murder mystery, a love story, and a superbly crafted novel about the nature of moral responsibility. A stunned europe is beginning its slow recovery from the ravages of world war ii.
The seattle times alibi is a thriller with a sliderule perfect plot. Alibi has 9 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Moody, deeply atmospheric, and as labyrinthine as the streets of venice. Joseph kanon is a specialist in superior historical thrillers. Alibi by joseph kanon 2006, paperback for sale online ebay. This didnt hook me as much as other joseph kanon books have, but i did enjoy it. Joseph kanons alibi is at once a murder mystery, a love story, and a superbly crafted novel about the nature of moral responsibility. Joseph kanon books list of books by author joseph kanon. But when adam falls in love with claudia, a jewish woman scarred by her devastating experiences during the war, he is forced to.
Although i have enjoyed several of kanons other books, this one is extremely tedious, to the point of being irritating. Alibi by joseph kanon 2005, hardcover for sale online ebay. Joseph kanon audio books, best sellers, author bio. Adam miller, officially assigned to ferret out nazi war criminals in germany. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. Interesting characters, an affecting love story and a strong plot. Venice exerts an irresistible gravitational pull on writers. Disturbing and hypnotically readable, alibi is a mystery, a love story, and a work of philosophyand a perfect companion for the thriller reader who wants a philosophical challenge, as well as entertainment. Kindle store kindle ereader kopen gratis kindleleesapps engelse e books content en apparaten kindleondersteuning kindle store. I bought them all and its been a steady decline since the first. Apr 05, 2007 buy alibi by kanon, joseph from amazons fiction books store. Alibi explores issues of ethics and morality in the aftermath of the holocaust. Read alibi a novel by joseph kanon available from rakuten kobo.
Wholly engrossing and one of the finest thrillers you will read this yearup there with the classics of the genre. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. From publishers weekly its late 1945 at the start of this atmospheric historical thriller, and g. Winner of the hammett prizeit is 1946, and adam miller has come to venice.
It makes for an atmospheric ride, but not much more. Best of joseph kanon score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Joseph kanon, has a great ability to add a fantastic story to a historic background. Alibi set in venice just after the end of ww ii author joseph kanon delivers another winner with alibi. Buy alibi by kanon, joseph from amazons fiction books store. May 01, 2005 kanon is right to examine the moral slipperiness of killing in and out of war, but these discussions sit heavily on the book, especially since alibi takes so long to get started.
Set in italy after wwii, alibi will catch and keep your attention with love, mystery, and murder. Hitler has been defeated, and berlin is divided into zones of occupation. Before becoming a fulltime writer, he was a book publishing executive. Joseph kanon s alibi is at once a murder mystery, a love story, and a superbly crafted novel about the nature of moral responsibility.
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