The Official Blurb
Captain Karl von Schenk of the Kaiser’s Navy is a stereotypical German nobleman - supremely self-confident, touchy about the divisions of class and any infringement on his place. He thinks he is handsome, has a suitably manly physique, an excellent singing voice, and a facility with writing. His wartime service related in his diary is a series of triumphs over harrowing circumstances, bringing his boat back in spite of the best efforts of the Royal Navy to stop him.
His one vulnerability is a young lady he meets on leave in Bruges, Belgium. Although she is the trophy girlfriend of a German colonel who could cause him much harm if he were to find out, von Schenk pursues his Zoe with Teutonic straightforwardness. And both he and the reader are entirely blind-sided by the unexpected thunderclap that puts an end to the sweet affair.
Stephen King-Hall, a Royal Navy officer during the war and writing as “Etienne”, penned this book as if he had simply discovered it on a surrendered submarine. In fact, some editions of the book list the author as “anonymous.” King-Hall’s knowlege of naval affairs lend authority to this yarn of men that go to the sea in ships that sink… on purpose.
My Review
This is a charming combination of war time action and romance. There is enough of both to keep both men and women interested.
The main character comes over as an outwardly cold man but with a soft heart rarely shown. This soft centre makes him appealing to the reader, and the hard Tuetonic crust simply makes him more real.
The ending is as unexpected as it is cruely sweet. All in all an excellent story and well presented.
Reading = 3/3
Production = 3/3
Story = 2/3
Total = 8/9
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