Pavel & I. Dan Vyleta

by Dan Vyleta

Book Overview

An electrifying, suspenseful novel set during the winter of 1946-47, one of the coldest on record, Pavel & I unfolds against the tattered social fabric of postwar Berlin. Pavel Richter, a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074759631X
• ISBN13: 9780747596318
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Bloomsbury UK
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant comment on historiography

"Pavel and I" is a beautifully written book that tells an exciting and witty adventure story. It's full of intrigue, seedy characters, exotic locations, and Vyleta successfully chills the reader with his descriptions of Germany's brutal winter of 1946. Its greatest success, however, is the commentary it makes on the nature, not of history per se, but of historiography and its dependence on the imagined. This is not a spoiler: Vyleta, an historian himself, makes clear just how much historians depend on the imagination, not to invent, but to complete our collective vision of history. In this way, the book works as an argument for history's artistry as much as its necessity and vitality. I found this the most original aspect of the book. The characters are deep, often full of longing, and there is an Orwellian theme running through the depiction of Pavel, a mysterious American soldier. Readers who have traveled to Berlin, who take interest in the history of the 20th century, or who enjoy historical fiction will adore "Pavel and I".

Excellent writing from a new novelist. Worth reading twice.

"Pavel & I" is a meticulously crafted novel, intelligent and engaging. Vyleta's careful research and attention to the details of time and place make the city of Berlin in the winter of 1946 as integral to the story as Pavel himself. There are brilliant snatches of humor in the midst of the blood and cold and hunger of the grim post-war winter, and this is where Vyleta's truly original voice shines through. The wonderful (and horrible) cast reads like a circus playbill: an enormous British Colonel, a Russian midget, an opportunistic prostitute, a Dickensian street urchin, a spy with an eyepatch, and a pet monkey from hell... all refreshingly absurd, yet artfully developed and appropriately believable in context. And then there is Pavel, who we feel we get to know quite intimately - yet he remains an enigma. The author notes in his acknowledgments that the novel is "interested in the question of how many of our personal needs and desires we inject into narrations of the past." By the end of the novel we are reminded that there are in fact two title characters - Pavel and "I" - and that the complex lenses through which "I" perceives Pavel are as fascinating and engaging as Pavel's story itself. "Pavel & I" is one of the best-written contemporary novels I have read in a long time, and it continues to stimulate new thoughts and conversations. Here's hoping we see more from Dan Vyleta, and soon.

fabulous historical mystery

Germany surrendered to the allies just over a year ago, but the occupation remains everywhere in the battered country divided up between America, France, England and Russia. Adding to the despondency is the weather is icy cold as 1946 turns into 1947. American G.I. Pavel Richter remains in brutally freezing Berlin. His friend Boyd White arrives at his home asking for help as he has the corpse of a local midget to dispose of. Getting over his initial shock, Pavel agrees to help conceal the body in his place for now. However soon afterward Boyd is killed and Pavel learns the body living with him is a Russian double agent Suldmann whose delivery package is missing. Pavel's neighbors British Colonel Fosko and his prostitute Sonia along with German and Russian agents seek whatever Suldmann was carrying while Pavel just wants to get out of the mess he inadvertently finds himself in although he is in love with Sonia. This is a fabulous historical mystery in which the atmosphere of Berlin just after WWI owns the well written story line. The prime players especially Pavel seem genuine. However the cast of a zillion support characters bring alive the war battered residents struggling with sustenance in any way possible as any pre war ethics mean nothing on an empty stomach; but intrudes on the main plot of deadly rivals competing to find Suldmann's cache. Harriet Klausner

Interesting, challenging, fascinating new novel/writer

Dan Vyleta's novel PAVEL AND I was a revelation. Vyleta's blend of noir & historical fiction makes this a can't miss for WW II and Cold War espionage readers, German history buffs, and those (like me) who love a good whodunit. I've read some reviews comparing it to Kanon's The Good German, but this is a lot better. The writing calls on a literary tradition (Dickens, most prominently), but it doesn't depend on that. (In other words, you don't need to be a doctorate in anything to read - and dig - this novel.) In the most old-fashioned sense, Vyleta is a great storyteller.