Willi Heinrich initially focused on the German experience of World War II, portraying the brutal realities of combat with unflinching realism. His seminal work, Das Geduldige Fleisch, became an international success, cementing his reputation for depicting the harshness of war. Later in his career, Heinrich shifted his focus to writing melodramatic romances in the 1970s and 1980s. His distinct narrative voice, whether exploring the trenches or matters of the heart, continues to captivate readers.
Set during World War II, this novel presents a gritty portrayal of a German Army platoon stranded behind Russian lines on the Eastern Front. Drawing from the author's own harrowing experiences as a soldier in the 101st Jäger Division, the narrative offers a realistic depiction of the brutality and chaos of war. First published in English in 1956, it was later adapted into a film by Sam Peckinpah in 1977, further cementing its place in war literature.
The narrative centers around crime fiction writer Gregory Carlson and his group of friends known as the Justice Syndicate. Their lives take a perilous turn when an unexpected legacy emerges alongside the reopening of a fifteen-year-old unsolved murder case. As they delve into the past, the investigation not only endangers their lives but also tests their faith and bonds within the group.
Traumvogel - bk79; Goldmann Verlag; Willi Heinrich; pocket_book; 1983
