Tag: alternatehistory

A Q&A with George Alexander, author of Twilight of Evil

whatcathyreadnext4 Comments

My guest today on What Cathy Read Next is George Alexander, author of historical thriller Twilight of Evil. Published on 10th January 2025, Twilight of Evil is available to purchase as an ebook or paperback from Amazon and other online retailers. Read on as I chat with George about the inspiration for the book and the challenges of writing alternate history.

About the Book

Front cover of Twilight of Evil by George Alexander

What if Adolf Hitler cheated death in the ruins of Berlin? Did the Fuhrer truly perish in the crumbling capital, or did he evade capture and flee to the distant shores of South America?

Twilight of Evil delves into the controversial and intriguing tale of Adolf Hitler’s escape from Berlin during the closing days of the Third Reich and his post-war life. Join David Hazel, a young Jewish researcher, as he probes into the shocking truth behind Hitler’s disappearance through the work of the renowned American scholar, Dr. Peter Alex.

The novel transports readers to the chaotic final days of the Nazi regime, depicting the crumbling empire and the desperate measures taken by its leaders. The book probes into the dramatic exploration of Hitler’s ultimate fate, revealing the truth behind his disappearance and the people who crossed his path. From secret alliances to deadly betrayals, this novel takes you on a journey through the escape and post-war life of some of history’s most notorious figures.

Find Twilight of Evil on Goodreads

Q & A with George Alexander, author of Twilight of Evil

You’ve published a number of nonfiction books. What made you decide to turn to fiction?

I have authored/co-authored twelve nonfiction books. Most of these were written while I was working with a Christian NGO (Non-governmental organisation) to promote and propagate its objectives, or in the field of social science. When I left the NGO a couple of years ago, I started exploring other areas of interest. I wanted to try my hand at fiction, as I had never done so before. It was a kind of challenge I undertook – something new, something fresh.

How and when did the idea for the novel first come to you?

My first exposure to the topic of Hitler’s fate was in the book Grey Wolf: The Escape of Adolf Hitler by Gerrard Williams and Simon Dunstan. I enjoyed the book immensely due to its presentation style and wealth of information. Subsequently, I watched all episodes of Hunting Hitler on the History Channel, repeatedly. I also watched many YouTube videos on the topic as I was fascinated by the mystery, conspiracy and controversy surrounding Hitler’s fate. During the COVID period, I read Eyewitness to Hitler’s Escape by Peter David Orr, followed by a couple of his other books. After joining his Facebook community and interacting extensively with Peter, the idea of writing a novel sparked in my mind.

You describe Twilight of Evil as a historical thriller. What do you believe are the essential elements of a thriller and how did you incorporate these into the book?

Twilight of Evil is not a purely edge-of-your-seat thriller, but rather a mix of genres. For me, a thriller novel should have suspense, unexpected twists and turns, and good pacing. However, these elements shouldn’t be included gratuitously. When I wrote Twilight of Evil I was careful to ensure any thrilling or suspenseful moments, like chases or gunfights, logically aligned with the premise. So, I had to write and rewrite such aspects until I found them to be logical and matching the flow of the novel. I’ve tried my best, and I leave it to the readers and reviewers to determine the rest. 

Your book includes real-life figures. Did this pose particular challenges?

Since Twilight of Evil reimagines the final days of Adolf Hitler, it incorporates historical characters alongside fictional ones. The challenge lay in seamlessly integrating the historical and fictional elements, particularly in constructing the post-war lives of Hitler, Eva Braun, and others. Given their notoriety, portraying these figures was not easy.  Twilight of Evil isn’t about rewriting history, but about exploring the enduring fascination with this dark period and the unsettling possibility that even the most monstrous figures can evade accountability.

What are you working on next?

I am in the final stages of completing another historical fiction novel, this time with Jesus of Nazareth as the central character. It will be published in Malayalam, a South Indian language. Also a nonfiction work exploring the identity crisis of the indigenous Malankara Nasrani community of India. I plan to write more fiction in the future.

About the Author

Author George Alexander

A seasoned writer, orator, and trainer, George boasts a career spanning over 16 years in the dynamic realm of human resources and management. His extensive experience has been honed across various organizations, including corporate, government agencies, academic institutions, and non-profit entities.

Alexander holds two master’s degrees: one in social work specializing in urban and rural community development, and another in philosophy focusing on social transformation and empowerment. This unique blend of academic pursuits has equipped him with a deep understanding of human behavior, societal dynamics, and the power of transformative change. Beyond his professional endeavors, Alexander is a dedicated advocate for social justice and community development. 

As a board member of the Occidental Studies Institute (OSI), he actively fosters intellectual discourse and promotes progressive social change. 

His prolific literary career has resulted in the authorship and co-authoring over 12 books and numerous articles. His writings explore various topics, including human resources, leadership, social justice, and personal development.

Connect with George
Website | Instagram | Goodreads

Book Review – Mania by Lionel Shriver

whatcathyreadnextLeave a comment

About the Book

Book cover of Mania by Lionel Shriver

What if calling someone stupid was illegal?

In a reality not too distant from our own, where the so-called Mental Parity Movement has taken hold, the worst thing you can call someone is ‘stupid’. Everyone is equally clever, and discrimination based on intelligence is ‘the last great civil rights fight’.

Exams and grades are all discarded, and smart phones are rebranded. Children are expelled for saying the S-word and encouraged to report parents for using it. You don’t need a qualification to be a doctor.

Best friends since adolescence, Pearson and Emory find themselves on opposing sides of this new culture war. Radio personality Emory – who has built her career riding the tide of popular thought – makes increasingly hard-line statements while, for her part, Pearson believes the whole thing is ludicrous.

As their friendship fractures, Pearson’s determination to cling onto the ‘old, bigoted way of thinking’ begins to endanger her job, her safety and even her family.

Format: Hardcover (288 pages) Publisher: The Borough Press
Publication date: 11th April 2024 Genre: Alternate History, Satire

Find Mania on Goodreads

Purchase Mania from Bookshop.org [Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops]

My Review

My initial thought as I read Mania was, ‘Go on Lionel, get it all off your chest’. In the author’s envisioned world, the Mental Parity Movement means discrimination on the basis of intelligence is forbidden. No more tests or entry qualifications, no more calling someone dumb (the ‘D-word’) or, equally, calling them smart (the ‘S-word’), no more suggesting you’re better at doing something than someone else, even if you are. Using long words is frowned upon so in this alternate history Barack Obama doesn’t get a second term as US President because he’s too eloquent; Joe Biden is elected instead. The fact you don’t have to know anything about a subject to be appointed to a position, even in the higher reaches of government, has geopolitical consequences too.

From the beginning we’re made aware that Pearson is a person with defiance in her DNA. It started in childhood growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness. (I guess the author chose this as an example of a religion requiring strict adherence to its doctrines rather than any particular hostility towards it.) Pearson rebels against its constraints and is taken in by the family of her friend, Emory.

Pearson finds the Mental Parity Movement ridiculous and is vocal in her disdain for it. She believes Emory holds similar views and is dismayed when she discovers that’s not the case. The irony is that Pearson might be considered an example of everything the Mental Parity Movement set out to dismantle. Her first two children were conceived by artificial insemination by a donor she deliberately selected for their high IQ and she is gratified that Darwin and Zanzibar turn out to be exceptionally bright. She’s equally dismayed that her daughter Lucy, by her husband Wade, is not and Pearson sets about trying to correct this with the same relentless zeal her mother imposed on her.

Wade’s an easy-going man generally whose skills are practical in nature. But even his patience is tested by Pearson’s rebellious attitude. ‘What would you sacrifice by giving in? Just – accept. Everyone’s equally smart. Then move on. Get on with your life.’ Ignoring his advice, and in a moment of madness, she deliberately provokes the university where she works as a lecturer by choosing as a set text for her class a novel with a provocative title. It has serious consequences for herself and her family. The author also shows us the danger of overcorrection.

The book is genuinely laugh out loud funny in places. One of my favourite episodes is when Pearson is required to attend a Cerebral Acceptance and Semantic Sensitivity course. The author has a lot of fun here. Words such as ‘dumbstruck’ or ‘dumbbells’ can no longer be used. Fog cannot be described as ‘dense’, a piece of wood cannot be ‘thick’ and rooms with poor lighting can no longer be ‘dim’ and definitely cannot be fitted with a ‘dimmer switch’. Dangerous vocabulary extends into the kitchen; mention of the herb sage is definitely a no-no.

When I read an extract from the book, I wasn’t sure if its satirical premise could sustain a full novel. I think it just about does and I enjoyed it more than I expected. My first experience of Shriver’s writing, Mania is a witty, satirical and at times surreal take on cancel culture and the temptation to conform to the prevailing orthodoxy.

I received a proof copy courtesy of The Borough Press via Readers First.

In three words: Satirical, funny, thought-provoking

About the Author

Author Lionel Shriver
Copyright Jerry Bauer, courtesy of Harper Collins.

Lionel Shriver’s fiction includes Should We Stay or Should We Go; The Motion of the Body Through Space; The Mandibles: A Family 2029-2047; Property; the National Book Award finalist So Much For That; and the New York Times bestsellers The Post-Birthday World and We Need to Talk About Kevin, winner of the Orange Prize and an international bestseller adapted for a 2011 film starring Tilda Swinton.

Her journalism has appeared in The Guardian, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Harper’s Magazine, UnHerd, National Review, City Journal and many other publications. She’s a regular columnist for The Spectator.

She lives in London and Brooklyn, New York.