It is 1945. Hitler is in power and controls a significant part of Europe. However, the chain of events which will influence humankind even decades later sets off one February evening. Morgenland by Richard Sklář will mesmerise and entrance you and will shake with your emotions. The question is: Are you ready?
Rudolf Hong, a blacksmith and a veteran of the First World War from Klein Morhau, killed his neighbour and wanted to dispose of the body. Who would expect that a mysterious deserter running from soldiers would jump from the rock? His fall is fatal, and his strange bag is left to its fate. Rudolf Honig hides both bodies and carries the deserter’s bag back home, hoping there is something valuable.
He feels guilty and is disappointed when he finds out that the bag is full of documents he does not understand. On top of that, German commissioned officer SS Dieter Von Richter starts to wander around Klein Morhau to find the murderer of Honig’s neighbour. Is he there only just because of that murder? Alternatively, does he know more about the mysterious content of the bag of the dead deserter than he shows at the beginning of his seemingly innocent investigation?
The reader also gets to know the story of a car mechanic Hynek Ambrož. Most of his story takes place in the years from 2015 to 2016 in Ostrava. He leads quite a happy life until he gets a message, that his friend Jarek Fiala fell into the river and was transported to the hospital. When they were children, they met at the summer job in the forest. People have always thought that Jarek is crazy, but Hynek has always known that he is smart. That is why Hynek believes him that someone helped him into the river and that he did not fall there accidentally and tries to find out what happened.
He goes back to the forest where their friendship began, and where they found a mysterious pit they covered in front of people who might walk by. What is hidden there? Moreover, what if it will put into the motion events all around Europe?
In the beginning, it might be challenging to get used to changing the point of view either of Hynek Ambrož or Rudolf Honig. However, it gets better after the first few chapters. Richard Sklář writes in an understandable language with easiness and with a detached view despite the theme of the book. The reading experience gets even better thanks to incredible descriptions of places like Ostrava, Malá Morávka or Morgenland, which the author knows very well and where the story takes place.
Characters are written realistically, and you can imagine that they would behave that way even in the real world. You will not find here much affectation, and the author keeps the story realistic despite elements of fantasy. Characteristics of fantasy and a historical novel are blending naturally, and by the end, the book will enthral you completely. Finally, both stories blend the way you would not have thought of, and Richard Sklář will keep you excited until the very last word.
Set out for a journey where you will be worrying about the life of Rudolf Honig and even the destiny of Von Richter, the antagonist you will come to like, will not leave you cold-hearted. Will they manage to come back to their families or are their lives tied together forever? And we cannot forget about Hynek. Is he going to find out what happened to Jarek Fiala? Is it even possible for him to find peace, improve a relationship with his son and keep a beautiful bartender he fell in love with?
You will find out once you read Morgenland, a gripping story you will not be able to let out of your hands. On the way full of unexpected twists and emotions, you will fall in love with all the characters, and you will wish them all the best even though they will be a villain like Von Richter. Are you curious what the biggest secret of the Third Reich is?
We wish you a beautiful reading experience, and we believe that you will fall in love with Morgenland just like we did!
