Fly Through The Story. Review on Hornet Flight - Ken Follett

Ken Follett, one of the leading best-selling authors of the world, has once again done an extremely brilliant job.

The Second World War has bee a major source of inspiration for countless writers all over the globe. Many non-fictional authors like William Shirer, Corrie ten Boom, etc have embodied their experiences of the war in autobiographies. Apart from such books, even the wartime fiction is in great demand by innumerable bookworms all over. Almost every nation that participated in the war ? victorious or defeated ? has suffered inexpressible losses. Many such countries, like Japan and Germany, which were totally devastated in the war, are today, quite appreciably, among the topmost powers of the world.

Worse was the plight of the politically neutral states such as Denmark, Poland, Czechoslovakia, etc. Citizens were robbed of their fundamental rights, all the resources were utilized for making weapons and feeding the army, many countries were a ?no man?s land?.

?Hornet Flight? is set in the 1940s amidst a similar atmosphere.

As the story goes, Follett tells us about the time when the air raids between England and Germany were becoming increasingly ruthless. But the English here seem to have a problem: after making the raids, only fifty percent of the allied pilots manage to return.

As the English lose more and more bombers to the German warplanes, the British intelligence discovers that the loss has nothing to do with unskilled engineering of the aircraft or even novice pilots. In fact, the German air force, Luftwaffe, seems to be exceptionally quick for the allies. Finally, Churchill?s chief troubleshooter, Captain Digby Hoare realizes that the enemy is always forewarned about the surprise attacks!

But how?

No, not spies.

Soon, the British Intelligence begins the quest for the solution. The story becomes more and more exciting until finally the British spies alongwith some Danish allies uncover the mystery, and now must eliminate the problem.

The story revolves round many characters. It would be unfair if I said one of them is the hero. Such type of stories are characteristic of Follett. The life stories of many different, totally non-intimate characters come together to create a brilliant climax. For example, when you read the first two chapters, you will find that chapter three is based on a completely different issue. Such a writing style may not be conventional, but it definitely does produce a miraculous effect on the readers.

Another of Follett?s virtues is the chronology. The events are all so perfectly synchronized that the story seems like an enormous jigsaw. In my opinion, the only author who delivers a better chronological effect is J. K. Rowling.

?Hornet Flight? is not only a novel, and is definitely much more than pure fiction. It tells a lot about the contemporary politics to anyone who would like to know. Follett has also written a lot about aircrafts and war technology. Plus, the language of the book is quite rich.

To the younger readers, a warning and/or a threat (whichever you prefer): DO NOT TOUCH THE BOOK IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH EXAMS.

For those who have finished with exams and those who do choose to read this one, I, alongwith Mr. Follett guarantee a great vacation.