HITLER'S NIECE

Notable historical fiction should be both educational and entertaining. HITLER'S NIECE qualifies well on all counts. The book's historical accuracy seduces the listener into believing the author's liberties along with his truths. Paul Hecht's deep, theatrical voice, which occasionally slips into perfect German, makes the fiction all the more believable (and at times, creepy). The stern audio portrait painted of Hitler and his henchmen could well serve as a substitute for reading a conventional biography of the mercurial dictator. Ron Hansen's seductive and prurient blend of fact and fantasy emerges as a solid and morbidly enjoyable structure, with the uncle/niece spanking and boot-licking providing mortar for history's loose bricks. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 01]