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Bomber

Penguin Modern Classics

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

31 June, 1943. An RAF crew prepare for their next bombing raid on Germany. It is a night that many will never forget. Len Deighton's devastating novel is a gripping minute-by-minute account of what happens over the next twenty-four hours. Told through the eyes of ordinary people in the air and on the ground - from a young pilot to the inhabitants of a small town in the Ruhr - Bomber is an unforgettable portrayal of individuals caught up in the wreckage of war.

'Probably the best thing ever written about the wartime air campaign against Germany' Max Hastings

'Magnificent ... rich with historical detail' The Times

'A superbly mobilised tragedy of the machines which men make to destroy themselves. Masterly' Spectator

© Len Deighton 1970 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

 20th Century Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Military Thriller & Suspense War & Military Fiction War Exciting Aviation Air Force

Critic reviews

Probably the best and certainly the most accurate popular novel about the Second World War in the air. (John Sutherland)
A massively different novel... the effect is - quite literally - devastating.
A massive and superbly mobilised tragedy of the machines which men make to destroy themselves. Masterly and by far Mr Deighton's best. (Douglas Hurd)

Bomber is probably the best thing ever written about the wartime air campaign against Germany.

(Max Hastings)

A magnificent story ... the characters lean out of the pages.
What raises Deighton's genre to art is not only his absorbing characters but his metaphoric grace, droll wit, command of technical detail ... and sure sense of place. (Andy Solomon)
All stars
Most relevant
Well written and powerful. Doesn't seem to pull it's punches and is graphic in the areas it needs to be. The sufferings of people on both sides is explored to such an extent that I felt sorry for the loss of German night fighter and it's crew even though they had just scored hits on a British bomber. Excellent narration, not at all bombastic and flag waving. A book took make you think.

World War Two from both angles

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I read this book many years ago and remembered it as a 'good story'. Revisiting it as an audio book was a superb experience. Len Deighton's research, understanding of the technical aspects of flight, his ability to empathise with all concerned in a war is second to none. The reader was excellent too; I liked the way he kept himself secondary to his role, which was to present the story. He did the book justice, representing male and female characters from differing backgrounds and nations. It is a long book but I am resisting the temptation (so far) to listen to it again, back to back.

superb

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Fantastic well paced story, well read and brings you into the story being told and regardless of which side makes you feel for the characters involved.

A great listen

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Great story and characters, plus I learnt so much about RAF bomber operations and life.

Well worth it.

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Bought this as i recall enjoying reading it when i was younger. It's a fantastic book let down by a terrible narration. The narrator has a knack of making all the characters; male and female, sound wooden and colourless thus spoiling the story beyond endurance. In the end i returned the book.

Great book, bad narration

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