A sensation in France, this is a story about literary deceptions, family secrets, and a thrilling quest for the truth
Who is the real author of The Black Insignia? Is it H. R. Sanders, whose name is printed on the cover of every installment of the wildly successful young adult adventure series? Or is it Daniel Roche, the enigmatic world traveler who disappears for months at a time? When Daniel’s great-niece, Hélène, moves to Paris to study archeology, she does not expect to be searching for answers to these questions. As rumors circulate, however, that the twenty-fourth volume of The Black Insignia series will be the last, Hélène and her friend Guillaume, a devoted fan of her great-uncle’s books, set out to discover more about the man whose life eludes her. In so doing, she uncovers an explosive secret dating back to the darkest days of the Occupation.
In recounting the moment when one history began and another ended, The Travels of Daniel Ascher explores the true nature of fiction: is it a refuge, a lie, or a stand-in for mourning?
A story within a story with an author as mysterious as the identity of Lemony Snicket. At first, this could seem like a ditty about a writer and his antics, but as the reader dives deeper they become aware of the multiple dimensions to Daniel (Roche) Ascher. The popularity and adult fandom of The Black Insignia series reminded me of grown-up Harry Potter fans (such as myself) who grew up adoring the series staying just as enthralled as adults. For me, the comparison was amusing.
The novel kept my interest with an Audrey Tautou, Amelie type character as the narrator. Hélène leads us on a scavenger hunt with clues leading to a well-crafted conclusion. The secret behind The Black Insignia is heartfelt cast behind the horrid backdrop of the Holocaust. The plot moved along at its own pace, allowing the reader to grasp the gravity of the situation and consequences that occurred. The Travels of Daniel Ascher was an excellent translation to a wonderful journey of a novel.
Reading updates
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Started reading
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7 June, 2015:
Finished reading
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7 June, 2015:
Reviewed