Palette Knife

A Novel of Love, Intrigue, and Nazi Terror

By: R. Manolakas

Narrated by: Steve White

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

War hero and Expressionist painter Max Bauer is an ambitious protégé of the artistic-minded - but anti-Modernist - Adolf Hitler. Max is the assigned curator of the infamous Aryan Art and Degenerate Art exhibitions in 1937 Berlin. Torn between ambition and revulsion, he defends his creative integrity, his colleagues, and his steadfast, half-Jewish physician wife Frieda from escalating Nazi terror. As danger mounts and his pacifism crumbles, he battles an obsessive but refined Gestapo henchman determined to destroy them. His fight to save not only his artistic legacy but also his country and loved ones culminates with the massive Crystal Night pogrom, when - with Frieda - they resolve this high stakes jeopardy in an action-packed, suspenseful climax. This is a fast-paced story based upon true incidents, about love, romance, intrigue, atrocities, the psychology of twisted historical figures, and the determination to destroy evil at its source.

©2016 R. Manolakas (P)2017 R. Manolakas

Excellent!!!!

What did you love best about Palette Knife?

This is a fascinating story of how a Modernist German artist and war hero, Max Bauer, is sucked into the twisted world of Adolf Hitler and his henchmen. The "Fuhrer" considered himself a gifted painter and promoter of "culture". Max finds himself (with his strong, half-Jewish wife) holding a tiger by the tail, and he's caught in the middle of the collision between Nazi terrorism and free expression. Suspenseful, eerie, violent and at times humorous and romantic, this historical thriller juggled many balls with skill. The narrator's voice is rich, versatile, and entertaining. Top ratings!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Palette Knife?

There are so many, but I think the pivotal point is amazing, but I cannot give it away. The beginning where Max confronted a Nazi henchman in this art gallery.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the scene where Max and Frieda first fall in love after the attack by Nazi thugs.

If you could take any character from Palette Knife out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I was attracted to Max the most, because he understands women and he is gifted and he is passionate husband to Frieda. I like his character.

Any additional comments?

As a woman, I really enjoyed the romance, even though there was lost of action too. It was so lovely .

What If? Well Written!

What made the experience of listening to Palette Knife the most enjoyable?

With just a little bit of suspension of belief, this has all of the elements I look for reading or listening to. Historical fiction, time period, intrigue, action. A very sympathetic protagonist - Max Bauer.

The author did a great job injecting the fictional aspect into an accurate Historical timeline. Which made it seem more believable.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Max Bauer. The main character of action. His motivation and actions are generally well thought out and explained. He and his part Jewish wife are caught up in the whirlwind of pre war Nazi Europe. Max could be key to a major historical event.

Have you listened to any of Steve White’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't. He does a good job. Easy to listen to voice. Developments of character personalities (voices). Good narrative skills too.

If you could take any character from Palette Knife out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Max. He is written to be so interesting in this story!

Any additional comments?

This was an interesting work! I enjoy History that is well researched and written. This fits in those criteria. This held my attention.

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost. Which I can only assume was voluntary on their part. I am happy to give my honest review of it. I think I'm suppose to mention how reviewing this was voluntary on my part too.

Highly Recommend -- Love Historical Fiction

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I enjoyed the Kindle book so much I decided to buy the audiobook version too, and I'm glad I did. The story and characters in this historical thriller are excellent, it moves fast and the narrator brings it to life.

What other book might you compare Palette Knife to and why?

I have read so many alternative history books and also historical fiction, but if I had to I pick one I would say FATHERLAND by Robert Harris. However, PALETTE KNIFE has an emphasis on art. It chronicles a journey through the terrain of Nazi terrorism and its determination to smash artistic freedom in the Germany of the '30's.

What does Steve White bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narration is professional and entertaining, done with style. Steve White has created different voices for the characters and his accents are wonderful. Really exciting. If I see his name again I will get the audio if it is in my genres.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, the end. It ties the entire book together. It is moving and real. But no spoilers for any one who is going to buy it -- and they should.

Any additional comments?

This book gives insight into artists and artistic freedom in a dictatorship. It depicts the twisted psyches of historical tyrants and has a nice love story as a bonus to the suspense packed plot. Five Stars!

A different perspective on the art of war . . .

having read much history, and a few novels surrounding Hitler, the holocaust, and WWII this was a new approach for the story in my case. Having known that Hitler had a penchant for art (the main reason Paris was spared destruction) I looked forward to the premise of this historically based novel. The story was well thought out, the characters pretty well developed, and the story started out with quite a bit on intrigue. However, about 3/4s of the way through the book I felt that the story and scenes kind of became stuck in a bit of repetition; especially concerning the Nazi's techniques in dealing with both the arts and the artists. Yes, there is an underlying love story, but it seemed to lack passion and probably could have even worked as a story without that aspect of the book as I never got the sense that it played a major role in the character's actions. One challenges with a historical novel is trying to have the conclusion fall at least closely in accord with historical facts (unless an alternate ending is the goal). Although Palette Knife closes pretty much in line with history, the ending just seemed to abrupt in my opinion. It did not ruin the listen by any stretch, but it could have played out a bit more thoroughly.

The narration by Steve White was fantastic with the differing voices and German accents; even to the point of the listener being able to distinguish different German characters bu the voice used for them. The style of narration really brought this book to life. In fact, I am not so sure I would have finished the printed version of the work. A fun listen, though due to the subject matter, there are some rather difficult scenarios described. That being said, they were not vulgar nor terribly grotesquely described.

I would recommend this book to those that are looking for a different story surrounding the Third Reich and a not so public account of some of the terror it inflicted. A review copy of this audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in return for this unbiased review. My hope is that this review helps in your decision to obtain this book.

Historical fiction excellent well written - YES!

Where does Palette Knife rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I loved listening to this book and I would rank it in my top 10. The narrator was excellent and it was a pleasure to listen to him perform Palette Knife.

What other book might you compare Palette Knife to and why?

This book was original. It was a different take on what life was like for some during WWII.

Any additional comments?

I agree with every other review of this book. It was entertaining. It was full of historical fiction. It was well written. The narrator was perfect for this book. I loved this book and I would absolutely recommend. I hope this author is busy writing another one!

I received a copy of this audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent historical thriller

Strange and unique point of view. Loved the character development. Excellent historical thriller.

Wonderful performance by the narrator. Loved it.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Compelling and riveting

Max Bauer, German WWI war hero is introduced to us immediately in the opening scene. We follow his life from there as he first encounters Adolf Hitler in a hospital due to them both being exposed by mustard gas. His genius in painting and his hero status bring he and Hitler back together roughly fourteen years later. All is not as it seems to Max and he must make decisions that most likely will get him killed.

A moving story, well performed by Steve White, my favorite by Manolakas since Subversion. Bravo to both!

Gripping and thrilling historical book

What did you love best about Palette Knife?

The interesting way the story flowed and its unique cast of characters. Kept me glued till the end.

Any additional comments?

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost."

It's ... alright

I actually finished this several weeks - or a couple months - ago, but I was so swamped with work I couldn't find the time to post a review. I don't really have a lot of in-depth things to say about this book. Most likely because the story didn't really feel that deep. The plot had potential, but it didn't feel like it was put together - or executed - well. Many of the characters lacked depth and I never really felt a connection with them. Maybe because they felt two dimensional, and some things that happened were too far-fetched to be taken seriously. Like how the protagonist's wife lost her baby; the way the event happened seemed like the author was just trying to find a way to make it happen, rather than making it happen in a manner that was at least halfway believable. Also, the ending felt too abrupt or rushed to leave the reader with any real sense of satisfaction with how everything wrapped up. The narrator did a decent enough job, but performance-wise ... unfortunately, it didn't really stand out as anything noteworthy. Anyway, fans of WWII historical fiction may enjoy the journey, but for those looking for a gripping novel with good character development and a stellar performance, you might be a little disappointed. :(