Only Breath & Shadow

Tweeddale's powerful novel captures the horror of the rise of Nazism in Vienna, through the eyes of Christian, a blind Englishman in Vienna. We see a comparison between the literal blindness of Christian, and the metaphorical moral blindness of those apathetic to the rising evil, with Christian working to rescue those at risk.

The writing style is evocative, of sounds, of smells; with a melancholic tone befitting its subject.

Worth a read.

This was an absolutely phenomenal novel, I could feel what Christian felt every single page. The love, the determination, the fear. For him to push on, to love and protect those children as he did despite being blind and at a great disadvantage shows us the true strength of his character. Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the determination that something else is more important than fear. I forever wish that he got to have more time with Claire but he put the children's safety above his happiness. I don't think he ever really planned on meeting up with them in New York, I think he knew he would be taken before he arrived, hence the gift he gave to Claire. The story really pulls at your heart strings and pulls you in deeper show more and deeper until before you know it you are a part of it. Every time the Gestapo was near I felt my chest tighten, and conversely when Claire and the children were on the boat I felt such relief for them, and such sadness for Christian. Truly he was a man to be admired and revered. Andrew Tweeddale has created a wondrous novel. show less

Only Breath & Shadow marks the end of Andrew Tweeddale's brilliant Castle Drogo series, leaving readers in suspense until the very end. Christian Drewe is a wonderful character – an Englishman who goes blind before WWII breaks out and spends most of his time in Vienna. He changes from a passive observer to a brave savior amidst the horrors of the Anschluss, creating a fantastic plot for readers to enjoy.
When his Jewish acquaintances get deported to concentration camps, Christian gets involved in a risky plan to save their children, incorporating many factual elements like the Kindertransport operation. Tweeddale treats the facts with respect, giving life to historical settings like Vienna in all its vividness.
The main idea that show more remains in readers' minds after finishing the novel is how clear-cut it is morally and emotionally. There is no pretentiousness, there is no beating around the bush; it is the story of a brave soul making the right decision amid impossible situations. show less

This story, historical fiction, is set in the 1930s. The location is Vienna and its idyllic hinterland. The protagonist is the Englishman Christian, who survived the First World War wounded and traumatized. In cosmopolitan Vienna, he has quite a few Jewish friends. As Hitler comes to power and annexes Austria, their existence is threatened more and more day by day.Destroying their property, being deprived of their livelihoods, raids, and sending them to concentration camps are what happens. With the help of his housekeeper and a befriended American artist, Christian hides four Jewish children in his apartment. He is targeted by the occupying forces and tries to have the four children evacuated. His gay friends, who he is protecting, are show more also having a hard time.Towards the end, the oppression increases. Well and empathetically written. Beautifully drawn characters that become very dear to your heart. A great portrayal of life in Vienna in those pre-war years. Although I only read the third part, the entire trilogy seems promising. show less