{"product_id":"dictators-muse","title":"Dictators Muse","description":"\u003cb\u003e''[A] riveting novel... a fast-paced, brilliantly constructed thriller, in which the fates of the three young British protagonists hang in the balance at the end of every chapter'' \u003ci\u003eA. N. Wilson, SPECTATOR\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e''I loved the brash brilliance of this'' Peter Bradshaw, \u003ci\u003eGuardian\u003c\/i\u003e film critic\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is the early 1930s, and Europe is holding its breath. As Hitler''s grip on power tightens, preparations are being made for the Berlin Olympics. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLeni Riefenstahl\u003c\/b\u003e is the pioneering, sexually-liberated star film-maker of the Third Reich. She has been chosen by Hitler to capture the Olympics on celluloid but is about to find that even his closest friends have much to fear. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eKim Newlands\u003c\/b\u003e is the English athlete ''sponsored'' by the Blackshirts and devoted to his mercurial, socialite girlfriend Connie. He is driven by a desire to win an Olympic gold but to do that he must first pretend to be someone he is not. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlun Pryce\u003c\/b\u003e is the Welsh communist sent to infiltrate the Blackshirts. When he befriends Kim and Connie, his belief that the end justifies the means will be tested to the core.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThrough her camera lens and memoirs, Leni is able to manipulate the truth about what happens when their fates collide at the Olympics. But while some scenes from her life end up on the cutting room floor, this does not mean they are lost forever...\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''Profound and moving...\u003cb\u003e a beautifully written evocation of turbulent times'' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eDaily Express\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''A novel rich in historical detail, but wearing its research lightly, and the story is \u003cb\u003etold in a \u003ci\u003eFrench Lieutenant''s Woman\u003c\/i\u003e kind of way, \u003c\/b\u003eveering from the present to the past with superb flair... this novel has an uncomfortable prescience, with a plot twist at the end which is \u003cb\u003eingenious\u003c\/b\u003e. - \u003ci\u003eIRISH INDEPENDENT\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e''A\u003cb\u003e masterly\u003c\/b\u003e exploration of conflicting loyalties ... Sharply characterised, richly atmospheric and completely engrossing'' John Preston, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Dig\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e------------------\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReaders love \u003ci\u003eThe Dictator''s Muse\u003c\/i\u003e:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e***** \u003c\/b\u003e''An addictive, all-consuming read''\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e***** ''\u003c\/b\u003eFlows beautifully with love, hopes, desires and propaganda of the time. Fascinating, engaging and terrifying''\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e***** \u003c\/b\u003e''Thoughtful, well researched and atmospheric with engaging characters''\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e*****\u003c\/b\u003e ''I can''t recommend this book highly enough''","brand":"MediaPlace","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57313103544702,"sku":"NW9781529176865","price":9.65,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1379\/1261\/files\/9781529176865.jpg?v=1778590947","url":"https:\/\/mediaplace.com\/products\/dictators-muse","provider":"MediaPlace","version":"1.0","type":"link"}