Bomber cover art

Bomber

Penguin Modern Classics

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Bomber

By: Len Deighton
Narrated by: Richard Burnip, Len Deighton
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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 24 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.

©1970 Len Deighton (P)2021 Penguin Audio 20th Century Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Military Thriller & Suspense War & Military Fiction War Exciting Aviation Air Force

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Critic reviews

"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)
All stars
Most relevant  
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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I read Bomber years ago and it's even better than I remembered. The audio edition is well read and unabridged. Bomber's worst chapter is the first - stick with it and it soon becomes compelling.

Really good

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This is the second time I’ve appreciated this outstanding story; I first read it many years ago, and have now just finished listening to it. Its strength, majesty and emotion were as strong this time as they were so many years ago. Arguably it’s the book I have been most emotionally involved with.

The book I have been most emotionally involved with of all I’ve read or listened to

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The way in which all the characters were brought to life. Not so keen on the narration

The extraordinary and horryfying details of bombing and being bombed

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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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I looked at the 21 hours of audio content and wondered wether this would keep me interested for that length of time.

It did.

A fascinating story which blended the lives of people on both sides of this awful conflict into a thoroughly entertaining yet harrowing listen.

I hope Fighter lives up to this level of entertainment

Incredibly interesting. Very well written

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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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This is an astonishingly accomplished piece of writing that kept me gripped for all of its 21 hours. It plunges the listener into the heart of the action and makes us see both sides of the conflict. It is read with great skill and authority.

Immersive Tour De Force

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This book says more about the airmen than Catch 22. It depicts the result of a very large bombing raid mistakenly dropped on a small town. Describing the dreadful effects on British bomber crews, German night fighters and the unready towns people. The book is not for the faint hearted and shows the unasked for consequences of mid twentieth century mechanised war.
There is nothing glamorous.

Disturbing

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I cannot remember the last time a book gripped my attention this well, and cannot recommend it enough.

Breathtaking

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