The Boys from Brazil

By: Ira Levin

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

The classic thriller of Dr. Josef Mengele's nightmarish plot to restore the Third Reich.

Alive and hiding in South America, the fiendish Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele gathers a group of former colleagues for a horrifying project. Barry Koehler, a young investigative journalist, gets wind of the scheme and informs famed Nazi hunter Yakov Liebermann, but before he can relay the evidence, Koehler is killed.

Thus Ira Levin opens one of the strangest and most masterful novels of his career. Why has Mengele marked a number of harmless aging men for murder? What is the hidden link that binds them? What interest can they possibly hold for their killers: Six former SS men dispatched from South America by the most wanted Nazi still alive, the notorious "Angel of Death"? One man alone must answer these questions and stop the killings - Liebermann, himself aging and thought by some to be losing his grip on reality.

At the heart of The Boys from Brazil lies a frightening contemporary nightmare, chilling and all too possible.

©1976 Ira Levin (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Great read

An interesting plot, likeable main character and excellent narrator. Every bit as good as the movie.

Great combination of history in suspense!

If you’re interested in World War II history, or the aftermath of the Holocaust, but with a twist, I would definitely recommend this book. Or if you appreciate mysteries with a global slant, you will definitely appreciate this book. I will admit that, as someone who picked it up because I love this writer his other work, I found the historical aspect a little bit slow to get into. It’s clear from the outset that there is a conspiracy at work, but the start to the book did feel a little slow. However, all of the history and politics were beautifully integrated and easy to follow even for someone who is a complete non-expert, and the core of the conspiracy was more than worth waiting for! The premise is really very fascinating! In the end, as Leavins tend to be, is disturbing in a completely wonderful way.

Don't let anyone tell you the endings!

Without risking a spoiler, this SyFy classic ranks among the best for its conformity to the science and scientific thinking of the time it was written. The Boys from Brazil takes the reader on a hunt for the infamous Dr. Mengele, a.k.a. the Angel of Death, while immersing the reader both in an ongoing mystery and philosophical questions about human nature.

NB: If you have seen the movie, be aware that it was very true to the book--more so than the typical Hollywood adaptation of that time. There are elaborations and a few bits shuffled in the timeline, but no matter which one you do first, the movie or the book, if you enjoyed one, you will probably also enjoy the other.

great book I enjoyed it

very interesting book to listen to even though it is fiction it is easy to believe its pretense this is an excellent narrator I have listened to many of his narrations of stories I plan to listen to more of the Levine books enjoy

Thrilling

I chose this book because I adored the movie, and i was not disappointed. I will be listening again.

Would recommend

The performance of the narrator was really good and the story was thrilling and surprising.

Great!

Excellent book and one of the best narrations! This book is so well-written and with the excellent narration, it is enjoyable just to listen to the story! It is one of those great books that even if you know the outcome, you still enjoy a repeat reading.
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Classic Nazi-hunting thriller that holds up

This is undoubtedly Levin’s masterpiece. One part political thriller, one part mystery, with a dash of alternate history–this could have easily resulted in a confused jumble of ideas. Instead he achieved timelessness. And fortunately for us the perfect narrator–Prebble–was chosen for the job.

Outstanding

I saw this movie a few years ago and was fascinated by the idea of it all. I wanted to read the book for more detail as movies often times leave out valuable information. Not only does this story hold up after all these years, the very thought of the progress of science and technology makes this story even more interesting in 2019.

If you want to be paranoid then read this book.

If you could sum up The Boys from Brazil in three words, what would they be?

Believable; Capture; Wonder

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Boys from Brazil?

Point of origin for the 94 Boys.

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

None

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

Ending

Any additional comments?

Very good book and much enjoyed. Rapidly paced but with good detail to walk the reader through the various scenes of the book. I highly recommend.