Julius by Brian Allen Levine is a fascinating novel that follows the ever-changing career and life experiences of Abe Goldstein, a man whose metamorphoses are precipitated by the horrifying events of World War II. This story makes one wonder just how many Jewish people had to reinvent themselves in an attempt to survive Hitler’s reign of terror.
The melding of history and imagination provides a rollercoaster ride from pre-war Germany to post-war Hollywood, with stints in the movie industry and the Nazi military. Abe’s love interest goes through even more horrors than he, including captivity in a concentration camp.
The plotting and pacing are impeccable with plenty of twists along the way. Research strongly in evidence lends reality to the fictitious foray into the Nazi regime and the coping mechanisms that kicked in out of the inborn survival instincts of the desperate.
Julius holds broad appeal to fans of historical thrillers, mysteries, or spy stories.