The Moment: A Novel

Douglas Kennedy is the only author I know who just gets better with each novel, which may have something to do with the fact that he doesnt feel the need to churn a book out every year or stick to a formula or character. Each novel is unique. However there were moments when reading his latest that I wondered if this was the novel that was going to disappoint. It seemed slow and was a bit like watching paint dry. How wrong I was. At the conclusion he delivered the biggest sucker punch I have yet experienced through the written word. Not only did I cry (howl actually)all that night but it continued through to the next morning. How in god's name does he harness emotion to that extent let alone communicate it. The only time I have experienced anything similar was through reading Thomas Mann's "The Magic Mountain" which left me convinced I had TB.Douglas Kennedy is without doubt my favourite author. A monumental talent without peer. Incidentally I recently picked up one of his earlier 3 travel books "Chasing Mamon", which was good, but am grateful that he got into writing 'fiction'. I also recently read a non-fiction book by Anna Funder called "Stasiland". The author travelled to East Germany and interviewed various people about life under a Stasi police state. The facts in her book mirror situations and incidents in "The Moment". Which tells me that Kennedy does some very serious research. And now I only have to wait another two years for his next book (sigh)

Robert Kennedy has written one of his most powerful and challenging contemporary romance novels, set mostly in the days of a divided Berlin. Thomas Nesbitt, an American writer is facing the loneliness of a failed marriage that was always probably doomed to failure because of Nesbitt's memories of what might have been. His memories are revived when he receives a box in the mail from Berlin, with a return address marked Dussman, the name of a woman with whom he had shared a most passionate and damaging relationship many years ago.The book revisits Berlin in the days of the Berlin Wall and describes the relationship between a young American writer and a beautiful woman refugee from the evils of the East German Stasi. Kennedy's description of the relationship is top notch, and you get to know (or think you know) the main characters living in a world of deception, betrayal, and survival that we quickly forget after the end of the Cold War. His background of both sides of the Berlin Wall at that time is both evocative and chilling.Kennedy's supporting characters are also superbly crafted, especially Alistair a larger than life talented artist who balances life as a homosexual and drug addict with intense artistic creativity laced with suicidal tendencies. When Nesbitt arrives in Berlin he saves Alistair's life and shares Alistair's apartment, putting up with his new friend's wild and different lifestyle. Amazingly, despite their differences they become a most unusual pair of supportive friends.This is a challenging but rewarding book which you will remember for a long time.

I hadn't realized that Douglas Kennedy had written so many books.Having read "The Job" so many years ago and having really loved it I was thrilled to refind him."The moment"is a fabulous read.It is history,romance,betrayal,family etc etc et al.It has it all, and for the first time in years I found myself still turning pages in the middle of the night,thinking I really should go to sleep now! I am now on his third book and in the same predicament.I dare you!Find one of his books and open it!

Douglas Kennedy is one of my favorite authors. But since "The Big Picture" I have been a bit disappointed in his work. I keep reading, hoping for the genius I first discovered in "The Big Picture." THIS BOOK is amazing. I have gifted it to several friends. My father, who loves the History Channel, also enjoyed the book, which paints a picture of a divided Berlin during the Cold War.

Set mostly within the context of Cold War Berlin, the book explores themes of deception, betrayal, rationalization and survival. The author does a fantastic job of transporting me into an extremely oppressive system and enabling me feel how illusive personal equilibrium would be. The plot and characters came across to me as secondary. I don't know Douglas Kennedy, but it seemed to me that they were secondary to him as well. For me, "The Moment", could have been a book written for the purpose of providing a backstory for a betrayal (perceived or genuine). I can almost see the author saying to an intended audience, "Maybe this story will serve you, not as an excuse, but at least you will have some helpful context." There was also an irony involved in that as I was reading in various scenes of the book about propaganda from the capitalist and communist sides of the Cold War, I was reading it within enough of a relativist angle that it almost felt like propaganda itself. The merits of the book more than offset anything I considered awkward. I received two gifts from "The Moment". I loved the compassion for people often marginalized or judged. They were not prettied up, but their beautiful parts shined through. The main strength of this book was how Kennedy really captures the essence of longing. I have never read a book that put me in tune with my own longing like this. It is not a tidy novel and I don't recommend it if a story is all you are looking for. Having said that, I can't imagine a person reading it without receiving something valuable in the process. It was a worthwhile read. Thank you Mr. Kennedy, for this very thoughtful and thought-provoking work!

One of his better books.Good character buildup.....excellent scenes of Berlin..Very cold war story..One trip from West to East Berlin was a little too contrived and the reason for tripmight have been telegraphed by Mr Kennedy.Otherwise a fast paced, excellent read.

It's difficult to review this book without giving too much away, but despite a slow start the authorstarts to ratchet up the tension leaving you unable to put it down.It's unusual to find a book that I would recommend as an insight into cold war politics as well as a great romantic story.Douglas Kennedy accurately reflects the cold war politics and atmosphere of Berlin in 1980s' as well as providing the reader with many questions about love, missed opportunities and human nature.I've never read Douglas Kennedy before, but "The Moment" definitely makes me want to try some of his other books.

I lost my paperback about half way through, debated whether to get it on my new kindle and did so to finish it. I found it quite compulsive reading after a sticky start when I thought the protagonist was self pitying. Then it got going, and I read it straight off apart from hiatus above. At the same time, it was so full of cliches, Berlin bars full of esoteric sex, the drug addict painter with a heart of gold, repulsive Stasi agent, CIA man from the real world with a chip on his shoulder about intellectual types etc. I can't recommend it in the same glowing terms as some of these reviews, but I think it would make a good read on a plane.

Like most of Douglas Kennedy's novels which are never dull or mundane this one does not disappoint.He has the ability to keep the reader excited from beginning to end and to visualise the characters putting yourself in their place because of his ability to describe them in the kind of detail that makes you really care about what happens to them.

How can anyone with a heart fail to be moved by this story. I read this book a week ago and it still continues to haunt me. It will be a sad day for me when Douglas Kennedy decides to stop writing. He is a genius at what he does.

A good story, but could have been so much better without the repetition and waffle. As the author says .. so many words!!