Tragic and Harrowing

Set in the late 60’s, surgeon / doctor Sir Adam Kelno brought libel charges against author Abe Cady whose book carried a paragraph naming the former as a sadistic prisoner doctor in Jadwiga Concentration Camp during WW II. Sir Kelno wanted to clear his name. In the court process which followed, witnesses related events in the Jadwiga Concentration Camp that were shocking and horrific. Was Sir Kelno justified in claiming he was libeled?

The court proceedings in Part 4 of the book were gripping, but painful to listen to - because the cross-examinations were merciless and the WW II “experiments” recounted by witnesses were filled with such cruelty and sadness. There were accounts of cruelty - not only by SS Nazis to the prisoners, but by inmate doctors to fellow prisoners, and even of certain Jews to other Jews.

I did not enjoy the book because I found the descriptions of “experiments” on prisoners gory and disturbing. That war brought out the worst in human nature is perhaps to be expected in a story like this. But it is regrettable that not a single character in the book comes across as having sterling qualities. Only Sir Kelno’s character was reasonably developed, but he was hardly affable. All others were sketchy. Even Abe Cady, despite having an entire Part 2 devoted to him, was shallow and desultory. And oddly, he all but disappeared from the narrative after the court proceedings started. I’m puzzled why he wasn’t even cross-examined in court.

On the positive side, this book gives some some insights into the British legal system and the court proceedings. It’s different from legal thrillers featuring the American system (eg in novels by Scott Turow or John Grisham). The gentlemanly qualities of Sir Kelno’s legal counsel are refreshing.

The narration by John Lee is great. His voices for Sir Kelno, the Americans (Cadys), the British lawyers, the Jews of different nationalities etc are simply marvelous.

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