The Key to Rebecca- Ken Follett

Follett’s 1980 “The Key to Rebecca” could be said to be a fictional narrative about three major events during the Second World War in North Africa. It would also take you back to his 1976 masterpiece “Eye of the Needle”. Yes, of course, there are similarities between this book and his 1976 bestseller as both have common theme of a German spy in disguise transferring technical and classified information on British troops to his German Handlers through a secret medium, in this case the code is linked to booked names “Rebecca”.  However, what’s fresh are the back stories of the characters involved and also the character of the spy who is referred by the Germans as “ Sphinx” has been given a shade of Grey and a bit of humour and romanticism along with obvious ruthlessness.

The book is divided into three parts or can be said as over chronological three events, “Tobruk”, “Mersa Matruh” and “Alam Halfa”. Interestingly, all the three parts, have a factual common thread into Second World War All three are geographical locations on which there had been battles and sieges during the Second World War. It is these historical event which Follett uses to pen his espionage narrative involving a German spy in disguise hunted by a British officer.

It could safely be said, that though there would be certain events which would feel like Déjà vu for the fans of Follett’s “Eye of the Needle”, the events are fresh, the narrative is entertaining and the characters are interesting.  What is also different in this book is also the use of Eroticism. Eroticism has been used as a very important tool for certain characters, though all of it is justifiable and also gives a good twist to the narrative especially in the second portion when certain motives are disclosed.

The various chase sequences are thrilling and suspenseful, some of it may make you take back to Follett’s earlier bestseller, but it has its effect in this book. The narrative here in has used an important character by the name of “Rommel”. It would be interesting to note that there was German captain by the name of “Erwin Rommel” who had played an important part during the Second World War. Follett had very smartly used the second part of the name, given it a fictional character and very impressively it moves throughout the story. Whether the events relating to the characters are actually true or not, can be answered by only Follett himself.

It cannot be denied that the female characters have important roles to play on both the sides, i.e. Sonja and Elene, though both the characters have been used more during the sensual narratives and honey traps, but still their impact in the entire narrative cannot be ignored, particularly that of Elene.

On the whole, Follett’s “The Key to Rebecca” is an entertaining read which informs us in a fictional format about certain events during the Second World War which perhaps would have taken place in Northern Africa. The locational novelty of the narrative perhaps makes the difference in this book.