Book review of The Prophet of Sorrow by Mark Van Aken Williams

From time to time I plan to post a review of a book I espectially like. I think the writer's life must include reading good books. How else would we know how to write if we don't read?

Here's review No. 1.

A tour de force, the historical novel, The Prophet of Sorrow by Mark Van Aken Williams, is a narrative account of the assassination of Leon Trotsky through the voice of his assassin, Ramon Mercader. Most impressive is Mr. Williams’ re-imaginings, in the form of journal entries, of the thoughts, ideas, and motives of each of the characters involved – e.g., Trotsky, Stalin, Eitingon, Natalia Sedova (Trotsky’s wife), and Caridad Mercador (the assassin’s mother) – interspersed throughout the narrative. Mr. Williams’ writing is smart, historically accurate, and packed with literary and artistic illusions. A must-read for historical fiction buffs.