Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews The War Begins in Paris

| Ted Wheeler

The first trade review of The War Begins in Paris is in, from the typically speedy, and often grumpy, Kirkus Reviews. All in all, it’s pretty effusive for Kirkus. I’ll count that as a win.

You can read the whole review here, but below are some highlights.

“Wheeler traces the intense, sexually charged friendship of two American reporters from their first meeting in a Paris café in 1938 and through the ensuing war. The prologue describes Jane Anderson, nicknamed the Georgia Peach, and Marthe Hess, called Mielle, with ominous matter-of-factness so reminiscent of an Orson Welles narration that readers will rush to Google their names to see if either actually existed.”

“Wheeler’s depiction of Jane shows how dangerously appealing authoritarianism can be and how corrosive it is to one’s character.”

“This retro yet oddly fresh take on WWII captures the romance of wartime, but also the decadence and desperation.”

Kirkus Reviews Kings

| Ted Wheeler

The first short review of my forthcoming debut novel Kings of Broken Things was published this morning on Kirkus Review! A thoughtful and generally insightful review, it’s pretty exciting to see my book being critiqued after working for nearly a decade researching and writing. Only 77 days until pub day! Let the sleepless nights begin.

Read the full review on Kirkus–and pre-order your copy now if you haven’t already. Here’s a sample of the review:

“Underlying the novel is a taut racial division, illustrated by the yearly interrace baseball game and culminating in a false accusation which incites a sickeningly vicious lynch mob. For its descriptions of the violent outcomes of prejudice and political misconduct, this novel at once illuminates a savage moment in history and offers a timely comment on nationalism and racism. An unsettling and insightful piece of historical fiction.”