Search - Hornet Flight

Based on Nazi occupied Denmark in 1941, the rebellion of a group of freedom fighters, the Nightwatchmen, takes them on some harrowing escapades that keep you on edge. Follett tends to go into great detail about the subjects in his books, which makes me want to jump ahead to the exciting parts, but that's what makes him a great writer. He makes you feel as if you are there.

"Have you ever dug into the pockets of an old coat and found a wadded five dollar bill? Imagine the secret delight, the sense of discovery, the feeling of regaining something you'd totally forgotten about.

"Hornet Flight" is that sort of delight. I was an early Follett fan, devouring "The Eye of the Needle," "The Key to Rebecca," and "The Man from St. Petersburg." His strengths--his characters, his detailed research, his pacing--kept me coming back for more. Then, as Follett branched into other areas of fiction, my interest wavered.

The WWII theme of this latest book brought me back, and I discovered that forgotten "five dollar bill." The story revolves around young Harald Olafsun, a Danish man faced with the occupation of the Nazis and the bland apathy of many of his countrymen. When he realizes that the Nazis have a new technology that gives them the edge in air-battles, when he finds himself entangled in a budding resistance movement, he uncovers his own courage and the surprising resilence of his fellow people...and the treachery of some of her trusted authorities. Soon, Harald and an attractive Danish upperclass girl come to the realization that they alone have the ability to get invaluable info to the British by way of a dangerous flight in a dilapidated Hornet Moth.

"Hornet Flight" is not the most valuable thriller I've ever found, not the slickest or most modern, but it's a nice surprise all the same. Follett's old skills are evident--characters we can believe, well-balanced pacing, and the details to make wartime Denmark seem touchable. I'm sure glad I dug into these old pockets. You just never know what you might find."
- Eric Wilson

Good detail on Hornet. Not much of a spy story.

First Ken Follett book I have found disappointing. Interesting premise, Follett's usual great writing, but ruined by a totally unbelievable sequence toward the end when the heroes delay saving the world to go to a ballet. If was as if Follett finished the book too quickly and needed a couple more chapters so he came up with this bit of foolishness. I'll continue to read Follett, but I sure hope they will show more reasonable plotting than this one.

This is one of my favorite Follett books. Fun but thrilling, based on a true story. Not too closely based, but that makes it even better. I'm not usually a big WWII fiction fan but this one is worth reading.

Ken himself says of it:

"I came across an extraordinary story about two Danes who wanted to escape from German-occupied Denmark in 1941. They wanted to get to England, but of course would have to cross the Channel. They decided to do this in a dilapidated Hornet Moth – a small fabric-and-wood biplane. So they fixed it up, stole parts and petrol for it, and eventually took off and flew across the Channel, which was a very hazardous journey in such a small plane.. Needless to say, several RAF fighters were scrambled to investigate, but the young men hung a white towel out of the window, and managed to land safely in a field."