I see a few “piece of cake” fans on here, wondered if anybody knew if he was working on anything. I still have a hardback Kentucky Blues somewhere that I never could get into! – I thought Hornet squadron had at least one more story in it, maybe 1944/45 winter, flying Tempests ? I like Robinsons work but to my taste, he does go off the boil a bit when he strays away from aircraft based stories.
By: Smithy - 2nd December 2007 at 18:26
I suspect both Barnard and Robinson got this grisly device from Paul Richey’s ‘Fighter Pilot’
Very true XN, actually Richey and his estate were so incensed with Piece of Cake they attempted legal action claiming that Robinson ripped off Fighter Pilot.
I love Fighter Pilot, one of the very, very best memoirs to come out of the war IMHO.
Happy reading!
Tim
By: BSG-75 - 2nd December 2007 at 09:31
I I’d be afraid that a 2nd TAF novel would end up being ‘The Big Show’ with different names…
a very large penny just dropped in the old grey matter – I knew I’d read something like that ! – been turning the house upside down to find my copy!
Did they ever settle the “issue” about the late Mr Clostermanns kills and claims?
By: XN923 - 1st December 2007 at 21:01
I thought he took some elements of “cake” (French colonial troop decapitating air crew etc)
thank you
I suspect both Barnard and Robinson got this grisly device from Paul Richey’s ‘Fighter Pilot’
I enjoyed ‘Blue Man Falling’ and the sequel ‘Band of Eagles’. I’d be afraid that a 2nd TAF novel would end up being ‘The Big Show’ with different names…
By: Smithy - 1st December 2007 at 20:08
Rightyho, here’s the link to DR’s page, scroll down to the “Who He” section and there’s a tiny mention of the new book. To be published by Grove Atlantic, no title yet.
By: Smithy - 1st December 2007 at 20:02
Haven’t got a link but that’s straight from the horse’s mouth, on Robinson’s little piece of the web.
In terms of Blue Man Falling, I would say it’s not as good as Piece of Cake (but it is the chap’s first novel). However I quite enjoyed his descriptions of aerial combat, one encounter between a Hurri and a 109 (with Betty Boop as a personal insignia) was particularly memorable. Gets a bit waffly 2/3’s of the way through but all in all, not a bad read and I’ve seen a lot worse.
By: BSG-75 - 1st December 2007 at 19:57
I tried blue man falling
I thought he took some elements of “cake” (French colonial troop decapitating air crew etc) and it wasn’t as good. Do you know any more about the new book – got a link or anything ?
thank you
By: Smithy - 1st December 2007 at 19:53
He has actually written another WWII based aviation novel and it is to be published in 2008.
In the meantime, have a read of Frank Barnard’s two recent releases. His “Blue Man Falling” is like “Piece of Cake” in that it is set during the Battle of France and is not a bad read at all.
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December 1, 2007 at 6:38 pm