Written in 1940, Landfall is a wartime drama by Nevil Shute, concerning an R.A.F pilot who sinks one of his own submarines. Somewhat of a legal mystery, I enjoyed this even more than the previous Shute novel I read, On The Beach.
Air Flight Officer Chambers and a half dozen other pilots are flying formation in the Coastal Command off the coast of England, patrolling for enemy ships crossing into British territory. Vigilance is heightened with reports of Germans in the area. Chambers spots the tail of a German submarine well near the coast, and successfully sinks it, discovering later that it was British, not German. After a hearing, he is sent up to Yorkshire in disgrace, away from his new girlfriend Mona. She works in the local bar and overhears all base gossip - including differing stories of the events. There were other submarines in the area, and anomalies that suggest a German trap. With her help, the brass are forced to reinvestigate perceived facts and expose a clever deception.
Despite the scope of the British Navy, this story relies on a handful of interesting characters, mainly Chambers who seems diligent while showing a softer side as he creates tiny model ships in his spare time, and Mona, a clever girl in love who stands by him. Stoically accepting his disgraced reputation, he takes dangerous test jobs no one else will attempt which transfer him back to the very base of the incident. Much of the novel centres on the inquiry into his conduct, and when Mona begins to question the results, further study reveals the truth. What could be rather technical is engaging, and like all good mysteries satisfying to dig through the clues. I really enjoyed this, as it portrayed a time at the beginning of war when there was a sense of optimism, the years ahead not yet weighing them down. Great characters, twists of fate, and a winning story that pulls you into the mystery. Recommended.
I was lucky enough to find a favoured Triangle Books hardcover edition in great shape, inscribed in cursive on the flyleaf "Helen Duff, Edmonton 1943".
My other reviews for Nevil Shute:
1940 / Hardcover / 284 pages
Comments