The Swedish Cavalier: A Novel

Not my type of fiction, but such amazingly good writing that I couldn't stop reading.Am now investigating other titles by Leo Perutz.

This is a gem - second book of his i read - I loved being with the characters and the wonderful tale and characters - he is a great writer

A brave soldier and a callous, sheltered rich boy become friends on the battlefield -- they exchange identities, so the rich boy's wonderful loving fiancee ends up marrying the soldier and the rich boy goes to war as he dreamed to. But the consequences of this tradeoff are so much richer, sadder and more beautiful than either man imagined possible. The story is seen through many eyes, not least through the eyes of the granddaughter of the Swedish cavalier.This novel is one of the sparest, most honest, adventurous and passionate works of art I have ever encountered. It is a crime that this work is out of print!No literary novel is more moving and beautiful; no mystery novel is more exciting. Is there any way to petition the publishing powers that be to put out a new edition of this wonderful writer?Oh, never mind --

first published in austria in 1936, this is a fantastically readable adult fairy-tale/parable. an adventure story of stolen identity, of gained and lost fortune, of mankinds best and worst aspects. if you took the skull of ivan turgenev and smashed it into the head of gabriel garcia marquez, this is the sort of novel that would fly out of the impact (then you would be arrested, and rightly so). judging from this novel, i would say that those who put the label of master storyteller onto leo perutz's name did an accurate job of labelling. i very much look forward to reading more of this neglected authors work.

Published in 1936, set in 1701 this story of war, love and lawlessness - could easily have been set in 1945 - or now. Good and bad exist but people have to go beyond morality to survive, despite the consequences in this life or another.The main character uses wit, daring and deception to struggle against harsh, everyday injustices, and this real struggle is blended so closely with supernatural or metaphysical elements that it's sometimes hard to tell them apart.There's thrilling action, tough choices, gentleness and violence. It's a tasty mix. A tight, well-crafted and very characteristic piece of writing.