 |
- General fiction - |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Harry Gold: A Novel |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Harry Gold: A Novel by Millicent Dillon The Overlook Press 288 pages, 2000 ISBN 158567012X Reviewed by Marion E. Cason Harry Gold: A Novel is the story of an American chemist, a Jew of Russian heritage who was also a Soviet spy. Harry grew up in Philadelphia during the depression years. Dillon cleverly weaves Harry's three lives - chemist, spy and devoted son - into an interesting tale, bringing it all together at Harry's trial in 1950. The Golds were a close-knit family who helped their neighbors if they were in need or in trouble, but accepted no charity for themselves. His mother, proud and selfless, strongly influenced Harry's life. They lived simply, struggling to keep food on the table. Harry was a small, smart man who loaned his co-workers money if he had it, tutored fellow students and got his projects done no matter how long it took. After his father was injured, Harry was the sole support of his family. Millicent Dillon chose to write Harry's story as a bio-fiction, an excellent mix of biographical fact and fiction. She clearly kept Harry's three lives separate, delivering details that placed you right next to Harry wearing his long-black coat, fedora and carrying his little black bag. When he was a courier for the Soviets, we experienced his struggles as he fulfilled their exacting demands at odd hours of the day or night. We understood his efforts to keep experiments on track at work, and his duty to help his parents with money for food and other essentials. When Harry was charged as a Soviet spy, he denied it to protect Dr. Klaus Fuchs who gave Harry the information the Soviets needed to make the atomic bomb. When confronted with devastating evidence long forgotten at the back of his closet, Harry confessed and cooperated with the FBI. His sentencing took place December 7, 1950. On Harry's behalf, his lawyer detailed the circumstances that led Harry to become a spy. Harry denied nothing. Dillon did an excellent job portraying life during that time in our history - before, during and after World War II. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||