Synopses & Reviews
The beloved actor and screenwriter's first novel, set during World War I, delicately and elegantly explores a most unusual romance. It's almost the end of the war and Paul Peachy, a young railway employee and amateur actor in Milwaukee, realizes his marriage is one-sided. He enlists, and ships off to France. Peachy instantly realizes how out of his depth he is--and never more so than when he is captured. Risking everything, Peachy--who as a child of immigrants speaks German--makes the reckless decision to impersonate one of the enemy's most famous spies.
As the urbane and accomplished spy Harry Stroller, Peachy has access to a world he could never have known existed--a world of sumptuous living, world-weary men, and available women. But when one of those women--Annie, a young, beautiful and wary courtesan--turns out to be more than she seems, Peachy's life is transformed forever.
Review
"Gene Wilder has written a remarkable period piece. It's an elegantly woven story of intrigue, danger, sex and comedy but for me the big surprise is that it's a truly moving and eloquent love story." Mel Brooks
Review
"Wilder's fiction debut, reads like a breeze. Outwardly sweet and simple, it has delightful complications and an ending that may surprise. Recommended..." Library Journal
Review
"Modest but satisfying, if unabashedly sentimental." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"This is just fluff, but it's sweet fluff. If you loved Young Frankenstein, you'll be awfully fond of this." Washington Post
Synopsis
The Academy Award-winning actor and author of Kiss Me Like a Stranger recounts the tale of a midwestern World War I soldier whose capture by German forces prompts him to impersonate a famous German spy and pursue a romantic relationship with a beautiful courtesan. A first novel. 50,000 first printing.
Synopsis
The actor and screenwriter's first work of fiction, set in World War I, delicately and elegantly explores the romance of a young Midwestern enlisted man and the courtesan supplied to him behind enemy lines.
Synopsis
It's almost the end of the war and Paul Peachy, a young railway employee and amateur actor in Milwaukee, realizes his marriage is one-sided. He enlists, and ships off to France. Peachy instantly realizes how out of his depth he is and never more so than when he is captured. Risking everything, Peachy who as a child of immigrants speaks German makes the reckless decision to impersonate one of the enemy's most famous spies.
As the urbane and accomplished spy Harry Stroller, Peachy has access to a world he could never have known existed a world of sumptuous living, world-weary men, and available women. But when one of those women Annie, a young, beautiful and wary courtesan turns out to be more than she seems, Peachy's life is transformed forever.
Synopsis
World War I has almost come to an end, but for a young Minneapolis railway employee and amateur actor named Paul Peachy, whose marriage has become one-sided, its time to enlist. Shipped off to France, Peachy realizes how out of his depth he is—and never more so than when he is captured. Risking everything, Peachy—who as a child of immigrants speaks German—makes the reckless decision to impersonate one of the enemys most famous spies.
As the urbane and accomplished spy Harry Stroller, Peachy enters a world he never even knew existed—a world of sumptuous living, world-weary men and available women. But when one of those women—Annie Breton, a young, wary and beautiful courtesan—turns out to be more than she seems, both Peachys and Annies lives are transformed forever.
About the Author
Gene Wilder has been acting since he was thirteen and writing for the screen since the early 1970s. His first book, about his own life, was Kiss Me Like A Stranger. His second novel, set in Germany in 1903 is The Woman Who Wouldnt. Wilder lives in Connecticut with his wife, Karen.