The Violent Century
Oblivion is sent to find his old friend Fogg to answer some questions about his work in the Bureau of Superannuated Affairs, a British organization for superheroes. The Old Man, the head of the Bureau, has some questions that only Fogg can answer, and he is forced to recount events that he would rather forget. Fogg and Oblivion were initially introduced as boys, when their super powers were first discovered. They were sent to The Farm, a training camp of sorts for others like them. Once trained, they were used as spies and soldiers in WWII and in the wars to follow. Their powers make them immortal, but they quickly become weary of the demands of their lives. Times change, as do the locations that they are sent to, but the senselessness of war remains constant.
The story bounces back and forth through time, from WWII to the present, back to the Vietnam War and so forth. No doubt Tidhar uses this as a way to demonstrate the nightmarish chaos and confusion of war, but it doesn’t serve his characters. It is not until about halfway through the book that the reader learns enough backstory about the main characters to truly care about them. It is ultimately an engaging book, sure to impress superhero fans.
