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I can see that this book has had lots of positive reviews, and I know that Ben Elton has plenty of fans, so I appreciate that I am in the minority with a one-star review. I will try and explain my reasons for my rating.

On the positive side, the idea behind the story is a good one. We often hear of twins separated at birth, but what about twins united at birth? Especially if these twins are born on the same day as the Nazi party got its name. The idea immediately raises intriguing questions of nature or nurture, some of which are explored in the story.

Unfortunately for me, there were serious flaws in the way the story was written. Other reviewers have pointed out the modern (London) dialogue which doesn't just grate and annoy, but destroys any feeling of authenticity and put me off most of the characters rather than feeling for them. I'm talking about dialogue such as "Blimey, Otts, mate..." or "Ottster told him to fuck off" - all the "babes" and "guys" and f- and c-words. The dialogue is a symptom of a general problem. Although Ben Elton has researched his facts (well, most of them) , he does not seem to have steeped himself in the culture of that time and place, so that I got the feeling I was reading about 21st century London teenagers transplanted into 1930s Berlin.

As far as the facts go, the author takes the historical framework then hangs his characters' lives onto it, rather than starting with the characters and seeing how their lives are influenced by the historical events. I suppose it is one way of writing a historical novel, but it often feels forced. One example is Wolfgang's visit to Munich to see the exhibition of "degenerate Art". Without giving too much away, I very much doubt that a man in Wolfgang's physical, mental and financial state at that point would have done that.

This history itself is described in a simplistic, black and white, way. I thought maybe it would be a good book for children or young teens, but the swearing counts that out. The overall effect is like having a foul-mouthed history teacher shout at you.

I found the writing clumsy and overly melodramatic in places. The reader is told this or that again and again - the brothers liked punching each other. Paulus was the planner. Otto was the fighter. Dagmar was amazingly beautiful. The Nazis were brutal. And Ben Elton loves his repetition. Repetition that repeats itself. Repetition that's repetitive.

Having said all that, I did read the book to the end. I don't think Ben Elton is a great - or even a good - writer of serious novels on the basis of this book, but he can tell a story. I found the postscript about the author's relatives most interesting and almost wished that he (or a ghost writer) had written their true story instead of "Two Brothers."