Sara Parkin

This book is written in the style of those crime novels in which the murder is the first event and the book is then almost a flash back to give the build up. It is almost as if Petra Kelly was never destined for an 'ordinary' denouement: passing quietly through old age to a passing in her sleep, never seemed likely.

Petra Kelly was one of the major forces behind the creation of Die Grünen, the first Green Party. As a follower in these enlightened footsteps, it is sometimes useful to return to the pure philosophy, before reality and ego corrupts the ethos. Kelly was brilliant and committed to improving the lot of the oppressed, as well as saving the environment but, the problem with idealism is that it cannot compromise and she seems to have been brought down by exasperation amongst her allies rather than the fire of her enemies. The story of her curious relationship with Gert Bastian would be frowned upon in popular fiction as too off the page to be credible.

Petra Kelly is an enigma: the Green Party may never have come into existence without her forceful nature and yet, by the end of her short life, she had been sidelined by the party and it is difficult to criticise their rationale.

For those of you who do not know the demise of PK; she was shot, by her lover, Gert Bastian who then took his own life. I am amazed that Hollywood has not made a tacky film of the story but, instead of waiting for such drivel, why not get a copy of this book and read the actual history: even if Green politics is the last issue upon you wish to read, I'll guarantee that you will be hooked by this book.… (meer)