I write striking historical fiction with offbeat perspectives inspired by true stories.
My first novel, Leaving Fatherland, is published in August 2024.
LEAVING FATHERLAND
Oskar Bachmann always imagined that giving his first lecture would be the defining moment of his life.
It was, but not in the way he expected…
With scenes inspired by real events, Matt Graydon’s Leaving Fatherland follows book-loving protagonist Oskar from his childhood in Nazi Germany to New York City and beyond, as he struggles to come to terms with his father’s abuse.
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PRAISE FOR LEAVING FATHERLAND
“Leaving Fatherland is a fascinating and accomplished debut novel that reads like a memoir. Spanning almost fifty years, at its heart is a family mystery which the reader unravels in step with the protagonist. It is a novel that explores, with compassion and without judgement, complex issues around psychology, identity, loyalty, and how knowing where we come from shapes who we are. A thoroughly well researched and intriguing account of the psyche of pre-war, wartime and post-war Germany.”
“A family drama which plays out across continents during and after World War Two. A novel with real honesty and depth, a great debut.”
“A well-researched WWII novel that tackles compelling questions of family loyalty and broader ethics. The nuanced depiction of a seemingly “good” young man torn asunder by conflicting beliefs is where this novel really sings.”