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ritaink13's review against another edition
https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/1433?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=editorial&utm_content=goodreads-news&fbclid=IwAR1DoWjh5cV4KqKrL33XIcs4M35lwAKUo2OAxA_u087tufDd0mEmdsn__YM#
gnormand's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lectorliber04's review against another edition
5.0
A dark book. A triple murder in communist Russia with implications going beyond its borders. A chief inspector expected to play along, only chief inspector Renko doesn't. Flawed characters; even when love is part of the mix, they can't help but screw it up. Human nature being what it is, at the end of the day, it's always about the money and holding on to power (whatever it means to each individual). Political ideologies aren't that important, it's all about keeping the pockets full, the masses oblivious and those in power, perpetually holding on to the strings.
Arkady Renko is such an excellent character! The best and the worst of all of us. A man trying to do the right thing, caught up in in the biggest conspiracy he has ever encountered. I love political and murder intrigues and Mr Cruz Smith wrote one of the best. I think Russia in the 70's was the main character along with Renko. A system as corrupt and defunct as the one we live under in the west. And the end, my goodness! I was right there with Renko, one minute thinking it's all over and then the next he manages to come on top, although one can argue that getting the bad guy and giving the system the finger while losing everything else might not be the ideal outcome. Great book.
Arkady Renko is such an excellent character! The best and the worst of all of us. A man trying to do the right thing, caught up in in the biggest conspiracy he has ever encountered. I love political and murder intrigues and Mr Cruz Smith wrote one of the best. I think Russia in the 70's was the main character along with Renko. A system as corrupt and defunct as the one we live under in the west. And the end, my goodness! I was right there with Renko, one minute thinking it's all over and then the next he manages to come on top, although one can argue that getting the bad guy and giving the system the finger while losing everything else might not be the ideal outcome. Great book.
sandin954's review against another edition
4.0
One of the few times where I wished I had read the book because the narration by Henry Stozier was only so so. I will continue on with the series though since it is so universally acclaimed and I enjoy stories set in the Soviet Union.
misfitmoxie's review against another edition
4.0
I remember reading this back when it could seem real... during the cold war. It was really the first thriller-type book I ever read. To this day I remember things about it... constructing the gun from bits and pieces in the luggage disguised to make it through customs and how the dancer's body was described early on in the book, for instance. The descriptions were lush while the story was both intense and believable in that time.
Back in 2001 I happened upon a copy when I had NOTHING else around and was very isolated. It was such a different experience to read it so many years after the cold war had ended. Our entire mindset is different now. It's unbelievable that whole generations don't know that kind of gripping fear, that constant tension that that time held. They therefore also don't know the epic stories of fighting a war that wasn't a war... the intrigue, the forbidden, the secret heroes.
Back in 2001 I happened upon a copy when I had NOTHING else around and was very isolated. It was such a different experience to read it so many years after the cold war had ended. Our entire mindset is different now. It's unbelievable that whole generations don't know that kind of gripping fear, that constant tension that that time held. They therefore also don't know the epic stories of fighting a war that wasn't a war... the intrigue, the forbidden, the secret heroes.
hedread's review against another edition
4.0
Read this book when it was first published in 1981. Then again just recently. Still very readable.
juliebcooper's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - was definitely a little long winded but the storyline was creative.
smmrmmrmmr's review against another edition
3.0
I could not tell you one thing that happened in this book other than a lot of antisemitism, racism, and the main character being the most bi most shippable person I've ever met
ericch's review against another edition
1.0
This one has been on my list of books to read for many years. After finally finishing it, I'm surprised at the high rating it has on Amazon. I found the story extremely slow and hard to follow.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Russia as the story traipsed all over the country. But that wasn't enough to hold my interest. The plot wandered very far from the initial murders in Gorky Park and at times I found the connections tenuous.
There were sections of the book which I really enjoyed, but they were too few and too far between.
The book is highly rated on most sites, so it was probably just not for me.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Russia as the story traipsed all over the country. But that wasn't enough to hold my interest. The plot wandered very far from the initial murders in Gorky Park and at times I found the connections tenuous.
There were sections of the book which I really enjoyed, but they were too few and too far between.
The book is highly rated on most sites, so it was probably just not for me.