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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
it feels just about as dated as you would expect, a proto espionage novel about bad germans and stiff-upper-lip brits doing sneaky stuff in the wadden see but the riddle of the sands is an enjoyable read at times, especially if you're into sailing.
Albeit a little dated in its structure and dialogue, this novel was a smash hit in its day (1903), and one can see its influence on a myriad of books since. I found it a decent read, which is amazing really, given the extent to which it dwells so much on the minutiae of sailing, navigation and the perils of sand bars!
I know of Erskine Childers primarily as a British gentleman turned Irish patriot and executed as a traitor during the heat of the Civil War, so I was somewhat surprised to read him so strongly paint a portrait of the struggle for' king and country'. Worth tracking down.
I know of Erskine Childers primarily as a British gentleman turned Irish patriot and executed as a traitor during the heat of the Civil War, so I was somewhat surprised to read him so strongly paint a portrait of the struggle for' king and country'. Worth tracking down.
This should have been an exciting read but I found the writing pretty tedious
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fascinating historical document that would have be a lot more enjoyable if I knew anything about boats.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, War
The parts that were interesting were very interesting but the parts that were boring were very, very, very boring. Interesting read as a time capsule and a view into the history of spy craft novels, but ultimately it’s much too dry for modern readers. It’s cool for awhile to read how incredibly accurate every detail is, and follow along with the included maps and charts, but by the end I felt very impatient for it to end. Too many long, wordy passages about inconsequential details. I’ve learned more about sailing through shallows and sand bars than I’d ever hoped to. Not gonna be a fun read for like 99% of people. 2.5 rounded up.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
MAY HAVE SPOILERS
This is an entertaining sailing and spy novel. If you like boats, you'll like this novel. If you like spy novels, you'll like this novel. It might be the first spy novel ever written, although I'd probably give the nod to Rudyard Kipling's 'Kim'. However, I'm going to make a probably easily disproved argument that 'The Riddle of the Sands' was more influential. From this book you can draw a line I think through Buchan, the Bulldog Drummond books of 'Sapper' onwards to Frederick Forsyth et al.
Whilst it seems to have been influenced by the real-life Anglo-German rivalry and the 'invasion literature' of the late-19th century beginning with George Chesney's 'The Battle of Dorking'.
The book has at its centre the amateur gentlemen, Carruthers and Davies, who get to solving a mystery that they feel might threaten their country. Perhaps there's the seed even of James Bond in this book.
There's a lot of sailing talk too. At some points in their quest, it almost feels like a Home Counties Moby Dick. If that makes any sense, which it probably doesn't. The sailing ties in with another of the book's strengths, which is the writing about place. There's a real sense of being at sea and how the sea behaves.
A fun read. There's a couple of awkward 'of their time' linguistic moments but none of Buchan's overt antisemitism.
This is an entertaining sailing and spy novel. If you like boats, you'll like this novel. If you like spy novels, you'll like this novel. It might be the first spy novel ever written, although I'd probably give the nod to Rudyard Kipling's 'Kim'. However, I'm going to make a probably easily disproved argument that 'The Riddle of the Sands' was more influential. From this book you can draw a line I think through Buchan, the Bulldog Drummond books of 'Sapper' onwards to Frederick Forsyth et al.
Whilst it seems to have been influenced by the real-life Anglo-German rivalry and the 'invasion literature' of the late-19th century beginning with George Chesney's 'The Battle of Dorking'.
The book has at its centre the amateur gentlemen, Carruthers and Davies, who get to solving a mystery that they feel might threaten their country. Perhaps there's the seed even of James Bond in this book.
There's a lot of sailing talk too. At some points in their quest, it almost feels like a Home Counties Moby Dick. If that makes any sense, which it probably doesn't. The sailing ties in with another of the book's strengths, which is the writing about place. There's a real sense of being at sea and how the sea behaves.
A fun read. There's a couple of awkward 'of their time' linguistic moments but none of Buchan's overt antisemitism.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Brilliant. This has been on my list of books to read for a very long time, and I’m very glad to have finally got to it.
The impact and influence of this novel are legendary. And it is rightly revered by many fans and writers of intrigue and espionage. Published in 1909, this is a lively, gripping, and dense tale. I loved it.
The impact and influence of this novel are legendary. And it is rightly revered by many fans and writers of intrigue and espionage. Published in 1909, this is a lively, gripping, and dense tale. I loved it.