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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I think this is a book for the lovers of sailing. The stars of it were the sea, shores and ships and if one's not particularly keen on reading about them, it might not be the wisest choice. I'm not focused on plot but appreciate interesting characters and their dynamics and although this book had some potential, it did not live up to it. The pages spent on characters and plot were massively overshadowed by descriptions of sand, water and doing things on boats. (A non-seaman here, obviously.)
I kind of feel bad for Germany too, as I do love it, especially Northern Germany. It feels as though the author had decided to dress the Northern German coast in a certain way that was supposed to be flattering but God it was only boring. I know Germans, love Germans, they are NOT boring, they are fun and lively. I feel kind of hurt in the name of Germany.
The novel was, however, eloquently written, as a non-native English speaker I found it interesting and learned a lot in terms of old-ish English. (Old-ish as opposed to today's *spoken* English, though the book is set in the early 20th century, so it's not that old.)
Overall, I would say this can be the right book but only for people with the right interests. For war stories and spy stories and so (but without too much sailing) there are much better books to read. I know it's a pioneering one, setting the genre or so, but it has lost most of its value since it first came out.
I assume there aren't too many novels discussing spies & sailing in such depths though, and in an eloquent language, so for those hoping for such a mixture, I can recommend it!
Childers' novel is the first of its kind, pioneering the espionage genre, full of mystery, tension, suspense and highly detailed the novel captures the political background from before the second world war. We see the exploration of doubt and duality through the journey of these accidental spies. Childers removes us from the mundane and inane reality of London society accompanied with all its boredom to a perhaps distasteful yacht in the turbulence of winter weather setting in. However this trade bring with it a real-life fantasy as Carruthers and Davies are plunged in over their heads into a plot of international significance and are forced to become spies to unravel the mystery. The novel is highly contextual illustrating the difficulty of communication and transportation as well as a number of issues prevalent at the time This fantasy is highly enjoyable and all the more exciting because it seems real not to mention possible. The naive and inexperienced characters represent the 'every-man' the reader himself, perpetuating our dreams of adventure.
It was OK but had to really work at getting to the point
slow-paced
The book itself is very good and interesting to read. But I have reduced one star because the author was so deluded with the Imperial Britain as he was supporting the very evil that took his life later.
I went into this expecting a lot, given the endorsement by John Le Carre and the important role this book plays in the history of the spy novel. I was fascinated by the topicality of _The Riddle of the Sands_: it is tied up with the creation of modern national security discourse in Britain at the turn of the twentieth century. The representation of Germany as a venerated threat is also interesting, as are the multiple intersections with the imperial romance. Carruthers frequently references the romance both to distinguish his tale but also to draw on the excitement and interest already related to that genre.
While this seems like a book that would reward interpretation and research, it is frequently a less than entertaining read. The inverse of [b:The Prisoner of Zenda|6761364|The Prisoner of Zenda|Anthony Hope|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348325077s/6761364.jpg|2661176], The Riddle of the Sands is a rich text in terms of the historical period but it is not entirely engaging. The first 100 pages moved very slowly and the book itself relies frequently on two maps and two charts that we find in the opening of the text. While the inclusion of these figures in some ways replicates the references to maps that we find in [b:Treasure Island|444377|Treasure Island|Robert Louis Stevenson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1373998173s/444377.jpg|3077988] and [b:King Solomon's Mines|108913|King Solomon's Mines|H. Rider Haggard|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1171593119s/108913.jpg|575986], the reading process here felt more labored and the maps and charts seemed less than clear. If you're going to read this, you might scan or copy the maps and charts to keep from flipping back to the front of the book. Be patient. It seems that Childers expects readers to have significant interest in yachting, or at least familiarity with it.
Still, this is worthwhile and a significant part of the late-Victorian literary history. Also, for those who are patient, it becomes far more interesting after the first 100 pages, once Davies reveals exactly why he has summoned Carruthers to join him on his boat trip.
While this seems like a book that would reward interpretation and research, it is frequently a less than entertaining read. The inverse of [b:The Prisoner of Zenda|6761364|The Prisoner of Zenda|Anthony Hope|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348325077s/6761364.jpg|2661176], The Riddle of the Sands is a rich text in terms of the historical period but it is not entirely engaging. The first 100 pages moved very slowly and the book itself relies frequently on two maps and two charts that we find in the opening of the text. While the inclusion of these figures in some ways replicates the references to maps that we find in [b:Treasure Island|444377|Treasure Island|Robert Louis Stevenson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1373998173s/444377.jpg|3077988] and [b:King Solomon's Mines|108913|King Solomon's Mines|H. Rider Haggard|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1171593119s/108913.jpg|575986], the reading process here felt more labored and the maps and charts seemed less than clear. If you're going to read this, you might scan or copy the maps and charts to keep from flipping back to the front of the book. Be patient. It seems that Childers expects readers to have significant interest in yachting, or at least familiarity with it.
Still, this is worthwhile and a significant part of the late-Victorian literary history. Also, for those who are patient, it becomes far more interesting after the first 100 pages, once Davies reveals exactly why he has summoned Carruthers to join him on his boat trip.
Surprising mix of nautical terminology (dry), humor (sarcastic), and espionage (a hint of). Enjoyable, foresighted, but I'd hesitate to agree with its tag of "classic".
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
The writing style was very much of it's time and hasn't aged well. Yes it's a classic and listed as the first spy genre novel and an inspiration to many authors of that genre (le Carre for example). It was mainly reems of descriptive text, mainly about yachting, the action didn't really start till about 2/3 way through and when it did it was very much a damp squib. Glad I've managed to finish it.