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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
This was a gripping, fast-paced read. The interweaving of the micro and macro plot kept things interesting. Unlike other reviewers, I did not find it tedious or overcomplicated - my appetite for complexity is probably even greater than what was delivered. The letter at the back of the book from Terry captures it well - I am the type of person who, when choosing a book like this, likes it to be ‘epic’ and ‘immersive’
My gripes are to do with the intentionality of the author. It is clear that Scott / Peter is meant to be a mirror of the Saracen. But how much of his sexism, Islamophobia, ego, and general right-wing conservativism is a reflection of his characterisation vs the authors own beliefs and biases sneaking in? With truly great writing, there is no question like this lingering, which is why this has to stay a four star read for me
Quotes:
If you want to be free, all you have to do is let go
Edmund Burke said the problem with war is that it usually consumes the very things that you're fighting for - justice, decency, humanity - and I couldn't help but think of how many times I had violated our nation's deepest values in order to protect them.
'You look hunted, he said finally, in that Buddhist way, more in sorrow than in judgement.
Hunted? I laughed and told him it was the first time I had ever heard that: people usually put me on the other side of the food chain.
There is no other side of the food chain,' he said quietly.
'Only the West believes that. Without grace, everyone is running from something.’
Then he thought for a moment. There was one thing the experience had taught him. He said he'd learned that when millions of people, a whole political system, countless numbers of citizens who believed in God, said they were going to kill you - just listen to them.'
I slept, and dreamed that life was beauty;
I woke, and found that life was duty.
My gripes are to do with the intentionality of the author. It is clear that Scott / Peter is meant to be a mirror of the Saracen. But how much of his sexism, Islamophobia, ego, and general right-wing conservativism is a reflection of his characterisation vs the authors own beliefs and biases sneaking in? With truly great writing, there is no question like this lingering, which is why this has to stay a four star read for me
Quotes:
If you want to be free, all you have to do is let go
Edmund Burke said the problem with war is that it usually consumes the very things that you're fighting for - justice, decency, humanity - and I couldn't help but think of how many times I had violated our nation's deepest values in order to protect them.
'You look hunted, he said finally, in that Buddhist way, more in sorrow than in judgement.
Hunted? I laughed and told him it was the first time I had ever heard that: people usually put me on the other side of the food chain.
There is no other side of the food chain,' he said quietly.
'Only the West believes that. Without grace, everyone is running from something.’
Then he thought for a moment. There was one thing the experience had taught him. He said he'd learned that when millions of people, a whole political system, countless numbers of citizens who believed in God, said they were going to kill you - just listen to them.'
I slept, and dreamed that life was beauty;
I woke, and found that life was duty.
adventurous
fast-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
Yes it's a bit "rah, rah America!" Not to mention its characterisations of the minor non-American characters, but I really liked the cleverness of the antagonist and his plan. I enjoyed reading it though, and found it hard to put down, so it gets a 4
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
The book starts off with a murder. That murder is initially used as a means to introduce the protagonist – a clever, knowledgeable CIA-like super-sleuth. The book then switches to the antagonist, powerfully telling of the seminal events in his life that transformed him from an intelligent and determined individual into a terrorist who is knowledgeably, patiently and determinedly focused on a plan that would ultimately kill millions. There are shades of Tom Clancy’s “Executive Orders” in this story, but this story stands very well on its own merit. I also felt both main characters were well drawn.
So there is a murder that may or may not get solved. But the main point of this book is that [1] there is a very intelligent antagonist working very hard to cover his tracks so that his plan will succeed and [2] a very clever protagonist trying to find him and stop him from succeeding. A simple concept that the author has executed very well. Unfortunately, the storyline is advanced due to two very improbable coincidences. (No, I’m not going to tell you what they are.) So I gave the book 4 stars (instead of 5) as I had trouble accepting such improbabilities.
So there is a murder that may or may not get solved. But the main point of this book is that [1] there is a very intelligent antagonist working very hard to cover his tracks so that his plan will succeed and [2] a very clever protagonist trying to find him and stop him from succeeding. A simple concept that the author has executed very well. Unfortunately, the storyline is advanced due to two very improbable coincidences. (No, I’m not going to tell you what they are.) So I gave the book 4 stars (instead of 5) as I had trouble accepting such improbabilities.
Incredibly gripping, brilliant read. For any fans of TV thrillers like Homeland this is worth a read - you can see the adaptation as you read it. Loved it and feel bit lost now I have finished it. His second book is going on my list now!
I don't read a ton of spy thrillers. It's a genre that I always seem to enjoy but very few of them actually stick with me. I Am Pilgrim might be one of the few thrillers that will stick with me far after finishing the book. For one thing it's one of the longest thrillers of this type I've ever read. Like I said not my favorite genre but series like Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series usually "rapp" (see what I did there) up in half the time. That keeps action tight and the plot line less susceptible to big gaping holes.
First things first Terry Hayes did a fantastic job writing this book. Its polished and well thought out from start to finish. Some of the twists and turns that he thinks up in this novel are brilliant. One of my small gripes is that there's a little to much preachy American rah rah for my taste. Not only do we get some tragic 9/11 stories but there's a distinct difference between how he portrays American's taking non-American lives and vice versa. An odd dichotomy that pops up a couple of times.
There are two big plot lines that run together from the very start of the novel to the end. One is a murder that takes place in New York. The other is a terrorist planning to drop small pox into the United States. Through these two cases we learn a lot about the main character Pilgrim and his many personas. His childhood, his adopted parents, and some of his bigger cases. His past is probably more interesting then the case he is on. I expect if this becomes a series more of these past cases will come into light.
When I got to the last quarter of the book I really kicked my reading into high gear. I started making time to read the book. Things started to move a lot faster and the twists kept coming. There were times that Pilgrim would say what would happen but I couldn't figure out how or why he would have that outcome. What I appreciated even more was that once things resolve the book doesn't end. His wounds are not magically healed. He has to deal with things. He's not invincible.
I Am Pilgrim is one of the better thrillers I've read in a long time. For a lengthy read it keeps a good pace and never gets boring. I really hope Hayes makes this into a series. It would make for a great annual summer read.
First things first Terry Hayes did a fantastic job writing this book. Its polished and well thought out from start to finish. Some of the twists and turns that he thinks up in this novel are brilliant. One of my small gripes is that there's a little to much preachy American rah rah for my taste. Not only do we get some tragic 9/11 stories but there's a distinct difference between how he portrays American's taking non-American lives and vice versa. An odd dichotomy that pops up a couple of times.
There are two big plot lines that run together from the very start of the novel to the end. One is a murder that takes place in New York. The other is a terrorist planning to drop small pox into the United States. Through these two cases we learn a lot about the main character Pilgrim and his many personas. His childhood, his adopted parents, and some of his bigger cases. His past is probably more interesting then the case he is on. I expect if this becomes a series more of these past cases will come into light.
When I got to the last quarter of the book I really kicked my reading into high gear. I started making time to read the book. Things started to move a lot faster and the twists kept coming. There were times that Pilgrim would say what would happen but I couldn't figure out how or why he would have that outcome. What I appreciated even more was that once things resolve the book doesn't end. His wounds are not magically healed. He has to deal with things. He's not invincible.
I Am Pilgrim is one of the better thrillers I've read in a long time. For a lengthy read it keeps a good pace and never gets boring. I really hope Hayes makes this into a series. It would make for a great annual summer read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Suicide, Religious bigotry, Stalking
Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, War