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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Initially enjoyable, but the middle and end was not so great. Some CIA/FBI etc.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Briefly, I wanted to love this book. It had a lot of potential and good aspects including a strong woman protagonist, a lovely blend of fact and fiction, and a refreshing take on a spy novel. However, I felt myself finish the book out of obligation rather than enjoyment. Except for the beginning and some later parts, the pacing overall felt way too slow. While I liked the first-person narration and that the novel is written as a letter to Marie's twins, it lost some momentum at scenes that should have been explosive and gripping. I think later on I'll give this another shot. Definitely looking forward to seeing more work from Laura Wilkinson. Also, I read the audible version and Bahni Turpin's narration was top notch. That alone kept me engaged.
slow-paced
When I chose to read this I had already heard good things about this book. I haven’t read this type of fiction in a long time so I’m glad I gave this book a chance. It was interesting to read about a historical figure that I knew nothing about which was true for me in regard to Thomas Sankara. Keep in mind that this is fiction even though Sankara was real. I loved the way this book was written as if the main character, Marie was writing the story down for her sons to read one day. This was a wonderful way of adding an even more sentimental touch to an already personal story told by Marie. I think anyone interested in reading about an insider’s experience in intelligence agencies, spies, and the emotional turmoil of those involved, would enjoy reading this book.
I really wanted to enjoy this book and I hope it is not the last book we have about women of color working in espionage, nor the last about the CIA’s activities in Africa. I learned a lot, and had so many interesting things to look up because of the book. But the story has good seed which never blossom. The author seems to think she’s laid a really compelling backstory and set of motivations, but they are too thin and implausible. The connection between Marie and her target is limited and not worth the attention it consumes. Also she might be the least curious and most gullible spy I’ve ever read! Ask more questions, Marie! She keeps telling us how skilled she is and then she fails at pretty simple espionage elements.
Anyhow, it just didn’t prove to be the book I wanted, but I do think it could be turned into a really good miniseries or movie, even, with a little more fleshing out.
Anyhow, it just didn’t prove to be the book I wanted, but I do think it could be turned into a really good miniseries or movie, even, with a little more fleshing out.
4.5 stars
This was a good book- it’s a little bit about motherhood, sisterhood, and family, it’s a little bit about love that doesn’t really make sense, it’s a little bit about American colonialism, a little bit about race in America, and a lot about ideology and trying to make the world a better place.
This was a good book- it’s a little bit about motherhood, sisterhood, and family, it’s a little bit about love that doesn’t really make sense, it’s a little bit about American colonialism, a little bit about race in America, and a lot about ideology and trying to make the world a better place.
Refreshingly different, character driven spy novel.
Review from my blog: https://bookreviewsbyelly.blogspot.com/2019/05/american-spy-by-lauren-wilkinson.html
American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson could have been a better book. It was an interesting subject, but the writing was difficult to follow and interfered with my understanding of the plot. The book left me with questions, not because I was moved by the story and couldn't stop thinking about it, but because there were many loose ends that weren't tied up. There were a lot of ideas that came together to make this book, and those ideas didn't seem to fit together in a cohesive storyline. This book was meh.
American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson could have been a better book. It was an interesting subject, but the writing was difficult to follow and interfered with my understanding of the plot. The book left me with questions, not because I was moved by the story and couldn't stop thinking about it, but because there were many loose ends that weren't tied up. There were a lot of ideas that came together to make this book, and those ideas didn't seem to fit together in a cohesive storyline. This book was meh.