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3.9 AVERAGE

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous

This is a classic, and having seen the movie numerous times, I found the novel to be a vivid retelling of a story I already knew well. The film stays pretty true to the book, so there were no real surprises in the plot. However, what set the reading experience apart was the sheer depth of technical detail. The dense descriptions, laden with acronyms and intricate explanations of submarine mechanics, became mentally exhausting to hold in my head. I often found myself struggling to piece together a clear visualization or resisting the temptation to skim ahead. While the novel is amazing in its authenticity and realism, its technical density can make for a challenging read.
caseybulen's profile picture

caseybulen's review

4.5
mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous informative tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The captain of an experimental Soviet sub tries to defect to the US during the Cold War era.

I didn't like this. At all. I only finished it because it's on a list I'm trying to complete. I get that it's not meant for me--but there are also serious problems, mainly that the whole thing reads like the transcription of a radio play. A lot of dialogue for how "action packed" the novel is supposed to be. There is, as far as I can tell, exactly one reversal, which falls at the end of the book. One thing that doesn't go according to plan. So the first 95% of the book is dull, talky, and predictable and should be about half as long. The last 5% is pretty fun.

The people who should be reading this are the sort of people who like to watch people play complicated strategy games and work out the rules by deducing what's going on just by watching the players. This will probably be a great read for you! But probably watching the movie will be better for everyone else.
adventurous hopeful informative inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

lazerm's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 37%

Slog fest trying to get through it
adventurous dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced