Scan barcode
rehana_maryyam's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
The story is narrated from an Israeli perspective about Palestinians which is incredibly based on false information. The only thing I learned from this book was how to make explosives; for educational purpose ofcourse *wink wink*
doctortdm's review against another edition
3.0
One of my least favorites, so many side stories the novel could easily have tripped over itself but Ambler's skill didn't let it happen.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Noted WW2 espionage writer Anton Furst listed this as his favorite Eric Ambler book. Furst's work shares a lot of Ambler's DNA in terms of setting and stakes but Furst is more dry and concerned with detail, while Ambler tends to lead towards excitement (at least in his popular works that I've read: Epitaph for a Spy and A Coffin for Dimitrios). Yet in reading it, I can see why Furst liked it so much as its more similar to Furst's use of bureaucracy and wealthy men. It's not as thrilling as other Ambler novels but in many ways, it's more mature and focused. I can see why Furst liked it so much and I found myself liking it a lot more than I thought I would.
paul_cornelius's review against another edition
4.0
Over many pages at the novel's opening, Eric Ambler pours out a multitude of names and places. And then he begins to explore his story through a series of parallel perspectives that stitch them all together. There are the perspectives, for example, of Michael Howell, a successful Syrian businessman, his mistress, Teresa Malandra, and a journalist, Lewis Prescott. But all three points of view ultimately revolve around their encounter with a Palestinian terrorist, Salah Ghelad. Comrade Salah, as they know him, is a nasty creature. He is humorless, easily offended and angered, and sadistically cruel and murderous. Yet everyone makes their compromises with him, whether to get a story, save a business empire, or protect a lover. And all of it comes through a slow process of reveals, something that Eric Ambler is a master of performing in his works.
There is an absence of an overt political message in this novel. Surprisingly so, because it deals with a highly political narrative. But more of what is at work here is the intricate exploration of plot, character, and motivation. This is particularly true towards the subject of Michael Howell. More than any Ambler novel I have so far read, this one gets into the mind of its main protagonist and finds, there, a "committee" of personalities. And each one is adaptive to the circumstances of the moment and the necessity to survive and come out on top. In this, Michael Howell, is all too human. It's just that he has been put in an extraordinary situation, being forced to front a terrorist operation. Fearfully and reluctantly, he is drawn into making a moral choice. Yet at the end, he is unchanged. He is still Michael, the businessman, looking for the best opportunity the situation will deal him.
Essentially, this novel explores a Cold War of the soul. I use the term "Cold War" because that conflict between East and West was often placid on the surface, with acknowledged boundaries, but full of conflict, turbulence, and violence beneath it all. So it is with characters in this novel, particularly Michael.
There is an absence of an overt political message in this novel. Surprisingly so, because it deals with a highly political narrative. But more of what is at work here is the intricate exploration of plot, character, and motivation. This is particularly true towards the subject of Michael Howell. More than any Ambler novel I have so far read, this one gets into the mind of its main protagonist and finds, there, a "committee" of personalities. And each one is adaptive to the circumstances of the moment and the necessity to survive and come out on top. In this, Michael Howell, is all too human. It's just that he has been put in an extraordinary situation, being forced to front a terrorist operation. Fearfully and reluctantly, he is drawn into making a moral choice. Yet at the end, he is unchanged. He is still Michael, the businessman, looking for the best opportunity the situation will deal him.
Essentially, this novel explores a Cold War of the soul. I use the term "Cold War" because that conflict between East and West was often placid on the surface, with acknowledged boundaries, but full of conflict, turbulence, and violence beneath it all. So it is with characters in this novel, particularly Michael.
doctortdm's review against another edition
3.0
One of my least favorites, so many side stories the novel could easily have tripped over itself but Ambler's skill didn't let it happen.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Noted WW2 espionage writer Anton Furst listed this as his favorite Eric Ambler book. Furst's work shares a lot of Ambler's DNA in terms of setting and stakes but Furst is more dry and concerned with detail, while Ambler tends to lead towards excitement (at least in his popular works that I've read: Epitaph for a Spy and A Coffin for Dimitrios). Yet in reading it, I can see why Furst liked it so much as its more similar to Furst's use of bureaucracy and wealthy men. It's not as thrilling as other Ambler novels but in many ways, it's more mature and focused. I can see why Furst liked it so much and I found myself liking it a lot more than I thought I would.
More...