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sandin954's review against another edition
5.0
A very good espionage novel written in the early 1970's. The story is told through various agent reports, transcripts, journal entries, etc. and when I saw the structure of the book I was a bit hesitant but the plot unfolded smoothly and each character was fully realized.
leslielu67's review against another edition
4.0
I usually don't read spy novels. If they are all as good as this, I may have to re-think my book shelf.
heritage's review against another edition
2.0
1959. An intercepted message indicates the Soviets may be sending an agent into Sudan to assist some anti-government rebels. Further investigation points to one man, and the Americans have a plan to turn this to their advantage.
I don't have much experience with epistolary novels, but my limited exposure makes me feel they're problematic, chiefly because I don't believe people write with that much detail in their regular correspondence. There's too much of the novelist in the documents and not enough of the average person writing with a clear purpose. That sentiment certainly holds true for this novel. But, there's another problem.
Part of the reason this novel is written as a series of documents, letters, diary entries, messages, reports, etc. is to show how easy it is for intelligence agencies to distance themselves from the human subject of the investigation. By distancing themselves like this, the decision makers are treating the subject as something less valuable than a human life. And therein lies the other problem with this novel: we just can't make a connection with any of the characters. They're merely the subjects of reports. Very sterile. Congratulations to the author for accomplishing his purpose, but in so doing also making a lackluster novel because of our detachment from the characters.
There are some interesting moments regarding tradecraft, some humor, and a tiny bit of information about Sudan and the desert, but not enough to compensate for the poor characters and writing style. Perhaps the other books in the series are better. Maybe it's possible to skip this one and just read them instead.
I don't have much experience with epistolary novels, but my limited exposure makes me feel they're problematic, chiefly because I don't believe people write with that much detail in their regular correspondence. There's too much of the novelist in the documents and not enough of the average person writing with a clear purpose. That sentiment certainly holds true for this novel. But, there's another problem.
Part of the reason this novel is written as a series of documents, letters, diary entries, messages, reports, etc. is to show how easy it is for intelligence agencies to distance themselves from the human subject of the investigation. By distancing themselves like this, the decision makers are treating the subject as something less valuable than a human life. And therein lies the other problem with this novel: we just can't make a connection with any of the characters. They're merely the subjects of reports. Very sterile. Congratulations to the author for accomplishing his purpose, but in so doing also making a lackluster novel because of our detachment from the characters.
There are some interesting moments regarding tradecraft, some humor, and a tiny bit of information about Sudan and the desert, but not enough to compensate for the poor characters and writing style. Perhaps the other books in the series are better. Maybe it's possible to skip this one and just read them instead.
shayneh's review against another edition
3.0
Layered and complex, eminently rememberable. This is a grown up book in many ways.
cooeeaus's review against another edition
3.0
This was a different sort of novel written in letter or report style to tell of events happening on the ground. We have a group of spies and civilians (perhaps), who may be spies going off into Sudan together on a trip, with the probability of bandits and communists everywhere. They are all on some kind of spy mission for their perspective governments.
I found the novel slow at times and passages irrelevant at other times. I skimmed over some towards the end as I lost some interest in what was going to happen! The climax wasn't a climax at all as you're expecting it!
Overall 70% was interesting and kept me reading but the other 30% was too long or boring and unnecessary details.
For those who like spy stories perhaps this might be a good read for everyone else there are some good parts and some not so good, it depends on if you will persevere with it or not!
I found the novel slow at times and passages irrelevant at other times. I skimmed over some towards the end as I lost some interest in what was going to happen! The climax wasn't a climax at all as you're expecting it!
Overall 70% was interesting and kept me reading but the other 30% was too long or boring and unnecessary details.
For those who like spy stories perhaps this might be a good read for everyone else there are some good parts and some not so good, it depends on if you will persevere with it or not!
karthikm_86's review against another edition
5.0
one of the most celebral plotlines ever.
Eventual plotline end entirely depends on the reader's read of the book.
Miernik dossier (published in 1973) is still far above the spy fiction which is pressed out today.
Eventual plotline end entirely depends on the reader's read of the book.
Miernik dossier (published in 1973) is still far above the spy fiction which is pressed out today.
chuckri's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
ro_reads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely one of the more interesting spy novels I've ever read. It's got suspense and intrigue that keep you guessing until the final pages (and aren't really revealed in the conclusion). It's got a memorable cast of characters that are well-sketched. If I have one beef with the book, it's the "dossier" style of compiled transcripts which kind of slowed Things down too often and worked against the suspense. Still a very good book though and I look forward to delving into the author's Paul Christopher series.
harry_reads4fun's review against another edition
5.0
The premise, a series of reports and recordings filed by different spies, disguises the truth: this book was real entertaining fun and the best surprise of the year! It had me guessing until the end and rethinking the motivations and intentions of every character - even after I turned the last page - I'm still not sure who's on whose side, but I like it that way.