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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
Enjoyable "spy" novel, was mostly interested in seeing how Hitchcock changed the story but ended up getting pretty gripped by the fast paced story.
This was my first John Buchan book and I enjoyed it.
The story was fast paced, the characters well written and the plot was good, with some funny episodes throughout.
Would recommend it
The story was fast paced, the characters well written and the plot was good, with some funny episodes throughout.
Would recommend it
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Interestingly one of the first espionage/thriller novels of the 20th century, written in 1915. It’s short and full of upper crust British attitudes, but you can see the appeal of this story spurring a new genre.
Very much a boys’ own spy yarn. It lacks any real psychological insight, and some aspects of the plot hang together by coincidence, or are just astonishingly unlikely. To avoid spoilers, I’ll just say what was in the boxes in the cellar, or, the lax protocols for operational appointments, and so on.
But for all that, this is a much loved story, and it’s pleasant enough to empathise with the original readers, who perhaps needed this bit of distraction from the harsh realities of day-to-day life. Under the surface there’s nationalism, bias, and a consciousness that those in charge may also be fools.
But for all that, this is a much loved story, and it’s pleasant enough to empathise with the original readers, who perhaps needed this bit of distraction from the harsh realities of day-to-day life. Under the surface there’s nationalism, bias, and a consciousness that those in charge may also be fools.
A bog standard Edwardian suspense novel that I read due to the great Hitchcock film. Coming at a book from a beloved movie is a weird experience for me, as I had the same reaction that one usually has going the other way. Surprise at things that don't happen and that are different. At the end of it all, I enjoyed it. In many ways, this is the prototype for early science fiction too. Wild and crazy adventures that are just barely believable. I'm glad both genres matured.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really a poor book. The story is fairly interesting, but the execution is quite poor. I suppose it has some interest in a historical context, but it's not a well-written book.
I've read some of the other books in the series and they're much better.
Also, the iconic image of the man handcuffed to a woman doesn't even appear in the book. Which says something if the adaptation is better than the original.
I've read some of the other books in the series and they're much better.
Also, the iconic image of the man handcuffed to a woman doesn't even appear in the book. Which says something if the adaptation is better than the original.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
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
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No