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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Antisemitism
A marvelous spy story. Just reread for the 3rd or 4th time. I think it is one of the first thrillers written.
Richard Hannay has come home from living in South Africa since he was six. He is totally bored with London and considering going back to South Africa if London doesn't produce some excitement. That night he founds a neighbor from another floor at his elbow when he prepares to enter his apartment. Scudder, as he calls himself, is afraid for his life and looking for a place to stay safe. People have been watching him and he must stay alive until June 15th, because something really, terribly awful is going to happen. Karolides, the head of the Greek parliament will be assassinated and that will be the start of the conspiracy between Germany and Russia and capitalists and others who plan to start a war and take advantage of the chaos for monetary and power gains. He wishes to prevent the assassination, or so he tells Hannay. Then, Hannay comes home one day and finds Scudder dead in his study, a knife driven through his chest pinning him to the floor - and his flat has been ransacked. He knows he needs to leave or be accused of the murder, but it seems the people watching Scudder are watching him now. He has to get away and warn the government. He finds Scudder's notebook that contains information about the plot - the one the bad guys did not find, though they searched desperately. So he sets out, relying on his wits, health, gut instincts and quite a few kindly people he finds along the way. An exciting book.
Richard Hannay has come home from living in South Africa since he was six. He is totally bored with London and considering going back to South Africa if London doesn't produce some excitement. That night he founds a neighbor from another floor at his elbow when he prepares to enter his apartment. Scudder, as he calls himself, is afraid for his life and looking for a place to stay safe. People have been watching him and he must stay alive until June 15th, because something really, terribly awful is going to happen. Karolides, the head of the Greek parliament will be assassinated and that will be the start of the conspiracy between Germany and Russia and capitalists and others who plan to start a war and take advantage of the chaos for monetary and power gains. He wishes to prevent the assassination, or so he tells Hannay. Then, Hannay comes home one day and finds Scudder dead in his study, a knife driven through his chest pinning him to the floor - and his flat has been ransacked. He knows he needs to leave or be accused of the murder, but it seems the people watching Scudder are watching him now. He has to get away and warn the government. He finds Scudder's notebook that contains information about the plot - the one the bad guys did not find, though they searched desperately. So he sets out, relying on his wits, health, gut instincts and quite a few kindly people he finds along the way. An exciting book.
The 39 steps is a short, fast paced thriller, which is gripping and intriguing conventional in its genre of spy fiction and espionage stories. The novel is not particularly detailed or hung on a complicated plot as opposed to outlining the simple if not slightly far fetched story about a man who is dragged into an international plot to perpetuate war, and has to unfoil it to clear his name. But this kind of story despite its fantastical nature is exciting and entertaining. Buchan also explores notions of doubt, appearance and duality as well as modern notions of transport, communication and public perception. His context based plot also brings into play the importance of politics in literature, and within the genre of espionage especially. Overall the novel was enjoyable and entertaining!
Early 'spy' book. I didn't feel like the main character was being pursued until about 1/3 of the way through the book. I liked the bits that were vaguely Sherlock Holmesian (where Hannay dresses up and tricks people). I ultimately didn't care what happened to him or what happened with the plot overall.
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
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No