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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this quick, easy read. Perfect for keeping a tired mom involved without complex intrigue. Basic but fun and worth the afternoon.
This is was a surpisingly engaging book - very much of its time of course, all Empire, Boys Own and derring do. The hero, Hannoy, finds himself in the middle of a spy plot involving Germans on the eve of the First World War. The Germans are masters of disguise, have ruthlessly cruel faces and mutter `schnell schnell' when they're uncovered (not Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte as my husband suggested.) Hannoy is accused of murder and at the same time is being chased round a very scenic Scotland by baddies, fortunately his knowledge of survival in the wilds assists him, as do some authentically picturesque locals. He stumbles on one unlikley adventure after another, eventually saving the day, whilst unfortunately not of course preventing the First World War.
The book is saved by being well-written, with lovely descriptions of Scotland and it runs with a breathless gusto. Its been adapted into many films, none of which seem to much resemble the book - particularly as they introduce women, which I'm sure didn't exist as a species in 1914, at least not in John Buchan's world. Still, I'm bound to say I enjoyed it, I like books that can bring a distant era to life, and I read it in one sitting pretty much whilst being ill.
The book is saved by being well-written, with lovely descriptions of Scotland and it runs with a breathless gusto. Its been adapted into many films, none of which seem to much resemble the book - particularly as they introduce women, which I'm sure didn't exist as a species in 1914, at least not in John Buchan's world. Still, I'm bound to say I enjoyed it, I like books that can bring a distant era to life, and I read it in one sitting pretty much whilst being ill.
adventurous
slow-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
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-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
I expected more from this since Hitchcock made it into a film. It was almost too short, so it just hopped from event to event, and too detailed at the same time. Just not much here.
3.5 might be a more accurate score for this for me. 4 seems too high.
It's a very easy read. Story is interesting enough. But it didn't grip me massively. It's short enough so if you're really keen, go for it. But I wouldn't read it again or strongly recommend it.
It's a very easy read. Story is interesting enough. But it didn't grip me massively. It's short enough so if you're really keen, go for it. But I wouldn't read it again or strongly recommend it.
adventurous
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
Preferred the film I saw, and the play (which is a comedy). They've changed things from the book - or else I didn't recognise supporting characters. And wow does Buchan go on about the terrain and landscape... Sometimes I just read without trying to imagine, as it was a lot of vales and hills and gorse and streams and ditches and... Well anyway. Decent story but could do with less geography descriptions.
This is a story that really didn't inspire me. The beginning is interesting, the ending is interesting. The middle, however, involves the main character running around fields and finding lots of uncommonly helpful strangers.
Not a classic and I will not be recommending it.
Not a classic and I will not be recommending it.
This is a story that really didn't inspire me. The beginning is interesting, the ending is interesting. The middle, however, involves the main character running around fields and finding lots of uncommonly helpful strangers.
Not a classic and I will not be recommending it.