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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Very readable. Not entirely plausible. Interesting settings and characters. We need more non-white authors and characters to tell stories about American institutions in the US and abroad. Definitely, would recommend for an enjoyable and easy read.
I was really into this and then sort of petered out, but overall, I liked it. The thriller aspect was fun in the beginning, and I thought the style was reminiscent of old crime novels.
I’m back where I was when I started this book. My throat is choked, but my eyes are dry. My heart aches so badly I can feel it behind my diaphragm. I want the America Marie wants for her children. I want her children to know her. I want her to have been successful in her last mission.
Her love, her loss, her sharp intellect, I love it all. Marie is both bits of who I have seen in myself, who I want to be, and simply an other yet kindred spirit of a character.
When I was thirteen, I read Madeleine Albright’s Madam Secretary. And without pause, not a week has gone by in the ten years since where I have not thought or imagined myself as Secretary of State. But, in the last five years, as I have uncovered the taint of American foreign policy and foreign espionage, and worst, imperialism, I can’t dream it as well anymore. It tugs at me like it does Marie. On the one hand, her wish for her children is my ambition for myself and my generation - I want to “resist injustice…love fiercely and freely. In those ways… be [a] good American.” But I am also like Marie in that I would rather be in the thick of it, doing the right I could, to elevate myself above the law to see and scourge the cracks in the system by being in the law.
It’s funny. I realize, reading this was beautiful for all the ways in which I explored a Black woman of Harlem edging into the old boys game of foreign espionage and world power - a world I will never know. But it was also reading of myself, opening myself and seeing through Marie’s insights, what questions I have to ask myself. And what answers have been within me, but worded here and now by Wilkerson’s extraordinary novel.
Her love, her loss, her sharp intellect, I love it all. Marie is both bits of who I have seen in myself, who I want to be, and simply an other yet kindred spirit of a character.
When I was thirteen, I read Madeleine Albright’s Madam Secretary. And without pause, not a week has gone by in the ten years since where I have not thought or imagined myself as Secretary of State. But, in the last five years, as I have uncovered the taint of American foreign policy and foreign espionage, and worst, imperialism, I can’t dream it as well anymore. It tugs at me like it does Marie. On the one hand, her wish for her children is my ambition for myself and my generation - I want to “resist injustice…love fiercely and freely. In those ways… be [a] good American.” But I am also like Marie in that I would rather be in the thick of it, doing the right I could, to elevate myself above the law to see and scourge the cracks in the system by being in the law.
It’s funny. I realize, reading this was beautiful for all the ways in which I explored a Black woman of Harlem edging into the old boys game of foreign espionage and world power - a world I will never know. But it was also reading of myself, opening myself and seeing through Marie’s insights, what questions I have to ask myself. And what answers have been within me, but worded here and now by Wilkerson’s extraordinary novel.
Overall, an interesting read that was very well written.
The story follows Marie, a Black intelligence officer during The Cold War, through one important mission that has a profound impact on her life.
Most of Part 1 is backstory, which I loved. Part 2 is the actual mission, which wasn’t nearly as interesting to me.
There were certain stories that I wish had been explored more deeply. There were other parts that dragged on, especially in the second half.
I hope that the author will write another novel! I would love to read another of her books.
Quality of book: 4.5/5 stars
Level of my personal enjoyment: 3.5/5 stars
The story follows Marie, a Black intelligence officer during The Cold War, through one important mission that has a profound impact on her life.
Most of Part 1 is backstory, which I loved. Part 2 is the actual mission, which wasn’t nearly as interesting to me.
There were certain stories that I wish had been explored more deeply. There were other parts that dragged on, especially in the second half.
I hope that the author will write another novel! I would love to read another of her books.
Quality of book: 4.5/5 stars
Level of my personal enjoyment: 3.5/5 stars
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed Marie as a character; tonally, she reminded me a bit of Sue Grafton’s badass Kinsey Milhone. So many first-person led books have an overindulgent obvious author problem; that is not case here. Learning more about Burkina Faso was an element that drew me to this story. The middle and end could have had more clarity in parts and been structurally tighter, but overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I’d love to see a follow-up book.
Interesting. I will listen to Bahni Turpin read anything. I’m not sure I would’ve liked this book as much without her narration, though.
This book helped me during a time I didn’t realize I was holding on to grief. This book isn’t a self help book but it helped me nonetheless. I definitely need a continuation of where it left off. The writing was great and fast paced from the first page.
This is well written but I just didn't get into it. I think I like my spy stories a bit more fantastical and fast paced. This was also very political, so while it was well written, maybe just not for me.
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated