sheeprustler's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
halski's review
2.0
A ham-fisted first novel severely lacking in structure and hampered by a silly romantic side plot that is almost too prominent to be left only in secondary role.
On the plus side, the character of David Audley showed some promise, in that his approaches to interviewing people were quite varied and uncontrolled. He often does what he didn't want to do, and while it doesn't affect the book significantly—which is a fault—it does add to his character, and to the overall feeling of humanity and fragility in the book. It has a very down-to-earth, realistic feel to it.
On the plus side, the character of David Audley showed some promise, in that his approaches to interviewing people were quite varied and uncontrolled. He often does what he didn't want to do, and while it doesn't affect the book significantly—which is a fault—it does add to his character, and to the overall feeling of humanity and fragility in the book. It has a very down-to-earth, realistic feel to it.
tomlloyd's review
4.0
Highly enjoyable - a nice quiet tone Cold War novel reminiscent in parts of le Carre. It's older than me however so there are a few old fashioned attitudes, esp regarding women, that jar, while the ending rushed up on me somewhat however much I was looking forward to it. As a first novel it was very good however and certainly enough to make me want to read on - an interesting premise and well worked through which is crucial for a cold war novel.
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