skpatton's review
A page turner, right to the end. I learned about the Spanish Revolution from the perspective of those who lived it.
funneemonkee's review
3.0
An enjoyable read and a very well researched piece of historical fiction. But full of cardboard characters (the overly idealistic communist, the insecure frizzy haired redhead, etc).
purple_zebra's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
liambluer's review
3.0
There are two main plot lines here, an extremely dull one about public schoolboys, shady business dealings, and espionage, and a fairly more rousing one about a prison break. However, Sansom's superb evocation of the periods before, during and after the Spanish Civil War, and its effect on those who lived through it, goes some way towards compensating for the plot's shortcomings, and I would recommend it purely on that basis (if you like that sort of thing) (which I do).
geirertzgaard's review
4.0
Lest for lenge siden. Treig start, ga opp etter 100 sider, som er regelen jeg har: "Ikke gi deg før hundre". Plukka den opp ei stund senere, og da slukte jeg den. Var nok en av disse bøkene som skriver seg vekk i persongallerier og detaljer de første sidene uten å vise fram spenningene, for så å løsne. Får litt William Boyd-vibber av denne, men mer avgrenset i tid enn de beste bøkene fra Boyd, slik som And Human Heart og The New Confessions.
banjax451's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I wanted to like this more than I did. As others point out, nothing much happens for about 3/4 of the book...and then a bunch all at once. And while maybe that's how these sorts of things work, it didn't make for a satisfying read. The prose is good and the depiction of post-Civil War Spain is fascinating, but for whatever reason...this didn't resonate as much as I'd hoped
roshk99's review
4.0
This book differs from Sansom's exquisite Shardlake series in that it has a different setting as well as that it is written in a slightly different style. It was more of a social commentary and a story rather than a mystery, and the action proceeded more slowly. The period detail made it interesting, but not as good as the Shardlake series.
storyman's review
5.0
Fantastic slow-burn historical novel revolving around three men who went to the same school and end up embroiled in the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath.
The characters pull you in from the start, even the seemingly bland main protagonist Harry Brett, an Everyman persuaded into spying on his old school friend Sandy Forsyth, whom the British fear is on the verge of finding enough gold to fund Spain into the war on the Axis side.
I love how Sansom pulls you into the grim city and plays with your political affiliations. When you're with Bernie, you're a communist. When you're with Sandy, you're a pragmatist taking opportunities under any regime. And when you're with Harry and Barbara, you see both sides' flaws. Sansom's writing is subtle enough to persuade you in all directions without battering you over the head with politics.
The plot is slow-paced, and some readers might lose patience, but the deep characters and rich setting keep you on the page until the climax forces sweat from your palms.
A great read.
The characters pull you in from the start, even the seemingly bland main protagonist Harry Brett, an Everyman persuaded into spying on his old school friend Sandy Forsyth, whom the British fear is on the verge of finding enough gold to fund Spain into the war on the Axis side.
I love how Sansom pulls you into the grim city and plays with your political affiliations. When you're with Bernie, you're a communist. When you're with Sandy, you're a pragmatist taking opportunities under any regime. And when you're with Harry and Barbara, you see both sides' flaws. Sansom's writing is subtle enough to persuade you in all directions without battering you over the head with politics.
The plot is slow-paced, and some readers might lose patience, but the deep characters and rich setting keep you on the page until the climax forces sweat from your palms.
A great read.
didactylos's review
5.0
A cracking thriller with a driving pace. However a very intelligent one too that has impressed me with its setting. Up to now my view of the Spanish Civil war was as a preamble to WW2 - with reading this the nightmarish consequences of the war were brought home and the author paints a convincing picture of a grim devastation and a continuing ruthless war between extremists.