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nleiby's review against another edition
3.0
Pulpy, fun, page-turner. Action and adventure, but the characters are light. My version had a good intro by the author positioning the novel as an early entry in the CIA novel genre- not much was known about the agency. It also had some insight into editorial decisions that made it into the book (What was the underlying motive? Who dies and survives?) that were interesting to consider when I got to the relevant sections.
Probably more worth reading as an innovative and influential book than as a work in a vacuum.
Probably more worth reading as an innovative and influential book than as a work in a vacuum.
caroparr's review against another edition
3.0
Great premise, entertaining enough but very dated, not just in technology but in the way people interact. The movie is also dated but much better.
essinink's review against another edition
3.0
One rainy, D.C. day, basement-level CIA bureaucrat Ronald Malcolm (Codename: Condor) returns from lunch to find his coworkers murdered. Over the next six days he is embroiled in an Agency conspiracy, hunted and unsure where to turn or who to trust.
This is a 1970s pulp spy-thriller, with all the pros and cons that implies. On the plus side, it’s a slim, fast-paced adventure. Malcolm isn’t Bond; he doesn’t have endless exciting gadgets and field training to get out of tough situations. What he does have is seemingly endless luck. His improbable escapades are lampshaded by his pursuers, who can’t help but shake their heads at the number of coincidences occurring in Malcolm’s presence. He also has bizarrely good luck with women, whose characterization extends only to the length of their legs and the fullness of their breasts.
As short and fast-paced as it was, it made a decent reading snack, but don’t expect depth. 3 out of 5 stars.
This is a 1970s pulp spy-thriller, with all the pros and cons that implies. On the plus side, it’s a slim, fast-paced adventure. Malcolm isn’t Bond; he doesn’t have endless exciting gadgets and field training to get out of tough situations. What he does have is seemingly endless luck. His improbable escapades are lampshaded by his pursuers, who can’t help but shake their heads at the number of coincidences occurring in Malcolm’s presence. He also has bizarrely good luck with women, whose characterization extends only to the length of their legs and the fullness of their breasts.
As short and fast-paced as it was, it made a decent reading snack, but don’t expect depth. 3 out of 5 stars.
sharpness's review against another edition
4.0
A good, succinct read that doesn't bore or get monotonous, as so many in the genre do. Though poorly written in some spots, a solid work that I recommend.
em_jay's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing gem of a thrilling read! If you love espionage, spy games, etc., then this a perfect summer read!
dpmcalister's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you're coming to this book, like me, from the movie, then there are enough differences to make it worthwhile. Overall it is a fast read although a little dated now. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys espionage novels though.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder
merricatct's review against another edition
4.0
Political thriller isn’t a genre I usually seek out, so this was a bit of a boundary stretch for me. This was written in the 70’s, so it’s pretty outdated in a lot of ways, and it relied way too heavily on coincidences to make the plot work, but you know what? I still enjoyed the hell out of it. It helped that it was short, so my patience hadn’t worn out before the end.
lisvhout's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
The male gaze is probably the biggest downfall for this book. Written by a man for men. That aside it’s a fun and quick read, but nothing too deep.
aman_bhatia's review against another edition
4.0
Malcom has a desk job in CIA . He happens to be out of office to buy lunch and when he returns .. he finds that every one at his office is shot .
What follows is a roller coaster thriller where he has to run and decode what happened .
Fast paced and a day by day account of what happens across 6 days ..
What follows is a roller coaster thriller where he has to run and decode what happened .
Fast paced and a day by day account of what happens across 6 days ..