karnakjr's review against another edition
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
2.5
I read this because I used to tutor the SATs. In the book I tutored from, one of the sample passages was from the first chapter of this book, edited down. I read over and over about Hannay’s boredom, and the conversation with the man who was already dead. It cut off right after the man I now know as Scudder revealed that detail. That is the version I wish still lives in my memory.
The first chapter is the best of this book. And it was better with all of the anti semitism edited out. I don’t need a lot of logic in my stories, but this one was strained. There was no serious danger for Hannay, as he always had the right skill (or benefactor) at the right time.
Buchan might be a better writer now, I think. The storytelling techniques he uses are old. There’s an idea in this, and there are moments that could have been great. But it does not stand up to a modern eye, and frankly doesn’t compare incredibly favorably with his contemporaries either.
The first chapter is the best of this book. And it was better with all of the anti semitism edited out. I don’t need a lot of logic in my stories, but this one was strained. There was no serious danger for Hannay, as he always had the right skill (or benefactor) at the right time.
Buchan might be a better writer now, I think. The storytelling techniques he uses are old. There’s an idea in this, and there are moments that could have been great. But it does not stand up to a modern eye, and frankly doesn’t compare incredibly favorably with his contemporaries either.
ella_w_h's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
sophiefreeman's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
mattgroot1980's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
chloe_anndorward's review against another edition
5.0
really enjoyed this, having seen it in the theatre i’ve always wanted to read the book and will now go onto watching the various film adaptations, one line that stood out to me was “ it was all a tory invention to cheat the poor of their rights” - not much has changed
yannis_'s review against another edition
2.0
Περίμενα πολλά περισσότερα από αυτό το βιβλίο.
Η αφήγηση δεν περιλαμβάνει κάποια "ποιητική" απόχρωση παρόλο που δεν πίστευα ούτε περίμενα κάτι τέτοιο. Αντίθετα όμως ήλπιζα σε μια καλύτερη ιστορία η οποία θα με έκανε να αγωνιώ και που δεν θα βασίζονταν σε συνεχείς αποδράσεις επειδή ο πρωταγωνιστής έχει συνεχώς την τύχη με το μέρος του. Αντίθετα, ευελπιστουσα ότι το όλο κυνηγητό θα ήταν πιο πιστευτο και αγωνιώδες.
Η αφήγηση δεν περιλαμβάνει κάποια "ποιητική" απόχρωση παρόλο που δεν πίστευα ούτε περίμενα κάτι τέτοιο. Αντίθετα όμως ήλπιζα σε μια καλύτερη ιστορία η οποία θα με έκανε να αγωνιώ και που δεν θα βασίζονταν σε συνεχείς αποδράσεις επειδή ο πρωταγωνιστής έχει συνεχώς την τύχη με το μέρος του. Αντίθετα, ευελπιστουσα ότι το όλο κυνηγητό θα ήταν πιο πιστευτο και αγωνιώδες.
emily_123's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
amadeus68's review against another edition
5.0
Πρέπει να κριθεί με βάση την εποχή που γράφτηκε. Με βάση λοιπόν αυτό, αποτελεί ένα έξοχο δείγμα περιπέτειας και κατασκοπίας.
carlq's review against another edition
3.0
“A fool tries to look different: a clever man looks the same and is different.”
― John Buchan, The 39 Steps
The Thirty-Nine Steps is a short, but exciting spy-like thriller. As we follow Richard Hannay, who after returning home from a stay in Africa finds himself in the middle of a plot to incite war.
Overall, a pleasant read.
― John Buchan, The 39 Steps
The Thirty-Nine Steps is a short, but exciting spy-like thriller. As we follow Richard Hannay, who after returning home from a stay in Africa finds himself in the middle of a plot to incite war.
Overall, a pleasant read.