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siobhanmcb's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kamrynharned's review
adventurous
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? Yes
2.25
I made it through the book, but there definitely wasn’t many redeeming qualities about this book. A hint of misogyny, a touch of western superiority, and outdated politics make for a pretty hard-to-swallow read. The adventure was fast-paced, but the pacing felt very off with all the large jumps in the timeline. The Afghans in this book were mostly portrayed in a kind light, and I did appreciate Jane’s distaste with war in general, instead of taking a firm “America is right” stance. However, she was was a female character that was VERY obviously written by a man. The way she “thought” was so simple it was almost offensive to her character. Overall, for a free side-of-the-road book that would have otherwise been rained on and ruined, it could have been worse, but I would not recommend it to anyone and will be donating it to the thrift store.
virginiacjacobs's review
3.0
This book came out in the 1980s, and so you have to backtrack to the political climate of that time. It's hard for me to rate this book because the antagonistic character is pro-Russian communism, and the protagonist character is pro-US funding the organization that eventually became al-Qaeda (although that's outside the time-frame of the book). But it's unfair to judge a book on politics I don't like, so I'm giving it three stars. The book had enough action and was decently written. It wasn't a bad story at all, and if you're a fan of Ken Follett, you'll likely enjoy it.
amerdale's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
bollebertus's review
4.0
Een leuk boek, spannend genoeg om te blijven lezen. De manier waarop Follett de personages richting het einde bij elkaar brengt is wederom goed gedaan.
De maniet waarop Ellis uiteindelijk alles krijgt wat hij wil, is niet altijd even gemakkelijk geweest maar de manier waarop en wat hij en Jane moesten doorstaan maakt het allemaal waard.
Voor mij is het weer een stapje dichterbij mijn doel om al zijn boeken te lezen.
De maniet waarop Ellis uiteindelijk alles krijgt wat hij wil, is niet altijd even gemakkelijk geweest maar de manier waarop en wat hij en Jane moesten doorstaan maakt het allemaal waard.
Voor mij is het weer een stapje dichterbij mijn doel om al zijn boeken te lezen.
jnieto's review against another edition
4.0
Well written, well documented, a pleasure to read (specially after starting a couple of puagg novels). Follet's novels which are shorter than 500 pages are very good, the longer ones are ... correct.
cnorbury's review against another edition
3.0
The first three chapters were a master class on how to set up a thriller. First sentence--high stakes immediately. First paragraph--setting and a hint of the time frame. First page-- compels you to turn to page two because there was a snag in the car bomb plan (immediate obstacle with negative consequences. End of first chapter--cliffhanger ending with an interesting twist and a story question begging to be answered. Grade-- straight A's.
Then each chapter introduces the three MCs--Ellis, Jean-Pierre, and Jane. We learn enough about them and their intertwined relationships to know that this is a love-triangle that will resolve itself in the midst of high-stakes terrorism and global politics and war.
From there on, the plot is nicely paced except for the Jane pregnancy scenes. I was okay with her having a baby that would complicate the decisions and actions of the MCs, but Follett wasted too many pages with maternal details.
Likewise, the much-discussed X-rated love scene between Jane and Ellis brought the plot and pace to a jarring halt as the reader was treated to a gratuitous, graphic love scene that many reviewers aptly described as something they might have read in a Penthouse magazine readers forum. It almost seemed as if Follett abdicated his typewriter to some horny college student for that scene, then continued the story afterward.
I found none of the MCs particularly likable, which made me not care too much who prevailed in the end. Other than those faults, it was a fast, easy read and I did pick up some interesting tidbits about life for the Afghanis during the war with Russia in the 1980s.
Not even close to one of Follett's best, so if you're on the fence or new to his writing, read something else first--like Eye of the Needle, Hornet Flight, Fall of Giants, Pillars of the Earth, or The Key to Rebecca.
Then each chapter introduces the three MCs--Ellis, Jean-Pierre, and Jane. We learn enough about them and their intertwined relationships to know that this is a love-triangle that will resolve itself in the midst of high-stakes terrorism and global politics and war.
From there on, the plot is nicely paced except for the Jane pregnancy scenes. I was okay with her having a baby that would complicate the decisions and actions of the MCs, but Follett wasted too many pages with maternal details.
Likewise, the much-discussed X-rated love scene between Jane and Ellis brought the plot and pace to a jarring halt as the reader was treated to a gratuitous, graphic love scene that many reviewers aptly described as something they might have read in a Penthouse magazine readers forum. It almost seemed as if Follett abdicated his typewriter to some horny college student for that scene, then continued the story afterward.
I found none of the MCs particularly likable, which made me not care too much who prevailed in the end. Other than those faults, it was a fast, easy read and I did pick up some interesting tidbits about life for the Afghanis during the war with Russia in the 1980s.
Not even close to one of Follett's best, so if you're on the fence or new to his writing, read something else first--like Eye of the Needle, Hornet Flight, Fall of Giants, Pillars of the Earth, or The Key to Rebecca.
kath61's review
4.0
Although the politics is now out of date this was another good thriller by Ken Follett. I like the warmth he demonstrates (although the sex was a little too graphic for my taste) and the fact that it has a happy ending. Parts that are strictly unbelievable carry you through because of the action. Very cinematic too.