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A review by davecapp
Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews
5.0
This is a classic espionage novel. Meticulous in the details, it’s obvious that the author has been there, done that. For fans of John Le Carrie’ or Frederick Forsythe this book is a must read. The plotting is intricate and believable, exposing a grittier side of the espionage world most authors gloss over.
There is an oddity in this book that at first encounter makes no sense. At the end of most chapters there are detailed recipes of dinners, soups, desserts, cocktails, whatever. Turns out that these recipes are for something one of the characters was eating (or mentioned) in the prior chapter. I realized that these were being used as a vehicle for adding even more authenticity to the story. If you take them as intended, part of the backdrop for the world of Sparrow, they really add substance to the whole story.
Character development is the real goldmine here though, Mr Matthews creates a character set that are believable, complex and flawed, to the point that you care about them and their fates.
Exceptional writing, exceptional book.
There is an oddity in this book that at first encounter makes no sense. At the end of most chapters there are detailed recipes of dinners, soups, desserts, cocktails, whatever. Turns out that these recipes are for something one of the characters was eating (or mentioned) in the prior chapter. I realized that these were being used as a vehicle for adding even more authenticity to the story. If you take them as intended, part of the backdrop for the world of Sparrow, they really add substance to the whole story.
Character development is the real goldmine here though, Mr Matthews creates a character set that are believable, complex and flawed, to the point that you care about them and their fates.
Exceptional writing, exceptional book.