I went back and forth during this entire read. The back was due to the story's direction: it was how the progression that sometimes felt tangential wiI went back and forth during this entire read. The back was due to the story's direction: it was how the progression that sometimes felt tangential with Southern nuances and regional references. But that was the forth for me as well: Southern and gothic Southern history and social life, literature and movie allusions (Gone With The Wind), cultural inferences (Uga the bulldog mascot of University of Georgia), real-life aspects (US Army and current Hunter Army Airfield) and specifics to the Savannah lifestyle (socialites, St. Patrick's Day, voodoo).
Overall this was a pretty good book that was uniquely written. It was a mix of mystery, crime drama, journalist style, and contemporary fiction. I have not seen the 1997 Clint Eastwood film starring Kevin Spacey and John Cusack so i can't compare the two. But I would recommend it for a good read. Thanks! ...more
[image] I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. Dennis Lehane did a great job of creating a suspenseful story centered around a dark atmo[image] I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. Dennis Lehane did a great job of creating a suspenseful story centered around a dark atmosphere. The story was a suspense, crime, and mystery novel that was multilayered with haunting psychological ambiance. There were multiple lines crossed that included childhood friends and the associated loyalty that can linger as we become adults, loyalty to immediate family and friends as adults, alignment of one's personal code of values & beliefs, faith, vengeance, and grieving with the pain of loss. [image] Another unique aspect I enjoyed was the presentation of the characters, their flaws, and the dialogue and interweaving inner monologue that pushed the story along. The neighborhood and physical setting also acted as heavy influence to the story: a blue-collar, Irish-American, middle-to-low income Boston suburb often portrayed as raw, unforgiving, and hard-knock. I definitely got vibes of movies like The Departed, The Fighter, The Town in terms of a gritty visual. I plan to watch the movie on Netflix this weekend. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well-written and moving suspense novel. Thanks!...more
[image] This was a decent attempt at novelizing the classic 1967 British television show "The Prisoner". The book was published after the show in 1969 [image] This was a decent attempt at novelizing the classic 1967 British television show "The Prisoner". The book was published after the show in 1969 and attempts to detail the Village and Number 6. As in the show, Number 6 relentlessly deals with his antagonist Number 2 and makes every effort to escape. The book mimics the show's smart and quick dialogue filled with literary and classical allusions, intrusive and constant surveillance, and psychological manipulation. [image] I went back and checked out most of the show after reading. The book adapts a few episodes, for instance 'The Arrival', where Number 6 arrives to the Village and makes an impulsive escape attempt. The episode 'A. B. and C.', where Number 6 undergoes dream manipulation in order to extract the reason for his resignation. And episode 'Many Happy Returns, when Number 6 gets away but is tricked into being brought back, questioning who is really running the Village. The book indirectly references 'The Schizoid Man' and 'Hammer Into Anvil' but does not incorporate them into the plot.
The book is spot-on with recreating some parts of the show and then creates other elements. However, in my honest opinion, the show did a better job only because the book was limited as to what it presented. I would recommend and give this story a chance if you enjoyed the show.
I couldn't get into this one to be honest. I think Tim Clancy's older books are way better. This was a decent story but Hunt for Red October and ClearI couldn't get into this one to be honest. I think Tim Clancy's older books are way better. This was a decent story but Hunt for Red October and Clear and Present Danger still set the bar for Tom Clancy. Not a bad book I just thought it was OK...way better than Power Plays Politik. ...more
Good story. I really enjoyed this one and it was nice to have John Clark and Domingo Chavez working together again. The whole story I visualized WilleGood story. I really enjoyed this one and it was nice to have John Clark and Domingo Chavez working together again. The whole story I visualized Willem Dafoe and Raymond Cruz (the respective actors in the 1994 film Clear and Present Danger) in the story.
Good book. Give it a read if you find the time!...more
Overall this was an entertaining read. I have read numerous Tom Clancy novels and I feel his early works are the strongest. This book does not involveOverall this was an entertaining read. I have read numerous Tom Clancy novels and I feel his early works are the strongest. This book does not involve Jack Ryan or John Clark. The plot setting is during the 1980s and involves the Soviets, Americans, and Germans. The book contains action, espionage, and pretty much all-out war. I think his writing style is descriptive and sometimes can be over technical but that doesn't take away from the story.
I would recommend 'The Hunt For Red October' and 'Clear and Present Danger' if you liked this one. Thanks!...more
I enjoyed this one. Jack Ryan becoming the president after a terrorist attack and the story takes off. My only gripe was the book was very long. I thiI enjoyed this one. Jack Ryan becoming the president after a terrorist attack and the story takes off. My only gripe was the book was very long. I think it could have been cut down by several hundred pages...maybe even 600 or so....more
This book was OK. It was too long-winded in my opinion and could have been cut down a lot. I think this is my last Tom Clancy adventure. I've read allThis book was OK. It was too long-winded in my opinion and could have been cut down a lot. I think this is my last Tom Clancy adventure. I've read all the older novels and enjoyed them tremendously. After Rainbow Six (even Executive Orders) I'm noticing a trend in his writing and a downward spiral. It's just changing and I find myself losing interest and dredging through to the end. Like I've said in my other reviews: Patriot Games, Hunt for Red October, and Clear and Present Danger are awesome stories and showcase Tom Clancy's style....more
Good solid story in my opinion. Some elements of the story are dated but nonetheless it was entertaining. Recommended if you like The Hunt for Red OctGood solid story in my opinion. Some elements of the story are dated but nonetheless it was entertaining. Recommended if you like The Hunt for Red October....more
Again, Tom Clancy wrote a good one. This is my second Tom Clancy after reading "Clear and Present Danger" a few years ago and I'm not disappointed. I Again, Tom Clancy wrote a good one. This is my second Tom Clancy after reading "Clear and Present Danger" a few years ago and I'm not disappointed. I keep hearing and reading his older books were the best and I can say this one was very good....more
This story follows the CIA covert ops into the South America to combat the drug trafficking problem. Recruiting Spanish-speaking soldiers, training, tThis story follows the CIA covert ops into the South America to combat the drug trafficking problem. Recruiting Spanish-speaking soldiers, training, the whole Special Operations bag, and then deploying into the highlands of Colombia. Action packed and suspenseful. I enjoyed reading this one....more
I pushed through this finale and was disappointed. I only started this because I read the first two Jason Bournes and felt obligated to see it to the I pushed through this finale and was disappointed. I only started this because I read the first two Jason Bournes and felt obligated to see it to the end. There was bad dialogue and the story seemed to go on and on. Maybe just me but the Bourne Identity felt much more solid and original.
This Jason Bourne is a family man, a full blown college professor, and has aged. The book became predictable as the story progressed....more
Still Jason Bourne/David Webb flushes out the impostor in Hong Kong/Kowloon China in this book. It's filled with action, the hand-to-hand fight scenesStill Jason Bourne/David Webb flushes out the impostor in Hong Kong/Kowloon China in this book. It's filled with action, the hand-to-hand fight scenes, and constant plotting. Not quite as good as the first one in my opinion, but still a good read. The Bourne Identity had more of a "wow" factor to it I suppose. ...more
This was great! The book differs majorly in that the Bourne character has more human qualities: he can get hurt, bleed, and has the ability to reason.This was great! The book differs majorly in that the Bourne character has more human qualities: he can get hurt, bleed, and has the ability to reason. I thought also he has a sense of premeditative, cognitive, thinking patterns that allowed him to create a more thrilling story than the movies.
The movies portray him as a programmed and unstoppable machine which is quite the contrary to the real Jason Bourne/David Webb. The backstory Ithought really added to the mystique of the character. Recommended for suspense and action readers. It may be a little dated because the Vietnam War was a focal point, but still a worthy read. Thanks! ...more
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