Eye of the Needle
by Ken Follett
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Book Summary Information
Author: Ken FollettEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-08-01
ISBN: 0380733358
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Avon
Book Reviews of Eye of the Needle
Book Review: Tepid Thriller
Summary: 3 Stars
As an aspiring writer, I can't see the fuss over this book--not as a bestseller. My only conclusion as to why it's so popular is that it was published long ago: great for its time. And yet, new readers continue to praise this book, which makes me think that anything will sell and entertain the masses.
To begin with, the novel begins with a slow, over--descriptive narrative that SHOULD have lost most readers. Worse, Follet attempts to start a subplot--2 new characters getting married--ontop the heap of 2 military personnel, Die Nadel (Faber), and a boarding house full of tenants. Follet could've easily solved this problem by beginning with Faber and the landlord, grabbing the reader by the throat (via the murder), and then introducing MI6.
Now, there is no doubt that Follet can write; he has great chops, particularly in writing action scenes. Even the romantic subplot of Lucy and David is gripping. Yet what was most annoying was his constant alternate chapters where the "authorities" are one step behind Faber. Follet seemed to forget that he was righting from a 3rd person/omniscient point of view--that is, where he tells us what everyone is doing and thinking. Via this method, the reader clearly knows every step Faber makes. So why in God's name did Follet decide to bore the reader with redundant, useless scenes of bemused police and MI6? Every time Faber steals a car, hops a train, breaks and enters, or kills someone, the reader then has to leave that thrilling pace and action to read the next chapter: 2 cops talking about how Faber stole a car, hopped a train... WE KNOW THAT ALREADY!
At one point, Faber ditches a stolen car and instead of Follet just writing "The car was found..." or "Hey, sarge, we found his trail...", we must endure another of Follet's unbridled creations: some handicapped kid (full with aggravating backstory) who stumbles upon the car... WHO CARES? Why invent a whole new character which serves no purpose except to say "He found the car"?
Now, why readers stuck through this all was certainly due to Faber's "James Bond" personality. He's a cool, clever killer and, again, the action scenes are good. Of course, no reader should've been truly surprised at the conclusion of the story, or that Follet would go over the top. Way over. Suddenly the proper young Lucy turns into a fast-thinking, all-knowing heroin who can rig car bombs, send wireless radio signals, shoot guns, and fend of Faber (where tons of experienced soldiers and spies have failed). Yeah, right.
This book is so similar to a B-movie, I'm simply amazed at the praise it has received. Follet's characters and scenes are exaggerated and molded to fit the story: if it demands a hero, special power, rabbit from thin air, Follet is willing to pull it out to make the pieces fit. Say what you want about Stephen King, at least he understands the limits of fiction and TRIES to make it credible, or at least plausible.
Well, I suppose it shouldn't sadden or irritate me that readers actually gobbled up this book...just think of all the masses now waiting to read my ludicrous, trashy bestseller.
Summary of Eye of the Needle
One enemy spy knows the secret if the Allies' greatest deception, a brilliant aristocrat and ruthless assassin--code name: "The Needle"--who holds the key to the ultimate Nazi victory.Only one person stands in his way: a lonely Englishwoman on an isolated island, who is coming to love the killer who has mysteriously entered her life.
Ken Follett's unsurpassed and unforgettable masterwork of suspense, intrigue, and dangerous machinations of the human heart.
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