The Hunt for Red October (Jack Ryan)
by Tom Clancy
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Book Reviews of The Hunt for Red October (Jack Ryan)
Book Review: Rare case where the book is not as good as the movie.
Summary: 3 Stars
One of the accepted maxims about novels made into movies is that the book is always better than the movie. The reason for this stems from the fact that the book isn't constrained by a limited time frame in which to tell a story. This leads to plot developments being omitted and multiple characters being merged into composites. The story has less depth to it.
I have, more or less, agreed with this theory. You just can't get in a movie what you can get in a book. However, I have stumbled upon one of the rare examples where I found the movie to be better than the book. That is with Tom Clancy's "The Hunt for Red October".
By now, everyone should be familiar with the general premise of a disgruntled rogue Soviet submarine captain, Marko Ramius, who essentially `kidnaps' the Soviet navy's latest prize, Red October, with the intention of defecting to the U.S. with the boat and his officers. Clancy stalwart, Jack Ryan, is the only one on the U.S. side who seems to get this and sets about figuring out how to make it happen.
This story has become a legendary part of Cold War fiction. Unfortunately, I have found the novel to be much more ponderous than the movie. While it is true that the book gives us greater detail of Ramius' motivation for the defection, and it also provides other strong background detail, it falls short of the film when the main action begins. The various twists and turns in the story are a lot more drawn out. It moves less crisply than in the movie and the climax in the novel is much less satisfying than in the film.
However, do not get me wrong about "The Hunt for Red October". It is a good book. I do recommend it. But, I would advise that, if you have seen the movie yet, read the book first.
Book Review: You Won't Fall Asleep Reading This One!
Summary: 4 Stars
The Hunt for Red October, an amazing novel by Tom Clancy, is an action packed adventure of political controversy and suspenseful combat. The Red October, the Soviet Union's newest submarine, sets sail in the frozen Arctic circle. Ramius, the captain of the Red October sees this as an opportunity to take revenge for the avoidable death of his wife; His plan is to defect to the United States. Will he make it, or will the Soviets catch him before he can give the Americans what they need to stay ahead of the Soviets in race for the ultimate submarine?
This novel was a pleasure to read, and I recommend it to all ages, although there is some inappropriate language for younger readers. It never slows down, and you'll find yourself staying up late at night, unable to put it down. This novel is almost frighteningly realistic, making the story even more convincing and entertaining. There is a reason that this is a bestseller; The Hunt for Red October sets up a race that will leave you breathless as you read from start to end.
The main difference in this novel that stands out in my mind is that Ramius' motive is exposed almost immediately; there is no secret motivation. Once that is put aside, the reader is able to concentrate on the true question: will Ramius be successful? This allows to the reader to digest each chapter and add to the knowledge that they previously receive to attempt to predict the outcome. As each character introduced becomes to interact with the others, Ramius and his crew's goal is obstructed, and they have to make twists and turns in order to proceed with their plan. This method of writing is one of Clancy's unique ways to tell the same story in a more interesting way.
Book Review: The best of the lot.
Summary: 5 Stars
I've always thought Harper Lee was one of the smartest -- or was it luckiest? -- American writers, because she quit while she was ahead. Having produced a masterpiece in "To Kill a Mockingbird", she never wrote another book. She went out on top.Clancy is, first, not her equal as a writer; and second, not quite as smart. "Red October" was one of the most concise, gripping thrillers imaginable. It's the book all the other military-techno-thriller authors have been trying (without success) to duplicate ever since. Like Lee, Clancy's first book was his masterpiece. Unlike her, he kept writing, and was never again able to catch the magic of his magnum opus. Oh, I don't blame him: by continuing to churn out the stories, he became famous and wealthy. No harm in that. And many of his subsequent stories, though not the equal of "Red October", were nonetheless superior to most of Clancy's peers' efforts.
My main complaint about the later books is that Ryan (who in the first book was one, not the only, hero) was turned into a superman in later installments. As one reviewer noted among the reviews way below, not only Jack, but all his cronies, had to be the Best of the Best. Jack? So great he became president -- and a great one. Cathy? Not just a doctor, but the top eye surgeon (and a babe to boot). Robby? Not just a fighter pilot, but the best one and eventually an admiral. Robby's wife? Not just a pilot's wife, but a respected concert pianist (and, like Cathy, a babe). Jack is such a demigod, apparently, that all who surround him become larger-than-life.
As the new Clancy novel is due out any day now, it might be a good idea to re-read the one that started it all: the classic "Hunt for Red October".
Book Review: Suspense marred by propaganda
Summary: 2 Stars
The Hunt for Red October was OK, but not as good as I was expecting. It was also very difficult for me to see beyond the right-wing propaganda. The Americans were all John Wayne types, except for the liberal congressional aide, who was, of course, a spy. What turned him against his country? Protesting against the Kent State massacre! (He was approached by campus-dwelling KGB agents in the early 70's and fell prey to their sneaky tactics). That wasn't what the book was really about, but the overtones were unmistakable. The main American characters were all pretty much the same person - god-loving, patriotic, cigarette-smoking, liquor-drinking (except the one Mormon, which I think represents diversity for conservatives), family men in the military (or formally in the military), workin' hard for their country, getting ahead in life through merit, not needing government help (although they were all working for the government), classless and free (though they each bore military ranks and lived in secrecy, aboard subs, etc.) The Soviets were all either evil plotters with the exact opposite characteristics, or dupes, or defectors who were somehow being noble, almost patriotic in their treason. Even the way the Americans and Soviets spoke was different (though the book was written entirely in English): the Soviets spoke proper English in complete sentences more or less devoid of slang. The Americans spoke a lazy sort of English, leaving words out of sentences, leaving letters off of words, and employing slang and jargon at every opportunity. It was a little much. The story itself was somewhat suspenseful, but not very (marred, in part, by the propaganda). Few surprises. ENDBook Review: Good but bad beginning
Summary: 4 Stars
The book "The Hunt for Red October" is about a nuclear submarine run by Captain Marko Ramius of the Soviet Navy. Marko Ramius secretly has a plan to get back at the Soviets and avenge the death of his wife. Jack Ryan, a CIA member and an American is leading the investigation of the submarine the "Red October". Ramius sends a letter to the Soviet dictator warning him of his plans. This letter leads to an avalanche of events.
I would recommend this novel because it is a good book. This novel is not only an adventure story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but it also forces the reader to think. When reading this novel the reader should try and relate the novel to real life and perhaps even picture themselves as one of the characters. When the reader does this it makes the book seem eerie because the reader thinks to themselves, what if this sort of think is actually happening right now and I am not aware of it. Although this book is good, understand that there are some major flaws. For one the beginning of this novel is extremely slow paced. Don't get me wrong, it's very much needed for the rest of the novel to be interesting, but do not lose hope in the novel if you think it comes off to a tough start. The first reaction that I received when I first read this novel was that it is rather strange that what is going on in this novel could actually be going on right now in our government. When I looked at things that way I felt like I got more out of the novel because I found ways to relate to what was going on in the novel. Overall this book is rather good and I suggest you read it.