Bizarre, but funny. Nancy Mitford's second novel is…a spy story. About Germans in England during the "Phony War" period. You've never heard of it, becBizarre, but funny. Nancy Mitford's second novel is…a spy story. About Germans in England during the "Phony War" period. You've never heard of it, because she had the misfortune to publish it in May, 1940, just as Hitler was rolling up France. Suddenly, the book was anything but funny. It fizzled at the time. But it's actually quite cute, 65 years later....more
Astounding how much this book reminded me of Douglas Reeman--one of the latter's weaker efforts. Too drawn out, too psychological; too many "black hatAstounding how much this book reminded me of Douglas Reeman--one of the latter's weaker efforts. Too drawn out, too psychological; too many "black hat" characters. But as where Reeman always integrated those elements in the plot, many here were tacked on as afterthoughts--e.g., the Rating who sacrifices himself for the ship to atone for a murder that took place before the book starts! And Reeman never killed off so many "white hats."
Still, MacLean knows boats, and served in the "wavy Navy" during WW2, including on the deadly Arctic supply run to Archangel, Russia. Hell on the high seas....more
There are few things I dislike more than turning a page a reading "To be continued." But, taken on its own, it was historically interesting, though onThere are few things I dislike more than turning a page a reading "To be continued." But, taken on its own, it was historically interesting, though only fair writing with flat characters....more
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Books:
world-war-one-thriller-espionage
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