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156th out of 1,069 books
—
1,564 voters
The Matarese Circle (Matarese #1)
The Matarese Circle are the Corsican Brotherhood. Terrifying killers, their power could plunge the world into chaos and destruction within two years. Only two rival spies - and one mysterious woman - can stop them. Brandon Scofield, CIA, and the West's most professional assassin, and Vasili Taleniekov, former KGB, now wanted by the Politburo. They share a genius for espion...more
Paperback, 544 pages
Published
(first published 1979)
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my favorite novelist.his novels were fast paced and suspenseful and the action was second to none.critics accused ludlum that his characters were paper thin in content and he relied on action a lot.i would say the critics should pay attention to the matatrese circle and the bourne series.the characters of these novels were memorable and had depth in them.
the matarese circle is fast paced and sets the tone from the first chapter.the suspense and action is top and the characters of the 2 protagoni...more
the matarese circle is fast paced and sets the tone from the first chapter.the suspense and action is top and the characters of the 2 protagoni...more
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A famous book, but not one which particularly appealed to me. The genre is James Bond, but unfortunately without the panache. The two heroes, respectively America's and Russia's top spies/espionage specialists, are sworn enemies to the death, but still see fit to team up to save the world (Mr. Ludlum doesn't do things by halves). That's right, the whole world is about to be subjugated by a shadowy threat which the Russian agent just happens to stumble upon. What's worse, they have to accomplish...more
Novel The Mataresse Circle yang aku punya boleh beli bekas di JaCC tanah abang. Buku ini memang buku lama karya Robert Ludlum. Dari halaman depannya tertulis buku yang kupegang merupakan cetakan ke-9—Dicetak Oktober 1981. Edisi pertamanya sendiri terbit Maret1979.
Kesimpulannya, aku percaya ini best seller.
Buku ini dibuat saat perang dingin masih berlangsung, saat cerita tentang KGB dan agensi-agensi dari Amerika masih merupakan topik yang sangat memukau. Ancaman perang nuklir masih sangat menak...more
Kesimpulannya, aku percaya ini best seller.
Buku ini dibuat saat perang dingin masih berlangsung, saat cerita tentang KGB dan agensi-agensi dari Amerika masih merupakan topik yang sangat memukau. Ancaman perang nuklir masih sangat menak...more
Feb 07, 2013
Al
added it
The Matarese Circle are the Corsican Brotherhood. Terrifying killers, their power could plunge the world into chaos and destruction within two years.Only two rival spies - and one mysterious woman - can stop them. Brandon Scofield, CIA, and the West's most professional assassin, and Vasili Taleniekov, former KGB, now wanted by the Politburo. They share a genius for espionage - and a life of terror and explosive violence. Sworn enemies, Scofield and Taleniekov have vowed to terminate each other,...more
If you are ever planning on becoming a Ludlum fan, then read this book and be dazzled. This is the best follow-up book after his Bourne masterpieces. The interaction between Brandon Scofield, CIA operative and Vasili Taleniekov of the KGB is the best I have ever read so far. Their mutual hatred which turns to respect is unprecedented. I was never really present during the so called Cold War, but this book transcends you to those spy world days. The title was actually inspired by a steak house in...more
Mar 11, 2012
Aditi (READioactive Book Blog)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Adrenalin junkies and fans of Robert Ludlum
The Materese Circle was a first for me in many ways.
It was my first Robert Ludlum, the first time I fell in love with a spy, with Russia and with the world of espionage.
And what a world that was!
This book was originally written long before I was born, in 1979, so unlike the current crop of thrillers that have cutting edge techie stuff going for them (futuristic in case of James Bond), this book focuses more on the basic hardcore ways to survive, mutilate, escape or attack. The spies use their h...more
It was my first Robert Ludlum, the first time I fell in love with a spy, with Russia and with the world of espionage.
And what a world that was!
This book was originally written long before I was born, in 1979, so unlike the current crop of thrillers that have cutting edge techie stuff going for them (futuristic in case of James Bond), this book focuses more on the basic hardcore ways to survive, mutilate, escape or attack. The spies use their h...more
This is a re-read for me. I read this book when I was in high school when it was a new, current best seller. It's the book that made me a Ludlum fan. It's like an old friend, and I'm looking forward to spending time with it.
I"m finally done--it's an intricate plot and it took me a while to read. This is about as good as Soviet-Era spy fiction got; you have two "master spies"--action hero types, initially duking it out but then combining forces to combat an evil (the Matarese) that causes them to...more
I"m finally done--it's an intricate plot and it took me a while to read. This is about as good as Soviet-Era spy fiction got; you have two "master spies"--action hero types, initially duking it out but then combining forces to combat an evil (the Matarese) that causes them to...more
This was the first book of Ludlum's that I ever read and I was mesmerized by it, I simply could not put it down! The delicate weaving of characters, action past and present, and ever-present danger makes this book a big winner. I know that Robert Ludlum wrote many books before the "The Bourne Identity" but in my mind this was the best of them all. If you liked "The Bourne Identity", then you have to read this book...I actually believe you will like it better!
I'd read this one quite a few years back but decided to re-read it since I was in a mood for some international intrigue of the type Ludlum does best. Set during the Cold War years, the book follows the uneasy alliance b/w two espionage veterans from opposing sides of the war as they work together to defeat a multi-national corporate entity's effort to destabilize world govts and snatch control...
The two greatest Spies(CIA Agent: Brandon Scofield AKA Beowulf Agate...Russian KGB Agent: Talaniekov AKA The Serpent) who loathe each other to the brink of killing one another on sight come together to take down a circle of international assassins, who have infiltrated governments around the world, by using Clandestine methods and Espionage. I highly recommend this book to those fans of the Spy genre.
3/29/2003 - 9/10
The Matarese Circle is a great cold war espionage thriller about a US and a Russian spy working to try to uncover a giant conspiracy. The love story plotline was a bit heavy-handed, but the plot kept the story humming with tons of twists. If only James Bond movies could be this good!
Author's site
The Matarese Circle is a great cold war espionage thriller about a US and a Russian spy working to try to uncover a giant conspiracy. The love story plotline was a bit heavy-handed, but the plot kept the story humming with tons of twists. If only James Bond movies could be this good!
Author's site
This novel pits CIA operative Brandon Scofield against Russian KGB opertative Vasili Talankiekov. What follows is a brilliant cat and mouse game with both agents being very wary of the other. But this is just the beginning. These two have to team up to take down an international circle of killers known as the Matarese. Very well down Mr. Ludlum.
He is a decent writer but I got irritated at several literary techniques that he overused: foreshadowing and italicized thoughts of the characters. (italics)No, he had only meant to wound, not kill. She was someone he could have gotten close, not like Karine, more gentle, more forgiving, but now dead on the floor. (close italics)
US Intelligence and KGB Intelligence working to solve political powerful moles in high government positions. Lots of death and some sexy love. Ending is open ended and surprising for a sequel. The Matarese Countdown which was burped along 20 years after the elimination of the Circle to a struggle with the new Circle.
I have given 4 stars because of the way the climax ended. I felt disappointed as if the climax was skewed to please American audiences. In addition, I felt the climax is difficult to digest or believe; but that's just the climax. I liked the way the story unfolded and kept up the pace (of course, except after the Italian sojourn, it was slightly slower). Otherwise, this book is awesome, gives a great reading experience, wonderful choice of words to describe the scenes, all in all well written no...more
The first Ludlum book I ever read, and at 13, the book that got me hooked on espionage thrillers. I devoured over one summer weekend at the family lake cabin. Still recall the protagonist, Brandon Allen Scofield and the watch-phrase of the Matarese Circle itself, "Per nostre circolo." Great stuff!
This is the first Ludlum book I ever read. I was in my early teens I think and the book belonged to my father. I was hooked! Spy novels rank near the top of my favorite genres. This is a complex, detailed and heart-racing read. It sucks you in and won't let you go. In a good way. :-)
When it comes to plot and action, Robert Ludlum doesn't disappoint. I've noticed that he has a certain formula and his characters are pretty static and cliche', but the man can write an action sequence. Though this wasn't his best book, we enjoyed it, though we had to edit the language.
One of the very best Ludlum novels. Sworn enemies, a CIA agent and a KGB agent are our only hope against The Matarese Circle.
Although his novels are longer than they really need to be, this was didn't seem as padded as most. An intense thriller.
Although his novels are longer than they really need to be, this was didn't seem as padded as most. An intense thriller.
The Matarese Circle is Ludlum’s best! The conspiracy, the maze, the fast-paced action, the thrill, the unknown…every page makes you crave for more. This book has the perfect formula for a crime fiction novel. What made this novel even better for me was that there were two lead characters from different backgrounds, different beliefs and different outlook on life, working together. The fact that they were arch enemies sworn to kill each other at first opportunity only added to the intrigue.
Could...more
Could...more
This was the first book I ever read by Ludlum and I loved it. I read all of his other books afterwards and appreciated many of them, especially The Bourne Identity, but The Matarese Circle I still think is his best. Highly recommended.
Ludlum is not exactly Shakespeare, but I've always had a fondness for this novel. I read it when I was young and liked it surprisingly well. It's too big and too long but it works as a thriller and has some vivid pulpy writing. I dig it.
Read it when I was younger and thought it was great. This time around, I found it incredibly tedious and hard to follow. The pace was so excruciating slow that I finally put it down halfway through.
Robert Ludlum, has the same general scenario in all books, an estranged spy fighting some international corporation. Not bad, entertaining if you haven't read too many of his books. Moderately fast, fairly easy read
1 like · like · see review
قد تكون هذه الرواية أفضل رواية جاسوسية قرأتها في حياتي، وهي بالتأكيد من أفضل روايات الكاتب روبرت لدلم، الإثارة لا تتوقف بين عميلي المخابرات الأمريكية والروسية في مواجهة أخطر منظمة إرهابية على وجه الأرض
I thought the book was entertaining, as I think all of Robert Ludlum's books are. There was a very short sexually graphic scene at the start that was totally unnecessary. At the start, just know that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is killed and skip it.
By the author of the Bourne Identity, The Matarese Circle is a spy thriller with international intrigue, the requisite end of the world potential, and a love interest. Ludlum is good at his craft.
The best book I have ever read! Haven't seen any other book that could beat it in terms of depth of story, the suspense and the way the story is told. Robert Ludlum at his masterful best!
Robert's best known work is of course the Jason Bourne series but this was my favorite. Two skilled agents sworn to kill each other, forced to forge a bond. Quality Ludlum in my opinion.
the novel is very engaging until the two protagonists are engaged in the fierce battle of wits and gunfights, after that it becomes like a regular action novel, but overall a good read.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A new member of the five star club :-) | 3 | 25 | Feb 19, 2013 03:57pm | |
| A Fictional Masterpiece | 3 | 14 | Jul 30, 2012 10:57am |
Robert Ludlum was an American author of 25 thriller novels. There are more than 290 million copies of his books in print, and they have been translated into 32 languages. Ludlum also published books under the pseudonyms Jonathan Ryder and Michael Shepherd.
Some of Ludlum's novels have been made into films and mini-series, including The Osterman Weekend, The Holcroft Covenant, The Apocalypse Watch,...more
More about Robert Ludlum...
Some of Ludlum's novels have been made into films and mini-series, including The Osterman Weekend, The Holcroft Covenant, The Apocalypse Watch,...more
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