The Man From St. Petersburg
by Ken Follett
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of The Man From St. Petersburg.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 403)
Read in May, 2005
recommends it for:
anarchists, masochists
I've learned to always be extremely disappointed with Ken Follet. He establishes promising situations, but then he always lets you down. This book is no exception.
The eponymous character is pretty sufficiently complicated - he's been driven insane, first from a terrible love with a pretty lady who's pretty much unavailable, and then from being in a gulag. Then there's the pretty lady, who can't resist torrid animal sex with The Man (from St. Petersburg). And then she goes ahead and marries a...more
The eponymous character is pretty sufficiently complicated - he's been driven insane, first from a terrible love with a pretty lady who's pretty much unavailable, and then from being in a gulag. Then there's the pretty lady, who can't resist torrid animal sex with The Man (from St. Petersburg). And then she goes ahead and marries a...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
I thought I'd sworn off war/spy books since I get all my dad's hand-me-downs, and that's mostly what he reads. However, this was one different. Set in pre-WW1 England, a spy comes from Russia to assassinate a Russian prince determined to make an alliance with England which would require Russia to join the fight against Germany. The spy fellow has spent years becoming a hardened criminal, after having experienced one quick, true love. When he goes to London to kill the prince, he bumps back i...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2007
I've read this book a bunch of times (I own a copy), but I still enjoy it each time I read it.
Lord Walden is trying to bring about a British-Russian alliance on the eve of the first World War. Feliks is a determined Russian anarchist sent to England to prevent that alliance. The only thing that could keep him from carrying out his task is the memory of a woman that he once loved and the secret that she carries....
It is a gripping story with likable characters. Follett creates an a...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
Historical Fiction fans
This is definitely a fun read, and an emotional roller coaster. However I can't honestly class it with the likes of Alan Furst or other authors whose richly detailed historical fiction offer a mini education in the part of the world where the story unfolds.
This book does however offer an interesting look at the intimacies of British aristocracy in the early 1900's, in addition to succeeding brilliantly as a thriller.
Not an epic for all time, not a classic, but definitely a fun romp with...more
This book does however offer an interesting look at the intimacies of British aristocracy in the early 1900's, in addition to succeeding brilliantly as a thriller.
Not an epic for all time, not a classic, but definitely a fun romp with...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in February, 2008
Loved the writing. Loved that the author showed the disparity between classes with the use of food, and showing the abundance of it when describing the Walden's and the lack of it when showing Felik's daily meal (bread and tea). Loved the intricate look into the upper class mind. Hated the story. Hated the ending, and hated the unbelievableness of it all. Lacked a ton of human emotion.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Another solid Ken Follett book. This time the action is set at the cusp of WWI in England. A high ranking member of the English parliament at odds with Churchill is forced to broker an alliance with Russia because the Russian prince brokering the deal is his nephew. He's followed to London by a Russian anarchist who is has been assigned to kill him.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
recommended to Ashley by:
Brian
During a summer I worked at a golf course on the beer cart, I had nothing to do all day except sit on my cart by the ninth hole and read. I had worked my way through a stack of library books and my dad gave me this book. I really liked the mix of historical fiction and espionage. I'd like to read it again to refresh myself.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1983
Russian revolutionary who travels from St. Petersburg to London to assassinate a Russian diplomat. Pictures in detail the vast differences between the lifestyles of the British aristocracy and those at the bottom of the ecomonic rung in early 20th
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in December, 2007
This book was a good mix of historical fiction and thriller set in the months leading up to World War I. Though the characters at times seemed two-dimensional, the relationships and events made them come alive now and again.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
This book turned out to be much better than I anticipated. If you enjoy espionage and historical novels, I recommend it highly.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1983
An awesome read. The story of a young woman who meets a man in St Petersburg Russia. This takes place around the year 1900.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Great book, combines colorful European party imagery and romance (think Austen) with historical and political themes.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
Currently reading and can barely take time to check email. I can't wait for Christmas break so I can read non stop.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
