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The Saint
A man with no identity. A spy with no allegiance. A thief with no scruples. Simon Templar, a.k.a. The Saint, is all of these things-- and his services can be bought for the right price. Hired by a Russian nationalist to swipe a top-secret formula from an American electrochemist, Templar figures it's rubles in the bag. But the beautiful Dr. Emma Russell proves to be much more than his usual mark, and stealing her life's work brings on a sudden, unprecedented attack of Saintly ethics. Now, with love in his heart, Scotland Yard on his trail, and power-mad Muscovites hot on his heels, the Saint must dodge assassins' bullets, crack killer security codes, and don a multitude of disguises in a desperate bid to save Russia, his personal angel, and his own less-than-virtuous life.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 1, 2016
Still one of my favorite films, and books. I felt like this book was a true companion to the film, answering questions the motion picture medium isn't equipped to answer. I saved up a month's allowance to purchase this book when I was 12 years old, and still read it every now and again.
October 21, 2014
The first Saint adventure where Charteris was not indirectly involved in. Burl Barer has written a comprehensive book about the hero 'The Saint" and he got to write this novelization of the disappointing movie that should have started a new franchise but stumbled over the ego's of the director Noyce and its star Val Kilmer.
The book is a lot more fun than the movie. It is full of little inside jokes aimed at the real Leslie Charteris Saint novel fans. But the book suffers because of the same ridiculous tale that crippled the movie.
Leslie Charteris never did an origin story but somehow Hollywood found that necessary, and this more modern version somehow feels about as true to the Saint character as EONs James Bond is related to Ian Flemings version. With the difference that this Saint version has all the fun sucked out of it.
Is Burl Barer a good writer?? I find it hard to tell based upon this book and his work about "the Saint". But his book on the subject anything to do with the Saint remains the best there is so far and deserves a lot of praise, and does come very close as a bible to Saint fans.
I never had the pleasure to read his book with the Saint which was written solely for the folks of The Saint fan club. Which is currently rather pricey when a copy comes up for sale. It is apparently available as an e-book, as I am not in favour of such reading I might never get to read it. But it might just be a reason to buy an e-reader.
However he is hard at work writing a new adventure of the Saint which I will most certainly try to obtain.
The book is a lot more fun than the movie. It is full of little inside jokes aimed at the real Leslie Charteris Saint novel fans. But the book suffers because of the same ridiculous tale that crippled the movie.
Leslie Charteris never did an origin story but somehow Hollywood found that necessary, and this more modern version somehow feels about as true to the Saint character as EONs James Bond is related to Ian Flemings version. With the difference that this Saint version has all the fun sucked out of it.
Is Burl Barer a good writer?? I find it hard to tell based upon this book and his work about "the Saint". But his book on the subject anything to do with the Saint remains the best there is so far and deserves a lot of praise, and does come very close as a bible to Saint fans.
I never had the pleasure to read his book with the Saint which was written solely for the folks of The Saint fan club. Which is currently rather pricey when a copy comes up for sale. It is apparently available as an e-book, as I am not in favour of such reading I might never get to read it. But it might just be a reason to buy an e-reader.
However he is hard at work writing a new adventure of the Saint which I will most certainly try to obtain.
November 10, 2019
I should have known better. I saw the film, after all. In the cinema. But I couldn't resist this tie-in novel when it turned up at a charity event for £1.
I can't blame the author for the plot, which was presumably dictated by the script. But I blame him for everything else. No noun left without an adjective. No commonplace verb used if a fancier one could take its place.
He takes a stab at carrying on the legacy of Leslie Charteris, who would, in fairness, probably come up with something like 'Criminal Infobahn' if he'd been writing about the Internet in 1997, but there's none of the charm and playfulness.
Simon Templar speaks and thinks in American English, and his old susceptibility to a pretty face has been replaced by creepiness. Chief Inspector Teal is plump and chews gum, and this is the extent of his characterisation. He comes across as an anachronism and adds nothing at all to the plot.
There are some nice references to Charteris's Saint novels, and to the Saint fandom, but so many wordcrimes had occurred by the time I reached them that it was too little, too late.
I can't blame the author for the plot, which was presumably dictated by the script. But I blame him for everything else. No noun left without an adjective. No commonplace verb used if a fancier one could take its place.
He takes a stab at carrying on the legacy of Leslie Charteris, who would, in fairness, probably come up with something like 'Criminal Infobahn' if he'd been writing about the Internet in 1997, but there's none of the charm and playfulness.
Simon Templar speaks and thinks in American English, and his old susceptibility to a pretty face has been replaced by creepiness. Chief Inspector Teal is plump and chews gum, and this is the extent of his characterisation. He comes across as an anachronism and adds nothing at all to the plot.
There are some nice references to Charteris's Saint novels, and to the Saint fandom, but so many wordcrimes had occurred by the time I reached them that it was too little, too late.
February 3, 2023
This had a lot of extra scenes in it. It’s a really good adaptation of the movie.
December 29, 2023
Excellent novel - shame film isn’t as good
November 1, 2008
The movie starring Val Kilmer was actually taken from this book. The movie is superb and the book is even better. It is pure enjoyment from start to finish, with protagonists you love and antagonists you love to hate. This is one of my absolute favorite books.
December 28, 2022
What a good read. I got the book because my dad told me about the movie because I am a big Val Kilmer fan. I absolutely adore him. And I adore this book. I do find Emma more dainty and helpless then in the movie. But I do love how much extra detail there is. So more in site on Simon Templar, rogue, thief and charmer. Also i do like that the place that Simon grew up was changed by Bartolo. Definitely would recommend for fans of the Saint who would like more details on our lovely Simon Templar and more.
September 5, 2020
I enjoyed the movie so decided to get the book too. As is often the case, additional background information was provided, along with some parts not included in the movie, for whatever reason. I'm glad I read this.
December 12, 2022
Get this masterpiece now.
October 12, 2013
660 - 2013
Pada pertengahan tahun 1990an ini, Val Kilmer masih happening banget. Jadi Batman di Batman Forever. Jadi The Saint pula. Karena aku bukan penggemar Val Kilmer, sih, jadi kayaknya wajar kalau aku kurang begitu suka Batman dan The Saint versinya.
Pada pertengahan tahun 1990an ini, Val Kilmer masih happening banget. Jadi Batman di Batman Forever. Jadi The Saint pula. Karena aku bukan penggemar Val Kilmer, sih, jadi kayaknya wajar kalau aku kurang begitu suka Batman dan The Saint versinya.
May 4, 2014
Good character story about the source and present day activities of the thief known as The Saint. I liked the movie, but the details in the book were much better displayed and enriched it.
January 3, 2011
I enjoyed this; fun summer reading :)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews