Steve answers “Did Tom Clancy actually write this book? I...”

Jim Davis asked this question about Red Rabbit (Jack Ryan, #2):

Did Tom Clancy actually write this book? I have read a number of his books and this book has a totally different writing style than any other Clancy book I have ever read. One sentence will not suffice when he can write ten that say the same thing. Way, way more description of an event or thing than could ever be necessary. I waded through the entire book but it was a struggle.

Steve Visel I think he did write it, for the reasons you cite. He is (was) a serial over-writer. I threw Executive Orders across the room because [spoiler] Presid…moreI think he did write it, for the reasons you cite. He is (was) a serial over-writer. I threw Executive Orders across the room because [spoiler] President Jack Ryan agonized for 8 pages before his first press conference. Get to the story! How long does a character need to ruminate before taking action? All of Clancy's books could have been written in 1/3 fewer pages. All that said, I know an author who ghosted one or more of the Jack Ryan, Jr. series under Clancy's name. I think all the Jack Ryan, Sr. series was written by Clancy. Red Rabbit is unique in that it's the only book in the series to use actual historical figures (Yuri Andropov) as primary characters.(less)

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