August/September group read: I Am Pilgrim, by Terry Hayes

[M.]

Yeah, Crystal! I'm crossing my fingers that you like it. And Leslie, I'm 62 and details slip my mind often. Noel Coward in Waiting in the Wings said, "My mind is a sieve," and I have to hope the bigger clumps are worth saving. Let me know your thoughts this time around on I Am Pilgim. If it goes badly, post where you stopped reading? (This time or last.) I'm curious, since I didn't have that moment. :-)

[Icewineanne]

Hmmm.........just loved part 1. Now, in part 2, I find that I'm really tired of following the Muslim terrorist on his quest to destroy America & world domination. His obsession is depressing because there are so many terrorists in the middle East who feel the same way he does.

I'm almost finished part 2, but will have to take a break to read another book for another GR group, that has upcoming author discussion on Sept. 9.

[M.]

Icewineanne, I seem to remember feeling the same way but come back to it. I used Audible. Did you get to the part where he speaks at the terrorist get together. When the agents show up in the back of the room and the count up of who is in the 'know' is where I first got hooked hard.

[Richard]

Think that was in part 3 where they all started to work out what was going on?

I felt the same about part 2, it bogged down a bit and didn't flow as well as the first part but it does come out of that and gets a better mix of plot threads.

I finished this last night so have a few thoughts I need to articulate shortly. Will try and put a review together today too.

[M.]

thank you Richard. Did you feel a rush at the end?

[Richard]

I thought it was well written at the end, tension was built up and the fact that I read 250 pages in one day says something!

However, something that did irk me with the ending (view spoiler)[ was how the whole of the Western world was saved because a terrorist loved his son. It seemed like a cop out, fair enough he didn't want his son to suffer and be hung but if Saracen was keen to kill billions of people wouldn't the death of his son be just as a means to the cause. I'm not a terrorist so don't know how they think but it just seemed a bit like a cop out on how to finish it. (hide spoiler)]

Another thing that was mentioned by the author was that the novel is huge but he thinks that it will be one of those you can't forget when you put down. I'm afraid I feel the opposite, this could have been quite a bit shorter with the murder investigation been put on the back foot or less depth in the characters. Of the two other massive novels I've read this year (Lonesome Dove & The Dark Tower) this one didn't leave a fraction of the emotional impact that those did. However that is probably because of the type of novel too.

Like I've said before, it feels like I'm being harsh on the novel as I did actually really enjoy it. I just think the impact would have been more in a tighter edited novel. For those who have really enjoyed this I would also ask if any of them have read any Vince Flynn? I found that his Mitch Rapp series provides a better punch for this type of book. I would recommend him to anyone looking for something in a similar ilk.

[M.]

I agree on Lonesome Dove and I see it as a classic. This is not a classic but a great enjoyable read. At least I found it so. Whether tightening would improve it is an interesting question. That is one reason I wanted to know when a reader left the book, or where readers find it dragging. So it was a 4 star for you Richard?

[M.]

Aaron, link didn't work? Try again?

[Richard]

Yeah it was 4 stars from me, more 3.5 rounded up as I did read it at some pace which should count towards something and it had its moments.

Glad we've got some Lonesome Dove fans in too, easy 5 star book and, as Aaron says, the mini series was also really good (I couldn't get the little lady to read a 1000 page book about a cattle drive but she relented at the mini series and she also really enjoyed it).

[M.]

off topic, but try Craig johnson's Longmire series. I think you would like them.

on topic... what's with Goodreads? I received another email with September releases and the new Terry Hayes was listed again! Amazon does show May 2016. Wait, he's from Sydney, right? Maybe it's coming out in Australia in September? I tried to reply but it came back undeliverable.

[Richard]

Put my review together for this. Quite a bit has already been brought up by me previously I guess so nothing new here!

[M.]

Well written review, Richard!

[Richard]

Thanks M. I've got the Longmire series marked down on my wish list so will pick that up eventually.

[Icewineanne]

M. wrote: "Icewineanne, I seem to remember feeling the same way but come back to it. I used Audible. Did you get to the part where he speaks at the terrorist get together. When the agents show up in the back ..."

Yes, that was the end of part 2. And you're right, the story picked up at the end so I continued on to part 3. Much more interesting now. I think that the author could have easily cut 100 pages from part 2.
I still have to take a break from this book in order to read two others (but I will continue to read snippets). Will resume dedicated reading on Sept 13th.........
Happy reading everyone :-)

[Ian]

I agree with Leslie (comment no 53). I read this a year ago but all I could remember now was that it was long, a page-turner, involved two men, one of whom was a terrorist and the ending was somewhat convoluted, oh and water-boarding came into it. Looking at my Goodreads review, I gave it five stars. I now think it's not worth that. To be a great book it should be memorable. This is a somewhat meretricious four star work - a great read but not a great book.

[❆ Crystal ❆]

I'm at 30% in the audiobook and I'm loving it.

[Shab]

Totally agree with you Ian. Excellent book, but not memorable!

[Richard]

Yeah I'm with Ian too on this one. I can bet that I will look back in a year and have to really think hard on what went on.

[❆ Crystal ❆]

I just finished up the audio version and I loved it. I gave 5 stars to the story and 4 stars to the narration. It never dragged for me at all. I was engrossed from the beginning and couldn't get enough. One thing didn't get wrapped up (view spoiler)[(a certain girl from NY) and I'm hoping she's the first target in book 2... and I hope she doesn't get the court room type of justice. (hide spoiler)]

[Harriet]

I found I AM PILGRIM on the new books table at my library and what a find. I loved it and so much so I ordered a signed copy, first edition for my collection and to reread later. I recommended it to my dentist and he thanked me. He, too, thought it was superb. Oh, it received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. This was a year ago and the story details are fading, but I keep a journal of all the books I read. I'm at that age. I copied a quote that shouts loud and clear why there is a world separation of peoples and I feel was the basis of the entire story: "One of the foundations of democracy was the separation between religion and the state. To Muslims, the religion is the state. The last thing they want is to separate it. They began to divide and conquer with the First Crusade a thousand years ago." I also believe Saracen's actions as a grown man were made believable by the simple scene when, after the beheading of his father, he, unobserved, viewed his mother having lunch with her co-workers and aroused his complete distaste of her clothing and behavior. They may not believe in separation of church and state but they do of women and men.

As for someone's comment about not believing the ending: how Saracen behaved when he found his son was about to die, I totally accepted it. I'm a mother with two daughters, and if I was in that situation I would do anything before allowing any harm befall my girls.

As for some comments made about the author's writing. I disagree. It was a perfect fit for the kind of story this is. After all, this wasn't a Southern syrupy mystery nor a proper British Christie-type. Hayes advanced the story at a proper pace, and I might add, he did not flood the story with an abundance of foreign words as I've encountered in so many books of late.

My taste in mysteries has span forty years from all of Christie's and keeping that one foot on the bedroom floor to some pretty grim scenes in David Hewson's, Giles Blunt's, plus Rosland & Hellstrom's. I recall Tom Robb Smith's trilogy had some gruesome parts.

I detest assigning merit badges or numbers. Every reader knows their own preferences. I checked out the CD of this (and some others) from my library and hubby and I started listening to it while driving to Vegas and back (several days each way) but haven't finished it yet. Wonder how many trips to the grocery store it will take?

[Richard]

Harriet wrote: "As for someone's comment about not believing the ending: how Saracen behaved when he found ...

I think it might have been me who mentioned that. (view spoiler)[I'm not a parent myself but I get the whole once you have a kid you can no longer put yourself first but I'd also hazard a guess that you're not a terrorist wanting to kill about 2 billion people in Western civilisation with one of the most aggressive viruses ever. You've also spent your life's work dedicated to this plan from a young age. This is where I can't get on board. (hide spoiler)]

There are polarising views on this site on this book (I'm one of the fence sitters who likes to play devils advocate) but I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope you can finish up the audiobook without too many trips to the grocery store.

[Yvonne]

I was put off at first by the writing style with all the flashbacks and the slow bid but this one did take off after Part 3.

I think the ending is believable if you buy into the notion that everyone has their achilles heel. (view spoiler)[For Saracen it was his family.

You have to remember that he wasn't motivated to be a terrorist purely by ideology. Instead he began his quest as revenge for the execution of his father, a man he loved.

Then he was afraid of the westernization of his mother and sisters and his fears about their new ways.

Then he was further motivated by what happened to his wife. When he makes a promise to her he takes it very seriously like an oath. (hide spoiler)]

The book showed he had very personal reasons for what he was doing. (view spoiler)[ It also showed that though he planned everything carefully, he was willing to risk it all when he, for instance, found out his son was sick.

I think the book showed that while Saracen could be cold and calculating what happens to his family could throw him off kilter.

Sure the way he acted at the end might not be how any other terrorist would act, but there's enough hints throughout the story that this is how Saracen would behave that justifies the ending. (hide spoiler)]

ETA: I'm not sure if we're supposed to use spoiler tags or just assume people in the discussion section have already read the book.

[M.]

Oh poor Harriet. I ended up binge listening over an entire weekend! I'll be on later to add comments... Are you and your husband fighting over the CDs?

[Shab]

Yes Yvonne, I think, we should use the spoilers alert. One of the reasons to have a book of month is to invite friends to consider it for there next to read.

[Richard]

Shab wrote: "Yes Yvonne, I think, we should use the spoilers alert. One of the reasons to have a book of month is to invite friends to consider it for there next to read."

Apologies, I've edited my response on that.

[Glennon]

An excellent read (via Audible). Well paced and intricately plotted. I enjoyed it.

[Harriet]

M. wrote: "Oh poor Harriet. I ended up binge listening over an entire weekend! I'll be on later to add comments... Are you and your husband fighting over the CDs?"

Lucky for me my hubby prefers science fiction but will listen to whatever I play while on a long trip. He does read some mysteries and tapes PBS Masterpiece Mystery programs. Oh, we don't have a CD player in our house. So many of you talked about listening to this story that I thought it might be fun to try.

[❆ Crystal ❆]

Harriet wrote: "M. wrote: "Oh poor Harriet. I ended up binge listening over an entire weekend! I'll be on later to add comments... Are you and your husband fighting over the CDs?"

Lucky for me my hubby prefers sc..."

I love audiobooks! I listen to most borrowed from the library through the overdrive app. I can listen on my phone, download to my ipod or listen on my kindle fire that way.

[Katherine]

I read this book while on vacation with my husband - I think he began to feel neglected because I always wanted to rush back to our room so that I could read some more. I have to confess, it is so complex that I had to back up and re-read some sections. It is so hard to remember what you read after you fell asleep!

[Leslie]

I read it a while back. I forgot it totally. Started again for this group. You know how it is when each page starts looking familiar about half-way through? What a wild experience.
And I repeat, I'll bet it makes a fascinating film.
But tis time I'm not forgetting it.

[M.]

As we close up the thread, I will plan to continue to monitor. It's a long book and I'm thankful for the input from all! Thank you so much for sharing your read time on this thread!

[VickiLee]

I never made it to this novel, but it is on my list and I hope to get to it eventually. Perhaps when the mighty snow hits my dear Saskatchewan home!

[Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling]

I have a nice interview with Terry Hayes on my blog if you are interested http://wp.me/p3aMo4-xn - great book and lovely person

[Olivia "So many books--so little time.""]

I just finished I Am Pilgrim and even though I didn't like the graphic violence I gave it five stars. Because the ending was superb.

[Yvonne]

Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling wrote: "I have a nice interview with Terry Hayes on my blog if you are interested http://wp.me/p3aMo4-xn - great book and lovely person"

It's interesting to hear this will be a trilogy. I'll have to keep a lookout for the next one.

[Icewineanne]

Finally I am able to continue reading......yeay......finished Part 3 & it was terrific.........now onwards to Part 4 :-)

[M.]

Icewineanne wrote: "Finally I am able to continue reading......yeay......finished Part 3 & it was terrific.........now onwards to Part 4 :-)"

Super cool! Enjoy! Icewineanne!