3.33 stars. Helen MacInnes is a great weaver of spy stories set during the aftermath of WWII and the Cold War era. In this 1960 novel, set in Greece, 3.33 stars. Helen MacInnes is a great weaver of spy stories set during the aftermath of WWII and the Cold War era. In this 1960 novel, set in Greece, American architect/artist Ken Strang gets involved in some plotting by nihilists and communists to cause civil disturbances in Greece and the surrounding countries. Ken's new love interest gets involved as well, causing him huge consternation.
It got a little too long-winded for me, although it kept me interested enough to read it within 2-3 days (when I should have been reading other stuff). Like MacInnes' other books, this one is very steeped in the social mores of the 50's and 60's, including everyone running around in suits and ties/dresses, and rampant sexism. Let's just say, women's liberation is just barely starting to become a thing. For a book written by a woman, it certainly took the man's point of view. That was kind of a head-shaker for me.
October 2020 buddy read with the Retro Reads group....more
3.66 stars. I've read this four times over the years, and it grows on me a little more every time.
"Nothing ever happens to me," writes Camilla Haven t3.66 stars. I've read this four times over the years, and it grows on me a little more every time.
"Nothing ever happens to me," writes Camilla Haven to her friend from an Athens restaurant in a bout of lonely self-pity, so of course you know that she'll be proven wrong in very short order. "Beware of what you wish for, for you are liable to get it" might as well be the second line in the book.
Camilla is traveling through Greece, wishing to tour the historic area of Delphi but a little short on cash. So when a stranger comes up to her in the restaurant and hands her the keys to a car parked outside, saying "You wanted a car for Delphi, non?" and adding that it was a matter of life and death for "Monsieur Simon" before conveniently disappearing, it seems like fate is taking a hand in Camilla's life. So off she goes, to deliver the car to Simon and see Delphi. She does both -- but events take a far stranger turn than she could have ever imagined.
[image] The ruins of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi
So begins a three-day whirlwind of mistaken identities and resolving a 14 year old mystery, complete with a handsome and mysterious stranger, a struggling artist, a French trollop, long-lost historic treasures, a truly staggering number of cigarettes (this was written in the late 1950s so you just have to think of them as part of the atmosphere...), evil and revenge, in the backcountry part of Greece, with quotes from ancient Greek plays at the start of each chapter adding a foreboding, epic feel to the story.
This book is heavier on the murder and mayhem than a typical Mary Stewart romantic suspense novel, and the romance part here is very subtle, more hinted at than actually experienced. The plot was a bit confusing to me the first time or two I read it. Others may disagree, but I don't consider this one of Mary Stewart's best novels. Still, even an average Mary Stewart book is worth reading. She creates a wonderful sense of atmosphere through her detailed descriptions of exotic places, in a time now past....more
Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽
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