The Man from St. Petersburg

This was my first Follett and I was certainly impressed. He weaves an interesting story related to events taking place in England, France, Germany and Russia in 1914 and interjects another story line concerning a respected, aristocratic family who has based their life together on lies, secrets and deception. The truth comes out in a fiery conclusion which will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Historical fiction at its finest. Do you root for the assassin or not? Of course not, but what a conundrum while reading this novel. All the characters are well written, time frame well researched. Just a great book you will not want to put down once you start reading.

Reason read: BAC, Welsh writer
This is a story of espionage that is just prior to WWI.
The story involves an attempt to forge alliance with Russia because of Germany's arm escalation and movement towards attacking France. Feliks is an anarchist and an assassin with the intent to assassinate the Russian prince that has come to negotiate with England against Germany.
The story was interesting and engaging.

Reading this, it is clear that Follet's writing has become more polished over the years. The writing here is quite average, not the most natural of dialogues. While you get some suspense, it is mind-boggling how Charlotte can remain so calm upon learning that her real father is Feliks. Is that a natural reaction? Also, I don't know why Follet needs to dwell on how sexually ignorant Charlotte and her cousin are. Unnecessary plot diversion.

Bello bello bello! Come tutti i Ken Follet, è estremamente avvincente. Anche questo, come il precedente "Le gazze ladre" mi ha tenuta verso la fine veramente col fiato sospeso. In più devo dire che in questo libro ho adorato praticamente tutti i personaggi (tranne forse Lydia). E’ questo forse che mi ha colpito più di tutto in questo libro: quando alla fine i nodi stavano per venire al pettine, io non sapevo proprio qual lieto fine sperare, perché comunque fossero andate le cose, mi sarebbe dispiaciuto per qualcuno.

http://www.naufragio.it/iltempodileggere/98

I have only just stated this but like it so far. The background is frankly incredible -- in My, 1914, Britain's Liberal government, expecting to be at war with Germany in alliance with France but unsure of Russian support (?! what price the Entente Cordiale?) is hoping to negotiate a secret treaty with a Russian emissary, Prince Orlov. Orlov is the nephew is the Russian-born wife of the Earl of Walden, a staunch Tory aristocrat who is persuaded by WInston Churchill (then the Liberal First Lord of the Admiralty) to represent Britain in the negotiations --at the insistence of the Czar himself. Meanwhile, a Russian anarchist assassin who, in his student days, was the countess's lover, has taken the assignment of killing Orlov and show more disrupting the negotiations as a prelude to revolution. The main plot is fine, but there is a very silly subplot involving a couple of 18 year old debutantes of the earl's family who are so ignorant of the facts of life that when they steal a medical text and a pornographic book they still have no idea how sex actually works. That I flatly refuse to believe. Reading (for instance) Margot Asquith's memoirs I certainly do not gt the impression young female aristocrats were that naive. show less

Not great writing, overall plot, or characters, but eminently readable. I stayed with it all because of the depiction of the anarchist. I was amazed that a pop writer and novel would be, if not necessarily sympathetic, at least fully descriptive of reasoning and thoughts of the anarchist. Good for Follett!