The Quest

Nelson DeMille is without a doubt one of my favorite authors, but I don't think this book even cracks my top 10 of DeMille's books. Although, I don't think that that is a criticism of this book as much as it is acclaim for some of his others. I wasn't enamored with the religious aspects of this book, but that doesn't really impact my feelings about this book. The plot was awesome, as well as the settings. My main flaw with this book was probably the characters. I didn't find many of them too like able, and it was probably due to the love triangle, which I thought was really flawed. I just really didn't like the way it played out. I vacillate between Purcell and Gann as my favorite characters, with Purcell's problem the aforementioned show more love triangle problems, and Gann's problem probably being too much of a strait man. Then again, what this book lacks in a protagonist, it more than overcompensates with an extreme antagonist, couldn't ask for more in a bad guy then you get in Getachu. All in all, a good but not great book. show less

THE QUEST by Nelson DeMille is not his best work. In fact, if lands near the bottom of the pile. I have read all of his other books and enjoyed them immensely. Unfortunately, this one starts out slow and I almost stopped reading it on several occasions. Surely, this was not expected. I don't know what it is, but I found the same issue with some of Clive Cussler's and James Patterson's books - boring at the beginning and slow to unfold. Maybe they're ready for retirement.

The story follows two reporters, Frank and Henry, and a photographer, Vivian, through the death-filled country of Ethiopia during their civil war. DeMille 'shows' the violence and mutilation, leaving nothing to the imagination. Initially, the crew is reporting on the war show more until they come upon a dying priest who recently escaped imprisonment during the last forty years. He claims to have seen the '"Holy Grail" in a secluded monastery before his capture; he finished his story short of exposing the location before dying. This results in the team changing direction and beginning a Quest to locate this holy relic.

They are captured by one of the feuding armies and threatened with death. They do barely escape and return to Rome. There, they plan a return to Ethiopia and their search for the relic, knowing full well that there is a high chance of being captured and tortured by the same army they escaped from earlier. Much of the story is dialog and planning their quest, a love tryst is also included as Vivian plays both of the men during their time together.

The story was just OKAY but could have had much more action. Seemed like only the last 20% was compelling to the point that I didn't want to put the book down. I was also disappointed with the ending. This makes me wary of purchasing his next book. show less

While driving through the jungles of Ethiopia in September 1974, journalists Frank Purcell and Henry Mercado, accompanied by photographer Vivian Smith, veer through a thicket of bushes and end up at an abandoned hotel/spa. This was not a planned stop, and they all seem surprised to be there. When they encounter a wounded old priest, looking very near death. He recounts a fantastic story about a black monastery he visited nearly 40 years ago. He has been imprisoned all these 40 years, so he is eager for them to listen to his tale. He claims that he was sent by the Vatican to find the Holy Grail. Unfortunately he dies before telling them how to find it. Or did he? His story was long. Could he have given them enough clues? All Purcell, show more Mercado and Smith know is that they must now find it.

The book actually should have 2.5 stars. I didn't hate it and it wasn't a horrible book...it just wasn't MY kind of book. Nelson DeMille is a fantastic author and I have read and enjoyed many of his offerings. This just wasn't one of them although it will likely appeal to many others. show less

Good book, not great. Which essentially translates into "It's not a John Corey book,"

One thing that irked me right off the bat was to find out this was a story DeMille wrote back in the mid 1970s. I thought I was getting a new story. (Understand, that with authors I love/trust, I try to find out as little about the story so I know nothing of what's coming. I do, however, look at review ratings and will sometimes skim reviews...)

Nevertheless, this was a good book; well written; had pretty fleshed out characters; but included far more history on Ethiopia than I was interested in. The story takes place in the mid-70s and revolves around a trio of war journalists who go looking for the Holy Grail after running across an old Italian prisoner show more in Ethiopia. The country is at war and after a harrowing time as captives of an evil general, the group escapes only to decide later to return to look for the Grail. The first and last third of the book were much more exciting to me. The middle third takes place in Rome where they talk a lot about Ethiopia during WWII and do much research about the Grail's history (some fact, most speculation). While interesting, it seemed to drag on far too long.

Again, the book is very well written and not bad. But if you think you're going to read a tale about the actual quest of the Grail, then just read the first and last section as that's pretty much what you get. show less

Very much like my fave author James Rollins: an adventure to solve an ancient mystery, the search for the Holy Grail in war-torn Ethiopia during the early 1970s. Extreme peril along the way. A satisfying conclusion, meaning it wasn’t rushed and no “deus ex machina.” I️ strongly recommend this book!

The Quest: As far a I can make out, these people are searching in the jungle in Africa for a goblet (a small gob?) or cup (grail?) used by their “saviour” to imbibe his last drop of wine before he snuffed it. They appear to think it is important. I could not share their feelings or understand so I bailed out at about page 12. I did not feel that they needed me along. They may still be there .. .. .. ..

My favorite Nelson DeMille book is even better in this longer, updated version of The Quest. In this story the reader finds flawed, oh-so-human characters in the Ethiopian civil war, warriors fighting to save the royal dynasty, rebels fighting for Marxism, and journalists caught in between who are on a quest of their own. Magnificent!