tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post8076858666081260638..comments2024-03-28T14:38:25.395-07:00Comments on Bitter Tea and Mystery: I Am Pilgrim: Terry HayesTracyKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-48918532061542526562014-06-09T11:53:45.806-07:002014-06-09T11:53:45.806-07:00Good to hear that your mojo is returning, Col. I f...Good to hear that your mojo is returning, Col. I finished two shorter books quickly after I Am Pilgrim, but now having a hard time starting another.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-90241640910416989162014-06-09T08:39:56.419-07:002014-06-09T08:39:56.419-07:00Oops - two typos above - apologies, especially mi...Oops - two typos above - apologies, especially mis-spelling your name. Fat fingers and in too much of a rush. I think you've sold me on it. We have a week away booked in August so maybe then. There is the possibility my mojo might be returning - I read 300 plus pages yesterday - finishing one book and starting/finishing another! col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-35011003721814309242014-06-09T08:35:24.839-07:002014-06-09T08:35:24.839-07:00Col, if you can find a few days when you have some...Col, if you can find a few days when you have some time off to concentrate on this book, that would be the best way to read it. Not that it is a demanding read, but good to be able to keep reading, especially toward the end. TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-2963430110844811912014-06-09T08:32:44.974-07:002014-06-09T08:32:44.974-07:00I am sure you are right about the inspiration, Pra...I am sure you are right about the inspiration, Prashant. I recently read a post where the author, Terry Hayes, picked his top three spy thrillers, and he picked one by Le Carre, one by Ludlum, and one by Frederick Forsyth. Pretty good group there. I have read Frederick Forsyth, The Day of the Jackal for sure, but don't remember what else.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-53146830303333675812014-06-09T08:05:39.052-07:002014-06-09T08:05:39.052-07:00Sarah, it was your review that first informed me o...Sarah, it was your review that first informed me of this book and got me interested. It has been a while since I have been so eager for a book to come out here so I could read it immediately. The book was very entertaining, and thought-provoking.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-48000179660992251132014-06-09T05:04:48.712-07:002014-06-09T05:04:48.712-07:00Tracy, I won't be surprised if le Carré and Lu...Tracy, I won't be surprised if le Carré and Ludlum indirectly inspired this book. They've had a big influence on espionage fiction. I read Ludlum in college and le Carré only some ten years ago. You'll like Ludlum's novels. There is so much to read. As for the book under review, I'll go with the majority view and try and read it at some point. The longer the spy fiction, the more exciting it gets.Prashant C. Trikannadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079354501998741758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-48129001924465978652014-06-08T23:18:21.579-07:002014-06-08T23:18:21.579-07:00I absolutely loved this book and it was my top rea...I absolutely loved this book and it was my top read of 2013. Glad you liked it too!Sarah Wardhttp://crimepieces.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-22695024010290888762014-06-08T22:24:32.704-07:002014-06-08T22:24:32.704-07:00Trayc, yes that's why I'm so undecided. I ...Trayc, yes that's why I'm so undecided. I think it would have to be soemthing I'd read on holiday or when I have a long weekend with nothing scheduled, otherwise it would hang over me.col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-75964431702820812652014-06-08T22:16:21.977-07:002014-06-08T22:16:21.977-07:00Col, I do understand... yet you read BETWEEN SUMME...Col, I do understand... yet you read BETWEEN SUMMER'S LONGING AND WINTER'S END at 640 pages. (I have that on my shelves.) I say, go with your gut. Only read it if it appeals.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-73464209175585142612014-06-08T21:42:59.100-07:002014-06-08T21:42:59.100-07:00Still fence sitting - too long!Still fence sitting - too long!col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-53726797636253471572014-06-08T18:05:26.229-07:002014-06-08T18:05:26.229-07:00Possibly, Rebecca, but I think the points you made...Possibly, Rebecca, but I think the points you made in your review were valid. I read the complaint somewhere that spy fiction is too slow and that is usually true (there are exceptions). I did not even make the point in the review that the story is narrated in first person, which is one of the reasons I liked it. Enjoyment of a novel of any kind is really a very personal thing and for me sometimes varies with the state my life and mind is in.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-44902246671932460412014-06-08T17:44:13.366-07:002014-06-08T17:44:13.366-07:00Thanks for the link, Tracy, and I'm glad you e...Thanks for the link, Tracy, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. It made me realize just how few spy novels I've actually read so I'm not the perfect reviewer for the book!RebeccaKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14720581274534125405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-3979125905621114602014-06-08T16:22:06.485-07:002014-06-08T16:22:06.485-07:00Marie, I really like spy fiction. For some reason,...Marie, I really like spy fiction. For some reason, this one grabbed my attention. I was a bit worried about the length, but it all worked out. You are right, it did not feel that long. It did get a slow start, taking several days to get through the first half, then finished the last half very quickly. That has happened in all of my very long books this year.<br /><br />The very next thing I read was another spy fiction book, Len Deighton, only 240 pages and it was very good too. Just in a different way. TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-9714832458873056872014-06-08T15:27:37.076-07:002014-06-08T15:27:37.076-07:00Glad you enjoyed it in the end Tracy. You must hav...Glad you enjoyed it in the end Tracy. You must have really been looking forward to it, I don't think I've ever pre-ordered a copy of a book I've been excited about. Another success story to add to your list of long books! It really doesn't feel like 600+ pages though, does it?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12746977959474067829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-65964861453344838572014-06-08T10:59:18.171-07:002014-06-08T10:59:18.171-07:00Great, Margot, and I hope you enjoy it.Great, Margot, and I hope you enjoy it.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-90771821922148024262014-06-08T10:45:59.955-07:002014-06-08T10:45:59.955-07:00Tracy - That does it. I am going to have to read t...Tracy - That does it. I am going to have to read this book. With all of these fine endorsements of it, what choice do I have?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-36673993246720507002014-06-08T09:02:55.310-07:002014-06-08T09:02:55.310-07:00Keishon, this is a book I loved but not sure about...Keishon, this is a book I loved but not sure about recommending it to anyone else. It is a big time investment (plus money) and not everyone will enjoy it so much.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-5726918462468796892014-06-08T09:01:15.278-07:002014-06-08T09:01:15.278-07:00I agree, Moira, great entertainment value. Reading...I agree, Moira, great entertainment value. Reading Bill's post made me think about whether I would reread it. At this point I don't think so, but a few years from now I may change my mind. (I consider all of Charles McCarry's books rereadable, and Len Deighton's also. Whether I will ever have the time is another matter.)TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-48062740183609642712014-06-08T08:43:58.761-07:002014-06-08T08:43:58.761-07:00Bill, Sorry I forgot about your review and the fol...Bill, Sorry I forgot about your review and the follow up post about the reservations. I will add a link to your review. I intentionally did not read your 2nd post before reading the book, and now I have gone back to read it (and comment). You make some good points. I really had no issues with the book, except I suppose it could have been shorter. The length did not bother me. For me, the book kept me entertained to the point that I did not stop and think about any small points that bothered me, sort of like watching a thrilling movie. I was immersed in the story, even though it took me several days to get through it. TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-31930018575901171252014-06-08T05:23:01.437-07:002014-06-08T05:23:01.437-07:00Still on the fence with this one but I put it on m...Still on the fence with this one but I put it on my wishlist. whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18030571187291039318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-42752879830990654302014-06-08T02:00:57.954-07:002014-06-08T02:00:57.954-07:00Like Bill, I might have had some issues with this ...Like Bill, I might have had some issues with this book, but in the end I decided to just let it sweep me along - it was very over-the-top but you could not fault its entertainment value. Glad you enjoyed it too.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-82836705590032529192014-06-07T21:47:30.930-07:002014-06-07T21:47:30.930-07:00TracyK: I greatly enjoyed reading I am Pilgrim ear...TracyK: I greatly enjoyed reading I am Pilgrim early this year. It is a grand thriller. At the same time I had enough issues with the book to write a second post about my concerns with the book. It is a rare book that I can recommend and believe will be a bestseller but at the same time have significant reservations.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.com