Welcome to Amitkeerti's World

I am a SW Engineer by Profession and a blogger by choice. I am a voracious reader and like to give my opinion about what i read. I try to convery my thoughts in a way that is meaningful and responsible. In my blog you would find me the way I am. I love to write about my take on the Society in general, Finance, day-to-day interesting events, me, inspirational thoughts. More about me as you read my blog.

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Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Friday, September 12, 2008

Frederick Forsyth: The Afgan

Yesterday I completed my Fourth Frederick Forsyth. The Afghan. The novel was on the typical lines of a Frederick Forsyth novel. Mike martin from the Fist of God fame returns back in this edition.

Below is a teaser of the novel from is back cover
I Quote
When British and American intelligence discover a major Al Qaeda operation in the works, they galvanize-but to do what? They have no sources in Al Qaeda, and its impossible to plant someone. Unless...
The Afghan is Izmat Khan, a Guantanamo Bay prisoner and former Taliban Commander. The Afghan is also Colonel Mike Martin, a twenty-five-year war zone veteran enlisted to pass himself off as the trusted khan.
But nothing can truly prepare Martin for the dark and shifting world he is about to enter. Or for the terrible things he will find there
Unquote


My View:
As soon as we say its about Arab land we cannot help but to compare this novel with Frederick's previous Arab encounter. Considering that Mike Martin returns in this novel, it is all the more pertinent to compare this novel with the Fist of God.
To put mildly I would just say that I was disappointed with The Afghan.
I felt that Frederick fell on his own weight of expectation because of his previous novels. I was expecting much more from this novel, considering the drama the suspense that Mike Martin created in the Fist of God.

The novel lacks the gripping feel. It does not bind me to the novel. I could easily put off the novel after reading about 30 pages each day. This was impossible when I was reading Fist of God. I was so engrossed in the happenings in The Fist of God that I forgot my lunch and was totally shut from the world on that weekend. The Afghan did not evoke the same feeling in me.

The novel also lacks the Suspense factor. It is not a novel which will make you sit on the edge of your seat. This was the most disappointing factor. I was never at the edge of my seat. My mind constantly reminded me that this looks like yet another novel. It is not exciting.

I found two things that did not sound rational at all:
1. Mike Martin resembling Izmat Khan. What rubbish. Isn't it so convenient to assume ?
2. The incident in Chapter 14. This is the height of coincidence !!!

My Ratings:
Plot : * *
Story Telling : * * *
Suspense : * *
Over All : * * *

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