Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Helps End Whirlwind, 13 July 2005
This book is a companion to Whirlwind. It takes a part of the story and develops it further. There is a certain amount of crossover with the previous book but it does help to round out the story. It follows the love story of Erikki and his Iranian wife Azadeh as they try to cope with the turmoil of civil war racked Iran and her father, the Khan, and their attempts to escape to freedom. We also have part of the Whirlwind story to help carry it through. This is a good story with tension and dramatic events. They are pushed into tight situations and plenty of action. The appearance of the mysterious Captain Ross brings more acion and tension to both the story and the lives of the two lovers. However, as good as it is, you get the feeling that this is what his editor told him too leave out of the original. Then after its success they decided to release this as a spin-off. Its worth reading after Whirlwind but only if you want to know more of what happened to the two lovers.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful, 14 Mar 2007
I struggled with this book the first time I read it ( under the name Whirlwind), which was a suprise to me as Clavell is my favourite author. I found it difficult to engage with either the characters or the tale. I came back to this book after 9/11, as I remembered that it was a story set during the Islamic revolution. I wanted to know more about a faith that promoted suicide in 'gods service' as a way of getting to paradise.
Under that context I found the book to be very insightful. I enjoyed the interaction between the western pilots and the various 'mullahs' that either helped or hindered their 'escape'.
It just proved to me that irrespective of religious beliefs, humanity is universal and evil a result of a childs reaction to education and environment.
The story is not just about Erikki and Azadeh, other pilots have Iranian wives, others just simply love the country. Its a political thriller, war story, love story and historic record all rolled into one.
Take your time reading it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
What a shame!, 22 Feb 2009
If you have read Whirlwind, do not waste money on this book. It contributes nothing to the original story. It was a screen play written by James Clavell and published postumously by his estate. As far as I can see, it is the same story as Whirlwind with very little added - if anything. I felt cheated. It besmirches the memory of a great story teller and gives the impression it was published to benefit from his name after his death and make money. I would like to give it no stars.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|