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Product Description
Review
"ingeniously plotted, racily written and wryly observed" (John Thornhill FINANCIAL TIMES )
"The most playful, ingenious historical thriller series in modern publishing rolls gloriously on with this, the 10th Erast Fandorin novel" (John O'Connell THE GUARDIAN )
"For what are essentially postmodern parodies, these are amazingly rich reads" (Jake Kerridge DAILY TELEGRAPH )
"The most playful, ingenious historical thriller series in modern publishing rolls gloriously on with this, the 10th Erast Fandorin novel" (John O'Connell THE GUARDIAN )
"For what are essentially postmodern parodies, these are amazingly rich reads" (Jake Kerridge DAILY TELEGRAPH )
Book Description
A stunning and epic finale to the series, pitting Fandorin against both Ninjas and terrorists on the Trans-Siberian Express!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Boris Akunin's latest Erast Fandorin saga is a gripping read, at whatever level it is taken. On a straight reading, it is a vintage schoolboy romp through Russian and Japanese spies' and agents' plots and intrigues, with ninja figures displaying fantastical magical powers pitted against the illustrious detective who deploys intelligence, courage and physique. Exaggeration certainly produces effect. A string of characters meet gruesome deaths by exotic means. Fandorin is frequently saved miraculously. National characteristics, Russian, Japanese and British, are totally stereotyped. So don't expect an accurate historical novel.
Whether Akunin intends or allows a second level reading, where the tale becomes myth of the type exemplified by Hindu religion's Ram and Sita myth, is not clear. But there are sufficient hints in the closing sections to suggest some reflection on motivation in life, whether love, patriotism, `honour' which can be distorted to frequent suicide as an evasion of responsibility, self, friendship, tradition, tribe etc. As myth, the story generates potential deep debate, but perhaps that would spoil the hugely enjoyable escapist schoolboy romp?
Whether Akunin intends or allows a second level reading, where the tale becomes myth of the type exemplified by Hindu religion's Ram and Sita myth, is not clear. But there are sufficient hints in the closing sections to suggest some reflection on motivation in life, whether love, patriotism, `honour' which can be distorted to frequent suicide as an evasion of responsibility, self, friendship, tradition, tribe etc. As myth, the story generates potential deep debate, but perhaps that would spoil the hugely enjoyable escapist schoolboy romp?
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an unusually long book for Akunin, and the tone is generally direct and serious rather than whimsical - not too much of that Russian verbal humour that is so tricky to translate. As a result it is also exceptionally satisfying, whether for an established Akunin fan or someone dipping into the saga of Fandorin, the Russian Sherlock Holmes-equivalent, for the first time. Running from the time of the Russo-Japanese war in 1905 (with the first Russian revolution peeping over the horizon) back to the young Fandorin's first experiences in Japan, it is full of colour and incident as well as insights into the hero's formative experiences. It is also a cracking detective story with a kind of 'Chinese boxes' construction that reveals twist after twist - with the best and most shocking on the final page. Thoroughly recommended.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have loved this series since seeing recomended in The Times a few years back. From the first book I have fell in love with the style of writing, the variety of storylines and the great character development. Watching Mr Fandorin develop as a character has been a true pleasure though I must admit to falling slightly out of love with the character the more analytical, cold and clincial that he becomes.
The first third of the book is the story of modern day Fandorin in a new case, based in and around the Russo Japanese war it is both engaging and interesting. It is exciting, well paced and whilst not a mystery the steps taken are thoroughly enjoyable.
Then came the real pleasure, the other two thirds of the book are set in the earlier life of our hero back when he visited Japan, something which has always been aluded too but never examined and what a great tour de force this is! It was a trip down memory lane and a real joy, like bumping into an old friend you expected never to see again, seeing young Fandorin once again. The analytical yet socially awkward youngster, the great mind without the self confidence to follow, the slightly unsure and reserved air of the character is truly great to behold once again. It took me back to a, what was for myself, perfect time in the series, a time of the series that I loved the most and I thank the author for allowing us back in.
The story itself is very good. Well paced with the intricate twists and turns that you expect from the greatest Akunin novels. The characters are all well portrayed the villans are dastardley, the dames are delicious and the scenes the author paints are both believable and magnificent. The book kept me guessing until the very end and the end itself, it was a truly heart rending moment. A moment that has defined the character throughout the series, a glimpse of what could have been.
Mr Akunin has the ability to produce such masterpieces as this and I can only hope he continues to do so for the final 4 books of the series. Bravo!
The first third of the book is the story of modern day Fandorin in a new case, based in and around the Russo Japanese war it is both engaging and interesting. It is exciting, well paced and whilst not a mystery the steps taken are thoroughly enjoyable.
Then came the real pleasure, the other two thirds of the book are set in the earlier life of our hero back when he visited Japan, something which has always been aluded too but never examined and what a great tour de force this is! It was a trip down memory lane and a real joy, like bumping into an old friend you expected never to see again, seeing young Fandorin once again. The analytical yet socially awkward youngster, the great mind without the self confidence to follow, the slightly unsure and reserved air of the character is truly great to behold once again. It took me back to a, what was for myself, perfect time in the series, a time of the series that I loved the most and I thank the author for allowing us back in.
The story itself is very good. Well paced with the intricate twists and turns that you expect from the greatest Akunin novels. The characters are all well portrayed the villans are dastardley, the dames are delicious and the scenes the author paints are both believable and magnificent. The book kept me guessing until the very end and the end itself, it was a truly heart rending moment. A moment that has defined the character throughout the series, a glimpse of what could have been.
Mr Akunin has the ability to produce such masterpieces as this and I can only hope he continues to do so for the final 4 books of the series. Bravo!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A tad too long
This was my first encounter of Boris Akunin and what a pleasant surprise.
The cover didn't really grip me when I first saw it but now see it through different eyes. Read more
The cover didn't really grip me when I first saw it but now see it through different eyes. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Deb L
Too long
Really started to drag towards the end. There is one whole chapter towards the end where the plot comes to a complete stop while Fandorin studies how to be a ninja. Read more
Published 6 months ago by K. Hood
A Wild Ride in the Diamond Chariot
A welcome return to form for Erast Fandorin, in a book that begins with him in later life, and returns us to the origins of the Eastern inscrutability that combines so well with... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Dr. G. SPORTON
Another quality Fandorin series
You simply can't go wrong with the latest Fandorin series.
I was glued to the book and when I finally finished the book it was 6 AM. Read more
I was glued to the book and when I finally finished the book it was 6 AM. Read more
Published 8 months ago by testaroo
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