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18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tremendous Decision to Reissue, 15 Dec 2002
Robert Littell has written a variety of wonderful books that all earn high marks in whatever genre he places them. He has written the spy novel as well as anyone, he has written historically based fiction so well, that some find his version of events easier to believe than those generally accepted as fact. And he has explored relationships that have nothing whatsoever to do with the other categories I mention. His are some of my favorite books, and I hope that many will now be issued once again.For the spy lovers there have been, "Walking Back The Cat", "An Agent In Place", and most recently, "The Company". Historically based fiction rarely gets better than, "The Sisters", and "The Visiting Professor", fills the relationship category. It's not an easy decision, but my favorite work of his is likely, "The Revolutionist". All of these books I would enthusiastically recommend. "The Once And Future Spy", is akin to traversing a labyrinth that is made of mirrors instead of green hedges. I also walked through one made entirely of chain link fence once, and with all that it allowed you to see, that it "showed clearly", it too was especially, or perhaps unique in its puzzle. And despite all that transpires in this book, when you finally put down, or it finishes with you, you are anywhere but at the end. Government conspiracy enthusiasts will love this book, for it not only is clearly modeled after a specific US Presidency, it also portrays a variety of players that are identical to that administration in all but name. The act contemplated has a logic in their world, but once outside of their tortured, groupthink, any ends justifies the means sideshow, what they contemplate doing is no less than a crime against humanity. Mr. Littell plays a wonderful game of slight of hand, and three card monty novel writing. But he does it with such skill that it never seems contrived, and when you think you have finally found the correct card, he will turn over another, proving you wrong once again. Even when he appears to come clean at the story's conclusion, has he really? By my reading he has not. An uneasy truce based not on mistrust, or threats, but rather participants not knowing where they stand, seems to be the closest anyone can come to comfort. If you have never read this writer's work, please do, you will find a variety of genres, all capably handled by an extremely talented, imaginative, and skilled pen.
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by Robert Littell
by Robert Littell
by Robert Littell
by Robert Littell
by Robert Littell
