The Man From St. Petersburg

Ken Follett

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'The Man From St. Petersburg' by Ken Follett is a historical fiction and thriller set in the months leading up to World War I. The plot revolves around a secret treaty negotiation between Britain and Russia, orchestrated by Prince Orlov and the Earl of Walden, while a Russian anarchist assassin, who was once romantically involved with the countess, aims to disrupt the negotiations. The story is filled with deception, lies, and a race against time to prevent a murder, all unfolding against the backdrop of political tensions in England, France, Germany, and Russia in 1914. Despite some two-dimensional characters, the relationships and events in the book manage to bring them to life intermittently.

Characters:

The characters are multifaceted, with a mix of sympathetic and antagonistic traits, reflecting historical complexities and personal struggles.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and informative, combining historical detail with character-driven narratives, although some find it lacking in depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot includes a Russian anarchist's assassination attempt against a Russian noble, set against the backdrop of impending WWI, intertwining political intrigue and personal relationships.

Setting:

The setting is early 1914 London, amidst the tensions leading to World War I, enriched by detailed historical context.

Pacing:

The pacing is typically fast with a mix of engaging and slower sections; the conclusion may feel hurried to some readers.

It was a slow Sunday afternoon, the kind Walden loved. He stood at an open window and looked across the park. The broad, level lawn was dotted with mature trees: a Scotch pine, a pair of mighty oaks, ...

Notes:

The story is set in London in early 1914 during rising tensions before WWI.

Winston Churchill plays a significant role in convincing the Earl of Walden to negotiate a secret treaty with Russia.

The main antagonist, Feliks, is a Russian anarchist who aims to assassinate a Russian emissary, Alex Orlov.

Follett explores themes of class, politics, and love in a historical context.

The book includes a subplot about naive debutantes, which some readers found unrealistic.

Reviewers noted that the characters were well-developed, despite some being seen as stereotypical.

The ending features a clever twist that some found satisfying, while others thought it required too much suspension of disbelief.

The writing has been criticized by some for being simplistic but praised by others for its engaging narrative.

Follett weaves historical facts seamlessly into the story, making history accessible and exciting.

Reviews indicate that the book is a mix of thriller and historical fiction, appealing to fans of both genres.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include violence, political violence, and themes of terrorism.

Has Romance?

There are romantic elements in the story, particularly involving characters with complex loyalties.

From The Publisher:

"Ken Follett has done it once more . . . goes down with the ease and impact of a well-prepared martini." -New York Times Book Review

His name was Feliks. He came to London to commit a murder that would change history. A master manipulator, he had many weapons at his command, but against him were ranged the whole of the English police, a brilliant and powerful lord, and the young Winston Churchill himself. These odds would have stopped any man in the world-except the man from St. Petersburg.

Ratings (3)

Loved It (2)
Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (7):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (3)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

loutup337

Loved It

2 months

Another Ken follett book I loved. Really good thriller set around Ww1 time with many twists and turns. I love how fiction and non fiction are weaved together which keeps you gripped till early hours. Also love assassins lol

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About the Author:

Ken Follett is one of the world's best-loved authors, selling more than 170 million copies of his thirty-two books. Follett's first bestseller was Eye of the Needle, a spy story set in the Second World War. In 1989, The Pillars of the…

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