Customer Reviews

The Amateur American

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Amateur American is one of the smartest, most original thrillers I've read -- a page-turner that manages to be both cerebral and full of electrifying action. Elmore's pitch-perfect writing vividly brings to life the adventures of his protagonist, Jeffrey Delanne, an American struggling to stay afloat in a foreign culture that he doesn't fully understand. In the end, this novel is more than a fantastic adventure: it's also a compelling meditation on language, translation, and the slipperiness of ethical behavior in a world with few certainties. Highly recommended.

This is probably the best thriller I've ever read. You'll get lost in the story and enjoy every page. Add an extra star if you like booze, France and great writing.

Movie rights have already been bought by the creative team behind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Probably going to end up being something like the Bourne Identity Trilogy, but more intelligent, layered, and story driven.

My brother recommended this book to me and I loved it so much that I literally have gotten back into reading since finishing it. The book reminded me of how much fun it could be, and how much better the day could be, if you've got a good book to read at any opportunity. I have since shared the book with a coworker who has spent a lot of time in France (where the book takes place) and who speaks fluent French, and he loved it too. The book is fast-paced, clever, funny at times and a page-turner throughout. I agree with other reviewers that it would make for a great movie and I can't wait to read this author's next book. Really well done and highly recommended!

J.Saunders Elmore has written a top-notch thriller. I couldn't put it down, which is saying something, since I'm one of the most easily distracted people you'll ever meet.
The protagonist, Jeffery Delanne, is teaching in France as the U.S. invades Iraq. This makes his confounding victimization at the hands of both terrorists and cops even harder to overcome, as he has one strike against him already, just being an American. Add a few problems with women and money, and you've really got a man on the edge. But the reader, as well as Delanne, don't find out where the edge actually is until the very end. Reminded me of Hitchcock's The Wrong Man in tone.
The Amateur American is one of the most suspenseful books I've ever read,and I will be looking for the sequel,as well as the movie.

Excellent writing which kept me involved in the very original story. I have been waiting for another book from this author. He has real talent...possiby a real gift. I would like to find out which

The plot is a little over the top but it was a page turner. Very easy and thrilling read and I can't wait for the movie to come out. Luke Evans is the IDEAL Jeffrey Delanne.

This novel is enjoyable enough, and entertaining for the average Francophile as well, even though the plot is a bit over the top and the character renditions a bit overdone. But, mon Dieu, please get a native speaker or a well-trained French teacher to edit the intermittent French sprinkled throughout. Mistakes on use of accents, subjunctive... quelle horreur!

This thriller, about an American in France who gets mixed up with some "gangsters", had a great deal of potential. The author, unfortunately, did not create a main character that was interesting enough to connect to or care about. There were many characters, more than I was able to juggle given that no one character, other than the title character, was given enough attention to keep him or her distinguished from the rest. The book's pacing was decent, but this could have been a lot better.

For me, this one teetered on the edge of being put down and put away throughout and I succumbed to the temptation just past half-way. I saw mention of Hitchcock from somewhere and bit. Unfortunately, I found not even an approximation of Jimmy Stewart. Can you imagine Mr. Stewart, caught up in circumstances, start pummeling another in some contrived confrontation? Hard to believe. The stranger in a strange land bit helped to establish Delanne's patsy status, though it plods, for the whole first half of the story. Another Amazon review called it exactly correct...."Too easily manipulated, Delanne is more apt to make readers impatient than gain their sympathy." The author overplayed this side of Delanne, who was clearly smarter than the average dufus who would be vulnerable to this type of manipulation. Half-a-book and little or no suspense....no thanks!

Even if you don't consider yourself a regular reader of "thrillers," Elmore's book will surprise and delight you. "The Amateur American" does what so few books can: spin a genuinely exciting plot in astonishingly elegant prose. Elmore is especially adept at scene-setting -- the descriptions pop and the dialog crackles with energy. As for Jeffrey Delanne, the book's narrator and reluctant hero, he's equal parts charmer and misanthrope, and just the sort of fascinating character you'd love to invite over for a drink or five. Rumor has it there's going to be a sequel. I'll be first in line!