Customer Reviews

Blood Sport

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dick Francis has earned a well deserved reputation as one of the best suspense writers around--based more on his writing skills and character development that any real talent for suspense. This is because virtually all his books, regardless of character and milieu, follow a well developed formula. By the third or forth Francis book one has a pretty good feel for how things will proceed. His average books are well enough crafted to keep your attention, his better books--such as Banker, Reflex and Proof--grab you by the throat and won't let go till you are done.

Blood Sport is a significant departure for Francis. The formula is gone, the action aspects of his work take back seat to a much more cerebral style and the main character is far from the iconoclastic, self reliant individualist we normally expect from Francis.

Gene Hawkins is a "screener" for the British Government-essentially a "mole" hunter. He is also suicidal-his previous relationship has shattered and left the man a psychological mess. He has sublimated his troubles into his work-until now. Faced with a mandatory three week leave his boss, fearful for his employee's life-sets him onto the trail of the thieves of one of his pals thoroughbred race horses in America.

What follows is one of the more bizarre, compelling chase stories I have ever read. It is also the most unusual novel Francis has written to date.

Not all Francis fans will like this book-as the previous reviews will attest. However, I found the story very compelling and felt more of a real connection to the characters than is the norm with a Francis novel. I also found it to be more of a true suspense novel than is usually the case with Francis.

I urge Francis fans to give it a try.

Considering it is a 1967 publication, Blood Sport portrays a man who suffers from depression and from a person (me)who also has and does can say the portrayal is very realistic. I'm amazed Francis could write like this in the mid-60's and wonder a bit now if Dick didn't go through some bouts of depression because you almost have to to portray it correctly. A worthwhile read for more than one reason. Aches, cold feet, full of malaise, life seeming worthless and confusing...Francis knew what he was talking about.

I recently finished rereading Blood Sport again--it's either my third or fourth read of the book. I think I've reread only 1 other Francis novel, so clearly this novel speaks to me a great deal. This is because the hero is suicidal and finds ways to live. The hero is depressed, yet he is able to live by drawing on anger that anyone would deprive him of the right to live or die. I will not spoil the ending of the novel, but I will say the hero finds a better and more powerful reason to live the rest of his life without considering suicide. Another key character also suffers from depression; she is able to find a new career in life and improve her life a great deal. Romantic love does not play a significant role in either character's battle with depression. If you have ever experienced depression, I recommend this book. It will distract you from your life with its plot that (even after almost 40 years) is still gripping, but more importantly this book offers some great messages about the value of human life, friendship, and the nature of love that may inspire and comfort you.

There's only one problem with Dick Francis books: insomina! The author, no stranger to the world of thoroughbred racing, has a knack for rapidly drawing the reader into the story. The interest is easily maintained as Francis unravels the inner workings of the criminal mind.

I enjoyed the change in locale from England to California. As usual Francis does not disappoint and skewers the villian(s) with his always dry wit. There are enough believable red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the satisfying end.

Gene Hawkins sleeps with a Luger under his pillow and lives four flights up so people will be short of breath when they get to him. He has a dangerous profession that he refers to as anti-infiltration: interfering with the planting of spies in certain government offices and research labs.

He never minds taking chances, because he's clinically depressed anyway. If he dies on the job, he figures it'll save him the bother of shooting himself one of these days.

He's just the man for an impossible assignment, and his boss hands him one: find Chrysalis, a stallion worth £500,000 that just went missing. The owner lost another horse in similar circumstances five years ago, and this time he wants a no-holds-barred search. Insurance investigators and policemen don't get results.

Gene's hunt takes him across the ocean to a Kentucky stud farm, a Wyoming dude ranch and an eerie Arizona dessert. Although lonely and miserable, Gene has a wry sense of humor that keeps his depression from being a burden on the people he meets. He attracts friends and stirs up women, especially the ones he doesn't dare sleep with.

Blood Sport is another great adventure from one of my favorite writers. I turn to Dick Francis whenever I want a sure thing.

This is early (1967) Francis novel centers on Gene Hawkins, a deeply depressed young man who finds himself swept into the racing world against his will. Expensive British stallions are disappearing in America and Hawkins agrees to look into the matter for the insurance company as a favor, and to use up the three weeks of vacation time he had been dreading. The investigation leads Hawkins through the US, from the lush horse country of Kentucky, to a Wyoming dude ranch, to the sun kissed beaches of Southern California. Along the way his path crosses many interesting characters including the charming young daughter of his boss.

As always with a Francis novel the action takes place in the racing world, the hero has a tragic flaw but finds redemption on his quest. The action sequences test the hero's skills, luck and fortitude but his success is a foregone conclusion. The appeal of these novels is that Francis can devise so many variations on the theme.

BLOOD SPORT does show it's age though. In the forty years since it's publication DNA testing would have eliminated the problem with much less trouble, Hawkins' depression would have been managed with drugs and the alcoholic secondary character would have long since been sent to rehab. Still this is a classic Francis and a totally enjoyable trip back to the sixties.

I received this CD book as a gift. I am a great Dick Francis Fan and love all his books,(This rating being for the author not the audio book) so this complaint isn't for the author, but for the folks who released this CD book, disk 4 is the same as disk 3 therefore part of the book is missing. It is from Borders produced by Recorded Books LLC, so please folks if you get this cd book beware.

Diok Francis keeps his expert writting going and your love for his novels going with this book, Blood Sport. If you read one of his books you can't wait to read another!

OK, we've all read at least one of Dick Francis' early novels. The usual components are there: HORSES, racing, mystery, and often a physical or psychological character defect. (I write this, having a hearing loss, so I can appreciate the effort!) The main character, Gene Hawkins, is an intelligence agent who once had his heart ripped out. (I always wanted to write that last phrase) In his agony, he has to escort his boss's nubile 17-year-old daughter to California, to solve a horse kidnapping. Living in the 21st century, trust me, you will not guess the ending of this novel. We need a few more authors with this sense of decency.

BLOOD SPORT is an early (1967) Francis novel that is very different from his normal fare and hence an excellent read. His hero has a death wish hanging on the edge of suicide. Second the story takes places in the United States.
Missing horses, one for ten years Brings Gene Hawkins on the search as he must take a three week vacation, while he has been depending on his employment to keep himself alive. His search leads from London to New York to Kentucky to Las Vegas and to California where he confronts murder. His mental attitude changes when he knows he maybe the next victim instead of self-destructing--then living becomes important.
Not for every fans who expect a standard protagonist, we found the change a very good read.
Nash Black, author of WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.