Customer Reviews

The Charm School

5 star:		(172)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

The Charm School is my favorite Cold War novel of all time and one of my favorite novels of any genre, ever. This is a powerful, well-written, and disturbing novel of Cold War intrigue. It takes place in the old Soviet Union circa 1988, and DeMille's research about, and visits to, the USSR around this time have given this novel an authenticity that resonates throughout the novel. DeMille captures the tension of the Cold War conflict, the sorrow of the Russian people and the contradictions in the old Soviet state ("with gravel roads, ICBMs, and a world-class Secret Police service..."). This is a superb novel.

Without committing any spoilers, the plot is simple, powerful, and disturbing. Two US diplomats in the Soviet Union discover a terrible secret: that over 1000 US MIA pilots shot down over Vietnam have been spirited away to Russia. The purpose is to allow the Soviets to set up "Mrs. Ivanova's Charm School" which is a KGB academy in which the pilots are forced to teach aspiring Russian spies how to act, speak, and pass as Americans. The KGB will go to literally any lengths to keep the existence of "The Charm School" a secret. The rest would be telling. This is a great story.

DeMille literally transports the reader to Soviet-era Russia. His prose dealing with the Russian people, the Soviet government, the vast country, and the long-suffering people to me seemed to capture at least some of the essence of that great and troubled country. The novel moves at a fast-pace without racing to the finish; the reader is allowed to "smell the flowers" along the way, but the storyline never drags. This novel manages to do what very few novels ever succeed in doing: it is a classic of its genre, as well as a ripping page turner.

"The Charm School" ranks with DeMille's "Word of Honor" as a true masterpiece that belongs in every reader's library.

"The Charm School" is one of the BEST books I've ever read in my life! I've read over 500 spy novels, and at least 300 mysteries - Nelson DeMille has the ability to capture the reader from the first line of this book where he involves the reader DIRECTLY in the action, as well as elicit a multitude of emotions from the reader, based on the reader's personal experiences and what the reader can imagine, evocatively elicited by DeMille from is readers. The novel occurs during the waning days of The Cold War in Soviet Russia. An American tourist, Gregory Fisher, discovers a dark secret hidden deep in European Russia, which could effectively end Soviet-America relations for years to come. This discovery occurs when Fisher is committing an "intinerary violation," which brings him to the attention of the KGB. Fisher then attempts to relate the information that he uncovered to the American Embassy's Air Force Attache` in Moscow, Sam Hollis, on the very night that the KGB discovered Fisher's intinerary violation. Following that discussion, Fisher is murdered by the KGB, who subsequently tries to make Fisher's death look like an accident. This does not sit well with Hollis, who is trying to help him get to the American Embassy. It also does not sit well with the CIA Station Chief at the American Embassy, Seth Alevy. The woman who took the initial call from Fisher, a State Dept. Liason Officer, Lisa Rhodes, is also involved, as she listened to and recorded the initial call between Fisher and Hollis, and she is familiar with some of the CIA's espionage operations in Moscow; she was the former girlfriend of Alevy, and is soon to become Hollis' girlfriend during the operation to discover the truth behind Fisher's death and the secret Fisher discovered. Both Alevy and Hollis operate together under personal and professional rivalries; their CIA/U.S. Air Force rivalry, as well as their mutual affection for Lisa Rhodes, yet they form an alliance to try and solve Fisher's death, as well as solve the dark secret which Fisher dicovered. As the novel goes through its paces, the tension between the KGB and the joint-American espionage forces escalate to the point where Hollis and Rhodes get their diplomatic privileges revoked and are kicked out of the Soviet Union. This is the point where the tension REALLY hits home with the reader - from here you just need to buy the book, and discover the end of the story, as well as the details which I purposely omitted. One thing that I will say is this - that which I omitted provides a wealth of information concerning how sociological aspects affect each and every one of us (worth the read in itself). You can discover how Nelson DeMille develops his characters and his story in order to appreciate how well he places a reader into one of his novels.And you can experience the overall sense of humanity and justice which DeMille elicits from his readers. Buy ANY of DeMille's books (I've read them all), and simply enjoy as well as feel your own sense of humanity and justice, which is where DeMille takes your heart, mind, and soul!

This is my third Nelson Demille novel, and each time I start a new one, I think that it cannot be better than the last. Wrong. With every novel, I have more of an appreciation for Demille.

The Charm School is one of the best books that I have ever read. Demille gives the reader an indepth look into the world, people, and psyche of Cold War Russia, the inner workings of KGB, CIA, and our government. The characters are superbly develpoed, you really feel as though you know their thoughts and understand why they react the way that they do. The stlye in which Demille conveys his story is unparalleled, you can't help but tear through the pages to find out what happens next.

One of the aspects of Demille's novels that I really appreciate is the fact that everything that happens is believable. The protagonists are very human and make mistakes, the antagonists are equally as human and to some degree are compassionant. Nothing is "over-the-top". Very believable situations and outcomes.

This is a must read for anyone.

Another great job Mr. Demille. I only wish I had read it sooner.

A few basic facts about my experience with this book: First, I picked it up at 4 in the afternoon, and didn't put it down until 4 AM. I walked, ate and peed while reading this book. I'm not exagerating. When I finally closed it, I was on page 400. I've re-read it three or four times in the few years since then. Beyond simply being an extremely witty and sarcastic writer, Nelson Demille obviously did his homework for this book. I spent a week in the Soviet Union in 1986, and I can promise you that Mr. Demille spent more time than that over there, because he captures the essence of the Evil Empire, and the soul of the Russian people. The book is every bit as educational as it is entertaining and exciting. It's so good that Demille's other books, as good as they are, can't compare.

I just re-read Charm School, the first time being several years ago. I couldn't put it down. It had everything necessary for an incredible plot - intrigue, romance, spys, conflict between good & evil - although it's not always obvious which is which. Nelson DeMille puts it all together with obviously well researched information on the history and, at the time, current circumstances in the U.S.S.R. Dialogue is excellent, the characters are deep and their motives easily understood (although maybe not easy to agree with). I love the fact that there is no good answer for how to resolve the issue of the Soviet Union keeping American POWs for over 20 years. DeMille explores all options and left me feeling sympathy for all players involved in this drama. My only wish is that someone would have made this into a movie - it would be excellent. Unfortunately, it's too dated to make good material now. By the last 100 pages - I absolutely had to find a corner to hide in to finish. These final scenes were so nail-bitingily intense and I could clearly picture in my mind what was happening. You will NOT be disappionted in this read.

I have recently become a huge Nelson DeMille fan and in the past two months read ove half his books. 'THE CHARM SCHOOL' is by far DeMille's most gripping read. The action of Mr. DeMille's book is constant throughout the book, which is my only minor criticism of some of his other books. 'THE CHARM SCHOOL' walks the thin line between unrealistic, unbelievable and 'Yes, this really could have happened.' What impressed me the most about this book was Mr. DeMille's ability to draw you into an old sotry (USA vs. USSR) without demonizing either. Instead, he created an intricate web of good guys and bad guys evenly distributed among both sides. He respected the Soviet Union's position and refused to demonize (this is not to say he glorified it). Even better than that the action of this book is amazing. I was so drawn into the finale, which is intricately unwound in a fast pace series of events that last a good 100 pages instead of 10 like so many other 'action/ suspense' books. This is the perfect summer reading book that will hold you attention, tell an old story in a new way, and give you an appreciation for Russian and Soviet Union culture (the old and the communist).

QUITE AMAZING!

This book is absolutely amazing. It is the second book I have read by Demille, and is by far one of the stories I will most recommend to my friends. It is a fantastic page-turner that truly captures the heart and soul of the Russian people and the differences between their perspectives and American attitudes toward life. All of the characters are amazingly believable; the plot also comes across as being extensively researched.

Demille's world of espionage and foreign service comes to life in a manner tha most authors cannot match: this was our world during the Cold War. Mrs. Ivanova's Charm School did not exist that we know of, but the reality of national security policies are exemplified in this fictional account.

After my own experiences in Russia, I highly recommend that you read this book even if your interests only slightly bend in this direction. It is a novel you will want to display on your own shelves to be discussed with friends and family!

If you're looking for a fast-paced, cut-to-the-chase, political adventure, The Charm School is a good choice. Readers who enjoy Tom Clancy and Frederick Forsythe will have a hard time putting down DeMille's tale of intrigue and deception set in Cold War Russia. The story follows a rough-around-the-edges American air force officer and a Russophile embassy worker as they delve into the mysterious death of an American tourist who discovered a closely-guarded KGB secret. The stakes escalate quickly, and it soon becomes clear that the future of U.S. - Russian relations may be on the line. But those looking for a happy ending, be warned: DeMille follows the events of the novel not to an ideal conclusion, but to a bloody and perhaps more realistic end.

Nelson DeMille is a brilliant writer. "The Charm School" was the only one of his books I hadn't had a chance to read yet, and I'm really glad I ordered a copy recently.

This is by far the best spy novel I have ever read. Like the other reviewers, I got hooked by that book immediately and have neglected basically everything in the four days that it took me to read these 600 pages.

I do not think that it should have been shorter as Nelson DeMille's detailed descriptions of what it was like behind the Iron Curtain makes this book such a special treat. This is so much better than all of Tom Clancy's novels combined! Mr. DeMille not only writes in excellent and witty prose but knows how to create breathless tension.

There is a lot of John Corey (Plum Island, The Lion's Game) in this book's broken hero Sam Hollis. Even though the end of the novel is a bit over-the-top, I was sad to turn the last page yesterday.

Great stuff!

What a great premise! As usual, DeMille moves the action along at a "can't put it down" pace - and it takes effort to carry this heavy, 500+ page book around (I read the hard cover). This is a re-read for me - I keep all DeMille hardcovers, as I know I will want to let some years go by and read them again. The Charm School was just as exciting the second time around. I enjoy the reviews that say this story is "out-dated". Will those readers also find anything pre-dating their memory span to be outdated? Good grief! Those of us who remember the Cold War, found The Charm School to be one of those "Aha - this really could have happened - and it certainly would have explained a lot of things" experiences. DeMille brought Russia alive, plumbed the depths of the Russian psyche, and gave us a window to see what embassy life must be like in a hostile environment. My favorite DeMille is Nightfall - next is UpCountry, and now, I'm officially moving The Charm School to #3 - that is until I re-read his others!