Discrete Charm of Charlie Monk [Paperback]

David Ambrose (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2005

'It was some moments before Charlie turned his gaze back to Control. When he did, there were tears in his eyes. "What have you done?"' "Something that evolution wouldn't have accomplished in a million years, left to itself," Control replied calmly. "You're custom-built, Charlie, a hero for our time..."' Charlie Monk is the ultimate superhero. He has no conscience. He has no fear. But he also has no memory. Dr Susan Flemyng has found a way to give memory back. In a world where even virtual reality is controlled, that is the most dangerous knowledge of all. Can she trust those she works for, or should she take the greatest risk and trust Charlie?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Only a few people know who Charlie Monk really is. Is he, as Monk himself believes, a highly trained government hit man? Or is he merely the laboratory fodder of scientists conducting mind control experiments? Ambrose, who has previously dabbled in such reality benders (Coincidence, etc.), handles this one with confidence, twisting the plot gently at first, then with a hard, satisfying crank toward the end. In between government hits, Monk leads a casual life in Los Angeles, partaking in the usual pleasures sought by virile young men. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., Dr. Susan Flemyng toils away on the leading edge of her specialty: replacing visual memory in the minds of amnesia victims. She is doing so, however, under duress. A secret government organization has kidnapped her son and won't give him back unless she oversees several experiments. Monk, it turns out, is one of them. Ambrose has several surprises in store, including government planners who want to create a fighting force of warriors with human intelligence and simian brawn. Monk figures out much of what's going on, and he doesn't drag his knuckles in seeking vengeance. Featuring an intriguing cast of characters who never turn out to be quite what they seem, this latest from Ambrose provides several hours of exhilarating diversion and a scary glimpse of scientific possibilities.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Ambrose's sixth novel, published in Europe in 2000, gives new meaning to the phrase "living a rich fantasy life." Readers will leave the novel knowing less about what's going on than they did when they began it, and they won't mind a bit. This book, about a man who might be a superspy, or perhaps he's a clinic-bound mental patient, is a dazzling performance, a story that seems to be one thing, then turns into something else, then doubles back on itself, then stampedes off in an entirely unexpected, and bizarre, direction. At its center is Charlie Monk, a government agent whose life seems to be a series of life-and-death episodes--unless, as Charlie discovers, he's only imagining his life. This novel is mind-grabbingly elegant, a symphony of ideas that never, ever does what we expect it to. Propelled by its cast of characters, including Dr. Susan Flemyng (who is either Charlie's friend or his enemy, depending on what scene you're reading) and Latimer West (who may, or may not, be a supervillain), and by Ambrose's immense storytelling skills, the novel starts fast, gets faster, and soon has us holding on for dear life. And when the story comes to its crashing finale, we sit there, blinking, wondering what just happened here. And who the heck is Charlie Monk? David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (May 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743416139
• ISBN-13: 978-0743416139
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,579,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply One of the Best Action/Thrillers I've Ever Read, May 25, 2004

By 

Gypsi Phillips Bates "bilbiophile" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Discrete Charm of Charlie Monk (Hardcover)

Oh boy. . . How do I review this book in more than the one word "wow!"?

Charlie Monk is specialist, a killer for a government agency so high it has no name. He's the best of the best--he does his job perfectly and asks no questions. Or at least, he didn't.

When he runs into an old friend, things start to go odd with his life. Charlie starts to question things. . . things that others higher up apparently don't want questioned.

What might sound like the run-of-the-mill action thriller is anything BUT run-of-the-mill. What Charlie discovers is earthshaking for him. He is delivered one shattering punch after the other, and the reader shares the shock of those punches.

The only flaw I could find in this novel was the occasional absence of description and that sometimes too much happens at one time. Both of these are common in this genre and in no way lessened my enjoyment of this fantastic book. Sure, it's not a literary gem like Pride and Prejudice or Lolita or Rebecca, but it is simply one of the best novels I've ever read. I picked it up, on a whim, thinking that my husband might like it. Turns out we both did!

I'd love to tell you more. I wish I could give you the reasons that I read this book through in one evening, but I can't ruin it for you. So, do yourself a favor: if you have any interest in a roller coaster trip for the mind, get this book, buckle yourself in and enjoy the wild, unforgettable ride.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wild thriller, March 7, 2003

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Discrete Charm of Charlie Monk (Hardcover)

Super agent Charlie Monk believes he works for an agency so stratospherically secret, the work force will not mention its name even in the most secure room. However, Charlie sometimes wonders who he really is. Though he performs perfectly when he works in the cold as a killing machine with no conscience completing his mission, Charlie has problems recalling mundane obvious details from his past.

When on home leave in Los Angeles, Charlie sleeps with a myriad of women and paints landscapes that some dealer buys before the canvas dries. In Washington D.C., Dr. Susan Flemyng conducts cutting edge experiments on replacing visual memory in the minds of amnesia victims. However, the government has forced her to work for a top-secret agency whose name is classified by kidnapping her son. Her guinea pigs include Charlie.

This Walter Mitty type tale starring a protagonist like James Bond or Derek Flint will leave the audience wondering who Charlie is. The story line grips the reader with that question from the onset, but when the answer seems obvious David Ambrose cleverly twists the plot around so that the audience has to repeat the query. Fans of strange thrillers will want to read the DISCRETE CHARM OF CHARLIE MONK in one sitting because the tale provides a wonderful espionage story within a medical subplot inside a weird but deep character study, contained in etc. etc. etc. Yet all of this yada yada yada turns into a tremendous novel.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Caricature of a Thriller, April 12, 2006

By 

J. Brian Watkins (Laie, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Discrete Charm of Charlie Monk (Hardcover)

This is the story of the ultimate covert operative. It is almost entirely plot with a half-hearted attempt to throw in some characterization. All the typical elements of the genre are present--government power gone awry, fantasic scientific progress known to only a select few, assassinations, missions impossible, etc. Despite the formulaic nature of the story, Mr. Ambrose manages to capture your attention as he throws everything into hyperdrive--no chapter seemed to be longer than five pages and nothing really ever resolves. An ending that was obviously meant to be philosophically enigmatic just made me think, "huh?" and then quickly left my mind. If you are looking for a book that leaves you thinking about anything--pick something else. This one wraps up quicker than a TV movie.

Frankly, the author borrowed a great deal; from Fleming to Ludlum with a dash of Clancy and the pacing of Cussler. As pure entertainment it succeeded but it aspires to absolutely nothing more. In striving for mystery and the "killer twist" this author goes just a bit too far, pushes just a little too hard. The story is too far removed from reality.

So, if you are stuck in an airport or have a couple of hours to kill, pick it up--it is a quick read and holds your attention reasonably well. Just don't bring high expectations...