Customer Reviews

In the Name of the Father (Signet)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a plot! The Vatican, a little known Polish intelligence organization, a plot to kill Andropov, a defector and a nun... A story so complex and imaginative, it leaves you unsure of the fact that it is really fiction. It is, to me, beyond comprehension that such a book should go out of print. Being the only Quinnell work I have ever come across (since I rarely search out a particular book), I can offer no comparisons. Nonetheless, if you enjoy tales in the genre of espionage, you cannot pass by an oppurtunity to experience the wonder of Mirek Scibor's ironic journey. Set in the mid-1980's, we experience through this character worlds which we knew little about... the religious persecution in the homeland of the Pope, the evil underworld of the Catholic Church, the terrorist training camps of northern Africa, and the political elite of the Eastern Bloc. Even more, we see first hand the inner-struggle of a woman who has dedicated her body and mind to God; and how that commitment to holiness enables her to act counter to all of her instincts in an effort to realize His "apparent" will: The death of the Soviet Premier. Should you read "In the Name of the Father" once, you will surely read it again. It is both haunting and liberating, and I would prefer to believe that it is not entirely fabricated. Mr. Quinnell states most eloquently through his efforts that even the impossible can be accomplished, and that heroes are often found in the most unlikely places. And also, let us not forget, that everyone gets what they deserve.

It appears that most of the reviewers here are young, some of whom have offered such statements as,"Wow! This novel makes you believe that there really WAS a Mirek Scibor, and that he really WAS employed by the Vatican, disguised as a kidney specialist, to kill Yuri Andropov."

Well, folks...I got news for you! A.J. Quinnell, the author, was the REAL DEAL. As he himself explained, he had been an intelligence officer--a spy. That had been his job. And THAT is why his book seems "so real," aside from the fact that [get ready!!] Mr. Quinnell himself clearly stated--in several television interviews that I witnessed when the book was first released--that his book was taken from FACTS that he had heard in the intelligence circuit. He appeared on all the morning talk shows for about a week.

He said, in fact, that the world of intelligence--just like any other profession--has its coffee houses, "after-set" joints, etc. It's a circuit. And ON that circuit, he learned that Yuri Andropov had been MURDERED by an employ of the Vatican. He decided to write a novel about something that REALLY happened.

To us, it all sounds like conspiracy theory. But he said that it was very natural, during the Cold War, even for enemy spies to meet in Vienna [a well-known gathering place of spies of all kinds, for you young folks who may not have known that], and have dinner, drink liquor, and generally exchange news that they'd heard. It's a profession. They hung out, exchanged ideas, shared news, etc., just like people in any other profession.

He said that he could easily tell, by the pattern of information he was receiving, that the rumors were on target. He would know!

I LOVE this book!! I'm 53 years old. The book came out in the 80s, and I still read it--over and over again. One reviewer hear hit it on the head: the book is, in a sense, very inspirational, in that you feel like anything can be done.

The leader of the Soviet Union, at that time, was the most guarded human being on earth. Yet the Vatican [well, or so the "fiction" goes] was able to plant a fake "kidney specialist" right inside the Kremlin...well, I can't tell you the rest of the book! Read for yourself.

If your life is very busy, and you have many things on your plate, DON'T READ THIS BOOK!! Because, if you do, you'll be HOOKED! You'll be reading it once a week.

Here's what REALLY, REALLY bugs me: How on EARTH has Hollywood missed this novel!!!!! The Cold War is finished. But SOMEBODY should create a flick of this book, before Cold War memories die. [Spielberg, WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!!]

This is a very solid effort by the author. It gave me a bit of a chill during a few parts. This is an interesting story line. I did not think it would work as well as it did. After all the Vatican is not really known for this type of activity. Never less, the author pulled it off. I think the excellent work on the story line did it for me. There were no cheap, convenient moves here. You believe each twist and turn would "of course" be there. The cast of characters is a good one with some memorable lines and personality traits. A fun book that moves fast.

I read this book years ago, and loaned it out to only lose track of its whereabouts. I have been trying to find another copy ever since to no avail. I recall absoulutely being enthralled in the book. Wish I could find it!

Id already read Man on Fire and Siege of Silence before In the Name of the Father, and I loved it. Its just what Ive come to expect from AJ Quinnell.... which is a masterpiece of writing.
Wasnt very long, but the story and realistic was he presents it was incredible... It takes place quite some time ago and I didnt understand some of it due to my lack of history of the USSR and Soviet Union but I managed. What a great book. If you havent read his others, please do so, they are amazing as well !

I would reccommend all of A J Quinnell's books to all those readers that are fond of an intelligent thriller set at a cracking pace, whilst maintaining the essence of a "good yarn". It is indeed a pity that this author has been given a higher profile. As with all of the novels, In The Name of The Father has a unique plot, whilst outrageous, remarkably feasable. Equally enigmatic is the fact that A J Quinnell is a pen-name, just who is this mysterious author?

If there is one book that you are going to read this year,"In the Name of the Father" is the one. The plot grabs you from the beginning and holds on until the last line. The plot allows you to believe that the situation actually exists, and if you think of the time line along with actual historical events, this book makes the reader wonder if the story wasn't non-fiction.
A.J.Quinnell is the best author I have ever read. I'm surprised that he isn't required reading for students. I have read all of his books (except one, and that's because I can't find it) and I can honestly say that each one was as enjoyable as the first.
If you are looking for intrigue, fast-paced action, a book that you can't put down and are ready to lose a little sleep at night because you have to read one more chapter, read this book.

This book truly is a diamond in the ruff. It seems to be hard to find, but if you can find it, then by all means, buy it immediately! Quinnell has given us a fantastic, intriguing story that takes into the heart of the bleak world that is the pre-1989 communist bloc. The characters are vividly fleshed out, and Mr Quinnell gives a virtual clinic in character development. Although the afformentioned development was a bit predictable, it was fantastic nonetheless. Read this book!

What a plot! The Vatican, a little known Polish intelligence organization, a plot to kill Andropov, a defector and a nun... A story so complex and imaginative, it leaves you unsure of the fact that it is really fiction. It is, to me, beyond comprehension that such a book should go out of print. Being the only Quinnell work I have ever come across (since I rarely search out a particular book), I can offer no comparisons. Nonetheless, if you enjoy tales in the genre of espionage, you cannot pass by an oppurtunity to experience the wonder of Mirek Scibor's ironic journey. Set in the mid-1980's, we experience through this character worlds which we knew little about... the religious persecution in the homeland of the Pope, the evil underworld of the Catholic Church, the terrorist training camps of northern Africa, and the political elite of the Eastern Bloc. Even more, we see first hand the inner-struggle of a woman who has dedicated her body and mind to God; and how that commitment to holiness enables her to act counter to all of her instincts in an effort to realize His "apparent" will: The death of the Soviet Premier. Should you read "In the Name of the Father" once, you will surely read it again. It is both haunting and liberating, and I would prefer to believe that it is not entirely fabricated. Mr. Quinnell states most eloquently through his efforts that even the impossible can be accomplished, and that heroes are often found in the most unlikely places. And also, let us not forget, that everyone gets what they deserve.

I have read all of Mr. Quinnell's books, except "THE PERFECT KILL" since I could not find it. But gentle readers, this is a great writer! And IN THE NAME OF FATER is one of the greatest books I've ever read during the last twenty years! The only flaw of this book was the translation which was somewhat rigid. There were some greatest characters, hero and heroin, in this book. It's about Pope, Polish, and the Soviet. It is a timeless book even it is out of print. But you could always find it in your local library or, at the thrift stores. All of his other books were also great reading experiences to me. This is a great writer with poor marketing agent and unlucky publishers. I'd give all of his books ratings from 8.5 to 10!!Try it