We were at Glenaicill -- six of us -- for the duck-shooting, when Leithen told us this story. You know how one tale begets another, and soon the whole place hummed with odd recollections, for five of us had been a good deal about the world. All except Leithen, the man who was afterwards Solicitor-General. "Lucky devils," he said. "You've had all the fun out of life. I've had my nose to the grindstone ever since I left school. All the same," he went on, "I once played the chief part in a rather exciting business without ever once budging from London. And the joke of it was that the man who went out to look for adventure only saw a bit of the game, and I who sat in my chambers saw it all and pulled the strings. 'They also serve who only stand and wait,' you know." Then he told us this story. . . . it was the tale of the maniac who dreamed of the "Powerhouse." There were dark scenes in the drama before it was played out.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Flunks the test of time.,
By
This review is from: The Powerhouse (Paperback)
This "classic thriller" by John Buchan was first published in book form way back in 1916. A relatively short novel, The Power-House is narrated by its protagonist, Edward Leithen, a 34 year old barrister and Tory member of parliament.
The plot revolves around a sudden, unexplained departure from London by one of Leithen's old school chums, the fabulously wealthy Charles Pitt- Heron. It seems that Pitt-Heron abruptly left his home without even telling his wife, reportedly traveling to Moscow. Through a series of chance happenings, Leithen learns that Pitt-Heron had become involved with a secret society whose ultimate goal is world domination. The major problem with The Power-House is the fact that the plot is completely dependent on the ocurrence of one impossible to believe coincidence after another. The best that one can say about this book is that it exudes quaintness. Buchan has written it with a kind of uninhibited earnestness which could be thought of as admirable but at the same time makes it impossible for the modern reader to take the book seriously. The Power-House is of historical interest only. It does not hold up as a work of literature.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting aura, kind of imperfect in the end...,
By Takis Tz. (InYourHead) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Powerhouse (Paperback)
Buchan, famously known (?) for penning "39 steps" -later filmed by Hitchcock- was obviously a gifted author and the Powerhouse is a convincing testament to that.
Measuring just under 100 pages, it's a novel that mixes in world-wide conspiracy, man-hunting, shady and ultra-powerful behind the scene characters. It comes mostly across as a run of the mill crime story though as it reaches its conclusion and that is the downside about it. That in itself comes in contrast with the beginning of the story, where the novel seems to develop an almost DeLillo feeling to it. As the protagonist of the story meets a dark figure of power intent of realising a bold plan of ruling the world with his secret-society-like group the expectations rise. But only for the whole thing to "mellow down" to a much simpler story increasingly fast. However, odds are that if someone recommends you this book it will be precisely for the dialogue between these two characters once they meet. That's where Buchan is at his best, and it's strange really, but yes, it is a book worth that conversation alone. Other than that, it might be plausible to imagine that other novels of his are more intricate and complete, and a better place to start from.
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