Customer Reviews

The Powerhouse

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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.

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.