Customer Reviews

Trevayne

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

 

 

Trevayne is one of the most gripping novels i have read in my entire life. Although fiction,it depicts the many intrigues in politics in developed democracies especially the United States as well as in nascent democracies such as ours in Nigeria. The fascinating theme is, even in a society where there is rule of law some people are "untouchables" (i.e above the law) and the path of wisdom is they have to be negotiated with for the common good. Robert Ludlum took me down a familiar route - He should be congratulated for his effort.

Disapointing story from Ludlum, the main character is unsimpathetic and totally out of place for the task. could not finish this story, and would prefer to give it 1 star but after all it is Ludlum (or is it?).

This book would have been more suitable as a graduate level business course text book rather than as a "suspence" novel. It was boring. Although Ludlum is a favorite author, this boring attempt at suspence took him down in my estimation.

Mr. Ludlum, in his preface to this edition, says that he re-issued this book after Iran-Contra because he felt that it "mirrored" in a way, Watergate, but that he didn't want to update the book. I think that it could have done with some updating. The book is a good read--a fast read. I found the lapses in time a little confusing, but I liked Andy & Phyllis. I didn't really know what to do about Madison & Bonner, though. It seemed to be a case of the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing, all throughout the book--which makes it suspenseful, i guess, but rather confusing. I tended to forget who was on which bad-guy team. The ending of the book is pretty predictible once you get to the last few sections--but there are some twists thrown in. A good read if you don't mind low-tech technothrillers.

This book actually demonstrates that Ludlum can develop a character and have him or her be more than flat. Trevayne is well done. Besides that, the plot is great and is backed up as always by Ludlum's incredible gift for research. Read this book with no qualms.

This book was slow to start, boring in the middle...and I just couldn't get enough interest in it to finish it. The premises are dated and the constant politically-incorrect comments on race and gender were jarring. There really isn't enough story, good writing or interesting characters here - yes, a waste of time. There are so many good books out there - this just isn't one of them.

I picked this book up in 1996 when I was deployed to Jordan. For some reason, it wasn't the right time for me, and I ended up moving on to something else. A few years later, I picked it up again, and read the whole thing in almost one sitting. The whole time wondering why (and how) I ever put it down in the first place. I thought the story was gripping, the pace was perfect, and LOVED the character. I've recommended this book numerous times, and I consider it one of my favorite Ludlum novels.

Ludlum dashed off this novel in a high dudgeon over Watergate and published it under a pseudonym. Better for his reputation if he had never admitted his authorship. As others have said, the plot is not believable. And parts of the book are about as interesting as a bank examiner's report. (I finished the book only because it was the only one I had on the beach.) Aside from his laborious pacing, Ludlum fails to show much, if any, understanding of finance and business; his descriptions of the villain-company's ledgers are filled with meaningless and unrealistic jargon, making them impenetrable. His descriptions of political relationships are nearly as naïve. Ludlum should stick to the thriller parts, where his writing is truly gripping; in this book, the best part is where Bonner stalks and "disables" the Mafia heavies.

Got frustrated reading this book. No pace. Not for Alistair McLean kind of readers. You can easily quit reading this book even if you are in the middle. I only completed it for the heck of it.. wonder why I started reading it at all. I should have read Detective(Arthur Hailey) instead. Would have insured I finish it in the same night, rather than spread it out over almost 2 weeks, as Trevayne did. However, Trevayne and Bonner did make a good combo. Both had a great character. The only interesting points in the novel are when these two are in conversation or Trevayne is with Sam. Nothing else.

I tried to overlook the fact that this book was written over two decades ago. I suppose if I had read it when it came out it might have been a page turner.

The characters were believable enough, but the plot wasn't. You pick a guy for a controversial sub-committee, add a bunch of corrupt politicians and businessment (are there any other kind?) and all hell breaks loose. Add in some unbelievable circumstances (gee, from America's top hated to America's next President) and you get a book that for some reason kept me reading for a couple of weeks.

I should have followed by instincts and dropped it.