Customer Reviews

Walking the Lions: A Novel of Suspense

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You know how some books pull you forward through them, how you cannot put them down? This is not one of them, at least until very near the end.

What makes a book impossible to set down? I kept asking myself that as I read this. The best answer I have developed so far is that not only does the story have to be interesting (which this is), but you must become attached to the characters quickly (which I didn't). They must find their circumstances compelling and you must find THEM compelling. A bond must be created.

For most of the book the lead character's interest in the story's mystery seemed too distant and theoretical to pull me in. Here he is, trying to solve the mystery of the life and death of someone he has never met, in a place that he has never been, where he knows no one. The only connection he has to this place is through is now deceased father's childhood. It was all too remote, too abstract. I found it really hard to connect to the character. Frankly, the only thing that kept me reading is that this is our next book club book and I felt obligated. Interestingly, once the lead character's sister comes on the scene, the connection to the characters pops into place. The first words out of her mouth suddenly give me a reason to care. This would have been a much better book if this "magic" could have happened 200 pages earlier.

The strength of this book is the extent to which it is infused with a palpable sense of place. There is quite a bit of accurate local color, including reference to the Catalan language spoken in Barcelona and surrounding areas. Say what one will of Burgen's characters, those who know Barcelona likely would agree with me that the people in the book reflect very recognizable types. I'm not sure that any novel in English, perhaps not even the translations of Manuel Vazquez Montalban, rings as true.

Alex Nadel travels to Spain after receiving word that his aunt has passed away. He wants to look at the farm that he has inherited which is located near Barcelona. What is especially surprising to Alex is that his aunt was, until recently, still alive. He was told that she was killed during the Spanish Civil War over sixty years ago. Things begin to look highly suspicious when he is threatened unless he agrees to sell the property. Alex, of course, resists, and this sets up the story's conflict as Alex finds himself in increasing danger. Eventually he learns the truth as to why his father left the country and why his land is so valuable to some people.
Stereotypic characters, a surprisingly slow plot and unnecessary complexity keep this debut novel from truly rising above the ordinary. Yet, the mystery, itself, keeps the pages turning. Stephen Burgen, in future books, should concentrate more on plot progression and story line and less on plot complexity. Nonetheless, the writing is strong and the book makes for a mildly diverting read.