'Spy Spoof'

A specialist genre -'spy spoof' but worth the occasional visit especially for this book. Not quite a 5* but a good 4. Almost took it seriously at times until a sudden ludicrous jolt reminded me it was a send up. Very clever book and amusing in a non-LOL kind of way.

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1 person found this helpful

Fabulous

From start to finish a wonder and well crafted book of great depth. This is the 2nd time I've listened to it after having read the hard back. Super in every way.

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Good listen

Good book, good listen. Ran well. Have already read the book but was worth hearing again.

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Easily the best book I've ever read!!

I read this as a teenager, again as a young adult, and now, in my late 40's, on audible. I truly am grateful to the narrator for embodying the essence of the book and bringing it to life. I suspect I shall revisit once or twice before my time is done! 5 stars!!

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Fabulous story

This might be the most enjoyable story that I have heard on Audible. Some may find the detail and extensive vocabulary not to their taste but for me it as captivating from beginning to end.

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read this as a child

read this as a child , I found this reading just as memorable...i will recomend this to friends and family

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Shibumi

Extraordinary book. I had missed a lot of detail when I read it 30 years ago. The narration was superb and i felt the story was much more complete through it being read to me.

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A Delight!!

The title's meaning was explored through Nicholai's life and character and what a considered, compelling study it was. Concepts were elucidated by way of contrast but with an undeniably wicked sense of humour!! l laughed. Often. The articulate writing was marred only by the author's belaboured critique of american and european cultures. Be that as it may, l thought Shibumi clever and had a great time.

🎧 Joe Barrett conveyed Nicholai perfectly, down to changing tone and timbre as our protagonist sufferred and as he aged. A shout out for his portrayal of a spelunking buddy? l cried with laughter at the deliberate OTT portrayal 🤣 - it was pitch perfect for this richly drawn ribald character!! Otherwise, Mr Barrett kept his tone warm, good natured and astutely conveyed emotion when accents failed him. I enjoyed his narration very much.

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Unusual and interesting

This is said to be regarded as Trevanian's most critically acclaimed work, and while I enjoyed the book for its breadth of plot (it covers the main character's life from more or less birth through retirement), and the deepness of the main character, I found it dragged a bit in places.
Having said that, I stuck with it, and it was an enjoyable listen. I don't know a great deal about the author, but his descriptions of pot-holing (like those of climbing in 'Eiger' and 'Loo') are excellent, but if they were in a film, they would be the point at which I chose to go to the toilet!
It seems that a good deal of research went into this epic novel, and it does show.
The reader does a fairly good job covering all the characters and accents, although there is still the under-twang of an American accent, I didn't find it to be disconcerting.
Unlike the 'Eiger Sanction', I don't think this would translate well to film, so if you are interested in this, you're going to have to read it or listen to it!

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6 people found this helpful

if benny Hill wrote spy thrillers

Read this years ago and have been wanting to revisit it for ages as it keeps popping up in popular culture john wick etc .
wish I had found the book as I don't rate the narrator
I usually try and avoid American accents thanks to the orange buffoon but thought I'd give it a go
his standard voice isn't to bad but his accents are random verging on the racist
hel,s mother for instance being Russian veers into comic Irish just missing out on a beggorra to be sure so it is
this unfortunately hinders the plot its hard to immerse yourself in a thriller when you have the yackety sax benny hill tune going through your head during a savage bomb scene in Tokyo which in turn is inspired by all the boob references
titter you not madam
maybe I'm being unfair maybe it just hasn't aged well but I don't recall it being a comedy
but I will perciveer as it was a good story I just Hooe I can forgive the narration

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