This is the same book which was adapted to the screen as Jack Reacher. I have already seen the movie. which presented the first problem As you are reading up the series in the same chronology as it was written, this became the second problem. The first problem is simple. You know the main plot of the book and also the villains. The second is the decision to skip this one or not. When I read through the book, I couldn't help going back to the movie where I ended up back and forth between my memories of the movie and what I was reading. One thing for sure. If I had read the novel, then it would have greatly affected the way I reviewed the movie.
A sniper fires 6 shot and kills 5 people. The sniper is apprehended within hours after committing this insane act. While in custody, the sniper asks for Jack Reacher. Nobody in the city knows who Jack Reacher is. Fortunately, Reacher sees the news on TV and recognizes the sniper. He decides to visit the city in order to ensure the sniper doesn't walk away free. This forms the basis of Lee Child's book. Normally, Lee Child uses the narrative of Reacher to tell the story. Considering the plot and characters, this is a difficult to book to write using the normal technique. So the narrative changes through the book although the majority of the book is still told from Reacher's angle. This is also a book where Jack Reacher takes a while to make his appearance. When I say long while, it is almost towards the end of first chapter when Reacher appears for the first time. Till then, Lee Child sets the stage for his grand entrance.
The Reacher series is a thriller where we don't have to tax our brains. Reacher can see clues everywhere a normal person cannot but he is not Sherlock Holmes either. The series amuse us if we suspend our disbelief. Since this book has already been made into a movie, you can see a whole lot of characters have been hacked down or merged into smaller number of characters in the movie. Luckily for us, the novel is not shallow as the movie. In a movie, this technique might work but not in a novel. I recommend you to read this novel only after seeing the movie. This way, you get to enjoy the novel much more.
The Reacher series is a thriller where we don't have to tax our brains. Reacher can see clues everywhere a normal person cannot but he is not Sherlock Holmes either. The series amuse us if we suspend our disbelief. Since this book has already been made into a movie, you can see a whole lot of characters have been hacked down or merged into smaller number of characters in the movie. Luckily for us, the novel is not shallow as the movie. In a movie, this technique might work but not in a novel. I recommend you to read this novel only after seeing the movie. This way, you get to enjoy the novel much more.
The other books in the series are.
Tags: Books,Lee Child,Jack Reacher
Have added the book in my list. Nice review and recommendation, will follow:)
ReplyDeleteGlad my review helped you. :) This is a series. Personally, I like to read the entire series and not just one book randomly in the series. This approach will work as far as Reacher series is concerned because there is no connection between one novel and the other. There may be recurring characters but not a strong link.
DeleteNice review.............
ReplyDeleteThank you. :)
DeleteHey crisp, to the point review...Buying the book now :-)
ReplyDeleteI am glad my review came to your help. :) Thanks for visiting
DeleteReview makes me feel it would be an interesting read...and though haven't read a thriller for a long time...but i would surely like to read in very near future...!!!
ReplyDeleteI liked the book. I have also seen the movie. That made it more interesting to read. Have fun if you are taking this up any time. :)
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