Eye of the Needle CD - Audio

Rating:
Summary: Incredible historical fiction
Review: This was the novel that made me a Ken Follett fan. An incredible tale weaving the lives of the characters together and tying them all to the possible outcome of WWII.

Follett creates a story that is completely plausible and believable. He lets us into the lives and minds of incredible characters. They are brought to life through Follett's stylish writing and thoughtful analysis of the human pysche. He is truly a master at painting the circumstances that shape the characters lives.

He builds a suspense tale and concludes with a dramatic finish. This book set the tone for future works by Follett - and he set the mark high.

Rating:
Summary: A Thriller and half!
Review: This, undoubtedly, is one of the better war espionage thrillers. As is the wont of this author, the depiction of "Die Nadel" is as vivid as ever. All the characters really come alive as you read this book. One wonders if the moviemakers were able to get all of Faber's viciousness, deadly intrigue, cunning, deception, and high intelligence out of Donald Sutherland. The other characters like the British spy catchers (Godliman et al.), the tragic newly-weds (David and Lucy Rose), Rommel and all the other stiff German generals all combine to make this a very fast paced and addictive thriller. You almost think "Die Nadel" is going to make his U-boat rendezvous, only for Lucy Rose to display a streak of rare talent, which makes her the ultimate heroine. Even Hitler and Churchill's cameos are what we always thought they'd be. The portrayal of Faber and Lucy's passionate moments also exposes the writer's gift of expression. One couldn't help but notice the similarities between Henry Faber ("Die Nadel") and Alex Wolf of "key to Rebecca". Not to mention the role of Lucy as unlikely heroine and that of the young and beautiful (Jewish) nemesis of Alex Wolf's in "Key to Rebecca". By and large, "Eye of the Needle" is a must read, and Ken Follet is still one of the best writers of descriptive prose to ever tread the terrain of literary fiction. I dare you to put this book down once you start!

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant novel of suspense
Review: Using late World War II as a backdrop for a breathtaking tale of espionage, Ken Follett brings together a ruthless German spy and a resourceful young Englishwoman, a combination that, believe it or not, serves at a catalyst for the Allies' victory. Though a work of fiction, EYE OF THE NEEDLE is utterly convincing from explosive beginning to explosive climax. The structure of the novel is fairly straightforward, but Follett manipulates the plot expertly and deftly, placing this story notches higher than the average chase thriller. What's notable here is the deft combination of wry British wit, skillful characterization, and flawless research, that makes this an adventure story worth reading for its intelligence and realism as well as its ample chills. As one of the character puts it, "Jolly good show."

Rating:
Summary: Just another review
Review: Well, what can I say!? I mean, all those other reviews down there really tell what this book is like. Ken Follett at his best. And THAT is something, huh? "The Needle" Faber is the only german spy in english soil that can turn the war back for the Nazis, as he learned the secret that Churchill was hiding so well with the help of the americans. The book tells his adventures up the Brittany Island in order to contact a U-boat. The final sequency on Storm Island is something of a genious. Follett has written some very good thrillers about WWII, like this one and "Night over water". But his best still is "The key to Rebecca". Anyway, "Eye of the needle" is a page turner like Grisham in his early years, a book one with interests in spies and the War won't regret reading.