Book review: I am Pilgrim

I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

A retired spy. A jihadi fanatic. A deadly plan. Can Pilgrim stop The Saracen before America falls?

My Husband urged me to read this book after his Boss recommended it (No, he didn't read it himself, he'll wait for the film version!). Initially I struggled to get into it, the first hundred or so pages are a but waffly (it is a 600 page book!) and the spy novel genre is not really my thing but I persevered and (against my better judgement) the story really caught me and I genuinely felt tense as the plot unfolded.

There are several things you need to overlook in order to enjoy this book. The first is some of the plot leaps - there are moments which are pretty unbelievable, mainly relating to the way Pilgrim tracks Saracen. Also there is a distinct America vs Islam theme which I guess is unavoidable in a spy thriller based around a Jihadi terror plan but I find using 9/11 as a plot hook a bit lazy and obvious. And whilst I do not deny these fanatic groups exist I do have issues with the casual way Hayes makes broad generalisations about the Middle East.

My final issue is that Pilgrim is a pretty vacant character, who just happens to inherit a fortune. As you do.

I can easily compare this book to The Da Vinci Code - completely different subject matter of course but essentially the same completely implausible plot and somewhat void protagonist. But yet the writing style and plot keep you hooked as you race towards the finish line.

3.5/5

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