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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
5 Comments
31/8/2015 03:29:55 am
I love this review for its utter honesty! And I like the comparison with the Da Vinci Code which you're right about. Completely implausible with a lot of the old suspension of disbelief! #ReadWithMe 31/8/2015 08:10:54 am
Like you not my usual genre but definitely sounds intriguing, I like how your hubby hasn't read it lol. thanks for sharing with #readwithme 31/8/2015 12:59:11 pm
This does not sound like the kind of book that I normally read and if a book does not grip me in the first few chapters I normally give up. But I do love a book that is captivating and draws you in x #readwithme 31/8/2015 02:41:25 pm
Not my sort of preferred genre and I think I might have given up before reaching the good bits #readwithme
Sarah
5/9/2024 08:40:33 am
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Welcome!Artist, Baker and Blogger. Mum to my two beautiful, cheeky girls. Muddling my way through parenthood with equally cheeky Husband. 
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