Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson

4 reviews

jazful's review against another edition

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adventurous informative reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I've wanted to read this book for a long time and finally started it because I wanted to read a crime or a spy thriller. I didn't know what to expect and just went for it.

I liked the narrative style, and the main character. There are not many books that describe a spy story from the perspective of a black woman. The book is therefore also very political in nature. Several topics are dealt with; the main character's own experience as one of the only Black women in the FBI, and the intersectional discrimination that results from this. But it also deals with the political circumstances in the 70s and 80s in the USA (Communism, Black Liberation, Cold War, etc.) and in West African countries.

I like novels with real, historical events. I learnt a lot of new things. For example, I knew nothing about Thomas Sankara or the political situation in Burkina Faso in the 1980s. Learning more about him as a person and his political ideologies and actions was rewarding. At the same time, I wonder to what extent the author had this insight into the life and thoughts of this personality, who really existed.

Once again I was also disgusted and enraged by the audacity of the US to interfere everywhere under the disguise of democracy (nobody asked for it). They overthrow entire regimes, start wars and think they have the right to do so. The fear of communism in the 70-90s seems so ridiculous, and yet the government and the system works exactly the same in 2024 (look at Israel, Afghanistan and other countries). I also found it exciting to read this story because I'm reading Angela Davis' autobiography at the same time, so I can get a different perspective on the Communist Party, Black Panthers and Black Liberation Movement. In this book, the perspective of federal agents, American propaganda, is told, but it is noticeable that the main character is critical of many things.

To summarise, it was an exciting story, a bit slow paced at times, but in summary really very well researched and presented. I would recommend it to people who are interested in spy novels as well as political topics such as female empowerment, the political situation in West Africa in the 80s, the work of the CIA and mindset.
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corrieroe's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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bookishkellyn's review against another edition

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adventurous tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The plot unfolds mainly as a series of flashbacks as Marie pens journal entries about her life for her twin sons (Tommy & William) in case of her demise. The synopsis was misleading as her interactions with the polarizing–but very married–foreign president (Thomas) and subsequent father of her children seemed limited. Everything just felt like fluff leading up to their “affair.” The writing itself was pleasant, but the plot construction was mediocre.
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madmantha's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I enjoyed reading this book. It was informative with a unique narrative. 

I was a bit unsatisfied with how the novel finished; it felt almost like a non-ending? Not really a cliffhanger per say but almost unfinished? 

I’m not sure if the narrative caught up with real historical events and then had no where to go; but since I’m pretty sure there’s no sequel, it’s hard for me to recommend this since I felt so disappointed with the ending…? 
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