Restless

Critics

• When Mateus Rose was sexy

  Restless by William Boyd Bloomsbury £17.99, pp336 William Boyd's ninth novel doesn't have the laugh-out-loud comedy of Stars and Bars or quiet verisimilitude of An Ice-Cream War or the intense poignancy of Any Human Heart. But it's a good, rollicking ... (read full critics)

  guardian.co.uk published on Sat, 25 Sep 2010

• Spies, lies and family ties

  Restless by William Boyd 328pp, Bloomsbury, £17.99 Spies fascinate the public imagination in the same way that actors do, possibly because to pretend to be other than what we are is one of the deepest and most seductive human impulses. Like actors, s ... (read full critics)

  guardian.co.uk published on Sat, 25 Sep 2010

3 Reviews

• 1 person find this helpful

  

  A quick and v. satisfying spy thriller. Not that anything in particular was ever resolved, but seeing the progression of a spy's life and all it's implications v. interesting. Ultimately it's about the lies that are woven and how one lives with them. Any family revelation could apply here - it's how ... (continue)

  A quick and v. satisfying spy thriller. Not that anything in particular was ever resolved, but seeing the progression of a spy's life and all it's implications v. interesting. Ultimately it's about the lies that are woven and how one lives with them. Any family revelation could apply here - it's how you deal with what you thought you knew, or who you thought you were, being completely turned over.

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  goldtop said on Jun 18, 2008 | Add your feedback

• 

  ‘Restless’ was my introduction to the work of William Boyd, drawn to my attention by having been a recommendation of Richard and Judy’s Bookclub last year. An intriguing and exciting story that I became engrossed in from the very first pages. Given the opportunity to read other titles by this author ... (continue)

  ‘Restless’ was my introduction to the work of William Boyd, drawn to my attention by having been a recommendation of Richard and Judy’s Bookclub last year. An intriguing and exciting story that I became engrossed in from the very first pages. Given the opportunity to read other titles by this author, I will not hesitate.
  An intricate tale of Eva Delectorskaya’s espionage experiences during World War II
  A plot full of lies and manipulations that twists and turns holding ones attention fully. It is 1976 and Sally Gilmartin has decided that it is time her daughter learnt the truth about her wartime experiences. Especially as she now needs some help to wrap up some loose ends!

  The novel follows two narratives – one which Ruth reads in instalments about her mother’s history when she was recruited by the British Secret Service during the Second World War. The other is set in 1976 as Eva completes her final assignment and Ruth discovers that what she had learnt of her mother while growing up was just a series of lies!

  The story is full of bluffs, double bluffs, agents, and ghosts and lots of espionage details. One very gruesome passage made me cringe but I am very squeamish especially when it concerns eyes. There is no doubt I would never have made a good spy!

  A very enjoyable novel and I thought a convincing ending.

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  Lindyloumac said on Oct 26, 2009 about the Audio CD edition | Add your feedback

• 

  Thriller combining WW2 spy games with the gradual revealing of the mysteries of a mother's past.

  Satisfying focus on spy-craft and other espionage minutia, LeCarre style. I would have liked more of the historical story (the mother) but the balance with the daughter's slightly grimy 70's Engla ... (continue)

  Thriller combining WW2 spy games with the gradual revealing of the mysteries of a mother's past.

  Satisfying focus on spy-craft and other espionage minutia, LeCarre style. I would have liked more of the historical story (the mother) but the balance with the daughter's slightly grimy 70's England was well handled.

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  huntch said on Apr 18, 2009 | Add your feedback

Book Details

• Rating:
  (24)
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• English Books
• Paperback 336 Pages
• Edition: New Ed
• ISBN-10: 0747586209
• ISBN-13: 9780747586203
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Pub date: Jan 02, 2007
• Dimensions: 1290 mm x 839 mm x 194 mm Just how big is that?
• Also available as: Hardcover, Audio CD, Others and eBook
• In other languages: other languages 繁體書

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