Imatge de l'autor

James Naughtie

Autor/a de Writers: Their Lives and Works

18+ obres 432 Membres 13 Ressenyes

Sobre l'autor

James Naughtie is a lead anchor of BBC Radio 4's Today Show, and a former chief political correspondent of the Guardian in London. He is an award-winning broadcaster and writer who has contributed to many newspapers and magazines, and was a Laurence M. Stern fellow at the Washington Post

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Obres de James Naughtie

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The Bohemians of the Latin Quarter (1851) — Pròleg, algunes edicions262 exemplars

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What a wonderful way to find and/or rediscover the greats. I'm ashamed to say I didn't know everyone, so I have to vet reading––especially the late 20th-century writers. The hard part will be finding the best translations, though I trust the reviewers here at Goodreads will show me the way.
 
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crabbyabbe | Hi ha 3 ressenyes més | Nov 6, 2022 |
A really difficult read. The entire plot is muddy, mixed in with random characters that wander in and out, with no strong plot line so the story just turns into a bit of a mess. Elements of spy thriller, political thriller, family drama, romance, 70s retrospective. But nothing ever happens. Pale male and boring characters talk to each other, go for walks, stare into the distance. The odd token woman appears for a page or two, then disappears. Disappointing, really, as the blurb described it as Le Carre-like - and with a strong review from Kate Mosse!… (més)
 
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Jawin | Hi ha 2 ressenyes més | Aug 27, 2022 |
Overall, I loved this book. There are some flaws though. This book starts with Dante, which is fine, but they skip over a ton of writer that came before. This book was also clearly published in Britian. Again, not a huge issue, but as an American it's clear they are missing writers (only a paragraph to the Harlem Renaissance) and gave a page only to some important American writers like Mark Twain. It did make me want to look at some of these writers works or maybe find bigger biographies of ones I like. I skim read most of this because it's a reference book, so I'll go back to writer after I read their books.… (més)
 
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Ghost_Boy | Hi ha 3 ressenyes més | Aug 25, 2022 |
James Naughtie is best known as the former host of BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme. Since retiring from that role, he has undertaken several other commissions for the BBC, but has also found time to write two novels drawing on his experiences as a journalist.

This book is set in Paris in 1968, against the backdrop of growing unrest around the world, with violent demonstrations against the Vietnam War staged in America and also in London, outside the US Embassy. Meanwhile, agitators were active in France, inciting increasingly violent far left wing demonstrations and riots, that would become known as les evenments, and gained the name of the ‘Paris Spring’. Against this background, Will Flemyng is based in the British Embassy in Paris where he fulfils the role of MI6 Deputy Head of Station, supporting his highly capable, but clearly ill, boss, Freddy Craven.

Flemyng is not a conventional spook. He comes from a wealthy Scottish family that owns an estate in Perthshire, but his younger brother (for reasons that are never made entirely clear) works for the CIA. As the novel opens, Flemyng is approached on the Metro by a strange character who seems ware of his actual role, rather than the diplomatic cover under which he generally passes. This approach becomes additionally sinister as the man seems aware of Flemyng’s brother’s role, too, and refers to his position in a threatening manner.

Meanwhile, journalists re massing oin Paris from all around the world. One of these catches Flemyng’s eye, but is found dead shortly after their encounter, having been murdered in the picturesque Pere Lachaise cemetery. As her contact with Flemyng had been fairly public, the Embassy is drawn into the police investigation of the murder. Against this developing scenario, one of Flemyng’s colleagues is convinced that the Service is harbouring a highly-placed East German mole.

Clearly all of the ingredients for a fine espionage are in place, and the book held my attention very closely … for the first three quarters of the novel. Towards the end, somehow the book seemed to undergo a transformation, and I found it very difficult to summon sufficient mental energy or engagement to persevere to the end.

I found this a disappointment as I have always liked listening to Naughtie in his role as a journalist/broadcaster, and had desperately wanted to like the book. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised, however, as I recall similar difficulties with his previous novel, The Madness of July.
… (més)
 
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Eyejaybee | Hi ha 4 ressenyes més | May 11, 2022 |

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Estadístiques

Obres
18
També de
2
Membres
432
Popularitat
#56,591
Valoració
½ 3.4
Ressenyes
13
ISBN
62

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