Jackdaws

Jackdaws - A unique perspective

A thrill ride with an unusual spin. Almost all world war 2 spy books have male leads with female subordinates. This book flips that scenario around and unlike most books written by men starring women the inner voice of the charachters is not stilted and does in no way feel contrived. You hang on for the whole ride not caring one iota if its a man or woman, just your hero. You are taken into occupied France with descriptions that place you there. Even the anatgonist is written in a manner that you almost empathize with his motivation. I would highly recommend this book to all out for elevating their heart rate!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Six Slick Chicks.

I was reminded of the poem 'The Jackdaws of Rheim' by Richard Barbam. 'He peer'd in the face Of his Lordship's Grace, With a satisfied look, as if he would say, We two are the greatest folks here to-day! And the priest, with awe, As such freak's they saw, Said, 'The Devil must be in that little Jackdaw!!' Barham had it right, the devil was in the little jackdaw. Six little jackdaws, according to Ken Follet's story anyway. A story I would not have normally read, until I saw it was a story about six women. (In my mind, a woman would have to be a freak to want to be an OSE agent.) Charlie's Angels meets The Dirty Dozen meets The Guns of Navarone, I thought. It seems there have been so many stories about select groups of British agents whose mission it was to blow up a critical bridge, or chateau, or super-gun, that I tend to yawn when I see yet another. But this one seemed different, because it was about six women. My curiosity ran rampant. I knew I had to read this book. Turns out, by Follet's decriptions anyway, these six gals were something akin to Charlie's Angels grandmothers. They were beautiful, daring, sexy, and smart. And the politically correct Follet covered all of his bases by offering us a lesbian or two and a transvestite in the mix. A savy editor knows that it is almost impossible for a writer to cross gender lines and write from the perspective of the opposite sex. Women are from Venus and men are from Mars. Men and women are not wired the same. I wondered how, male, Ken Follet would pull this off? Actually he didn't. He avoided it by going light on the characterization and hit hard on what he does best, write action. The female perspective is reducded to that of how Lara Croft of 'Tomb Raider' or, Angel, Dylan might view the action. And so we don't know what made these little she-devils tick. Sad. I rated this book five stars and would recommend it to any that asked for my opinion. For historic action, writing, and detail, Ken Follet is the best. Cammy Diaz-lawyer

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Couldn't put it down!!!

Captivating historical fiction story about a behind the lines female character in Natzi captured France before the invasion. Great for someone who loved historical fiction and with a strong female lead.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of The Best Book's I've Ever Read!

Jackdaws is an amazing book, and one of Ken Follet's Best Books. If you have read Hornet Flight, then you'll will enjoy this book much more than Hornet Flight even though hornet flight is also a good book. It is full of suspense, and gripping action, even more entertaining then a movie. Once you start, you will be unable to put it down.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing

One of my favorite books of all time, and trust me I read ALOT.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent!

Another great read by Ken Follett. I couldn't put it down.

An abdolute musdt read from a master storyteller!

Ken Follett continues his great stories with a suspense thriller that will keep you guessing right up to the surprise ending.

Engaging

Enjoyed the WWII setting and characters.

Could Not Put This Book Down!

Suspense, action, love, sex, spies, escapes, this fast-paced book tells an amazing story and packs in everything you could want. What I liked was that it told the story from both the protagonist and the antagonist's perspective. Excellent read - should be a movie! But not until you've read the book of course.

A Good Read

I really liked this book. Ken Follett does a great job making his characters human and believable. Good plot with lots of twists and turns and the ending surprised me. Highly reccomended

hard to put down

This is the second book I have read of Follett's and I was not disappointed. I was entertained from beginning to end. This book showed a different perspective of WW2 and those who were fighting in the middle of it. A great historical fiction.

Terrible title for enjoyable book

Another interesting book by Follett. I continue to be amazed that he has so many stories to tell from so many different voices during World War II.

excelent

Fast reading, exciting. The story was just right.

Women Spies!

I really enjoyed this book. The women characters are bad to the bone!

love this book!

Not as time consuming as some of Follet's other novels, but just as satisfying. I was so intrigued by the concept of female WWII spies that I had to Google it when I finished the book- which happened too soon. One of those few novels you wish had a 100 page epilogue.

never disappointed

i have to admitt the book started off a little slow but WOW! WHAT A STORY!war, torture, betrayal, love, courage I JUST LOVE IT WHEN THE HERO IS A BAD ASS CHIC! KEN FOLLETT IS OFFICIALLY MY FAVORITE AUTHOR AND JACKDAWS IS A FAVORITE!

Really wonderful!!

Intense thriller, very good story line. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read another Ken Follett book!

A good plot with a thrilling and romantic story.

The story line kept me wanting to keep reading. The characters were so real and their situation during World War II brought back memories forgotten.
The plot showed the Allies in England working to overcome the Nazi occupation of France. The ever ending work of the "resistance" network to help bring about the invasion of Normandy.........."D Day".
The novel brought the German side as well as the Allied side for the readers to explore how they thought and worked for their own causes. The duties of each side and their love life spelled out their urgency to help their own countries to win the raging consuming war.

Cherry Blossom

Bad Read

I have read Mr Folletts Pillars of the Earth and the sort of sequal, which I can't remember the name of, and they were wonderful books. This is boring and I can't get past the first 50 pages.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Huh? Am I the only person who read this book?

I was bored 10 pages into this story. The characters are flat. The story is so unbelievable that it was hilarious in parts.

Ken Follett's writing is easy to read and he did have some interested spots for description, but overall, I'm not aligned with the rest of the reviewers.

If you want a real thrill, pick up a non-fiction book written by the people who actually experienced the war first hand.