The Devil's Alternative - Frederick Forsyth

Works of fiction which deal with the Cold War invariably induce a note of caution. In my experience, they have a habit of over-reaching themselves.  However, Frederick Forsyth's track record largely dispelled any such apprehensions before I read his 1979 novel The Devil's Alternative.

The first thing to make clear is that the plot is appreciably more elaborate and wide-ranging than Forsyth's other early novels, or at least it seemed that way to me. It will therefore demand greater powers of concentration and analysis, but persevere and you will be rewarded!

In a nutshell, the story revolves around a power struggle in the Kremlin, an impending food crisis in the Soviet Union, and the demands of a group of Ukrainian dissidents.  All of these factors gradually become more inter-connected, and this provides the novel with its impetus and unpredictability.  I won't give too much away, but suffice to say that an impasse develops, the solution to which involves the employment of some novel and "expedient" methods by several parties....

As this novel addresses weighty, even apocalyptic, matters, it is important that this was leavened with some characters and sub-plots grounded in more localized and personal fare.  This the author manages in his patented style, by giving over much of the early chapters in particular to a focus on individual characters and their imperatives and aspirations, rather than concentrating unduly on the rarefied air of international politics. This serves to draw in and entice the reader.

Another of the author's characteristic methods is liberally applied here too.  Outwardly mundane, everyday details such as travel arrangements and logistics, as well as personal idiosyncrasies and nuances of locations, are much in evidence, helping to give the reader an impression that he or she is looking over the shoulder of the various protagonists. This element is important here in maintaining vitality, and a balance between the "micro" and the "macro" of the picture.

Much of the dynamism and freshness of The Devil's Alternative is derived from the way in which some subjects untypical of the average novel of this particular genre (Ukrainian dissidents,Soviet grain production etc) are integrated relatively seamlessly into the overall.  Depth is added by this, and by an accompanying and authoritative attention to detail.

The multi-pronged nature of the plot also makes it genuinely unclear, for much of the way at least, exactly which way events may ultimately be heading.  As the various routes converge, the pace quickens, and Forsyth accentuates this by making the switching between "scenes" more swift and edgy, building the tension and anxiety.

I found myself being grimly drawn ever further into the tale, as the climax approached, with twists in the numerous sub-plots assuming varying degrees of relevance.  The sense of unease seemed all the greater because many of the themes explored still evoke a very contemporary ring, particularly the ecological angle, the spectre of terrorism, and the excesses of those in positions of power....

Another excellent thriller novel.

The Dogs Of War - Frederick Forsyth

Having been mightily impressed and engrossed by two of Frederick Forsyth's novels, I opted to read the third of his most acclaimed works, The Dogs Of War.  

Basically, the novel tells the story of the discovery of platinum deposits in a fictional African republic, and the efforts of a British company to exploit this via a coup d'etat, to be undertaken on its behalf by mercenaries.  I had been conditioned to expect the bulk of the book to concentrate on the combat itself.  In the event, I discovered, to my pleasant surprise, that most of the pages are given over to an analysis of the mercenary's "art", how he organises, sustains and conceals himself, and how he relates to those who commission his services.  Only late on is the military operation itself reached, followed by the clever twist which concludes the story.

In common with other Forsyth works, The Dogs Of War interweaves fiction with real events.  It also benefits from what appears to be a combination of the author's knowledge of the subject (and related fields), and thorough research.

As mentioned above, most of the story is taken up by the elaborate preparations and precautions conducted by all concerned in the "plot".  As demonstrated in some of his other work, Forsyth is superbly adept at documenting these clandestine manoeuvrings, imbuing such normally mundane matters as airline tickets, hotel bookings and restaurant appointments with a sense of drama and tension. The paranoia and mutual distrust of those nominally on "the same side" is also evident, with a battle of wits raging, and all parties endeavouring to insulate themselves at every turn.

As the planning stages gather pace, we are given an insight into the murky world of the arms trade.  Details of financial and logistical issues inevitably become more complex around this stage.  However, it is not essential to absorb or grasp every individual detail in order to appreciate the growing suspense and tension.

Along the way, there is some reasonable character development, particularly surrounding the lead mercenary Shannon.  We gain some idea of his motivations and worldview.  Some of the other characters flirt very vaguely with  stereotypes, but never threaten to be caricatures.  Care is also taken to provide some plausible and rounded background on the fictional country of Zangaro.

Shrewdly, the author injects a few sub-plots, in particular the threat posed by Shannon's foes in the mercenary sphere, and the possible interest of the Soviet Union.  Both of these strands help to sustain the interest and curiosity of the reader, even though they do not prove as pivotal to the story as they initially promise to be.

As for the "twist" at the end, with Shannon thwarting the ambitions of his employers, this was well handled and deployed I thought.  The observant could pick up hints dropped at various stages, although Shannon's innermost thoughts and intentions are not explicitly revealed.

I suppose that there is some kind of "moral" in the story, albeit largely articulated by Shannon himself.  Those with malign intent often judge those who they hire entirely by their own standards, blithely assuming a total absence of scruples.

Another strong piece of writing.

Links to my other blog posts about Frederick Forsyth novels:

The Day Of The Jackal

The Odessa File

The Odessa File - Frederick Forsyth

Having been utterly gripped and impressed by Frederick Forsyth's novel The Day Of The Jackal, I resolved to move on to another one of his more celebrated works, The Odessa File, not really knowing what to expect. I had a brief outline of what the plot entailed, but was surprised at what I ultimately found within its pages.

The story revolves around a German investigative journalist, Peter Miller, and his attempts to track down a former SS officer suspected of war crimes, this search being prompted by the contents of the diary of a concentration camp survivor who had just committed suicide.  Only towards the very end of the book do we fully learn that the young reporter had a deeply personal motivation to find the suspect in question....

The Odessa File repeats the formula of building dynamic and convincing fiction within a basic framework of some actual historical developments and events. This proves to be an inspired decision, as it imbues the novel with a ring of authenticity and plausibility.

As with The Day Of The Jackal, it is the investigative elements, and the game of cat-and-mouse played out between the central characters, which help to propel the tale forward. Forsyth expertly and convincingly constructs the tension, intrigue and menace, holding enough back to ensure that later twists have the true element of surprise.

One of the things which makes this novel so engrossing is the way in which space and time are afforded for some of the topics springing from the investigation to be examined. The sensitivity of the German nation to the events of World War 2 is put under the microscope, as are the inter-generational tensions and antagonism which ensued.  The attention given to the soul-searching and feelings of guilt is greater than I had anticipated, given my prior knowledge.

As his probe develops, Miller is confronted by official recalcitrance, obstinacy and cynicism at several levels, and even those who share his zeal to see justice served urge circumspection.  He remains undaunted by the numerous notes of caution, for reasons which become clearer later, and Forsyth expertly guides us through the stages at which the various layers of bureaucracy and resistance are peeled back, and the goal is neared.

Another shrewd stroke was to cast geopolitics into the mix, particularly the tensions between Israel and Egypt, and the role supposedly played by the Odessa organisation in assistance to the latter.

The pace quickens appreciably when Miller, sometimes unknowingly, crosses paths with the men of Odessa in the course of his work. The stakes gradually escalate, and the web of intrigue is spun more and more intricately.  Miller's increasing diligence and commitment is matched by the desperation and unscrupulousness of Odessa and its associates. Even Miller, as the day of judgement draws near, employs some ethically questionable and dubious methods to attain his aims.

One can detect a major rise in Miller's trepidation and excitement as the gravity and depth of his involvement goes up. The point at which he accedes to a request to try to infiltrate Odessa is particularly chilling and sobering;a point of no return, in many respects.

A different dimension is provided by the decision by Israel and others to try to co-opt Miller for their own purposes in combating Odessa. Although initially one is tempted to view the reporter as being used and manipulated, it quickly becomes evident that he is nobody's puppet.

The twists in the plot are numerous and deftly managed, each apparent impasse in the search being followed by an inventive or novel deviation. The author is very adept at handling these scenarios convincingly and adroitly.

The conclusion to the story is gripping and suspenseful, as the fate of the protagonists is awaited, but we are not provided with the "expected" or "obvious" finale.  The ending is somewhat inconclusive, with the former SS man escaping and Miller surviving. Odessa, however, sustained a grievous blow because of the exposure suffered, and Israel achieved many of its aims.

The Odessa File is another classic of its genre, and embodies the full meaning of the familiar term "unputdownable".

By the way, my thoughts on The Day Of The Jackal can be found via the link below:

The Day Of The Jackal

The Day Of The Jackal - Frederick Forsyth

Some time ago now, I wrote an article on the superb 1973 film The Day Of The Jackal, based on the novel by Frederick Forsyth:

The Day Of The Jackal (film)


Well, I have just finished re-reading the novel itself, and thought that I would share some additional thoughts on it.

For the uninitiated, most of the plot deals with a fictional account of an attempt by a hired assassin to kill President Charles de Gaulle.

If you have already seen the movie, you will note some differences in the locations, characters and sequences of events.  The film's makers clearly decided to condense and streamline the "script" in order to cram the story into a manageable running time. However, these amendments are not to the extent of being confusing, or undermining the feeling of harmony between novel and motion picture.

Naturally, there is much more scope in the novel to flesh out and examine the political and diplomatic background to the events, and I found this aspect of the book fascinating, the author striving to strike a balance between appearing comprehensive and the need not to weigh things down with superfluous detail. Some of the characters, both those involved in the plot, and those in French government and law enforcement, are not portrayed in very sympathetic terms.  Many come across as much more reactionary and blinkered than is visible in the film, where we only see them fleetingly.

Some may sneer and view The Day Of The Jackal as in some way shallow and lightweight.  Granted, it is difficult to describe it as high-brow literature in the conventional sense, but that is to miss the point.  Judge it on its own merits, and on what it is seeking to achieve, and it is compulsive and engrossing, as well as representing a prime slab of "escapism".  Especially gripping is the way in which the subterfuge and suspense are built up, and how the Jackal's preparations and the frantic police inquiries unfold in parallel, even if the Jackal is usually that one step ahead of his pursuers.

One of the most immersive things about this novel is its cosmopolitan nature, the drama played out in numerous European locations, and we are given a flavour of what must have been the prevailing atmosphere and lifestyle circa the early 1960s, almost "dolce vita" in character, it seems., when the world still felt "analogue". In amongst this we also see ruthless, cold-blooded behaviour and plotting; a curious but powerful cocktail.

Another thing which occurred to me whilst re-reading The Day Of The Jackal was the level of internal squabbling in the corridors of power.  The general tenor of the novel supports the notion that the author's research was thorough and accurate, and that the tensions depicted therefore have a ring of authenticity.  One would earnestly hope that this kind of thing is not as pervasive in today's world, and that the pressure of events, and simple expediency have helped to dissolve some of the obstacles and bureaucracy, and instill a more streamlined and nimble ethos.  One is also reminded that even in the early 1960s, people were being required to forsake some freedoms and liberties on the pretext of combating crime and terrorism.

To me, the story seems plausible, and not inflated or sensationalised. The latter are not needed, as the central premise is gripping enough.  These, together with the way in which the tension, suspense and desperation of the protagonists are outlined and related, are the essential ingredients of the book's appeal and success.  The minutiae of the detective work undertaken will also enthrall those, like me, who relish that kind of thing!

On reflection, it might be preferable to read the book before watching the movie, as the latter will then make more sense, as one will be equipped with a fuller and deeper understanding of the underlying political issues which triggered the crisis.

Either way, The Day Of The Jackal is one exciting and pulsating read....

The Day Of The Jackal (film)

Quite often, movie adaptations of novels turn out to be a disappointment, particularly if one has already read, and become fond of, the book. I find that the celluloid recreation usually fails to summon up the same mental images which seep from the pages into the mind.

Happily, The Day of The Jackal, the 1973 film, does full justice to Frederick Forsyth's novel, and is a worthy and gripping piece of work in its own right. It is somewhat surprising to read that it was not a massive success at the box office.

The storyline centres on a plot to assassinate President de Gaulle of France, and the hiring of a contract killer to accomplish this task. The then largely unknown Edward Fox played the part of the would-be assassin, the Jackal.

From the outset, the "Jackal" character fascinates. A dapper and cultured English gentleman, but also a clinical, ruthless and cold-blooded killer. The charm and patter are constantly employed as a means to an end, and emotion is really seen as an impediment....

The bulk of the film is reserved for a portrayal of the parallel campaigns of the Jackal and the French police, the prospective assassin making his preparations, and the authorities striving to foil the plot. Cleverly, we are constantly switched between the two, and are able to contrast the methodical and measured approach of the Jackal with the desperation and improvisation of the security services, who are always a step or two behind.

Probably the most absorbing sequences in the movie are those during which the Jackal procures weapons and false documentation, emphasising the elaborate precautions essential for operations of such gravity. Other crime stories tend to gloss over such things, but in this case the attention to detail adds appreciably to the sense of authenticity. The "water melon" scene is particularly chilling...

The film lasts nearly two and a half hours, but this amount of time is necessary to cram in the bewildering amount of detail, and also for the tension to build remorselessly. The Jackal exhibits his single-minded nature, by eliminating several people who either threatened to compromise his plans, or whose presence represented a hindrance. In the end, of course, he is narrowly thwarted.

A very pleasing 1960s-meets-1970s aesthetic permeates The Day of The Jackal, in particular the fashions and the tasteful motor vehicles on view! A cosmopolitan feel also prevails, with the action moving between London, France and Italy. There are some fine performances in the more minor roles, including a young Derek Jacobi, adding to the depth of quality.

This is probably one of the better movies of its type. My advice would be to read the novel first, and then watch the film!