The Matarese Circle: Amazon.ca: Books

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48 Reviews

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.3 out of 5 stars (48 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing use of figurative images, Feb 23 2004

By	Ryan Brog (Littleton, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Matarese Circle (Paperback)

In The Matarese Circle by Robert Ludlum, figurative images (literary devices) are used much in conversation between the two rival spies, Brandon Scofield and Dimitri Talaneikov. This language much strengthens the novel. First, it gives the reader a glimpse into the main characters' professions. Second, it shows the reader how both the characters think and how similar their thoughts are. And finally, the reader sees how these two spies can send each other messages according to unique understandings.
The first way figurative images strengthen the novel is that they give the reader a glimpse into the two spies' professions. The reader learns what kind of code spies use in messages; how code words have double meanings just like a figurative image. They ultimately pull the reader in this way rather than leaving him/her confused.
The second way figurative images strengthen the novel is that they show how both of the main characters think and how similar their thoughts are. In the beginning when their meeting place is room 505, both characters are caught up in the idea that they are going to kill each other since they both realize that the number "0" must mean death. This gets the reader more in touch with the two characters, and even though they are enemies, how alarmingly similar they are.
The final way figurative images strengthen the novel is that the main characters are shown to be very alike and aware of each other's thoughts because of their ability to send each other messages based on unique understandings. Numerous times throughout the novel messages are sent to one another using figurative images instead of decipherable writing, and the recipient is able to figure out the message without blinking, because the images are related to past events in their mutual history, not on code regularly used by spies.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Spy Novel--You Can't Put It Down, Oct 26 2003

By	Imperial Topaz (Marrakesh, Morocco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Matarese Circle (Paperback)

This is the first book I've ever read by Ludlum, and it was absolutely fantastic. I read the whole thing in two days. You can tell it was written in the early 80's, when the U.S. and Russia were still enemies, and before e-mail existed. But that does not detract from the story. Basically, two top spies, one Russian, and one American--and both mortal enemies, become outlaws from their respective governments. Yet, both end up working together to prevent "The Matarese," who originate in Corsica, from taking over the world. Really, really fantastic.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Spy Novel--You Can't Put It Down, Aug 16 2003

By	Imperial Topaz (Marrakesh, Morocco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Matarese Circle (Paperback)

This is the first book I've ever read by Ludlum, and it was absolutely fantastic. I read the whole thing in two days. You can tell it was written in the early 80's, when the U.S. and Russia were still enemies, and before e-mail existed. But that does not detract from the story. Basically, two top spies, one Russian, and one American--and both mortal enemies, become outlaws from their respective governments. Yet, both end up working together to prevent "The Matarese," who originate in Corsica, from taking over the world. Really, really fantastic.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars LUDLUM PEAK
I think there're at least two different Ludlum: the one from his first books (most of them heavily related to WWII like "Thirteen at Zurich" or "Holcroft") and the one from his... Read more

Published on Jun 5 2003 by Luis Felipe Tenorio Delgado

5.0 out of 5 stars the matarese cirlce a suspenseful story of espionage
This book draws you in and does not let you go. this book is about two spies, one working for russian intelegence and the other working for u.s. Read more

Published on May 14 2003 by travis linney

4.0 out of 5 stars Woodside Review
This was another great fast-paced book by Robert Ludlum. I was on the edge of my chair throughout the whole novel. Read more

Published on Jan 16 2003 by Jack D

4.0 out of 5 stars Could it be real?
This book is really heavy to read, it has to many characters and to many places, the advantage is that many of them are killed in the same chapter so you don't have to follow... Read more

Published on Jun 18 2002 by Jorge Frid

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best in the cold war espionage genre.
Many novels have been written in the espionage genre using the cold war as a backdrop, but Robert Ludlum's "The Matarese Circle" is one of the best. Read more

Published on April 9 2002 by Godly Gadfly

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
This is a great book for those with a hint of paranoia and for normal folk also.

Published on Oct 26 2001 by Bernard Kesten

5.0 out of 5 stars Per Nostro Circolo
This is the story of two men who must stop the Matarese. The Matarese are the most dangerous violent organization in the world but the most unknown. Read more

Published on Jul 20 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
This book is an excellent thriller. I read it twice, the second time being this week. In my opinion this is his best book so far, the action and suspense are spellbinding and... Read more

Published on Jul 12 2001 by riquez

5.0 out of 5 stars Miss the Cold War??
If you're like me, then you're probably starting to miss the wonderful spy novels that came out of the Cold War in the eighties. Read more

Published on Jun 25 2001 by William J. Fiorilli

1.0 out of 5 stars His worse book ever!
Really bad writing and very disapointing from a great writer.

Published on Jun 12 2001 by Daniel R. Bills

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	66% buy the item featured on this page: The Matarese Circle 4.3 out of 5 stars (48)
	10% buy The Sigma Protocol 3.5 out of 5 stars (81) CDN$ 9.71
	10% buy The Gemini Contenders 4.4 out of 5 stars (19) CDN$ 9.92
	7% buy The Parsifal Mosaic 4.8 out of 5 stars (20) CDN$ 9.89

The Matarese Circle (Paperback)

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