The Eiger Sanction

I liked the movie, I saw a library copy, the night before I made this review, but reading a used hardcover that I bought of the original Trevanian novel, it was a lot of fun. Especially remembering the fun plot twists and tight control of textural dynamics by the author Trevanian (who's real name is Rod Whitaker, by the way), sure the Clint Eastwood movie is fun, but the novel is a "guilty" pleasure to watch him do his sanctioning, sure Loo is almost as good, but to watch and "watch" (in the novels, both Loo and Eiger, and the Eiger movie) Jonathan Hemlock in action is a really great romp through the psyche, especially in that Nixonian "secretive" white house plumbers time of rampant secret assassinations, game-playing and ingenious art imitating life plot twists. But what I like is how it departs from real life with gung-ho drama and comedy all mixed into an ingenious ball of wax. Personally, I identify with Jonathan Hemlock, and his whole involvement with CII (C2) in a sense, I don't kill people or anything or perform "sanctions" or even actively climb hills or mountains, but I do identify with that clandestine edge in life like few people in this world do. It's a funny thing, folks, but I love all of Trevanian's work that I've read, including The Main and Shibumi, but Jonathan Hemlock is by far one of my favorite character studies. But to a less "deep" analysis of why I was attracted to Trevanian's novels and the Eiger Sanction movie: When I was a kid, I loved to watch Clint Eastwood movies with my Dad, but before I knew about the Eiger Sanction movie, I saw the book in the library and I was fascinated by the name of the author, one word: "Trevanian", I don't know, the name made me think of the swinging beat of Miles Davis's better works and James Brown's jazzier stuff, you know. And more exotic Neville Brothers/Wild Tchoupitoulas recordings and all that kind of thing combined with a positive version of Hugh Hefner "cool", you know. So, I read and I read and I wasn't disappointed. Another satisfaction of my literary tastes, so to speak. Well, that's my review, enjoy. Captain Josh.

I'd seen the (3 star) movie on the late-late-late show when I was a kid but had no idea it was based on a book. Many years later I came across The Eiger Sanction and The Loo Sanction in a bookstore; figuring the first was a cheap novelization I bought it anyway. I was quite plesantly surprised. (Then I'm like, "Who the heck is Trevanian??" but that's a whole 'nother story.) Both books are intentional parodies of the classic spy novel, but better written and more interesting than many of the more serious works. (Though almost anything by John le Carre is one obvious exception.) The silliness--goofy names in particular, but some of the scenes and writing techniques--is a very deliberate take on several lesser authors of the genre. If that sort of thing bothers you, you won't be able to enjoy the books. I loved both works, but I'm amused by the idea of a street-savvy mountain-climbing super-snob art critic turned professional assassin to support his illicit rare painting habit. Pseudo-spy-jargon is tossed about with abandon, every romance ends in death, sex is always used as a weapon. Practically every spy story cliche can be found here, and multiple cliches are creatively combined. Both books are dated, they frequently use early-1970s concepts, styles, and contemporary events. It's hard to avoid this in a parody and I don't find it to be that distracting. If anything it adds a bit of panache; the early 1970s were a silly time. The Eiger Sanction is not a great spy story, but if you can appreciate its sometimes subtle, sometimes blatantly ridiculous humor I think it's well worth a read.

This is a great thriller. Once in a while you read a book that isolates you from the rest of the world. This is one of them. If you like thrillers, this book is a must. It has one of the best endings (I won't say more).

If you haven't read Shibumi don't. Read this one first. One should crawl before they walk. In many ways I enjoyed this book more though. In Hemlock, Trevanian created the perfect man of the times (early 1970s); Cold and disconnected from society, Hemlock is without conscience or remorse or guilt. He is socially incomplete, all too aware , and seemingly incapable to change this. He is a reflection of the fragmented seventies. Now more than ever, we need Hemlock back! Hemlock vs Hel? Hint, hint.

I liked the main character, John Hemlock. He's an assassin for the government armed with a sharp tongue. He is a man without conscience but surprisingly Trevanian does a great job of getting you to like his character. I don't wish to spoil the entire book, so if anyone out there likes spy novels, this is the one for you.