The Matarese Circle

Some spy novels get better and more relevant with age, and Robert Ludlum's fabulous The Matarese Circle falls into that category. What it lacks in literary aspirations it more than makes up for in sheer excitement and fun. Written over 30 years ago now, its story line seems almost prophetic, the world finally catching up to the plot. A spy thriller this wildly entertaining isn't supposed to give you such pause afterward, as you look around the globe, yet it does. Riveting is a word too often used by publishers attempting to hype their book and generate sales. Riveting is the perfect word, however, to describe what lies between the covers of what I regard as the best spy thriller ever written. Two high level executions, one on each side, are mere tests of controlled reactions by a group whose name is not even whispered within the hallowed corridors of power in Washington or Russia. It began in the hills of Corsica decades before and now moves covertly in the shadows. Two men in the world are the best in their field, and soon the Matarese has manipulated both governments into the unthinkable: an order of unsalvageable for both men. Brandon Scofield and Vasili Taleniekov have been on a collision course for decades, but now the Russian will secretly reach out to his sworn and deadliest of enemies to help him stop the Matarese from controlling the world. This is a tight and plausible spy thriller with more globe trotting action than any ten others in the genre combined, yet it comes off eerily close to reality. The Matarese control through fanatical belief in their case, creating chaos through financial moves and ghost financing of groups unaware it is their violent actions being used to further the cause of the Matarese. Unless Scofield and Taleniekov can stop them, soon they will control one country through assassination and another through election. Then, goverments will no longer be in control, and what began in those Corsican hills will span the globe. One man even approaching the other could prove fatal, however, as both have killed those near and dear to the other. A young woman from Corsica will give Scofield new life, just when he may have to sacrifice his own. And Taleniekov will discover how dangerous it is for anyone he contacts. Only the two best in the world could track down the heirs and heiresses to a group so deadly and insidious a simple whisper means death. And even then, it is unreasonable to think both could survive the journey. For the reader, it is a spellbinding read that keeps you turning pages late into the morning. A book so exciting, written over 30 years ago, is not supposed to have this much depth, be this poignant, or seem so real it disturbs you. Ludlum revealed he patterned The Shepherd Boy after Spanish financier Juan March Ordinas, and The Matarese idea sprung from rumors that the Trilateral Commission was attempting to create one world government. Ludlum crafted this idea into a masterpiece of fiction so entert

This book is the quintessential spy thriller. The plot seems outlandish at first, two spies who hate each other teaming up to destroy an evil organization hell-bent on taking over the world. Yet, Ludlum gives very reasonable explanations for every hole in the story. For instance, the American spy Scofield and the Russian spy Talaniekov would kill one another at first sight. However, Talaniekov receives word that he must find Scofield to take down this international organization of assassins. He can't simply walk up to Scofield and explain the situation without being killed so he sets up a situation where Scofield's only move will be to realize that Talaniekov and he must talk to each other civilly. The cat and mouse game that ensues between the two is, in my opinion, the best part of the book; each one trying to outmaneuver the other. One other blunder that most authors make and that I expected Ludlum to make was in the development of the two spies' character. Most authors will simply tell the reader that the character was "the most respected man in international espionage," the only evidence being that other spies will say that the person was the best. Ludlum really proves to the reader why Scofield and Talaniekov are the best, not with overwhelming physical capabilities(which they both possess) but with superior intelligence. The subtle moves they make that gives them an advantage over their enemies are very impressive. I especially enjoyed the relationship between the two once they've allied together. It's not the amicable one that most authors would probably lean towards. It's tentative, but professional and respectful at the same time. We never see the two joking with one another. The result of that is the ability to communicate large amounts of information to each other in very few words. The addition of Antonia later on adds another dynamic to their relationship and raises the stakes of their mission. Also, a lot of reviewers have commented about the superiority of this book to The Bourne Identity and have questioned the reasons why it hasn't been made into a movie and The Bourne Identity has. I think the reason is simply that this book wouldn't come off as well to a movie audience. The details in The Matarese Circle(especially concerning the Matarese itself), which are often inconsequential in other books, are so important that it would take a 3+ hour movie to do justice to the book. Even then, there would still be many scenes that would bore the movie audience. This book isn't filled with the "so-called" unexpected twists and turns that perforate the plots of most books. It's just a solid novel saturated with colorful characters, interesting relationships and an above average plot. If you're looking for a thoughtful and engrossing page-turner, this one will not let you down.

This book is a masterpiece of suspense, intrigue, excitement, intricate detail, spectacular action, and explosive scenes that make Jason Bourne look like a feeble character in comparison. By far the most spectacular Ludlum book in my opinion, the Matarese Circle starts with the two most incredible and delightfully violent scenes that I have ever read and, from that point on it simply does not stop. You will be pounded with intense scenes from the beginning to the end. WARNING: It is not for the faint of heart or the politically correct. This book has so many shocks and twists that by the end I felt like I had gone twenty rounds with Tyson in his prime. It starts with two events that shock the American and Russian governments so deeply they are thrown into an uneasy balance with each other. Not to mention the book takes place at the height of the Cold War making their relationship even more delicate. Enter Scofield a.k.a Beowulf Agate and Talenikov a.k.a. The Serpent, the two best and most highly respected deep cover spies for their respective governments. After Talenikov is warned by an old spycraft teacher about a mysterious organization called the Matarese that threatens the stability of governments the world over, he must seek out Beowulf Agate. Only he and Beowulf can stop this overwhelmingly powerful organization that has infiltrated the highest levels of government. Only one problem: the two renowned spies are bitter enemies that bear a hatred towards each other deeper than the ocean. Wonderfully written and artfully detailed, I only wish that Mr. Ludlum was alive to continue writing such awesome books. If you're a Ludlum fan or just looking for a book that gives delight throughout, read The Matarese Circle. It will not disappoint.

If you love Ludlum's over-the-top novels (and I do), The Matarese Circle has to be up there with the best. Not all of Ludlum's books are a good match of plot and style -- the repeated "Oh my God!" declamations of one character after another can get silly when the goings-on aren't as riveting as they could be (the two Bourne sequels suffer from this problem, I think.) But Circle delivers on all fronts. Part One is a masterpiece all by itself -- the intricate cat-and-mouse game between Talienkov and Scofield plays out thrillingly. And these are two of Ludlum's most believably drawn characters; we feel empathy for both, and root for them to join forces from the get-go. Antonia Gravet, the inevitable gorgeous heroine/love interest who surfaces in Part Two, brings a well-crafted and believable backstory to the plot. One final bonus: some of Ludlum's zestiest minor characters appear in this book, adding to the fun in nearly every chapter.

This is, to my mind, Robert Ludlum's best book ever. He has written some great work, most of it now about twenty years old. It still reads fresh, though. Ludlum has written some really fine books. They are, before anything else, incredibly compelling stories. Ludlum has never had to rely on the details of how to create an atomic bomb, or what the sights of a submachine gun are made of in order to create a great story. That is what sets his work apart from so many contemporary writers.The story starts 100 years ago, with the creation of a dynasty called the Matarese which is led by one incredibly insightful and equally evil man. It brings us to the a family chillingly close to the Kennedys, just a step from the White House. The protagonists are America's and the Soviet's top spies, who, hate each other and (of course) must work together to save their respective nation's interests.This is a great book to take on vactaion, when the reader has hours to devote. Don't start this unless you have time, and nothing pressing that must be done.