The Icarus Agenda
by Robert Ludlum
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Book Summary Information
Author: Robert LudlumEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1992-02-01
ISBN: 0553278002
Number of pages: 688
Publisher: Bantam
Book Reviews of The Icarus Agenda
Book Review: A Mediocrity
Summary: 3 Stars
I've read a few of Robert Ludlum's books over the years. Many of them were quite good. At his best, Ludlum's stories are fast-paced, action-packed and entertaining. They're hard to put down. Unfortunately, while THE ICARUS AGENDA has these elements, the story doesn't come together well and it suffers from weaknesses less obvious in Ludlum's better books.
The story is in the form of two sub-plots. The first, which encompasses the rescue of American hostages being held within the US embassy in Masqat, is the part I found most engaging, although the ending is too clean and easy. Fleshed out and given a better ending, this story could have made a good book by itself.
The second sub-plot finds the hero of the first part back in his remote Colorado home. His cover from the first operation blown, his home is under siege by Arab terrorists seeking revenge. At the same time, he is caught between two domestic political cabals, one seeking to push him into running for national office while the other wants to prevent his candidacy. This plot was a bit too much. One or the other of these storylines could have made another good book. Together, the situation just feels contrived. Moreover, Ludlum's domestic political plot comes off heavy-handed and nieve.
The characters ultimately come across poorly, too, and stereotypes abound. The hero, Congressman Evan Kendrick, spends the entire book professing his desire to be left alone, but always allowing himself to be drawn in. He's just too good to be true. In addition, there's the obligatory gorgeous and extremely available woman, as well as an ally in the first plot who just happens to be a wealthy old Jewish guy whose health is represented as fragile. He becomes an immediate and important character in the second and, despite his age and frailty, he survives all of the madness and mayhem of the second half of the book intact. It's all pretty fluffy stuff and, while there's plenty of action throughout, THE ICARUS AGENDA becomes increasingly difficult to swallow as it progresses.
THE ICARUS AGENDA isn't really a BAD book, but neither is it terribly good. As Ludlum's books go, it's a letdown. If you've read some of his other works, don't take on this one with high expectations. If you haven't read any of Ludlum's other books, find a better one than this.
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