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 decades ago, 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. It is the perfect word to describe what lies between the covers of this terrific thriller.Two high level executions 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 on opposite sides, both the best in their field, are on the receiving end of one order: unsalvageable. Brandon Scofield and Vasili Taleniekov have been on a collision course for decades, but now the Russian will secretly reach out to his deadliest enemy for help in preventing the Matarese from controlling the world.This is a lightning-paced spy thriller with more globe-trotting action than any ten others in the genre combined, yet it comes off eerily plausible. The Matarese foster chaos in governments through financial control and political upheaval, like a puppeteer. Violent groups remain unaware, however, that they are mere pawns of the Matarese. Unless Scofield and Taleniekov can stop them, the Matarese will soon, through assassination and through democratic election, control the superpowers completely. What began in those Corsican hills, will finally span the globe.A young woman from Corsica will give Brandon Scofield new life, but perhaps too late, as he may have to sacrifice it to save his country. And Taleniekov will discover just how far the fever has spread when he contacts old friends. Only Beowolf and the Serpent can track down the heirs and heiresses to a group so deadly and insidious a simple whisper means death. For the reader, it is a spellbinding ride that keeps pages turning late into morning. A book so exciting, written over thirty years ago, in the midst of a cold war which no longer exists, isn't suppose to be this much fun. Nor should it be so eerily disturbing.Ludlum later revealed to readers 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. He embellished on this premise and created one of the most action-filled spy novels ever written. A wild ride that is both gripping and tremendously enjoyable. If you only read one spy novel in your lifetime, make it this one!
Novel The Mataresse Circle yang aku punya boleh beli bekas di JaCC tanah abang. Buku ini memang buku lama karya Robert Ludlum. Dari halaman depannya tertulis buku yang kupegang merupakan cetakan ke-9—Dicetak Oktober 1981. Edisi pertamanya sendiri terbit Maret1979. Kesimpulannya, aku percaya ini best seller.Buku ini dibuat saat perang dingin masih berlangsung, saat cerita tentang KGB dan agensi-agensi dari Amerika masih merupakan topik yang sangat memukau. Ancaman perang nuklir masih sangat menakutkan dan ide tentang konglomerasi yang menguasai pemerintahan dunia mungkin masih merupakan ide yang baru. (mungkin loh aku ngga riset sedalam itu :) ). Seperti kebanyakan novel-novel karya Ludlum, novel ini sarat akan teori konspirasi, kali ini topiknya konglomerasi yang berencana mengendalikan dunia.Cerita diawali dengan pembunuhan jendral di pihak USA dan Ilmuwan Nuklir terkenal Sovyet yang dibunuh. Pembunuhnya meninggalkan jejak yang mengarah ke pihak lawan. Brandon Scofield, agen terbaik dari konsular operation USA menjadi tersangka pembunuh sang ilmuwan Sovyet dan Vasili Teleniekov, agen terbaik KGB menjadi tersangka pembunuh jendral Blackburn.Keduanya tidak melakukan pembunuhan itu dan keduanya tidak tahu kalo mereka difitnah.Dalam cerita, disebutkan di masa lalu kedua agen tersebut merupakan musuh bebuyutan. Teleniekov membunuh istri Scofield dan Scofield membunuh pacar dan adik Teleniekov. Teleniekov dihubungi oleh mantan instrukturnya di KGB, Aleksie Krupskaya, yang sedang sekarat karena ulah pembunuh kiriman Matarese. Dari Krupskaya Teleniekov tahu kalo dia sedang difitnah oleh organisasi Matarese. Krupskaya tidak tahu detail tentang organisasi itu, tapi dia tahu kalo organisasi itu bermula di Corsica-Italia dan sudah menginfiltrasi baik USA maupun Sovyet. Mereka akan mengambil alih kendali dari salah satu negara itu dan menghancurkan yang lain. Krupskaya mengatakan, kalau Teleniekov ingin mengalahkan Matarese ia perlu agen terbaik, yaitu Scofield.Pow...Di mulailah petualangannya. Cerita cara agen KGB itu menemukan dan menyakinkan agen USA. Cara mereka menyelundup. Cara mereka mencari asal muasal Matarese. Hingga menemukan orang-orang anggota organisasi itu.Di setiap babnya aku menemukan kejutan-kejutan. Sayangnya penyelesaiannya terlalu sederhana menurutku. Tapi secara keseluruhan, novel ini sangat menarik, boleh aku bilang kedua terbaik setelah Bourne Identity.
What do You think about The Matarese Circle (2004)?
It was thrilling. The book really explored the complexity of leaving the past. It is never just forgive and forget. The past changes you, molds you. It can corrupt, but it can also save. Another interesting point was the inheritors of the Matarese, they weren't always direct descendants but who was willing to get the job done. Guess, Power is stronger than blood,eh? It was wonderful filled with incredibly complex characters, and insights to international power plays, I really can't wait to read the second one. anyone one know where to find it?
—Dharason
A famous book, but not one which particularly appealed to me. The genre is James Bond, but unfortunately without the panache. The two heroes, respectively America's and Russia's top spies/espionage specialists, are sworn enemies to the death, but still see fit to team up to save the world (Mr. Ludlum doesn't do things by halves). That's right, the whole world is about to be subjugated by a shadowy threat which the Russian agent just happens to stumble upon. What's worse, they have to accomplish this rescue singlehandedly (make that doublehandedly) even though their opponent is a massive, multinational, totally invisible organization which somehow has been able to infiltrate all significant governments and most multinational corporations at the highest levels. Not only that, this organization has countless highly-trained warriors who somehow always know where the heroes are, but for some reason always just miss in their efforts to kill them. And to top it all off, both the US and Soviet governments are also doing their best, albeit unsuccessfully, to execute both agents. Well, I told you Mr. Ludlum doesn't do things by halves. Sounds like a problem, right? Not really. In fact, the US agent, supposedly emotionally dead for years, even finds the time and energy to fall in love while avoiding assassination and figuring out who the bad guys are. Heck, it's a fantasy, right? Might as well live the life. It's all pretty exciting, but just too far over the top, especially the climactic sequence. Good escapist fare if you need it.
—Al
boy - did this author know his stuff! the power of the matarese ciurcle could plunge the world into chaos and destruction it all started 70 years ago on the island of corsica. now they seek power not greed. but the people who carry out the killings on their behalf r like suicide bombers and once committee members gave served their worth they r eliminated. who r the main characters? only two rival spies can stop them - on russian and one american who r deadly enemies as they start exposing the circle they realise they can trust no-one especially when they r cast out with orders to eliminate them they carry on regardless, in great danger, as the noose tightens. not just around them but the circle too was just surprised that the shepherd boy did not destroy the dental records. he knew he had very many enemies and they would stop at nothing to unseat him bev
—Bev Taylor
