This is my first Robert Ludlum read. The Tristan Betrayal is a fast paced thriller, so it's not boring. Really, really not boring. For me, the start to finish was definitely entertaining. And again, this is one of the many books that took me back in time, back in the early 20th century where warlords such as Hitler and Stalin dominated the planet. I know this is a fiction novel, but I still can't help but wonder if some of the scenarios described in this book happened for real. Yeah, I'm intrigued. One thing that this book reminded me of is that in every war, in every battle fought and won, there are always unsung heroes. And on this novel's case, they are Svetlana Baranova, Amos Hilliard, Roger Martin, Corcoran, Kundrov, Stephen Metcalfe and all the other members of the operatives and military intelligence who died doing what they were asked to do, all for the sake of defeating the Nazi force. From this pool of characters, there were three personal standouts- Svetlana Baranova, the prima ballerina from Russia; Kundrov, a GRU member and the former's minder; and Stephen Metcalfe, the main character, the American, the spy and the lover.The way Robert Ludlum portrayed the character of Svetlana Baranova is just genius. Making a female character as the sacrifice and heroine in the story is something I personally thank the author for. In a world dominated by men, it is heartwarming to have a woman protagonist do the job like that of a genuine wartime hero.Kundrov also played an important role in this story. I didn't expect that he will be the 'hero from within' in this 1940s world crafted by Ludlum. I am drawn at how this character showed his affection for Lana. He's someone who is very much willing to help Lana in every way possible, watching her back all the time, loving her from afar. He's someone who managed to maintain his love for humanity even if he's working for Hitler. He, too, is a victim of Fascism and he knows how hard it is to live in a place dominated by the steel hands of a dictator.Lastly, Stephen Metcalfe aka Daniel Eigen aka William Quilliagan aka James- a good student of Corcoran, a Yale graduate from the prominent family of businessmen, a beautiful man who is an eye candy to a lot of women, a spy, a lover to Svetlana Baranova and a father to Stepan Menilov. He was the reason why Hitler's invasion was put to a halt. He did more than what his job required him to do. And he paid such a huge price, it left him a wasted man, a drunkard for months. And that price was the life of the only woman he loved- Svetlana Baranova. Lana was executed in order to prove the Nazis that she was a genuine traitor of the Soviet Union. Lana who refused to go back to America with Stephen suffered unbearable pain, endured wounds that penetrated her soul in order to save Russia and the man he so loved.I thought the twists and turns of the story were over after reading the 502nd page. But I was wrong. The biggest twist for me was the ending, when the author revealed that Stepan Menilov, the Commander, is the son of Stephen Metcalfe and Svetlana Baranova. That was the greatest reveal.After everything else, I was left in awe. This book gave me more reason to love history, be it about my country, the Philippines or about other nations. This book inspired me to just love, love without asking for anything in return be it love for thy country or for someone else. Indeed, I am beyond impressed and I felt truly wonderful having read such masterpiece.
What do You think about The Tristan Betrayal (2004)?
Really great, made me wish I knew more about WW2. I wouldn't say that this book was teetering on my 5 star rating, but the last paragraph made it almost on the lower half of the 4 star. Endings are very important to me, and the ending overall was great, but the last paragraph felt like it was rushed by a freshman in college because he realized he was running late to turn this in.The main character was maybe my favorite part of this book. In the very beginning he is considered a below average spy, which seems very uncommon in spy novels. How long can a lousy spy carry a story if he's likely to screw up, get caught, tortured and killed? But because he is a novice, he constantly refers back to his training, rather than already being exposed to the dangerous situations. Metcalfe's inexperience and vulnerability in the dangerous places he travels makes him more relatable than any other spy I've read a novel about. Well done Ludlum.
—Brett Newmyer
Before this book, I'd never read a spy novel worth reading, so I was fairly weary when I started, but I read this because I think it's important to pick up a variety of books.This particular spy novel was leaps and bounds better than the junk I'd read before. The characters had dimension and lacked any miraculous superpowers or super-foreknowledge, there were almost like real people.The story was a little hard for me as I'm not used to all the spinning spy stuff and the twists and betrayals, but it was good. I got to the end and I cared what happened, so that's a good sign.It was also a bit of a historical reminder, the true stuff from which fiction was molded I mean. Interesting and fun.A good read and I still doubt I'll read many more spy novels.
—S.L. Dixon
The Tristan Betrayal is shockingly a very interesting book to read. Kinda has the old Ludlum flair of the Bourne and Matarese mixed in. Although sadly Ludlum never finished the story, the story at the beginning is pure Ludlum, with the end showing the loopholes of a less creative mind. The story starts with Stephen Metcalfe receiving word from a woman he thought had forgotten him. The love of his life at a time when the Cold War was at its peak. Stephen is the youngest son of a prominent American family who is invited to all diplomatic functions. Seeing his well placed connections, his charms and his smartness, the CIA hires him as their spy. In the course of his mission he falls in love with the Russian contact who later allegedly betrays him. The intricacy of the story leaves behind the spy world in this book. The attraction, the love, the very essence of loyalty is questioned on both ends. A compelling read for those who loved the olden ways...
—PenNPaper52
