The Powerhouse: John Buchan
May. 3rd, 2015 01:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
poliphiloThis, I think, was Buchan's first thriller- written before The 39 Steps but not published until after that book's success. It introduces Edward Leithen- the lawyer and Tory MP who was to feature in four more books- including Buchan's last.
It's Ur-Buchan. A bunch of stalwart chaps, including, refreshingly, a pugilistic Labour MP - go up against an international criminal organisation headed by a recluse in tinted specs. There's a great cat and mouse chase across central London. You think you're safe walking through Green Park in broad daylight? Think again.
Buchan is snappy and economical, a stylist- capable of doing a great deal with very few words. Conan Doyle lies behind him, Hammett and Fleming are waiting up ahead. This is a very short book- barely more than a novella. And lots of fun.
It's Ur-Buchan. A bunch of stalwart chaps, including, refreshingly, a pugilistic Labour MP - go up against an international criminal organisation headed by a recluse in tinted specs. There's a great cat and mouse chase across central London. You think you're safe walking through Green Park in broad daylight? Think again.
Buchan is snappy and economical, a stylist- capable of doing a great deal with very few words. Conan Doyle lies behind him, Hammett and Fleming are waiting up ahead. This is a very short book- barely more than a novella. And lots of fun.
