The Thirty-nine Steps managed to get me out of my comfort zone. I haven’t read a single spy book in years, but that was really good. I wanted to read the book because it is on the 1001 Book List You Must Read Before You Die. And also the legendary director Alfred Hitchcock adapted the book into a movie. It’s concise and gripping, so I read it in a sitting. It can be an enjoyable book if you want to take a stroll in the Scottish countryside.
Richard Hannay, who came to London from Africa, is quite bored with his life and London. If something different does not happen soon, he is considering leaving London. So this exciting character is looking for trouble. On the one hand, he is so sympathetic that I kept saying I hope you have an adventure worthy of you. Then trouble will come, of course, and Hannay is already ready for it. Although he’s not very interested in politics, he suddenly finds himself trying to prevent a political attack and running from place to place to save lives.
In the meantime, you run away with him in the countryside of Scotland, while enjoying the scenery. Although there are pretty unrealistic events; the book is moving so fast that it is not worth dwelling on, so I passed them all. Fortunately, I did that, in any case, I enjoyed a book that made me wonder. If you don’t usually read spy novels like me, but still want to try at least a few books, I would recommend it. Since it is short, you can finish it quickly and watch the movie afterwards. Enjoy!
The Thirty-nine Steps
Adventurer Richard Hannay has just returned from South Africa and is thoroughly bored with his London life – until a spy is murdered in his flat, just days after having warned Hannay of an assassination plot that could plunge Britain into a war with Germany. An obvious suspect for the police and an easy target for the killers, Hannay picks up the trail left by the assassins, fleeing to Scotland, where he must use all his wits to stay one step ahead of the game – and warn the government before it is too late. One of the most popular adventure stories ever written, The Thirty-Nine Steps established John Buchan as the original thriller writer and inspired many other novelists and filmmakers including Alfred Hitchcock.
John Buchan
John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir GCMG GCVO CH PC DL was a Scottish novelist, historian, and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since Canadian Confederation.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
