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Creasy #1
Man on Fire
Creasy thought he had nothing left to lose. He was wrong.
An American soldier of fortune far from home -- alcoholic, burnt out, and broken down -- Creasy has accepted a job as a bodyguard just for something to do. An emotionally dead, one-time warrior, he knows that nothing can pierce the hard shell he's built around himself -- until the little girl he's been hired to protect somehow breaks through. But having something to care about again in making Creasy vulnerable. And when the unthinkable occurs, a man on fire won't just burn ... he'll explode.
284 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1980
351 people are currently reading
3083 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Quinnell
30 books146 followersA. J. Quinnell was the pen name of Philip Nicholson, a mystery and thriller writer. He is best known for his novel "Man on Fire", which has been adapted to film twice, most recently in 2004 featuring Denzel Washington.
When the author was preparing to publish his first book, "Man on Fire", he wanted to keep his real identity a secret. During a conversation in a bar, his agent, Chris Little, told him he could use a pseudonym. The author chose "Quinnell", after the rugby union player Derek Quinnell and "A. J." from the initials of the bartender's son.
Nicholson frequented Gleneagles bar in Mġarr, Gozo, the town where the Malta ferry disembarks. He could often be found drinking vodkas with soda. He wrote late at night and through until the morning, always standing up.
The author's best-known creation was the character of Marcus Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion.
When the author was preparing to publish his first book, "Man on Fire", he wanted to keep his real identity a secret. During a conversation in a bar, his agent, Chris Little, told him he could use a pseudonym. The author chose "Quinnell", after the rugby union player Derek Quinnell and "A. J." from the initials of the bartender's son.
Nicholson frequented Gleneagles bar in Mġarr, Gozo, the town where the Malta ferry disembarks. He could often be found drinking vodkas with soda. He wrote late at night and through until the morning, always standing up.
The author's best-known creation was the character of Marcus Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
June 13, 2025
Много добра история и чудесен трилър!
Гледал съм новата филмова адаптация десетина пъти и мога да кажа, че е един от любимите ми екшъни.
Започнах книгата без особени очаквания, но когато видях, че Крийси в нея е ветеран от Френския чуждестранен легион, веднага ми стана ясно, че ще се запозная с нещо различно от екранната версия.
Определено съжалявам, че останалите части от серията ще останат непреведени на български.
Цитати:
"Угасващата красота обикновено е съпроводена с болка от това, че природата ще си вземе назад нещо, което преди това щедро е дарила."
"Вярата е свързана с незнание."
Гледал съм новата филмова адаптация десетина пъти и мога да кажа, че е един от любимите ми екшъни.
Започнах книгата без особени очаквания, но когато видях, че Крийси в нея е ветеран от Френския чуждестранен легион, веднага ми стана ясно, че ще се запозная с нещо различно от екранната версия.
Определено съжалявам, че останалите части от серията ще останат непреведени на български.
Цитати:
"Угасващата красота обикновено е съпроводена с болка от това, че природата ще си вземе назад нещо, което преди това щедро е дарила."
"Вярата е свързана с незнание."
June 15, 2014
There is this stereotype that the thriller genre has given birth to : the strong,silent protagonist. You come across him/her a lot in fiction. A character who doesnt talk personal things, no beating their own drums, subtle, efficient and extremely lethal when wronged. The main character of Creasy in this novel fits this role to a T. When we meet him first, Creasy is an alcoholic who is mildly contemplating suicide. He has been mercenary in some of the most violent battle zones on the planet but is now out of work until a bodyguard job comes along.
The entire plot is divided into four parts :
1.The Introduction : The backdrop is Italy from a few decades ago. The amorous relationship between big business and organized crime is hinted upon and we are introduced to Ettore and Rika whose little daughter Pinta is in need of a bodyguard. Into this melee arrives Creasy : a bear of a man, formidable mercenary, a has-been and borderline alcoholic who finds lodgings with his widower friend Guido. To give his friend something to think of other than the bottle, Guido offers the bodyguard job to Creasy which he grumblingly accepts.
2.The Transformation & The Tragedy : After fits and starts, Pinta brings life back into Creasy. Becomes the daughter he never had and drops sunshine into his otherwise shuttered life. All goes fine until tragedy strikes and Creasy is left for dead with the sunshine extinguished from his life. Thrillers sometimes leave this light bulb on in the reader's mind which warns the reader 'Be prepared for something wicked this way comes !', when Creasy and Pinta become father and child we know something is going to go horribly wrong and it does.
3. The preparation : The military mind in Creasy goes to work and he goes into intense planning and also makes himself fit for the job of extermination on a grand scale. This is also the meatiest part of the story for it is the place where Creasy and the minor characters are all dished out as flesh and blood people and not cliches in a vengeance plot. The transfromation of Creasy into a loving human being while being uncompromising on his vengeance is perhaps the best piece of the story.
4. The Act Of Vengeance : Predictable and yet the inevitable part of the story where the one man killing machine strikes terror into the heart of the Mafia. He dons the cloak of the grim reaper and finishes off everyone who had a hand in the death of little Pinta. It all finishes off with justice truly served.
What saves this story from being a cliche is the character of Creasy and the ones that surround him. There is the element of character development here which would have been the last priority for another thriller writer. The same cannot be said of the antagonists for they are cartoonish caricatures : Villains and nothing more than that.
I vaguely remember little Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington from the movie adaptation and little Dakota Fanning was a treat in it. Washington while being formidable in his own right was perhaps not the best fit for this role. This is one for Clint Eastwood. That lean,mean,tough, old son-of-a-gun who will kick the living daylights out of any bad guy ! Hell yeah !
The entire plot is divided into four parts :
1.The Introduction : The backdrop is Italy from a few decades ago. The amorous relationship between big business and organized crime is hinted upon and we are introduced to Ettore and Rika whose little daughter Pinta is in need of a bodyguard. Into this melee arrives Creasy : a bear of a man, formidable mercenary, a has-been and borderline alcoholic who finds lodgings with his widower friend Guido. To give his friend something to think of other than the bottle, Guido offers the bodyguard job to Creasy which he grumblingly accepts.
2.The Transformation & The Tragedy : After fits and starts, Pinta brings life back into Creasy. Becomes the daughter he never had and drops sunshine into his otherwise shuttered life. All goes fine until tragedy strikes and Creasy is left for dead with the sunshine extinguished from his life. Thrillers sometimes leave this light bulb on in the reader's mind which warns the reader 'Be prepared for something wicked this way comes !', when Creasy and Pinta become father and child we know something is going to go horribly wrong and it does.
3. The preparation : The military mind in Creasy goes to work and he goes into intense planning and also makes himself fit for the job of extermination on a grand scale. This is also the meatiest part of the story for it is the place where Creasy and the minor characters are all dished out as flesh and blood people and not cliches in a vengeance plot. The transfromation of Creasy into a loving human being while being uncompromising on his vengeance is perhaps the best piece of the story.
4. The Act Of Vengeance : Predictable and yet the inevitable part of the story where the one man killing machine strikes terror into the heart of the Mafia. He dons the cloak of the grim reaper and finishes off everyone who had a hand in the death of little Pinta. It all finishes off with justice truly served.
What saves this story from being a cliche is the character of Creasy and the ones that surround him. There is the element of character development here which would have been the last priority for another thriller writer. The same cannot be said of the antagonists for they are cartoonish caricatures : Villains and nothing more than that.
I vaguely remember little Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington from the movie adaptation and little Dakota Fanning was a treat in it. Washington while being formidable in his own right was perhaps not the best fit for this role. This is one for Clint Eastwood. That lean,mean,tough, old son-of-a-gun who will kick the living daylights out of any bad guy ! Hell yeah !
August 18, 2008
This was the beginning of a sort of obsession. This author wrote Man on Fire with true stories of people he knew and met, with a setting of where he actually lived as the backdrop. It was a book that I loved. A lot of books and movies nowadays don't have the justice that I want to see. But with A.J. Quinnell I got that in all his books. The main character Creasy is a trained killer that is almost hollowed out inside from his many years as a soldier and mercenary. He is a drunk and wants to die, until he meets a wonderful little girl he is hired as a bodyguard to protect. Slowly and methodically she breaks into his shell and he starts to love her as a daughter. He cleans up and begins to finally care again, and he feels she saves his life and possibly his soul. Of course bad things happen and Creasy must retaliate. The thing that amazed me in this book is how great the characters are written. Being that most of them were based on actual people the author knew and events that actually took place, probably helped with that. It was written in the 70's when kidnappings by the Italian mafia were common. And reading about someone with the actual ability and skills to go after them was quite amazing.
I read every "Creasy" book by this author and actually got a response from an e-mail to him before he died a few years ago. I would very much liked to have met him.
I read every "Creasy" book by this author and actually got a response from an e-mail to him before he died a few years ago. I would very much liked to have met him.
October 8, 2013
If I could give this book ten stars I would...but understand I'm a tad biased because I was also a former Legionnaire and a bodyguard just like Creasy in the book. (If you've seen the movies you will no doubt remember Creasy was ex CIA...typical Hollywood..in the book he's a former French Foreign Legionnaire.)
Not sure where Mr Quinnel (RIP) got his info from or how he researched this but he is absolutely spot on in just about every regard.
Definitely worth a read.
Not sure where Mr Quinnel (RIP) got his info from or how he researched this but he is absolutely spot on in just about every regard.
Definitely worth a read.
October 2, 2016
I’ve never seen either film version of this, but having now read it I can see how it fitted in perfectly as a violent ‘Death Wish’ inspired eighties thriller, as well as one of those Denzel Washington movies where he’s the super tough loner who will overcome every obstacle.
An American in Europe on the edge of alcoholic collapse finds himself finding a new joy in life through his friendship with a little girl, but when she’s kidnapped he draws on his violent past to seek vengeance.
Part of me read it with a sneer as it is macho, violent nonsense, but a more adolescent part really enjoyed the sheer old fashioned adventure of this macho, violent nonsense. If you think of Richard Stark’s ‘Parker’, but without the subtlety or dark humour, then you get an idea of what’s on offer here. A book to both put a smile on your face and make you feel embarrassed about the fact.
An American in Europe on the edge of alcoholic collapse finds himself finding a new joy in life through his friendship with a little girl, but when she’s kidnapped he draws on his violent past to seek vengeance.
Part of me read it with a sneer as it is macho, violent nonsense, but a more adolescent part really enjoyed the sheer old fashioned adventure of this macho, violent nonsense. If you think of Richard Stark’s ‘Parker’, but without the subtlety or dark humour, then you get an idea of what’s on offer here. A book to both put a smile on your face and make you feel embarrassed about the fact.
November 18, 2024
Trochę mi zeszło, ale wreszcie wymęczyłem.Nie jest to zła książka, ale piekielnie niedzisiejsza. Chociaż Quinnell przemyca w "Najemniku" wielki ładunek emocjonalny, to nie do końca kupił mnie sposobem ich ukazania (zbyt wiele opisał za mało pokazał), nadto pierwsza część książki - do momentu opuszczenia przez Creasy'ego Malty, to bardziej obyczaj niż sensacja - można powiedzieć, że autor bierze baaardzo długi rozbieg, przed ostatnim (świetnym) aktem, czyli zemstą. Za dużo gadania za mało roboty, ale koniec końców niezła lektura.
August 14, 2016
I am such a sucker for this type of story. The lone wolf or small group going up against the bad guys to dispense justice. I guess that's why I loved superhero comics as a kid.
I saw the movie several years ago(Washington version not Glenn)and enjoyed it but had no idea it was based on a book or that it was actually a series of books.
Creasy, now in his late forties is a former member of the French Foreign Legion and mercenary who is a washed up drunk at this point in his life. A friend and former compatriot sets him up with a gig to bodyguard a young girl, Pinta. Creasy admits to disliking kids so it is fascinating to watch as this innocent, curious girl slowly breaks through his defenses. The author does a great job of background on Creasy and the gradual build up of his relationship with Pinta.
This is not your typical nonstop action type thriller there is quite a bit of time spent on these relationship aspects with moments of action interspersed. The book is broken into three distinct parts, the bodyguard, the recovery and the I'm gonna' get ya' section. If you liked the movie or enjoy The Punisher or Seven Samurai type of story you will enjoy this book. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the books in the series.
I saw the movie several years ago(Washington version not Glenn)and enjoyed it but had no idea it was based on a book or that it was actually a series of books.
Creasy, now in his late forties is a former member of the French Foreign Legion and mercenary who is a washed up drunk at this point in his life. A friend and former compatriot sets him up with a gig to bodyguard a young girl, Pinta. Creasy admits to disliking kids so it is fascinating to watch as this innocent, curious girl slowly breaks through his defenses. The author does a great job of background on Creasy and the gradual build up of his relationship with Pinta.
This is not your typical nonstop action type thriller there is quite a bit of time spent on these relationship aspects with moments of action interspersed. The book is broken into three distinct parts, the bodyguard, the recovery and the I'm gonna' get ya' section. If you liked the movie or enjoy The Punisher or Seven Samurai type of story you will enjoy this book. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the books in the series.
January 11, 2009
Few books are perfect action films but this is one of them. I feel there are really three parts to this book, a great touching relationship story that gives a hardened man a reason to live, A recovery story about renewed vitality, and an excellent vengeance story. Even the most minor characters are not only interesting by themselves, but they are also touched and developed by events with Creasy, the main character. This story is both sad and exciting and makes you feel for every detail. I loved the fact that details were explained but not over explained and the book flowed from each different story naturally. I have not felt this engrossed while reading a story in a long time. Matt loves this series and recommended it to me but it took me a long time to finally read it. If you enjoy action or revenge movies you will dig this book.
May 24, 2013
Be advised, this review is for the AJ Quinnell book published in 1980, not the movie staring Denzel Washington. The movie was great too but diverges from the novel in several areas.
Having said that this novel is incredible. The character of Creasy; battle-scarred veteran of the French foreign legion is one of the great unsung fictional heroes. The story goes place I wasn't expecting. Well worth a read.
Pity Eastwood didn't play this character. He is the same age as Creasy. I know Scott Glen played him in the first movie but I haven't seen it.
Reviewed by, David Feeney, author; Terror on the high seas
May 23, 2015
Η ομότιτλη ταινία σε σκηνοθεσία Τόνι Σκοτ και με πρωταγωνιστή τον Ντένζελ Ουάσινγκτον, μια από τις καλύτερες ταινίες δράσης που έχουν γυριστεί, βασίζεται στο βιβλίο του Α. Τζ. Κουίνελ. Όλως περιέργως την ταινία δεν την έχω δει ακόμα, αν και ανήκει στην ταινιοθήκη μου, γι'αυτό αποφάσισα να διαβάσω το βιβλίο πρώτα, για να την δω και αυτήν επιτέλους. Λοιπόν, το βιβλίο τα σπάει! Είναι από τα κλασικότερα βιβλία του είδους και οι λάτρεις των περιπετειών με πρωταγωνιστή έναν σκληρό εκδικητή, σίγουρα θα το απολαύσουν.
Πρωταγωνιστής είναι ο Κρίζι, ένας Αμερικάνος πρώην μισθοφόρος που τα τελευταία χρόνια παραπαίει, χωρίς να περιμένει τίποτα από την ζωή. Μετά από διάφορες συγκυρίες, θα γίνει σωματοφύλακας ενός εντεκάχρονου κοριτσιού, μιας και οι πλούσιοι Ιταλοί γονείς του τρομοκρατούνται από ένα κύμα απαγωγών παιδιών. Ο Κρίζι δεν είναι και ιδιαίτερα κοινωνικός και ειδικά με τα παιδιά δεν είχε ποτέ κάποια επαφή. Γι'αυτό στην αρχή το κορίτσι τον εκνευρίζει, μετά από καιρό όμως το συνηθίζει. Κάτι αρχίζει να αλλάζει πάνω του, κάτι μέσα του μαλακώνει, το κορίτσι δίνει ένα νόημα στην ζωή του. Μέχρι την μέρα που θα απαγάγουν το κορίτσι και ο ίδιος θα τραυματιστεί σοβαρά. Θα επανέλθει όμως, γεμάτος μίσος απέναντι σε όσους ευθύνονται για την απαγωγή. Όλη η στρατιωτική του εμπειρία θα χρησιμοποιηθεί για να εκδικηθεί... και ποιος τον είδε και δεν φοβήθηκε!
Πραγματικά πολύ δυνατό μυθιστόρημα, με το δράμα να συνδυάζεται αριστοτεχνικά με την δράση. Ο χαρακτήρας του Κρίζι έχει πολύ βάθος, δεν είναι απλά ένας τύπος με μπράτσα που σκοτώνει, αλλά ένας άνδρας που έπιασε πάτο, μέχρι που βρήκε ένα νόημα στην ζωή του. Όσο να'ναι ο αναγνώστης θα δεθεί με τον αγώνα του για εκδίκηση. Γενικά, πάντως, πλην των κακών ίσως, όλοι οι βασικοί χαρακτήρες έχουν ένα βάθος και μου άρεσε πως ο συγγραφέας σκιαγράφησε τις σχέσεις μεταξύ τους. Η γραφή είναι πολύ καλή, στρωτή και σίγουρη, με ωραίες περιγραφές ανθρώπων και γεγονότων. Η ατμόσφαιρα, φυσικά, εξαιρετική.
Γενικά πρόκειται για ένα βιβλίο, που ναι μεν έχει δράση και δυνατές σκηνές, όμως σε λογικές ποσότητες, χωρίς να είναι αυτοσκοπός του συγγραφέα να μας προσφέρει απλά βία. Βασικό προτέρημα του βιβλίου είναι ο χαρακτήρας του Κρίζι και η εξέλιξη του από την στιγμή που τον γνωρίζουμε για πρώτη φορά. Προσωπικά λάτρεψα και την παραμικρή λεπτομέρεια της ιστορίας, τόσο το κοινωνικό κομμάτι όσο, φυσικά, και την δράση. Λίαν συντόμως θα δω και την ταινία.
Πρωταγωνιστής είναι ο Κρίζι, ένας Αμερικάνος πρώην μισθοφόρος που τα τελευταία χρόνια παραπαίει, χωρίς να περιμένει τίποτα από την ζωή. Μετά από διάφορες συγκυρίες, θα γίνει σωματοφύλακας ενός εντεκάχρονου κοριτσιού, μιας και οι πλούσιοι Ιταλοί γονείς του τρομοκρατούνται από ένα κύμα απαγωγών παιδιών. Ο Κρίζι δεν είναι και ιδιαίτερα κοινωνικός και ειδικά με τα παιδιά δεν είχε ποτέ κάποια επαφή. Γι'αυτό στην αρχή το κορίτσι τον εκνευρίζει, μετά από καιρό όμως το συνηθίζει. Κάτι αρχίζει να αλλάζει πάνω του, κάτι μέσα του μαλακώνει, το κορίτσι δίνει ένα νόημα στην ζωή του. Μέχρι την μέρα που θα απαγάγουν το κορίτσι και ο ίδιος θα τραυματιστεί σοβαρά. Θα επανέλθει όμως, γεμάτος μίσος απέναντι σε όσους ευθύνονται για την απαγωγή. Όλη η στρατιωτική του εμπειρία θα χρησιμοποιηθεί για να εκδικηθεί... και ποιος τον είδε και δεν φοβήθηκε!
Πραγματικά πολύ δυνατό μυθιστόρημα, με το δράμα να συνδυάζεται αριστοτεχνικά με την δράση. Ο χαρακτήρας του Κρίζι έχει πολύ βάθος, δεν είναι απλά ένας τύπος με μπράτσα που σκοτώνει, αλλά ένας άνδρας που έπιασε πάτο, μέχρι που βρήκε ένα νόημα στην ζωή του. Όσο να'ναι ο αναγνώστης θα δεθεί με τον αγώνα του για εκδίκηση. Γενικά, πάντως, πλην των κακών ίσως, όλοι οι βασικοί χαρακτήρες έχουν ένα βάθος και μου άρεσε πως ο συγγραφέας σκιαγράφησε τις σχέσεις μεταξύ τους. Η γραφή είναι πολύ καλή, στρωτή και σίγουρη, με ωραίες περιγραφές ανθρώπων και γεγονότων. Η ατμόσφαιρα, φυσικά, εξαιρετική.
Γενικά πρόκειται για ένα βιβλίο, που ναι μεν έχει δράση και δυνατές σκηνές, όμως σε λογικές ποσότητες, χωρίς να είναι αυτοσκοπός του συγγραφέα να μας προσφέρει απλά βία. Βασικό προτέρημα του βιβλίου είναι ο χαρακτήρας του Κρίζι και η εξέλιξη του από την στιγμή που τον γνωρίζουμε για πρώτη φορά. Προσωπικά λάτρεψα και την παραμικρή λεπτομέρεια της ιστορίας, τόσο το κοινωνικό κομμάτι όσο, φυσικά, και την δράση. Λίαν συντόμως θα δω και την ταινία.
May 25, 2013
This is a 5-star story for sure. Very well written. If you liked the movie (Denzel Washington ~ Tony Scott) at all, you will love this book as well. Different enough from the movie, yet you can read what the movie writers carried over from the book into the movie. The setting is different (Italy for the book, Mexico for the movie), timeframe: early 70's for the book, around 2005 or so for the movie. You can tell the book was written years ago (by the style and the way it is laid out). Yet Creasy is Creasy. The book does an excellent job at fully describing Creasy and why he is the way he is. We get to see what set him on the trail to be the man he is, and why he is so good at what he does. Not an action book, but it does feature plenty of gritty action (oh boy does it-Creasy is a one man wrecking crew). A very emotional book, as you feel the rage that Creasy feels.
The first of 4 books to feature Creasy. I am looking forward to the next one: The Perfect Kill.
The first of 4 books to feature Creasy. I am looking forward to the next one: The Perfect Kill.
November 8, 2025
"So the charger becomes a bomb. Very small, but very powerful." The Voice became slightly conversational.
"It's modern science. Ten years ago a bomb of similar power weighed over a kilo."
"You have an identical bomb up your ass. It's time to explode is at ten o'clock."
I enjoyed the entire story. It kind of reminded me of Mafia 3 (Man on Fire was the inspiration). It's about an ex-military figure who had someone who cared about him taken away by the mob , and then he kills them one by one. I love how thrilling it is and how he kills each Mafioso head with various weapons in his arsenal .
I enjoyed Creasey's character because he's an isolated and closed-off figure, but he develops throughout the course of the novel. He's scarred, ex-military ; he has seen a lot. This leads him to befriend more people (more than he thought) who would aid him in his quest for vengeance. I also enjoyed his snarky little lines. Having help from others is a good lesson here.
I also enjoyed Satta , who was a cynical but sympathetic police officer with ties to the mob, and who was also following Creasy. He, too, was cheering him on.
I did enjoy the little twist at the end of the novel ; I was not expecting that. The twist of how Pinta died was also interesting , not in the way you would expect. Each part of the novel is better than the last (the bodyguard, the training in Malta, and the assassinations). A thrilling, mysterious, action-packed read that is hard to put down.
"It's modern science. Ten years ago a bomb of similar power weighed over a kilo."
"You have an identical bomb up your ass. It's time to explode is at ten o'clock."
I enjoyed the entire story. It kind of reminded me of Mafia 3 (Man on Fire was the inspiration). It's about an ex-military figure who had someone who cared about him taken away by the mob , and then he kills them one by one. I love how thrilling it is and how he kills each Mafioso head with various weapons in his arsenal .
I enjoyed Creasey's character because he's an isolated and closed-off figure, but he develops throughout the course of the novel. He's scarred, ex-military ; he has seen a lot. This leads him to befriend more people (more than he thought) who would aid him in his quest for vengeance. I also enjoyed his snarky little lines. Having help from others is a good lesson here.
I also enjoyed Satta , who was a cynical but sympathetic police officer with ties to the mob, and who was also following Creasy. He, too, was cheering him on.
I did enjoy the little twist at the end of the novel ; I was not expecting that. The twist of how Pinta died was also interesting , not in the way you would expect. Each part of the novel is better than the last (the bodyguard, the training in Malta, and the assassinations). A thrilling, mysterious, action-packed read that is hard to put down.
January 26, 2024
El Guardaespaldas.- A.J. Quinnell
“El hambre y la necesidad no son buenos maestros de moral. Una sociedad que no puede satisfacer las necesidades básicas de la vida difícilmente logra que se obedezcan sus leyes.”
Creasy es una sombra de lo que fué. Siempre sumergido en el fondo de una botella, poco queda del ex soldado, alguna vez perteneciente a la Legión Extranjera. Por consejo de su amigo, acepta un trabajo como guardaespaldas de una niña de 11 años en Milán, Italia, hija de un matrimonio que supo tener un buen pasar económico. Aunque al inicio de la relación laboral era impensado, con el correr de los días la pequeña Pinta consigue hacerse amiga del rudo Creasy. Hasta que una banda de delincuentes consigue secuestrar a la pequeña, dejando al borde de la muerte a Creasy, pero ni las balas detendrán a un hombre en busca de venganza.
El Guardaespaldas (Man On Fire) se publicó originalmente en el año 1980 y es el primer libro del autor inglés Phillip Nicholson (1940-2005), quién publicaba bajo el seudónimo A.J. Quinnell. El libro fue adaptado en dos oportunidades al cine, primero en 1987 con Scott Glenn protagonizando y luego en el año 2004 con Denzel Washington y Dakota Fanning.
Sin ser tan detallista al extremo como Tom Clancy en las descripciones militares, Quinnell logra darle un buen trasfondo realista a esta historia de amistad y venganza, brindando información precisa sobre el mundo político-militar de aquel entonces y aunque por momentos se va un poquitín por las ramas, cuando llega la acción, llega con todo, salpicando sangre y balas por doquier.
Si bien se le nota un poco el paso de los años en algunas situaciones al libro, no deja de ser un ítem fundamental en la biblioteca del amante de los thrillers de acción y que va a sorprender (y mucho) al que conoce un poco de la historia por la película de Tony Scott.
🤘🤘🤘
“El hambre y la necesidad no son buenos maestros de moral. Una sociedad que no puede satisfacer las necesidades básicas de la vida difícilmente logra que se obedezcan sus leyes.”
Creasy es una sombra de lo que fué. Siempre sumergido en el fondo de una botella, poco queda del ex soldado, alguna vez perteneciente a la Legión Extranjera. Por consejo de su amigo, acepta un trabajo como guardaespaldas de una niña de 11 años en Milán, Italia, hija de un matrimonio que supo tener un buen pasar económico. Aunque al inicio de la relación laboral era impensado, con el correr de los días la pequeña Pinta consigue hacerse amiga del rudo Creasy. Hasta que una banda de delincuentes consigue secuestrar a la pequeña, dejando al borde de la muerte a Creasy, pero ni las balas detendrán a un hombre en busca de venganza.
El Guardaespaldas (Man On Fire) se publicó originalmente en el año 1980 y es el primer libro del autor inglés Phillip Nicholson (1940-2005), quién publicaba bajo el seudónimo A.J. Quinnell. El libro fue adaptado en dos oportunidades al cine, primero en 1987 con Scott Glenn protagonizando y luego en el año 2004 con Denzel Washington y Dakota Fanning.
Sin ser tan detallista al extremo como Tom Clancy en las descripciones militares, Quinnell logra darle un buen trasfondo realista a esta historia de amistad y venganza, brindando información precisa sobre el mundo político-militar de aquel entonces y aunque por momentos se va un poquitín por las ramas, cuando llega la acción, llega con todo, salpicando sangre y balas por doquier.
Si bien se le nota un poco el paso de los años en algunas situaciones al libro, no deja de ser un ítem fundamental en la biblioteca del amante de los thrillers de acción y que va a sorprender (y mucho) al que conoce un poco de la historia por la película de Tony Scott.
🤘🤘🤘
January 5, 2023
I didn’t expect it to be this good!
July 14, 2024
2.5, for some thrilling plot / action
January 10, 2025
Truly smuttier than ACOTAR and definitely a book for guys to read. Better than the movie by far.
January 1, 2026
Oh yeah!
This story didn't reinvent the wheel but it didn't need to. A well done tale of revenge, romance, and violence. The escalation in how the criminals were killed was fantastic.
I could only see Creasy as Denzel Washington so a rewatch of the movie is due.
This story didn't reinvent the wheel but it didn't need to. A well done tale of revenge, romance, and violence. The escalation in how the criminals were killed was fantastic.
I could only see Creasy as Denzel Washington so a rewatch of the movie is due.
January 28, 2023
A perfect book for action lovers.
May 14, 2024
Before John Wick, there was Creasy - enough said.
October 16, 2022
Book and film are quite different. Novel digs deep into Creasy's psyche and motivations rather than action. In that regard, the book and film work well together as companions.
July 6, 2021
Having breezed past this book every time I have picked a new read over the past year, the time finally came to give it a whirl. And now I just hate myself for not having read it sooner.
Now, this is not at all my usual genre, which is perhaps why I have spent so long sidestepping it, BUT, I fucking loved it.
It’s one of those books that’s got a bit of bloody everything. Excitement, drama, distress and a shit load of personality. Sounds a bit like a day in the life of me tbh 🤪
Man on Fire is essentially a character study of one man: Creasy - his story chopped up into three parts, and an exploration of his emotional states, life experiences and everything in between.
Creasy is undoubtedly my favourite part of the story. He starts off as a damaged, isolated individual, and embarking with him on his journey of healing and redemption was just brilliant. Despite being a scary bastard, his portrayal makes him loveable, even relatable at times, and I was rooting for him every step of the way.
The only downside is that I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style. It was a bit too matter of fact for my liking, leaving very little to the imagination. Whilst the plot was incredible, I thought it could’ve been written better. I also found the last few pages a tad confusing, but after a quick chat with my old friend Google, I felt satisfied, even excited, by the cryptic end to the story.
Overall, it’s a wicked read. If you’re a sucker for an action thriller, you fucking read this right now 👌🏼
Now, this is not at all my usual genre, which is perhaps why I have spent so long sidestepping it, BUT, I fucking loved it.
It’s one of those books that’s got a bit of bloody everything. Excitement, drama, distress and a shit load of personality. Sounds a bit like a day in the life of me tbh 🤪
Man on Fire is essentially a character study of one man: Creasy - his story chopped up into three parts, and an exploration of his emotional states, life experiences and everything in between.
Creasy is undoubtedly my favourite part of the story. He starts off as a damaged, isolated individual, and embarking with him on his journey of healing and redemption was just brilliant. Despite being a scary bastard, his portrayal makes him loveable, even relatable at times, and I was rooting for him every step of the way.
The only downside is that I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style. It was a bit too matter of fact for my liking, leaving very little to the imagination. Whilst the plot was incredible, I thought it could’ve been written better. I also found the last few pages a tad confusing, but after a quick chat with my old friend Google, I felt satisfied, even excited, by the cryptic end to the story.
Overall, it’s a wicked read. If you’re a sucker for an action thriller, you fucking read this right now 👌🏼
July 31, 2018
“A society that cannot provide the basics of life does not get its laws obeyed.” - A. J. Quinnell
This is tough to review for me. I LOVE the movie starring Denzel - love, love, love it! But until very recently, I had no idea it was based on a book! So I rushed to the library and dug in!
It is a good read! Creasy is just as bad ass as he is in the movie. The setting in the book is Italy, not Mexico, and Creasy has more assistance, but the plot is basically the same. My hard on for the movie made the background information about Guido a bit boring, and the story about Creasy's rehab just plodded along. I was not patient in waiting for the action!
The action is good, Creasy is awesome, and I'm glad I read it! I liked getting more information about Creasy, as the movie gave almost none. I also like that there are four more "Creasy Novels" to read, and I already have #2 on order from the library! I think that overall, I liked the movie better, but I am glad to have read where it came from!
This is tough to review for me. I LOVE the movie starring Denzel - love, love, love it! But until very recently, I had no idea it was based on a book! So I rushed to the library and dug in!
It is a good read! Creasy is just as bad ass as he is in the movie. The setting in the book is Italy, not Mexico, and Creasy has more assistance, but the plot is basically the same. My hard on for the movie made the background information about Guido a bit boring, and the story about Creasy's rehab just plodded along. I was not patient in waiting for the action!
The action is good, Creasy is awesome, and I'm glad I read it! I liked getting more information about Creasy, as the movie gave almost none. I also like that there are four more "Creasy Novels" to read, and I already have #2 on order from the library! I think that overall, I liked the movie better, but I am glad to have read where it came from!
July 9, 2020
Another amazing book!! I've seen the movie many times with Denzel Washington, a move of the same book title but this book is really different. It is the same character but the story starts out in Italy and Creasy in the book is not Creasy in the movie.
Both stories are compelling but the movie's ending is completely different from the book.
But it is a roller coaster of the same emotions and I am so glad that there is a book that the movie is based on that I can read and enjoy the story again.
If you love Man On Fire the movie, you will enjoy reading this book (and the Creasy story is actually 5 books so that gives you an idea of how character fares in Book#1).
Both stories are compelling but the movie's ending is completely different from the book.
But it is a roller coaster of the same emotions and I am so glad that there is a book that the movie is based on that I can read and enjoy the story again.
If you love Man On Fire the movie, you will enjoy reading this book (and the Creasy story is actually 5 books so that gives you an idea of how character fares in Book#1).
July 23, 2020
This is the book that was the basis for the 2004 film by the same name starring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning. The book is very different, it takes place in Italy while the movie takes place in Mexico. Denzel plays bodyguard named Creasy who is hired to protect the 11 year old daughter of a successful industrialist names Pinta, played by Dakota Fanning. Creasy is a heavy drinking former member of the French Foreign Legion & top tier mercenary. This book was incredible and very hard to put down. Creasy reminds me of John Clark from the Tom Clancy books and the action and character development is just as good. Highly recommend!
August 7, 2008
The movie updates the 1980 book to Mexico and changes Creasey's ethnicity so that Denzel Washington can ease into the role of mercenary turned bodyguard who finds meaning in life again.
The book has a quaintness about it since I watched the movie first, but I enjoyed the author's "been there, done that" perspective.
It's a shame that his books are now only found in the used-book sections. I even had trouble finding a copy of the movie tie-in copy. As befits kismet, I found a 1980 hardback copy in an estate sale in Monte Vista after looking in most of the used-book stores in San Antonio.
The book has a quaintness about it since I watched the movie first, but I enjoyed the author's "been there, done that" perspective.
It's a shame that his books are now only found in the used-book sections. I even had trouble finding a copy of the movie tie-in copy. As befits kismet, I found a 1980 hardback copy in an estate sale in Monte Vista after looking in most of the used-book stores in San Antonio.
September 20, 2009
I read this book years ago and thought it was excellent. Super plot with lots of strands that all came together in the end. Suspense. Ingrigue. Emotion. It was twice made into a movie. I saw the first and was extraordinaly disappointed. The artistry that went into making the book was nowhere present in the movie. I haven't seen the second movie version. I hope that turned out better. This fellow is tops in the genre - along with Frederick Forsythe.
June 24, 2018
Very different from the Denzel Washington movie but enjoyable. The author occasionally provided more background or details than I would have liked but hard to argue with the authentic feel that gives the story. And I loved the idea that this hardened, jaded mercenary could be so changed by one small girl. Well done.
February 29, 2008
awesome page turner, as always when they made the movie 20 years later they butchered it, so much was lost..the movie in its own right wasnt bad, but knowing that is was ripped from this book somehow lessened its appeal
December 6, 2013
Denzel'in karizmasina aşıkken ve macera-aksiyon filmlerini severken bu filme nasıl 5 yıldız verilmez ki!
August 1, 2015
4.25 or so. A really good book. The book is dramatically different in many ways from the Denzel movie based on it (which I also liked.)
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