Savant

by James Follett

Against the background of the Gulf War's Desert Storm, two British scientists learn about the extraordinary mental powers of Iraqi prisoner of war. This story was written as the major events unfolded.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

480 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1996

About the author

James Follett (not "Follet") was an author and screenwriter, born in 1939 in Tolworth, England.

Follett became a full-time fiction writer in 1976, after resigning from contract work as a technical writer for the British Ministry of Defence. He has wrote over 20 novels, several television scripts (including episodes of the BBC's Blake's 7), and many radio dramas. Follett was one of the 400 most popular British authors, measured by the numbers of books borrowed from public libraries in the UK, having spent 11 years in the public lending right's top two bands of authors.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow start, but once I'd battled past all the military stuff - a whole lot of numbers and letters for the most part, none of which meant anything to me - I began to enjoy this book more and more. The start was a little slow while everything was set up, but there was a section of 150 or so pages towards the end where I don't think I could have put it down if I wanted to. I found that the end tapered off a bit, reading like a big-budget action movie sequence and being a bit OTT in general. Still, I very much enjoyed this book, perhaps more so because I wasn't sure going into it and very nearly stopped before I got going because of all the military jargon.

[Carnivorous Mower · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, I'll admit it... I got this bloke confused with Ken Follett when I bought this book. More fool me.

This is reasonably good action adventure stuff using the background of the first Gulf War, but the stuff with the "manipulative savants" is complete bullshit. Yes, the sense of peril hooked me in, and there are some good characters in this book, but the two savants and their "special" powers were just a step too far - suspension of disbelief stretched beyond snapping point. And the ending is too Hollywood to be satisfying.

Still, gritty action aplenty, and the pace is almost frantic at times.

[Mr Roy Davidson · Rating 1 out of 5]

470 pages

[Doreen Everitt]

Could not get past the first chapter.

[Robert Kania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ciekawa pozycja. Z każdą stroną coraz bardziej wciąga. Polecam!

[Dark-Draco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book for ages and read it at least 3 times. It's really good, but I don't like the epilogue, hence the 4 rating!

This is the story of two savants with the ability to make thunder, tell the time without a clock and turn tennis balls inside out! It's a race between an unscrupulous arms dealer and a journalist to get to them, a race that starts in England and ends in Kurdistan. It's fast paced and a good read, but as I said, I don't like the ending as it feels too 'pat', almost as if the author decided at the last minute to have a really happy ending!

[Greer Andjanetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story about two manipulative savants, a girl in England and a boy in post-Kuwait war Iraq, lovers who are separated by the war. There are many enlightening descriptions of post-war Iraq, the lives of the Kurds trapped there as well as the capabilities and limitations of savants. A "don't want to put it down" story. Well written in James Follett's enjoyable prose.

[H. Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chronicles of Han Storm Book Club Read.

Editor's Choice:
"James Follett's Savant is a stunning book. Very well researched with an unexpected twist on reality. A definite must-read."