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The Partisan
It is the summer of 1961 and the brutal Cold War between East and West is becoming ever more perilous.
Two young prodigies from either side of the Iron Curtain, Yulia and Michael, meet at a chess tournament in London. They don't know it, but they are about to compete in the deadliest game ever played.
Shadowing them is Greta, a ruthless resistance fighter who grew up the hard way in the forests of Lithuania, but who is now hunting down some of the most dangerous men in the world.
Men who are also on the radar of Vassily, perhaps the Soviet Union's greatest spymaster. A man of cunning and influence, Vassily was Yulia's minder during her visit to the West, but even he could not foresee the consequences of her meeting Michael.
When the world is accelerating towards an inevitable and catastrophic conflict, what can just four people do to prevent it?
Epic in scope, The Partisan is a thrill ride like no other, taking you from the hallowed halls of Cambridge to the grimy depths of the Moscow underworld, from 1960s London to the Eastern Front in the Second World War.
Two young prodigies from either side of the Iron Curtain, Yulia and Michael, meet at a chess tournament in London. They don't know it, but they are about to compete in the deadliest game ever played.
Shadowing them is Greta, a ruthless resistance fighter who grew up the hard way in the forests of Lithuania, but who is now hunting down some of the most dangerous men in the world.
Men who are also on the radar of Vassily, perhaps the Soviet Union's greatest spymaster. A man of cunning and influence, Vassily was Yulia's minder during her visit to the West, but even he could not foresee the consequences of her meeting Michael.
When the world is accelerating towards an inevitable and catastrophic conflict, what can just four people do to prevent it?
Epic in scope, The Partisan is a thrill ride like no other, taking you from the hallowed halls of Cambridge to the grimy depths of the Moscow underworld, from 1960s London to the Eastern Front in the Second World War.
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First published June 1, 2022
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May 29, 2022
This is Patrick Worrall's incredible debut, it is an intricate and complex historical espionage novel that primarily focuses on the perilous era of the Cold War in the 1960s, but goes back and forth in time, and includes a glimpse of the future in 2004 in Lithuania with the elderly 'Greta' relating events from her life to Indre Zukauskiene, and what a life it has been. Greta, not her real name, evolves into a powerful and ruthless resistance fighter in Lithuania during WW2, hiding out in the forests with 2 Jewish girls, Riva and Vita, setting out to avenge their killings by German Nazis. In the post-war years, she has been relentless in her pursuit and elimination of Nazis who have escaped justice, although they are not her only targets, in particular she is hunting an influential but elusive Russian target she failed to kill during the war. The story is set in various locations through time, including Lithuania, Russia, Germany, England (Cambridge and London) and Spain.
There are numerous threads and characters that slowly begin to connect with each other, but they may prove to be a challenge for readers to keep up with, so attention to detail is essential to understanding the various twists and events that unfold. Young Michael Fitzgerald secures a place at King's College, Cambridge, a talented chess player, he falls in love with a true chessmaster, the Russian Yulia Forsheva, at a London tournament. Her powerful mother, Anna's position become markedly more precarious when it is assumed that Yulia's father, Sergei, has defected. The difficult Romeo and Juliet relationship is facilitated by Vassily, an adept spymaster caught up in the divisions, intrigue, and machinations taking place within the Politburo, and the deadly European ambitions of Maxim Karpov. The connecting parts of the narrative conclude with a nail biting finale set in Valencia, can the horrors of a European catastrophe be averted?
I found this to be a terrific book, epic in nature, but it is not without its flaws, the constant jumps in time, may test readers to the point they give up on the story. That is such a shame as the timelines and the backstories and history of the many characters could have been organised more coherently and smoothly within the narrative. However, despite this, I was still impressed with Patrick Worrall's debut and his skills in pulling together what appear to be disparate elements of his novel which tragically echo our contemporary realities with Putin and the war in Ukraine. Of the many and distinctive characters that inhabit the pages of this historical fiction, I particularly liked the Russian Vassily who had fought in the Spanish Civil War and had made an enemy of the chief administrator, the deplorable Karpov. This will appeal to fans of European and Russian historical fiction, especially WW2 and the Cold War. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
There are numerous threads and characters that slowly begin to connect with each other, but they may prove to be a challenge for readers to keep up with, so attention to detail is essential to understanding the various twists and events that unfold. Young Michael Fitzgerald secures a place at King's College, Cambridge, a talented chess player, he falls in love with a true chessmaster, the Russian Yulia Forsheva, at a London tournament. Her powerful mother, Anna's position become markedly more precarious when it is assumed that Yulia's father, Sergei, has defected. The difficult Romeo and Juliet relationship is facilitated by Vassily, an adept spymaster caught up in the divisions, intrigue, and machinations taking place within the Politburo, and the deadly European ambitions of Maxim Karpov. The connecting parts of the narrative conclude with a nail biting finale set in Valencia, can the horrors of a European catastrophe be averted?
I found this to be a terrific book, epic in nature, but it is not without its flaws, the constant jumps in time, may test readers to the point they give up on the story. That is such a shame as the timelines and the backstories and history of the many characters could have been organised more coherently and smoothly within the narrative. However, despite this, I was still impressed with Patrick Worrall's debut and his skills in pulling together what appear to be disparate elements of his novel which tragically echo our contemporary realities with Putin and the war in Ukraine. Of the many and distinctive characters that inhabit the pages of this historical fiction, I particularly liked the Russian Vassily who had fought in the Spanish Civil War and had made an enemy of the chief administrator, the deplorable Karpov. This will appeal to fans of European and Russian historical fiction, especially WW2 and the Cold War. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
September 4, 2022
5★
“ ‘Even a grandmaster can only think so many moves ahead. A machine sees all the way through to the end. All the different possibilities.’
. . .
‘If Sergei had something big and he’s taken it to one of the capitalist countries, we’ve got a problem. Like suddenly the machine isn’t playing with chess pieces, it’s playing with Germany and Poland. Figuring out all the moves. What chance would our senile generals have against that?’”
The Cold War as a game of chess. You don’t need to know anything about how chess is played or how players sacrifice pieces to gain an advantage. That’s because you will see in real time how the Cold War players sacrifice their real players when necessary. The powers-that-be may even say Sorry, but you know why you have to go. You play the game, you take your chances.
The book opens in 2004 in Lithuania with an elderly woman speaking of her past, hiding and fighting in the forests during WWII as a teen and later tracking down and assassinating old Nazis and Soviets during the Cold War in the 1960s. In the forests, she was the one of the three girls who knew how to scavenge, hunt, and kill – animals for food, enemies for safety.
“Once Greta took the girls, Vita and Riva, foraging for mushrooms in the deep woods. Just to show them which were poisonous and which were good to eat. She knew what to look out for: a blue stain in the flesh, pink gills, or a white ‘skirt’ halfway down the stalk.
Her father used to say that with mushrooms, as with people, a skirt was a sign of impending danger.”
Her own skirt certainly was! She learned young how to take care of herself and make quick work of her enemies and she never let her guard down. There was nothing cold about her war.
“Greta did not like to get too close to people who carried cameras or walking sticks or umbrellas or bicycle pumps in the street. She did not like it when men held out cigarette lighters for her. Soviet ingenuity meant that all these implements might contain a nasty surprise.
It was unlikely that the Russians would try any thuggery in a busy London thoroughfare in broad daylight, but you never knew. In the mid-1950s two agents from what was then the Ministry of Internal Affairs had attempted to snatch her in Paris while she was walking down a shopping street much like this one. Be bold again if you want to, my little friends, she thought. I splashed your blood all over the white paving stones that day, and I will do it again.”
Meanwhile, there is also tenderness and youthful romance in the chess sections of the story where English boy Michael meets Russian girl Yulia at a tournament in London. She is the daughter of Sergei (mentioned in the opening quotation), whom she knows to be somebody important, something to do with military secrets. He writes about chess in the newspapers. She and her father pretty much communicate through chess.
Her mother, Anna, was the first woman to join the Politburo, so Yulia is carefully guarded at all times. When she attends the chess tournament, she is constantly escorted by two menacing men, who actually sleep in her suite at the hotel.
Michael is the son of British Vice-Admiral Sir Stephen Fitzgerald and is immediately smitten when he sees her for the first time at the tournament. They become friends and meet secretly, where he learns something of her background and her ‘escorts’.
“After a moment, he crossed the street and thought: This morning, I was a schoolboy. Now I’m following a group of Russian spies into a hotel. When I go through these doors, nothing will ever be the same again.”
And he was right. As their story continues from one tournament to another, the activities of their parents is central to the theme. The political intrigue moves around Europe, and nobody is safe from the powerful figures managing the spies and assassins.
Lithuania was independent, was taken over by the Soviets, then by the Nazis. As the Nazis weakened, the Soviets moved in again, treating the country like just another pawn on their chessboard.
Chapters move between the years and places and people. I could have used a good cast of characters to refer to and some maps. These were complicated times with Soviets on the side of the Allies, fighting Nazis, but just as viciously dangerous, with the secrecy and prison camps and gulags for which they were known.
The public knows only the official faces of governments and the military, but the real power lies with other slippery government officials like Vassily, a Soviet official who manages to travel freely, but nobody knows exactly why.
“ ‘In the Soviet Union, if you get tired of reality, a new one will come along and replace it. Every new leader ushers in a glorious new past. Na zdrovye!’”
This is a fascinating book (a debut!), even if I struggled a bit with the various allegiances and betrayals. It is a timely read, with so much attention concentrated on Ukraine at the moment, another country that always seems to Russia to be ripe for the picking.
It is also worth having a look at the author’s background - very impressive. He is @FactCheck for Britain’s Channel 4 News. He seems to know his stuff!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin/Random House for the copy for review from which I’ve quoted.
“ ‘Even a grandmaster can only think so many moves ahead. A machine sees all the way through to the end. All the different possibilities.’
. . .
‘If Sergei had something big and he’s taken it to one of the capitalist countries, we’ve got a problem. Like suddenly the machine isn’t playing with chess pieces, it’s playing with Germany and Poland. Figuring out all the moves. What chance would our senile generals have against that?’”
The Cold War as a game of chess. You don’t need to know anything about how chess is played or how players sacrifice pieces to gain an advantage. That’s because you will see in real time how the Cold War players sacrifice their real players when necessary. The powers-that-be may even say Sorry, but you know why you have to go. You play the game, you take your chances.
The book opens in 2004 in Lithuania with an elderly woman speaking of her past, hiding and fighting in the forests during WWII as a teen and later tracking down and assassinating old Nazis and Soviets during the Cold War in the 1960s. In the forests, she was the one of the three girls who knew how to scavenge, hunt, and kill – animals for food, enemies for safety.
“Once Greta took the girls, Vita and Riva, foraging for mushrooms in the deep woods. Just to show them which were poisonous and which were good to eat. She knew what to look out for: a blue stain in the flesh, pink gills, or a white ‘skirt’ halfway down the stalk.
Her father used to say that with mushrooms, as with people, a skirt was a sign of impending danger.”
Her own skirt certainly was! She learned young how to take care of herself and make quick work of her enemies and she never let her guard down. There was nothing cold about her war.
“Greta did not like to get too close to people who carried cameras or walking sticks or umbrellas or bicycle pumps in the street. She did not like it when men held out cigarette lighters for her. Soviet ingenuity meant that all these implements might contain a nasty surprise.
It was unlikely that the Russians would try any thuggery in a busy London thoroughfare in broad daylight, but you never knew. In the mid-1950s two agents from what was then the Ministry of Internal Affairs had attempted to snatch her in Paris while she was walking down a shopping street much like this one. Be bold again if you want to, my little friends, she thought. I splashed your blood all over the white paving stones that day, and I will do it again.”
Meanwhile, there is also tenderness and youthful romance in the chess sections of the story where English boy Michael meets Russian girl Yulia at a tournament in London. She is the daughter of Sergei (mentioned in the opening quotation), whom she knows to be somebody important, something to do with military secrets. He writes about chess in the newspapers. She and her father pretty much communicate through chess.
Her mother, Anna, was the first woman to join the Politburo, so Yulia is carefully guarded at all times. When she attends the chess tournament, she is constantly escorted by two menacing men, who actually sleep in her suite at the hotel.
Michael is the son of British Vice-Admiral Sir Stephen Fitzgerald and is immediately smitten when he sees her for the first time at the tournament. They become friends and meet secretly, where he learns something of her background and her ‘escorts’.
“After a moment, he crossed the street and thought: This morning, I was a schoolboy. Now I’m following a group of Russian spies into a hotel. When I go through these doors, nothing will ever be the same again.”
And he was right. As their story continues from one tournament to another, the activities of their parents is central to the theme. The political intrigue moves around Europe, and nobody is safe from the powerful figures managing the spies and assassins.
Lithuania was independent, was taken over by the Soviets, then by the Nazis. As the Nazis weakened, the Soviets moved in again, treating the country like just another pawn on their chessboard.
Chapters move between the years and places and people. I could have used a good cast of characters to refer to and some maps. These were complicated times with Soviets on the side of the Allies, fighting Nazis, but just as viciously dangerous, with the secrecy and prison camps and gulags for which they were known.
The public knows only the official faces of governments and the military, but the real power lies with other slippery government officials like Vassily, a Soviet official who manages to travel freely, but nobody knows exactly why.
“ ‘In the Soviet Union, if you get tired of reality, a new one will come along and replace it. Every new leader ushers in a glorious new past. Na zdrovye!’”
This is a fascinating book (a debut!), even if I struggled a bit with the various allegiances and betrayals. It is a timely read, with so much attention concentrated on Ukraine at the moment, another country that always seems to Russia to be ripe for the picking.
It is also worth having a look at the author’s background - very impressive. He is @FactCheck for Britain’s Channel 4 News. He seems to know his stuff!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin/Random House for the copy for review from which I’ve quoted.
June 8, 2022
This is a terrific, well plotted debut novel with multiple layers, culminating in a thrilling climax. It’s mainly set in the 1960s during the Cold War but with flashbacks to WW2, particularly to the role played by partisans in the forests of Lithuania.
In 2004, one such partisan, Greta, a member of the formidable team known as the three sisters is relating the story of her time as a partisan to a member of the Lithuanian ministry responsible for memorials. Since the war she has become a skilled Nazi hunter, tracing and killing war criminals. Her biggest hunt however was in 1961 for a Russian called Maxim Karpov, now high up in the Kremlin and known as the Chief Administrator who was responsible for killing a whole village of Lithuanians, suspected of aiding the partisans.
The story starts with the meeting of two young people. Yulia Forsheva, daughter of Sergei, a scientist and technologist and Anna, a powerful member of the Politburo first meets Michael, son of Sir Stephen Fitzgerald, British Director of Naval Intelligence at a chess competition in 1961. They fall in love and plan to meet again at the Chess Finals to be held in East Germany. There Michael meets Vassily, a clever and powerful Soviet spy, who is there to protect Yulia. However, he turns a blind eye so that Yulia can sneak out with Michael for an evening together. Thus, Michael has become an important pawn in a complex game of chess orchestrated by Vassily, designed to thwart Karpov’s plans for Europe. With the chess board populated with Karpov, Greta, Yulia’s parents, Michael’s father, a Cambridge academic and a cast of thugs and spies, the endgame will be played out in a stunning final showdown in Valencia.
I thought the way the multiple threads and timelines were handled and drawn together was impressively handled by a first time author. Although it does require a little patience and concentration to follow all the threads until they come together, it is well worth the effort. The main characters are fascinating and well depicted, particularly Vassily, Greta and the hideous Karpov. I would have liked to have got to know Michael and Julia a little better as well as their parents to have a better feel for everyone’s motives and driving forces, but there is so much in the novel already that it would have been difficult to fit in much more character development. Overall, it is an exciting historical thriller which will delight fans of Russian history and Cold War spycraft, particularly while Russia is once again flexing it’s expansionist muscles with its war in Ukraine.
With thanks to Random House via Netgalley for a copy to read
In 2004, one such partisan, Greta, a member of the formidable team known as the three sisters is relating the story of her time as a partisan to a member of the Lithuanian ministry responsible for memorials. Since the war she has become a skilled Nazi hunter, tracing and killing war criminals. Her biggest hunt however was in 1961 for a Russian called Maxim Karpov, now high up in the Kremlin and known as the Chief Administrator who was responsible for killing a whole village of Lithuanians, suspected of aiding the partisans.
The story starts with the meeting of two young people. Yulia Forsheva, daughter of Sergei, a scientist and technologist and Anna, a powerful member of the Politburo first meets Michael, son of Sir Stephen Fitzgerald, British Director of Naval Intelligence at a chess competition in 1961. They fall in love and plan to meet again at the Chess Finals to be held in East Germany. There Michael meets Vassily, a clever and powerful Soviet spy, who is there to protect Yulia. However, he turns a blind eye so that Yulia can sneak out with Michael for an evening together. Thus, Michael has become an important pawn in a complex game of chess orchestrated by Vassily, designed to thwart Karpov’s plans for Europe. With the chess board populated with Karpov, Greta, Yulia’s parents, Michael’s father, a Cambridge academic and a cast of thugs and spies, the endgame will be played out in a stunning final showdown in Valencia.
I thought the way the multiple threads and timelines were handled and drawn together was impressively handled by a first time author. Although it does require a little patience and concentration to follow all the threads until they come together, it is well worth the effort. The main characters are fascinating and well depicted, particularly Vassily, Greta and the hideous Karpov. I would have liked to have got to know Michael and Julia a little better as well as their parents to have a better feel for everyone’s motives and driving forces, but there is so much in the novel already that it would have been difficult to fit in much more character development. Overall, it is an exciting historical thriller which will delight fans of Russian history and Cold War spycraft, particularly while Russia is once again flexing it’s expansionist muscles with its war in Ukraine.
With thanks to Random House via Netgalley for a copy to read
June 15, 2022
Two young prodigies from either side of the Iron Curtain, Yulia and Michael, meet at a chess tournament in London. They don't know it, but they are about to compete in the deadliest game ever played. Shadowing them is Greta, a ruthless resistance fighter who grew up the hard way in the forests of Lithuania, but who is now hunting down some of the most dangerous men in the world. Men who are also on the radar Of Vassily, perhaps the Soviet Unions greatest spymaster, A man of cunning and influence.
Set in the summer of 1961, around the time of the Cold War. The story revolves around the four main characters, Yulia, Michael, Greta and Vassily. The timeframes continually moving and the various characters make this book a little confusing until you get in to it. The plotline is complex, so it needs all your attention to keep you focused. It can be hard to read as there's some scenes of torture and violence. It covers the years: 1940s, 1960s and 2004. This is a really good debut novel.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #PatrickWorrall for my ARC of #ThePartisan in exchange for an honest review.
Set in the summer of 1961, around the time of the Cold War. The story revolves around the four main characters, Yulia, Michael, Greta and Vassily. The timeframes continually moving and the various characters make this book a little confusing until you get in to it. The plotline is complex, so it needs all your attention to keep you focused. It can be hard to read as there's some scenes of torture and violence. It covers the years: 1940s, 1960s and 2004. This is a really good debut novel.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #PatrickWorrall for my ARC of #ThePartisan in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2024
3.5 stars
A fast, entertaining and complex thriller.
It is the summer of 1961 and the brutal Cold War between East and West is becoming ever more perilous.
Two young prodigies from either side of the Iron Curtain, Yulia and Michael, meet at a chess tournament in London. They don't know it, but they are about to compete in the deadliest game ever played.
Shadowing them is Greta, a ruthless resistance fighter who grew up the hard way in the forests of Lithuania, but who is now hunting down some of the most dangerous men in the world.
While I enjoyed the read, I did find there was a lot of characters to keep track of. The time changes within the story were a bit of a challenge. Overall an interesting read and I will certainly keep an eye out for more books by this author.
A fast, entertaining and complex thriller.
It is the summer of 1961 and the brutal Cold War between East and West is becoming ever more perilous.
Two young prodigies from either side of the Iron Curtain, Yulia and Michael, meet at a chess tournament in London. They don't know it, but they are about to compete in the deadliest game ever played.
Shadowing them is Greta, a ruthless resistance fighter who grew up the hard way in the forests of Lithuania, but who is now hunting down some of the most dangerous men in the world.
While I enjoyed the read, I did find there was a lot of characters to keep track of. The time changes within the story were a bit of a challenge. Overall an interesting read and I will certainly keep an eye out for more books by this author.
August 30, 2022
I struggled with this. It's like a mash up of Queen's Gambit with Killing Eve and while that sounds like it's going to be amazing, it was just really convoluted and confusing.
January 15, 2023
Superb Cold War novel. The writing is crisp and witty and full of brilliant invention. If there's a downside it's that the plate is a little overloaded with plot and there are a few moments when you stop to wonder stupid things like 'Would that London street have yellow lines in 1961?' (99% not) or would Lithuanians have heard of Margarita pizzas (ditto) but I'm only quibbling because I'm JEALOUS. Good book
June 11, 2022
‘... they were in the business of settling debts.’
Summer, 1961. At the height of the Cold War, two young people meet at a chess tournament in London. Yulia Forsheva, daughter of Sergei, a scientist and Anna, a powerful member of the Politburo, meets Michael, son of Sir Stephen Fitzgerald, British Director of Naval Intelligence. They fall in love and plan to meet at the chess championship to be held in East Germany. Michael and Yulia meet in Berlin, aided by Vassily a powerful Soviet spy whose role is to protect Yulia.
In 2004, ‘Greta’ is relating aspects of her life during World War II to Indrė Žukauskienė. Now elderly, Greta had been a resistance fighter. She, and two Jewish girls Riva and Vita, had hidden in the Lithuanian forests. Greta sought to avenge their deaths at the hands of German Nazis and has pursued and eliminated Nazis ever since. But Greta is also hunting an influential, elusive Russian she failed to kill during the war. Maxim Karpov, now holding a senior position in the Kremlin, was responsible for killing an entire village of Lithuanians whom he suspected of aiding the partisans.
In his current position, Karpov has plans for Europe. Vassily has plans to thwart him, while Greta plans to destroy him. Yulia’s parents will also be caught up in this plot, as will Michael’s father.
‘In the Soviet Union, if you get tired of reality, a new one will come along and replace it. Every new leader ushers in a glorious new past.’
The story shifts between the 1940s, the 1960s and 2004, between Lithuania, Germany, Russia, England, and Spain and involves multiple characters. While wanting to race ahead to see how the story finished, I had to slow down to understand and absorb its complexity.
A fantastic debut novel, and one of the best Cold War thrillers I have read in a long time.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Summer, 1961. At the height of the Cold War, two young people meet at a chess tournament in London. Yulia Forsheva, daughter of Sergei, a scientist and Anna, a powerful member of the Politburo, meets Michael, son of Sir Stephen Fitzgerald, British Director of Naval Intelligence. They fall in love and plan to meet at the chess championship to be held in East Germany. Michael and Yulia meet in Berlin, aided by Vassily a powerful Soviet spy whose role is to protect Yulia.
In 2004, ‘Greta’ is relating aspects of her life during World War II to Indrė Žukauskienė. Now elderly, Greta had been a resistance fighter. She, and two Jewish girls Riva and Vita, had hidden in the Lithuanian forests. Greta sought to avenge their deaths at the hands of German Nazis and has pursued and eliminated Nazis ever since. But Greta is also hunting an influential, elusive Russian she failed to kill during the war. Maxim Karpov, now holding a senior position in the Kremlin, was responsible for killing an entire village of Lithuanians whom he suspected of aiding the partisans.
In his current position, Karpov has plans for Europe. Vassily has plans to thwart him, while Greta plans to destroy him. Yulia’s parents will also be caught up in this plot, as will Michael’s father.
‘In the Soviet Union, if you get tired of reality, a new one will come along and replace it. Every new leader ushers in a glorious new past.’
The story shifts between the 1940s, the 1960s and 2004, between Lithuania, Germany, Russia, England, and Spain and involves multiple characters. While wanting to race ahead to see how the story finished, I had to slow down to understand and absorb its complexity.
A fantastic debut novel, and one of the best Cold War thrillers I have read in a long time.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
August 15, 2022
“There’s money in there. The same as last time. You’ll recognise my uncle’s handwriting. His memory failed him when it came to Lithuanians who joined the SS, but he was good on other nationalities. I want you to confirm all the names he wrote down and add as many others as you can…every name you add helps keep yours off the list.”
This was an interesting and at times challenging read as it moves forwards and backwards in time, centred around five people. There are the star-crossed lovers, chess protégé Yulia - daughter of a Soviet scientist and the first woman appointed to the Politburo and Michael - a Cambridge student and son of a Vice Admiral in charge of security in 1961, at the time of heightened tensions between east and west. The two meet at a chess tournament in London and Michael is besotted with the Russian girl, holed up in her hotel room with her minders between games. One minder is Vassily, a spy, the other a thug, Oleg, but Vassily is playing a game for high stakes, “allowing” Yulia to leave her room by the balcony and emergency ladder, to meet Michael at a London restaurant.
Most of the story follows the central figure of “Greta”, a Lithuanian assassin who as a teenager in 1941 escaped with two Jewish friends as the Germans swept through the country towards Leningrad, living rough and killing to survive with the skills taught by her own father. Her story is revealed in parts, as a teenager, as an old woman in 2004, and in the early sixties, hunting down Lithuanians who aided the Nazis. The fifth character is Karpov, son of a Cossack, who manipulated people through blackmail and fear to become Chief Administrator to the new secretary on the death of Stalin. An evil man with a perverse pleasure in killing young women, when Yulia’s father disappears he sets his sights on her. With Michael determined to save her, the two young people become pawns in a ruthless game of revenge, where the players know only their own role. As the story unfolds with a flashback to Vassily, a young man fighting in the Spanish Civil War, it becomes clear that he, Greta and Karpov have a shared history.
I admit I knew very little about Lithuania (or the other Baltic States), annexed in turn by Russia and then Germany and author Patrick Worrall gives a grim picture of desperate German troops retreating/fleeing west as the Russians advance. There are segments to the story that seemed out of place and others that only become significant towards the end. If I have some reservations it would be that I would have liked to learn the fate of the young lovers caught in the crossfire, and a bit more chess would have helped. Overall, a good read, but watch out for lesser characters playing a hidden role.
This was an interesting and at times challenging read as it moves forwards and backwards in time, centred around five people. There are the star-crossed lovers, chess protégé Yulia - daughter of a Soviet scientist and the first woman appointed to the Politburo and Michael - a Cambridge student and son of a Vice Admiral in charge of security in 1961, at the time of heightened tensions between east and west. The two meet at a chess tournament in London and Michael is besotted with the Russian girl, holed up in her hotel room with her minders between games. One minder is Vassily, a spy, the other a thug, Oleg, but Vassily is playing a game for high stakes, “allowing” Yulia to leave her room by the balcony and emergency ladder, to meet Michael at a London restaurant.
Most of the story follows the central figure of “Greta”, a Lithuanian assassin who as a teenager in 1941 escaped with two Jewish friends as the Germans swept through the country towards Leningrad, living rough and killing to survive with the skills taught by her own father. Her story is revealed in parts, as a teenager, as an old woman in 2004, and in the early sixties, hunting down Lithuanians who aided the Nazis. The fifth character is Karpov, son of a Cossack, who manipulated people through blackmail and fear to become Chief Administrator to the new secretary on the death of Stalin. An evil man with a perverse pleasure in killing young women, when Yulia’s father disappears he sets his sights on her. With Michael determined to save her, the two young people become pawns in a ruthless game of revenge, where the players know only their own role. As the story unfolds with a flashback to Vassily, a young man fighting in the Spanish Civil War, it becomes clear that he, Greta and Karpov have a shared history.
I admit I knew very little about Lithuania (or the other Baltic States), annexed in turn by Russia and then Germany and author Patrick Worrall gives a grim picture of desperate German troops retreating/fleeing west as the Russians advance. There are segments to the story that seemed out of place and others that only become significant towards the end. If I have some reservations it would be that I would have liked to learn the fate of the young lovers caught in the crossfire, and a bit more chess would have helped. Overall, a good read, but watch out for lesser characters playing a hidden role.
July 5, 2023
Steeped in period details from the onset of WWII in Lithuania to the Cold War in 1961 East Germany to 2004, this historical thriller is both compelling and, at times, a brutal look at war and its aftermath. The author also gives us geographical and period details set in London, Moscow, Spain, and Paris while skipping back and forth between time periods, unraveling our main CH, the fierce and damaged Greta, partisan, assassin, avenging angel. An assortment of other CHS are also well-drawn: teenager Russian Yulia, a chess savant, her parents, Michael, her British love interest, son of a spymaster, and some complex (Vassily) and venal bad actors. The violence is searing and raw or matter-of-fact and a reflection of the reality of the times. Some passages were extremely hard to read and get out of my skull. The plot twists and turns, for the most part, allows both assumptions and surprises to occur. I do feel that the ending was satisfactory; however, there are spaces where I would have liked a bit more narrative and one of the final decisions truly baffles me. And seemed unnecessary. The politics and spy craft rings true. The use of chess as imagery and plot points worked well. RED FLAGS: Graphic Violence, Torture, Sexual Assault. For readers who enjoyed Winspear’s The White Lady, Dan Fesperman, Joseph Kanon, and Paul Vidich.
March 7, 2023
Snooze during any point in this beautifully narrated audiobook and you will lose track of events in the complex WW2/Cold War saga.
It’s good but a rather demanding read that’s really two books in one; there are lots of characters, in lots of countries, jumping backwards and forwards over a period of about 60 years.
It’s very history heavy, with thinly veiled Soviet personalities, but also includes Nazis, nuclear arms, a Romeo and Juliet love story, and the Lithuanian partisan of the title. Plus some chess.
I’d have liked a narrower focus and a little more fiction, as a number of interesting characters got lost in the melee.
It’s good but a rather demanding read that’s really two books in one; there are lots of characters, in lots of countries, jumping backwards and forwards over a period of about 60 years.
It’s very history heavy, with thinly veiled Soviet personalities, but also includes Nazis, nuclear arms, a Romeo and Juliet love story, and the Lithuanian partisan of the title. Plus some chess.
I’d have liked a narrower focus and a little more fiction, as a number of interesting characters got lost in the melee.
February 13, 2024
I just felt like it could have been two or even three separate stories. There was too much going on and, the ending felt rushed.
June 10, 2022
I tried several times to read this book and each time the I became confused with the many characters and then confused again with the alternating time frames.
However, not to be beaten, I put aside one morning to concentrate on the book and found that once I had read more than 35% the storyline became clearer and the characters found their voices.
some clever espionage tricks mixed with chess terminology kept me reading but to be honest I wanted a faster pace and fewer words.
Worth a try if you enjoy cold war antics and chess.
However, not to be beaten, I put aside one morning to concentrate on the book and found that once I had read more than 35% the storyline became clearer and the characters found their voices.
some clever espionage tricks mixed with chess terminology kept me reading but to be honest I wanted a faster pace and fewer words.
Worth a try if you enjoy cold war antics and chess.
December 7, 2023
This is a pretty good spy thriller if you like that genre. I don't usually read this type of book but it ticked along at a nice pace initially.
I think it ran out of steam and ideas about three quarters of the way through.
There is quite a bit of historical detail around the Eastern European resistance during world war two so that may or may not be a bonus to some.
The female assassin is deadly in the book. I suspect not so deadly in a real life (more likely dead).
I think it ran out of steam and ideas about three quarters of the way through.
There is quite a bit of historical detail around the Eastern European resistance during world war two so that may or may not be a bonus to some.
The female assassin is deadly in the book. I suspect not so deadly in a real life (more likely dead).
January 23, 2023
In De Partizaan, de debuutspionagethriller van Patrick Worral, vliegen de stukken tijdens het eindspel bebloed en wel het bord af. Maar een echt definitief einde is het niet; dat kan ook niet want de grootmachten zijn in de zestiger jaren van de vorige eeuw aan elkaar gewaagd en een nucleaire apocalyps lijkt nabij. De Partizaan is als het verhaal van een ingewikkelde schaakpartij. Na de openingszetten volgt een ingewikkeld en uitgebreid middenspel waarbij persoonlijke belangen van de stukken een grote rol spelen waardoor het lastig is om overzicht te houden. De achtergronden zijn af en toe wel erg detaillistisch en uitgebreid. Ze lijken niet altijd even noodzakelijk en vertragen het verloop. Dat gaat ten koste van de spanning. Bovendien dreigt het verhaal af en toe te verzanden en richting te verliezen. Toch weet de schrijver alle verhaallijnen aan het eind knap aan elkaar te knopen en blijft het boek- ondanks enkele gebreken- van begin tot eind boeien.
In de proloog maken we kennis met een vrouw die in opdracht van de Israëlische geheime dienst Nazi oorlogsmisdadigers om het leven brengt. Het is dan 1960. In het hoofdstuk dat volgt, kijkt diezelfde vrouw vanuit het jaar 2004 - terug op haar leven. Ze moordt niet alleen omdat het haar vak is, maar ook omdat ze nog wat appeltjes heeft te schillen met de mannen die haar Joodse vriendinnen in 1944 om het leven brachten. Daarnaast worden, tijdens het hoogtepunt van de Koude Oorlog twee jongelui verliefd op elkaar. Zijn vader heeft een topfunctie bij de Britse Geheime dienst. Haar moeder gooit hoge ogen bij het Russische Politburo. De twee ontmoeten elkaar tijdens een Europees schaaktoernooi; het is liefde op het eerste gezicht. De twee hebben alles over voor hun liefde. Maar zullen zij slagen bij elkaar te komen in deze gevaarlijke tijden? Hun liefde en leven is inzet in een complex spionagespel dat zijn wortels heeft in de Tweede Wereldoorlog.
‘Het geheim van dit spel is dat je in andermans schoenen moet staan. Je overweegt altijd wat je tegenstander wil’
Het verhaal beslaat bijna een hele eeuw. Door middel van flashbacks vertelt Worral zowel het persoonlijke verhaal van Greta als de rol die ze speelt voor de Mossad. Ook voegt hij in de Koude Oorlog tussen Oost en West steeds nieuwe personages toe. Opmerkelijk hierbij is dat de CIA er niet aan te pas komt. Het lijkt alsof vooral de Engelse geheime dienst de tegenstander is van de Russen. Daartussendoor speelt het romantische verhaal van de verliefdheid tussen Joelia en Michael. Heel erg overtuigend is die liefde echter niet doordat het teveel verteld wordt en daardoor weinig voelbaar wordt. Dat is ook lastig in een boek met een zo complex plot dat zo overvloedig gevuld is met details. Het is dan ook de vraag of alle kleinigheden wel zo noodzakelijk zijn. Zo is er het nare personage Karpov ( de naam is dezelfde als die van een beroemde Russische schaker) waarvoor de schrijver teruggaat naar diens jeugd in 1920. Op zich is het wel interessant om te weten waarom Karpov zo’n naarling is maar dat had ook anders gekund. Al die aparte hoofdstukjes maken van dit boek dan ook een lappendeken die lukraak in elkaar gestikt lijkt. Het bovengenoemde citaat met de opdracht om erachter te komen wat de tegenstander wil, wordt niet echt ingevuld. Ook dat blijft in nevelen gehuld. Zo zijn er- op pagina 350 aangekomen- vagelijk aanwijzingen dat sprake is van een dreiging van de wereldorde. Waar het over gaat is echter verre van duidelijk. Het lijkt daardoor net alsof de spionage een achtergrond vormt voor de liefde tussen Joelia en Michael. Maar aangezien dit een spionagethriller is, weet je dat dit niet klopt. Ook is daar de karige uitwerking van deze liefdesrelatie die bovendien nogal bakvisserig aandoet met een verongelijkte Joelia die zich kinderachtig opstelt en blijkbaar geen idee heeft van het hoge spel dat gespeeld wordt.
Ook het gevoel van het beloofde spannende spionagespel blijft enigszins achterwege. Dat is mede te wijten aan het vele gespring tussen personages en tijden. Dit -en het verhaal uit de voorgaande alinea- geeft het verhaal een chaotisch tintje. Het roept de vraag op waar het plot heen gaat. Is er wel een richting? En waarom vertelt Greta haar verhaal in 2004 maar is de epiloog gesitueerd in 1966? Verwarring alom.
En toch…. blijft het verhaal boeien. Dat komt gedeeltelijk door de personages maar ook omdat je wilt weten wat er aan de hand is en of de hoofdpersonages het zullen overleven. De personages zijn voldoende tot leven gekomen en vooral Vasili blijkt diepere gronden en motieven te hebben. Zijn achtergrond en kwaliteiten zijn dusdanig dat ze de nieuwsgierigheid van de lezer vasthouden.
‘Het gerucht ging dat de naam de indruk moest wekken dat er een netwerk van geheim agenten bestond, allemaal genoemd naar schaakstukken’
De verwijzingen naar schaken en schaakpartijen komen regelmatig terug in De partizaan. Toch lijkt het schaaktoernooi waar Joelia en Michael elkaar ontmoeten naar verhouding van weinig belang. Het lijkt de bedoeling te zijn dat het verhaal gelijkenis heeft met het spelen van het middenspel en eindspel van een schaakpartij. Joelia’s vader leerde haar om in het middenspel zo snel mogelijk alle stukken uit te ruilen en te offeren. In het boek lijkt dit juist onderdeel van het eindspel uit te maken. Pas op het laatst vallen de meeste slachtoffers.
Een andere verwijzing naar het schaken is de naam van een van de slechteriken. Karpov was ooit een beroemde schaker, maar er gingen ook geruchten over zijn betrekkingen met de Russische geheime dienst. Of dat waar is, is onbekend.
Ook trekt de schrijver een lijntje tussen de internationale verhoudingen in de 20ste eeuw en de schaaktoernooien die toen plaatsvonden. Immers, het strijdtoneel van de Koude Oorlog speelde zich niet alleen af op nucleair en spionagegebied maar ook in de wereld van de schaaktoernooien. De schaakpartijen tussen Amerikaan Bobby Fisher en de Rus Boris Spasski zijn legendarisch.
Het eindspel is rommelig en gewelddadig maar wordt uiteindelijk achteraf verklaard. Dat geldt ook voor de politieke situatie en de uitleg over Operatie Rijndochter. Het is alleen jammer dat de lezer daar niet zelf achter kan komen. Want het aan elkaar knopen van de eindjes wordt uitgelegd aan de hand van een gesprek tussen twee personages. De Partizaan is boeiend om te lezen en voor wie een impressie wil over de Koude Oorlog en meer wil weten over de geschiedenis van Litouwen, is dit een kolfje naar zijn hand. Heel erg spannend is het echter niet.
In de proloog maken we kennis met een vrouw die in opdracht van de Israëlische geheime dienst Nazi oorlogsmisdadigers om het leven brengt. Het is dan 1960. In het hoofdstuk dat volgt, kijkt diezelfde vrouw vanuit het jaar 2004 - terug op haar leven. Ze moordt niet alleen omdat het haar vak is, maar ook omdat ze nog wat appeltjes heeft te schillen met de mannen die haar Joodse vriendinnen in 1944 om het leven brachten. Daarnaast worden, tijdens het hoogtepunt van de Koude Oorlog twee jongelui verliefd op elkaar. Zijn vader heeft een topfunctie bij de Britse Geheime dienst. Haar moeder gooit hoge ogen bij het Russische Politburo. De twee ontmoeten elkaar tijdens een Europees schaaktoernooi; het is liefde op het eerste gezicht. De twee hebben alles over voor hun liefde. Maar zullen zij slagen bij elkaar te komen in deze gevaarlijke tijden? Hun liefde en leven is inzet in een complex spionagespel dat zijn wortels heeft in de Tweede Wereldoorlog.
‘Het geheim van dit spel is dat je in andermans schoenen moet staan. Je overweegt altijd wat je tegenstander wil’
Het verhaal beslaat bijna een hele eeuw. Door middel van flashbacks vertelt Worral zowel het persoonlijke verhaal van Greta als de rol die ze speelt voor de Mossad. Ook voegt hij in de Koude Oorlog tussen Oost en West steeds nieuwe personages toe. Opmerkelijk hierbij is dat de CIA er niet aan te pas komt. Het lijkt alsof vooral de Engelse geheime dienst de tegenstander is van de Russen. Daartussendoor speelt het romantische verhaal van de verliefdheid tussen Joelia en Michael. Heel erg overtuigend is die liefde echter niet doordat het teveel verteld wordt en daardoor weinig voelbaar wordt. Dat is ook lastig in een boek met een zo complex plot dat zo overvloedig gevuld is met details. Het is dan ook de vraag of alle kleinigheden wel zo noodzakelijk zijn. Zo is er het nare personage Karpov ( de naam is dezelfde als die van een beroemde Russische schaker) waarvoor de schrijver teruggaat naar diens jeugd in 1920. Op zich is het wel interessant om te weten waarom Karpov zo’n naarling is maar dat had ook anders gekund. Al die aparte hoofdstukjes maken van dit boek dan ook een lappendeken die lukraak in elkaar gestikt lijkt. Het bovengenoemde citaat met de opdracht om erachter te komen wat de tegenstander wil, wordt niet echt ingevuld. Ook dat blijft in nevelen gehuld. Zo zijn er- op pagina 350 aangekomen- vagelijk aanwijzingen dat sprake is van een dreiging van de wereldorde. Waar het over gaat is echter verre van duidelijk. Het lijkt daardoor net alsof de spionage een achtergrond vormt voor de liefde tussen Joelia en Michael. Maar aangezien dit een spionagethriller is, weet je dat dit niet klopt. Ook is daar de karige uitwerking van deze liefdesrelatie die bovendien nogal bakvisserig aandoet met een verongelijkte Joelia die zich kinderachtig opstelt en blijkbaar geen idee heeft van het hoge spel dat gespeeld wordt.
Ook het gevoel van het beloofde spannende spionagespel blijft enigszins achterwege. Dat is mede te wijten aan het vele gespring tussen personages en tijden. Dit -en het verhaal uit de voorgaande alinea- geeft het verhaal een chaotisch tintje. Het roept de vraag op waar het plot heen gaat. Is er wel een richting? En waarom vertelt Greta haar verhaal in 2004 maar is de epiloog gesitueerd in 1966? Verwarring alom.
En toch…. blijft het verhaal boeien. Dat komt gedeeltelijk door de personages maar ook omdat je wilt weten wat er aan de hand is en of de hoofdpersonages het zullen overleven. De personages zijn voldoende tot leven gekomen en vooral Vasili blijkt diepere gronden en motieven te hebben. Zijn achtergrond en kwaliteiten zijn dusdanig dat ze de nieuwsgierigheid van de lezer vasthouden.
‘Het gerucht ging dat de naam de indruk moest wekken dat er een netwerk van geheim agenten bestond, allemaal genoemd naar schaakstukken’
De verwijzingen naar schaken en schaakpartijen komen regelmatig terug in De partizaan. Toch lijkt het schaaktoernooi waar Joelia en Michael elkaar ontmoeten naar verhouding van weinig belang. Het lijkt de bedoeling te zijn dat het verhaal gelijkenis heeft met het spelen van het middenspel en eindspel van een schaakpartij. Joelia’s vader leerde haar om in het middenspel zo snel mogelijk alle stukken uit te ruilen en te offeren. In het boek lijkt dit juist onderdeel van het eindspel uit te maken. Pas op het laatst vallen de meeste slachtoffers.
Een andere verwijzing naar het schaken is de naam van een van de slechteriken. Karpov was ooit een beroemde schaker, maar er gingen ook geruchten over zijn betrekkingen met de Russische geheime dienst. Of dat waar is, is onbekend.
Ook trekt de schrijver een lijntje tussen de internationale verhoudingen in de 20ste eeuw en de schaaktoernooien die toen plaatsvonden. Immers, het strijdtoneel van de Koude Oorlog speelde zich niet alleen af op nucleair en spionagegebied maar ook in de wereld van de schaaktoernooien. De schaakpartijen tussen Amerikaan Bobby Fisher en de Rus Boris Spasski zijn legendarisch.
Het eindspel is rommelig en gewelddadig maar wordt uiteindelijk achteraf verklaard. Dat geldt ook voor de politieke situatie en de uitleg over Operatie Rijndochter. Het is alleen jammer dat de lezer daar niet zelf achter kan komen. Want het aan elkaar knopen van de eindjes wordt uitgelegd aan de hand van een gesprek tussen twee personages. De Partizaan is boeiend om te lezen en voor wie een impressie wil over de Koude Oorlog en meer wil weten over de geschiedenis van Litouwen, is dit een kolfje naar zijn hand. Heel erg spannend is het echter niet.
June 6, 2025
Very good book that.
July 27, 2022
This is an incredibly thrilling and well crafted novel; Patrick Worrall deserves praise for releasing such an intricate and impactful piece of work as his debut.
The majority of the plot takes place in the early 1960s, a turning point in the Cold War, and creates an authentic portrayal of the political and spy based machinations of the era. The development of multiple characters through layers of backstory is welcome and gives great insight into just how chaotic and tragic the early 20th century was for many, particularly those in the East of Europe. Notable character highlights are Greta and Vasily however all are interesting and none get in the way of plot development. The constant returns to WWII are impactful, successfully highlighting its importance to the politics of the 60s and the development of the characters. The main villain is written well and is a clear reference to the real life Lavrentiy Beria, a cruel and criminal man.
At some points this story can be difficult to read, it references torture and the cruel nature of war. This however, is important to the plot and is extremely compelling.
If I were to have any slight criticisms against this book they would be that sometimes the chapters jump around time periods and locations slightly too frequently (and that some may find it hard to keep up) however it does not detract from the main story. Additionally, I wish that Michael and Yulia were given slightly more time to develop as characters however this is not a major criticism as they still worked well in the way that they were written.
I have hesitated to speak specifically of plot points because the novel conveys these much better than I ever could. I will simply conclude by saying that this is an extremely well written novel and is a must read. I recommend this book to those well acquainted with the spy/thriller/historical fiction genres and also for those who are looking to read a genuinely good book that might be out of their usual reading lists!
Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a proof copy.
The majority of the plot takes place in the early 1960s, a turning point in the Cold War, and creates an authentic portrayal of the political and spy based machinations of the era. The development of multiple characters through layers of backstory is welcome and gives great insight into just how chaotic and tragic the early 20th century was for many, particularly those in the East of Europe. Notable character highlights are Greta and Vasily however all are interesting and none get in the way of plot development. The constant returns to WWII are impactful, successfully highlighting its importance to the politics of the 60s and the development of the characters. The main villain is written well and is a clear reference to the real life Lavrentiy Beria, a cruel and criminal man.
At some points this story can be difficult to read, it references torture and the cruel nature of war. This however, is important to the plot and is extremely compelling.
If I were to have any slight criticisms against this book they would be that sometimes the chapters jump around time periods and locations slightly too frequently (and that some may find it hard to keep up) however it does not detract from the main story. Additionally, I wish that Michael and Yulia were given slightly more time to develop as characters however this is not a major criticism as they still worked well in the way that they were written.
I have hesitated to speak specifically of plot points because the novel conveys these much better than I ever could. I will simply conclude by saying that this is an extremely well written novel and is a must read. I recommend this book to those well acquainted with the spy/thriller/historical fiction genres and also for those who are looking to read a genuinely good book that might be out of their usual reading lists!
Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a proof copy.
April 11, 2023
Ik laat me niet meer zoveel sturen door een cover en een titel of wat er omheen geschreven staat. Maar bij deze heb ik me er wel door laten leiden. Ook al weet ik dat niet steeds de juiste keuze is.
Ik was heel nieuwsgierig naar die prachtige cover van De Partizaan. De schaakstukken, verwerkt in de titel en de opmerkelijke zin : In elk spionnenspel telt elke zet …
De flaptekst ( die ik normaal nooit lees) deed me uitkijken naar een spannend verhaal. Het liefdesverhaal van Yulia en Michael, twee tieners elk aan een andere zijde van het IJzeren Gordijn, die elkaar leren kennen via een schaaktornooi in Londen. Vasili, de grootste spion van de Sovjet-Unie blijkt één van hun trouwe bondgenoten, maar dat blijkt Greta een verzetstrijdster, die jaagt op heel wat gevaarlijke mannen, ook te zijn. Je wordt met deze historische spionagethriller meegesleept van Cambridge tot Moskou. Van het oostfront in de Tweede Wereldoorlog tot de Koude Oorlog. Wordt dit het dodelijkste potje schaken ooit?
Ik had het niet zo gemakkelijk om in het verhaal te komen. Reden hiervoor was dat ik van in het begin overstelpt werd door verschillende namen en hun achtergrond, plaatsen, settings waardoor ik precies mijn plaats in het boek niet kon vinden.
Maar door de spanning in het verhaal bleef het me wel steeds prikkelen om terug verder te willen lezen. Tijd zal ook wel tegen gewerkt hebben, zodat ik het verhaal niet snel genoeg kon verwerken. Daarom maakte ik de keuze om hem verder te beluisteren, in plaats van het boek verder te lezen. Hierdoor kon ik andere huishoudelijke taken wat aangenamer maken en kon ik gelijktijdig wat binnenkwam ook beter opnemen.
Want eenmaal iedereen zijn plaatsje kreeg in het boek, bleek het voor mij ook gemakkelijker om alles te begrijpen en te genieten van het boek.
Verwacht geen liefdesverhaal, maar ook geen thriller (vind ik). Maar wie houdt van historische spionage waar een liefdesverhaal maar ook moorden in verwerkt zit, zal zeker met de Partizaan vinden wat hij zocht.
Ik was heel nieuwsgierig naar die prachtige cover van De Partizaan. De schaakstukken, verwerkt in de titel en de opmerkelijke zin : In elk spionnenspel telt elke zet …
De flaptekst ( die ik normaal nooit lees) deed me uitkijken naar een spannend verhaal. Het liefdesverhaal van Yulia en Michael, twee tieners elk aan een andere zijde van het IJzeren Gordijn, die elkaar leren kennen via een schaaktornooi in Londen. Vasili, de grootste spion van de Sovjet-Unie blijkt één van hun trouwe bondgenoten, maar dat blijkt Greta een verzetstrijdster, die jaagt op heel wat gevaarlijke mannen, ook te zijn. Je wordt met deze historische spionagethriller meegesleept van Cambridge tot Moskou. Van het oostfront in de Tweede Wereldoorlog tot de Koude Oorlog. Wordt dit het dodelijkste potje schaken ooit?
Ik had het niet zo gemakkelijk om in het verhaal te komen. Reden hiervoor was dat ik van in het begin overstelpt werd door verschillende namen en hun achtergrond, plaatsen, settings waardoor ik precies mijn plaats in het boek niet kon vinden.
Maar door de spanning in het verhaal bleef het me wel steeds prikkelen om terug verder te willen lezen. Tijd zal ook wel tegen gewerkt hebben, zodat ik het verhaal niet snel genoeg kon verwerken. Daarom maakte ik de keuze om hem verder te beluisteren, in plaats van het boek verder te lezen. Hierdoor kon ik andere huishoudelijke taken wat aangenamer maken en kon ik gelijktijdig wat binnenkwam ook beter opnemen.
Want eenmaal iedereen zijn plaatsje kreeg in het boek, bleek het voor mij ook gemakkelijker om alles te begrijpen en te genieten van het boek.
Verwacht geen liefdesverhaal, maar ook geen thriller (vind ik). Maar wie houdt van historische spionage waar een liefdesverhaal maar ook moorden in verwerkt zit, zal zeker met de Partizaan vinden wat hij zocht.
October 11, 2022
What. Was. That!? 🤯
This book was a completely unexpected find at the bookstore window shelf in Durham. The last copy in that store.
First thing that caught my attention was the name. Partisans were the freedom fighters of Lithuania, during German and Soviet occupation.
The second thing was an English authors' name.
I am Lithuanian. I grew up with the stories about partisans. I watched the documentaries and fictional movies about that part of the history. As a rule, they're written and produced locally and they always have a tragic ending. The real history was brutally tragic.
Naturally, my first thought was that Patrick Worrall was a pseudonym of a Lithuanian author trying to get into English cold war fiction market, and it's going to be one of the those tragic books.
Well I am glad to report that Patrick Worrall is not a pseudonym and this book does not have a tragic ending. It is an epic spy thriller with a Lithuanian freedom fighter in one of the main roles. The characters, especially Lithuanians, are very believable, with some idiosyncrasies represented beautifully. Even some of the uncomfortable historical truths interwoven accurately into the story line.
I don't know how the author was able to pull it off, but I'm glad he wrote this book and kindled the imagination with a fictional Lithuanian post-war freedom fight on an international arena. Of course I'm buzzing about Lithuania, but there's everything else you'd expect from a cold war story: Moscow, London, Austria, Spain; KGB, MGB, MI6, Mossad, etc.
I've read a few John Le Carré books, and am a big fan. I would put this on par with some of them.
This book was a completely unexpected find at the bookstore window shelf in Durham. The last copy in that store.
First thing that caught my attention was the name. Partisans were the freedom fighters of Lithuania, during German and Soviet occupation.
The second thing was an English authors' name.
I am Lithuanian. I grew up with the stories about partisans. I watched the documentaries and fictional movies about that part of the history. As a rule, they're written and produced locally and they always have a tragic ending. The real history was brutally tragic.
Naturally, my first thought was that Patrick Worrall was a pseudonym of a Lithuanian author trying to get into English cold war fiction market, and it's going to be one of the those tragic books.
Well I am glad to report that Patrick Worrall is not a pseudonym and this book does not have a tragic ending. It is an epic spy thriller with a Lithuanian freedom fighter in one of the main roles. The characters, especially Lithuanians, are very believable, with some idiosyncrasies represented beautifully. Even some of the uncomfortable historical truths interwoven accurately into the story line.
I don't know how the author was able to pull it off, but I'm glad he wrote this book and kindled the imagination with a fictional Lithuanian post-war freedom fight on an international arena. Of course I'm buzzing about Lithuania, but there's everything else you'd expect from a cold war story: Moscow, London, Austria, Spain; KGB, MGB, MI6, Mossad, etc.
I've read a few John Le Carré books, and am a big fan. I would put this on par with some of them.
January 3, 2024
This is a slow burn, which means one might need a lot of patience. And I do mean, a lot! Worrall weaves a great story with an incredible timeline of events. At the heart of the story is Greta, the partisan. I admire her courage but fear her guts. She is ruthless!
The story jumps around a bit. The first half is lengthy, each character is introduced and it takes time to understand them. Then it picks up pace, tension rises and the point of view gets succinct. It is brilliantly written. Worrall excels in character development, it is super thoughtful and inviting. The writing is purpose-driven, there is no-nonsense, and every word contributes to something bigger. It is massively impressive! The flaw, however, is that the character lists are so long that it is really hard to remember who is on which side (or initially was!) and who is double-crossing whom. This kinda took me out of the story. Moreover, towards the end, it does get a little repetitive in the idea. I wish there was a little more suspense, perhaps some element of surprise. I recommend it if you are looking to brush up on some history, particularly one set during the Cold War time!
The story jumps around a bit. The first half is lengthy, each character is introduced and it takes time to understand them. Then it picks up pace, tension rises and the point of view gets succinct. It is brilliantly written. Worrall excels in character development, it is super thoughtful and inviting. The writing is purpose-driven, there is no-nonsense, and every word contributes to something bigger. It is massively impressive! The flaw, however, is that the character lists are so long that it is really hard to remember who is on which side (or initially was!) and who is double-crossing whom. This kinda took me out of the story. Moreover, towards the end, it does get a little repetitive in the idea. I wish there was a little more suspense, perhaps some element of surprise. I recommend it if you are looking to brush up on some history, particularly one set during the Cold War time!
November 13, 2023
Fantastisch boek! Wauw, heeft deze man meer werk op zijn naam?
Die wo2 / koude oorlog / spionage / complotten wereld heeft zoveel spanning in zich. Ik heb het boek als een film beleefd.
Dikke Aanrader!
Die wo2 / koude oorlog / spionage / complotten wereld heeft zoveel spanning in zich. Ik heb het boek als een film beleefd.
Dikke Aanrader!
August 12, 2023
Not a big fan- I sped through the last half because I just couldn’t get through it. there was just too much going on and was too confusing to truly understand. It jumped back and forth timeline wise and it was never super clear. I’m sure the plot would have been really good, but for me, it was a no. I wanted to get into it and really enjoy it, but it just never hooked me the way I hoped it would
April 2, 2024
Re-read in de zomer!!
July 17, 2023
Een boek om snel te vergeten.. Toevallig zag ik het bij de bibliotheek staan en werd nieuwsgierig door de cover. Echter, het verhaal heeft me totaal niet kunnen boeien. Gedurende het hele verhaal heb ik gedacht: 'waar gaat dit verhaal naar toe?' om uiteindelijk tot de conclusie te komen dat het nergens naar toe gaat. De karakters zijn totaal niet aansprekend, wat de connectie is tussen fe verschillende verhaallijnen is zeer de vraag en de link met schaken is nauwelijks aanwezig. Het enige positieve is dat het boek vrij gemakkelijk wegleest, maar toch zie ik het alsnog als verspeelde tijd.
May 8, 2023
This is an excellent debut spy thriller from Patrick Worrall. I had to stay up until 2:00 am to finish it once I got going. The Partisan is Greta, who came of age during WWII fighting the German occupation of her home in Lithuania. When the war ended she continued fighting, but it was now the Soviet occupation. The timeline bounces around between the war years, the early 60's and even the Spanish civil war but it works well and keeps you very interested.
August 9, 2022
Honestly one of my favourite books I’ve read this year. I never wanted to put it down i was engrossed by both the amazing stories and interesting characters. Such a fascinating story and an amazing debut!!
August 22, 2023
Begon goed en Worrall heeft duidelijk zijn geschiedenishuiswerk gedaan, maar helaas heeft hij geprobeerd hij elk stukje Sovjetgeschiedenis in dit boek te proppen, waardoor het nodeloos gecompliceerd werd.
May 23, 2023
This was a very interesting storyline. Spies and assassins. Unlikely heroes and nasty villains.
March 6, 2024
Layers of stories intertwined with many interesting and great characters with action, suspense and some chess.
Sometimes hard to follow but, overall a very good story.
Sometimes hard to follow but, overall a very good story.
August 20, 2023
Geweldige historische spionage triller. Switcht tussen partizanenstrijd tijdens WOII in Litouwen, begin ‘60 tijdens Koude Oorlog en huidige tijd. Spionnen, intriges, spanning, beetje romance. Én schaak. John le Carre meets Ludlum meets The Queens Gambit. Toppertje.
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