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TheFolding Knife by Parker, K. J. ( Author ) ON Jun-03-2010, Paperback
Basso the Magnificent. Basso the Great. Basso the Wise. The First Citizen of the Vesani Republic is an extraordinary man.
He is ruthless, cunning, and above all, lucky. He brings wealth, power and prestige to his people. But with power comes unwanted attention, and Basso must defend his nation and himself from threats foreign and domestic. In a lifetime of crucial decisions, he's only ever made one mistake.
One mistake, though, can be enough.
He is ruthless, cunning, and above all, lucky. He brings wealth, power and prestige to his people. But with power comes unwanted attention, and Basso must defend his nation and himself from threats foreign and domestic. In a lifetime of crucial decisions, he's only ever made one mistake.
One mistake, though, can be enough.
516 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 2010
173 people are currently reading
7458 people want to read
About the author
K.J. Parker
134 books1,679 followersK.J. Parker is a pseudonym for Tom Holt.
According to the biographical notes in some of Parker's books, Parker has previously worked in law, journalism, and numismatics, and now writes and makes things out of wood and metal. It is also claimed that Parker is married to a solicitor and now lives in southern England. According to an autobiographical note, Parker was raised in rural Vermont, a lifestyle which influenced Parker's work.
According to the biographical notes in some of Parker's books, Parker has previously worked in law, journalism, and numismatics, and now writes and makes things out of wood and metal. It is also claimed that Parker is married to a solicitor and now lives in southern England. According to an autobiographical note, Parker was raised in rural Vermont, a lifestyle which influenced Parker's work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
November 7, 2021
A complete and utter masterpiece in crafting an intelligent hero who is believably brilliant. The inner workings of a country's economy and political navigation from the POV of a man who in any other story would be the villain.
My full review: https://youtu.be/U_DG7hVABgA
My full review: https://youtu.be/U_DG7hVABgA
October 11, 2022
4.5/5 fans of banking and Joe Abercrombie this book is for you! I really enjoyed this book much more than I ever thought. Basso is such an intriguing character. There are a couple small anachronistic things in the story that broke my immersion ie singular mentions of hockey and 4 dimensional chess. But other than that a really delightful and fun read.
WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING I SAW LIGHLY. HE MADE BANKING INTERESTING. There is just something cool about watching a puppet master get everything in place and then come in for the proverbial kill. Great stuff here.
WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING I SAW LIGHLY. HE MADE BANKING INTERESTING. There is just something cool about watching a puppet master get everything in place and then come in for the proverbial kill. Great stuff here.
January 31, 2010
I spent three days on this book and read it almost three times to fully appreciate and enjoy it; my top expected fantasy release of the first half of 2010 and possibly of the whole year, The Folding Knife delivered all that I expected and more; this one is a very tough book to review since so much happens that I would not want to spoil and the motives and actions of its main character Basso are hard to understand without learning some crucial things but at a first try there are some points to emphasize:
- the book is written almost flawlessly with the same understated, cynical voice of KJ Parker's oeuvre, though this one is arguably the most idealistic of all and Basso the author's most idealistic character who wants to do good in a "real world" way through a combination of wealth, populism and intrigue with "war is an admission of failure" as his motto
- the world building is pitch perfect; I could describe it as a modern world without religion and technology in the way we understand them, or in another way an what if no messianic religion with a message of the possibility of human betterment - which however long it took essentially led to our technological world - appeared, but the flows and ebbs of the ancient Greek/Roman/Byzantine world would have continued for another two thousand years or so; another way of thinking about it would be as a "western" Chinese/Egyptian civilization, relatively stable over thousands of years but based on the Greek/Roman templates; very similar to the world of Fencer but without any overt magic like there - lots of names carry over modified a little, while both the world of The Engineer trilogy and Purple and Black could fit in The Folding Knife universe; very different from Scavenger and The Company which are more traditional pseudo-late medieval/early modern worlds; lots of naming jokes and allusions to the classical world
- the twists and turns are superb and while we have an idea of the book ending both from the blurb and from the prologue, we really do not know the hows and whys until almost the last page
- the book is also a page turner that you do not want to put down, though I forced myself to read 100 pages, reread them, read another 100 pages, reread them, another 100 pages, another reread and then the last 150 pages, a reread of them and then a reread of the most salient parts of the novel, so in this way I could both enjoy and savor the book as well as keep the tension which ratchets through to the finale
An A++, for now this one and The Left Hand of God are the two top fantasies of 2010 and both will be very hard to dislodge from this position
- the book is written almost flawlessly with the same understated, cynical voice of KJ Parker's oeuvre, though this one is arguably the most idealistic of all and Basso the author's most idealistic character who wants to do good in a "real world" way through a combination of wealth, populism and intrigue with "war is an admission of failure" as his motto
- the world building is pitch perfect; I could describe it as a modern world without religion and technology in the way we understand them, or in another way an what if no messianic religion with a message of the possibility of human betterment - which however long it took essentially led to our technological world - appeared, but the flows and ebbs of the ancient Greek/Roman/Byzantine world would have continued for another two thousand years or so; another way of thinking about it would be as a "western" Chinese/Egyptian civilization, relatively stable over thousands of years but based on the Greek/Roman templates; very similar to the world of Fencer but without any overt magic like there - lots of names carry over modified a little, while both the world of The Engineer trilogy and Purple and Black could fit in The Folding Knife universe; very different from Scavenger and The Company which are more traditional pseudo-late medieval/early modern worlds; lots of naming jokes and allusions to the classical world
- the twists and turns are superb and while we have an idea of the book ending both from the blurb and from the prologue, we really do not know the hows and whys until almost the last page
- the book is also a page turner that you do not want to put down, though I forced myself to read 100 pages, reread them, read another 100 pages, reread them, another 100 pages, another reread and then the last 150 pages, a reread of them and then a reread of the most salient parts of the novel, so in this way I could both enjoy and savor the book as well as keep the tension which ratchets through to the finale
An A++, for now this one and The Left Hand of God are the two top fantasies of 2010 and both will be very hard to dislodge from this position
May 30, 2015
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, but reading the synopsis intrigued me and I decided to finally pick it up due to several glowing reviews.
War is an admission of failure.
Bassianus Severus Arcadius or Basso is the First Citizen of the Vasani republic, and has always been known as a lucky man whether it be in business or politics. However, he has made one mistake in his lifetime, and that mistake will come back to haunt him.
The book was a political fantasy primarily, building enough interest with the prologue to get me through some of the drier parts. Political fantasies are not usually for me, so this was a bit of a shock that I didn't find this one that difficult to get through.
There are no typical fantasy elements in this book, but the solid writing and likeable characters held my interest. Basso is a man that while I wouldn't say is exactly a good man, as the reasons for his actions are primarily for his own self interest, he also isn't evil, as he does often go the route that inflicts the least damage to those around him. He even did in several instance better the lives of those around him simply because he could. I really enjoyed him.
His sister on the other hand is a character a strongly disliked although I wish we could have possibly seen a little bit more of a background on her motivations because for the life of me I could not relate to a woman that would harm her nephews or make her son unhappy to sabotage her brother.
This book is something different than any others I have read and I enjoyed it, but be warned that it may be dry for some if you aren't all that interested in the inner workings of business, politics, economics and making war
War is an admission of failure.
Bassianus Severus Arcadius or Basso is the First Citizen of the Vasani republic, and has always been known as a lucky man whether it be in business or politics. However, he has made one mistake in his lifetime, and that mistake will come back to haunt him.
The book was a political fantasy primarily, building enough interest with the prologue to get me through some of the drier parts. Political fantasies are not usually for me, so this was a bit of a shock that I didn't find this one that difficult to get through.
There are no typical fantasy elements in this book, but the solid writing and likeable characters held my interest. Basso is a man that while I wouldn't say is exactly a good man, as the reasons for his actions are primarily for his own self interest, he also isn't evil, as he does often go the route that inflicts the least damage to those around him. He even did in several instance better the lives of those around him simply because he could. I really enjoyed him.
His sister on the other hand is a character a strongly disliked although I wish we could have possibly seen a little bit more of a background on her motivations because for the life of me I could not relate to a woman that would harm her nephews or make her son unhappy to sabotage her brother.
This book is something different than any others I have read and I enjoyed it, but be warned that it may be dry for some if you aren't all that interested in the inner workings of business, politics, economics and making war
July 18, 2022
Full review on my channel: https://youtu.be/I2q26G2X_1Y
Edit: changed my mind. I’m still thinking about this book 3 weeks later. 5 stars.
Some of the best character work I’ve read.
Edit: changed my mind. I’m still thinking about this book 3 weeks later. 5 stars.
Some of the best character work I’ve read.
November 4, 2015
Sākšu uzreiz ar slavas dziesmām, tieši šādai ir jābūt grāmatai, kas stāsta par alternatīvo vēsturi. Interesantai, ar pasauli, kas it kā ir līdzīga mūsējai un tai pat laikā vietām radikāli atšķiras, tāda, kurai nevar noteikt mirkli, kad pasaules vēsture ir aizgājusi savu ceļu. Liels uzsvars tiek likts tieši uz ekonomiskajām niansēm, ir arī politiskās intrigas, bet katram ir skaidrs, ka tās tieši izriet no ekonomikas. Man gan pagāja zināms laiks līdz es aptvēru, ka Vesani Republika nav tieša kopija kaut kādai Dženovai vai Venēcijai. Jo dažas lietas te ir pārāk modernas Ziemeļitālijas tirgotāju brīvpilsētai. Un tas jau nebūtu es, kas nesāktu pukstēt par autora nolaidību, pielietojot laikmetam neatbilstošas teorijas un izgudrojumus. Tas gan bija līdz brīdim, kad izlasīju, ka vietējā ticība balstās uz Neredzamo Sauli, nevis Dievu to kungu. Tad biju ar mieru piedot visu gan IS-LM makroekonomiskā modeļa pielietošanu, gan slimību izcelšanās teorijas pāragru ieviešanu.
Grāmatas centrālais tēls ir Basso Lieliskais. Un viņš patiesi ir lielisks, nevar teikt, ka viņš būtu pilnīgi amorāls, bet laba biznesa dēļ viņš ir gatavs uz visu. No agras bērnības viņam viss vienmēr ir izdevies. Pilnībā apguvis banku zinības, politikas nianses, ieguvis spēju skatīties uz lietām globāli, viņš savā dzīvē ir izvirzījis vienu mērķi - padarīt Vesani Republiku par varenu spēku pasaulē. Uz to viņu mudina gan Austrumu Impērijas varenības pieaugšana, gan vēlme nodrošināt labu dzīvi savam māsasdēlam Bassano. Puika ir viens no viņa retajiem draugiem, un tā kā pagātnē viņam ir gadījies nodarīt pāri savas māsas ģimenei, viņš vēlas kompensēt to ar labiem darbiem.
Basso ir laba ilustrācija cilvēkam, kurš savu dzīvi ziedo lielākajam labumam. Viņa ekonomiskās programmas ir netiešas un nesola visiem pārticību uzreiz, taču nodrošina, ka neviens necieš badu. Tai pat laikā viņu neviens nelinčo, kā tas ir gadījies iepriekšējiem reformatoriem. Un, protams, ja jau esi Pirmais Pilsonis, tad tas paver lielas iespējas arī personīgā labuma vairošanai. Un kas var būt labāk, kā palikt bagātākam un ļaut savai pilsētai palikt bagātākai. Mūsdienās ne visās valstīs šādā situācijā saskatītu interešu konfliktu, Latvijā jau nu noteikti ne. Tad nu arī Basso ir tāds labais pilsētas rātskungs, kurš nezog visu uzreiz, bet dalās ar pilsētas ļaudīm. Un ja pilsētai pietrūks nauda, nav problēmu, Basso aizdos. Un ne jau sev viņš rauš, nauda ir tikai instruments, kā panākt Vesani Republikas varenību. Šajā ziņā Basso ir ideālists, viņš grib atstāt pasauli labāku. Jā, viņš pieļauj, ka viņa metodes nav tās godīgākās, bet ieliekot stiprus pamatus viņa pēcnācēji spēs būt gan bagāti, gan godīgi, plaukstošas Republikas pārvaldnieki.
Šajā lietā Baso var paļauties tikai pats uz sevi un pāris draugiem. Māsasdēlu Bassano, gudrs puika, bet nav radīts smagai dzīvie, tas ir viņa izvēlētais mantinieks. Bijušajam vergam un finanšu ģēnijam Antigonus. Tas ir iemācījis Basso visu par finansēm un labi jūt starptautiskās tirdzniecības drēbi. Un vēl ir ģenerālis Aelius, karavadonis teorētiķis, kuram netrūkst zināma deva attapības un izveicības. No šiem cilvēkiem ir atkarīga Vesani Republikas labklājība. Ir jau, protams, arī ienaidnieki, bet tas ir sīkums, iekšējie visi ir parādā Basso bankai, ārējiem pietiek savu problēmu.
Patika stāsta izklāsta maniere, autors jau pašā sākumā pavēsta, kā beigsies Basso karjera pēc četrdesmit gadiem. Atklās, ka viens viņa lēmums būs viņam liktenīgs. Neskatoties uz smago maitekli jau pašā sākumā, grāmatas lasīšana sagādā patiesu prieku, es visu laiku centos uzminēt, kura tad ir tā liktenīgā kļūda. Skatījos ar aizdomām uz katru Basso lēmumu, un teikšu godīgi - neatšifrēju. Viņš visu izdarīja pareizi.
Grāmatai lieku 9 no 10 ballēm. Vienu balli noņēmu nost par beigām, tās bija iznākušas tādas nedaudz neveiklas, jo beigu Basso pārāk atšķīrās no grāmatas vidusdaļas Basso. Esmu drošs, ka kaut kad pie šī autora darbiem atgriezīšos. Un ja kaut kur izlasāt, ka šī grāmata ir pilna ar politiskām intrigām, neticiet, tās tur ir, bet tas nav grāmatas centrālais temats.
Grāmatas centrālais tēls ir Basso Lieliskais. Un viņš patiesi ir lielisks, nevar teikt, ka viņš būtu pilnīgi amorāls, bet laba biznesa dēļ viņš ir gatavs uz visu. No agras bērnības viņam viss vienmēr ir izdevies. Pilnībā apguvis banku zinības, politikas nianses, ieguvis spēju skatīties uz lietām globāli, viņš savā dzīvē ir izvirzījis vienu mērķi - padarīt Vesani Republiku par varenu spēku pasaulē. Uz to viņu mudina gan Austrumu Impērijas varenības pieaugšana, gan vēlme nodrošināt labu dzīvi savam māsasdēlam Bassano. Puika ir viens no viņa retajiem draugiem, un tā kā pagātnē viņam ir gadījies nodarīt pāri savas māsas ģimenei, viņš vēlas kompensēt to ar labiem darbiem.
Basso ir laba ilustrācija cilvēkam, kurš savu dzīvi ziedo lielākajam labumam. Viņa ekonomiskās programmas ir netiešas un nesola visiem pārticību uzreiz, taču nodrošina, ka neviens necieš badu. Tai pat laikā viņu neviens nelinčo, kā tas ir gadījies iepriekšējiem reformatoriem. Un, protams, ja jau esi Pirmais Pilsonis, tad tas paver lielas iespējas arī personīgā labuma vairošanai. Un kas var būt labāk, kā palikt bagātākam un ļaut savai pilsētai palikt bagātākai. Mūsdienās ne visās valstīs šādā situācijā saskatītu interešu konfliktu, Latvijā jau nu noteikti ne. Tad nu arī Basso ir tāds labais pilsētas rātskungs, kurš nezog visu uzreiz, bet dalās ar pilsētas ļaudīm. Un ja pilsētai pietrūks nauda, nav problēmu, Basso aizdos. Un ne jau sev viņš rauš, nauda ir tikai instruments, kā panākt Vesani Republikas varenību. Šajā ziņā Basso ir ideālists, viņš grib atstāt pasauli labāku. Jā, viņš pieļauj, ka viņa metodes nav tās godīgākās, bet ieliekot stiprus pamatus viņa pēcnācēji spēs būt gan bagāti, gan godīgi, plaukstošas Republikas pārvaldnieki.
Šajā lietā Baso var paļauties tikai pats uz sevi un pāris draugiem. Māsasdēlu Bassano, gudrs puika, bet nav radīts smagai dzīvie, tas ir viņa izvēlētais mantinieks. Bijušajam vergam un finanšu ģēnijam Antigonus. Tas ir iemācījis Basso visu par finansēm un labi jūt starptautiskās tirdzniecības drēbi. Un vēl ir ģenerālis Aelius, karavadonis teorētiķis, kuram netrūkst zināma deva attapības un izveicības. No šiem cilvēkiem ir atkarīga Vesani Republikas labklājība. Ir jau, protams, arī ienaidnieki, bet tas ir sīkums, iekšējie visi ir parādā Basso bankai, ārējiem pietiek savu problēmu.
Patika stāsta izklāsta maniere, autors jau pašā sākumā pavēsta, kā beigsies Basso karjera pēc četrdesmit gadiem. Atklās, ka viens viņa lēmums būs viņam liktenīgs. Neskatoties uz smago maitekli jau pašā sākumā, grāmatas lasīšana sagādā patiesu prieku, es visu laiku centos uzminēt, kura tad ir tā liktenīgā kļūda. Skatījos ar aizdomām uz katru Basso lēmumu, un teikšu godīgi - neatšifrēju. Viņš visu izdarīja pareizi.
Grāmatai lieku 9 no 10 ballēm. Vienu balli noņēmu nost par beigām, tās bija iznākušas tādas nedaudz neveiklas, jo beigu Basso pārāk atšķīrās no grāmatas vidusdaļas Basso. Esmu drošs, ka kaut kad pie šī autora darbiem atgriezīšos. Un ja kaut kur izlasāt, ka šī grāmata ir pilna ar politiskām intrigām, neticiet, tās tur ir, bet tas nav grāmatas centrālais temats.
July 26, 2011
http://staffersmusings.blogspot.com/2...
I started writing this review last week, but it just wasn't coming together like I'd hoped. With over 2,000 words written, I was approaching critical mass. You see, K.J. Parker's The Folding Knife is not an easy book to review. There's a lot going on and it's rather non-traditional for a fantasy novel in a lot of ways and then entirely traditional in others. It wasn't until I ran across Lev Grossman's article in the Wall Street Journal Monday morning that I knew how I was going to attack this post.
Grossman says:
Yup, that sounds quite a bit like what's going on in Folding Knife and to everyone's benefit it allowed me to cut about a thousand words.
In the Vesani Republic, the First Citizen's word is nearly law. Elected by the people, he administers the largest economic power outside the somewhat fractured Eastern Empire. Today, the First Citizen is Bassianus Severus (Basso). Deaf in one ear and brilliant in business, he killed his own wife and brother-in-law after finding them in bed together. Alienated by his surviving family, he uses his influence to become the most powerful man in Vesani. Now what?
The first two sentence of that last paragraph, forget them... entirely. Anyone who has read this blog before knows I believe that world-building is a vital part of what imparts fantasy. I've always said great prose, great characters, and all the rest will only get someone so far in the speculative fiction genre. Parker has proven me wrong... mostly.
Folding Knife takes place in an invented setting. Want to know a secret? I don't care. I have no idea where Vesani is in relation to the Eastern Empire. I don't care. The moniker of Eastern Empire is so nebulous that I realized Parker doesn't want me to care. Parker's intent, I believe, is to cut away all the extraneous items that distract from the plot. Into that pit go world building, flowery prose, and unnecessary description. Parker even seems to do away with foreshadowing instead opting to tell the reader what happens before going into the details after.
What Parker has accomplished is like taking a car from Pimp My Ride and restoring its far more useful and effective former self. Parker picks out the important bits, remove the extraneous fluff, but keeps the meaning the same. This is accomplished to a degree that the novel possesses a style almost reminiscent of a news article (albeit the most impressive news article anyone might read). Even the opening chapter hits the reader with the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, and WHEN as Basso leaves the Republic in poverty on the top of a wagon. What it holds back is the why. Parker relishes filling in that blank with a brilliant tragedy in the tradition of Shakespeare and Euripides (ok, that might be hyperbole - but not absurdly so).
So that's what Folding Knife is. As for what it's about, the closest I can come is finance, loneliness, and in true Shakespearean form hubris. Finance is the device that Parker uses to move the plot from Basso's role as head of the Charity and Social Justice Bank. As someone who makes a living in the American political system I couldn't help observing a parallel between the Vesani (read: Basso) economy and America's. Leveraged, always betting on future profits, never cutting back - all of these are part of why Congress is having a lengthy argument about how best to restructure the federal budget. In that way it can certainly be read as a criticism of U.S. economic policy.
As for the other two items (loneliness and hubris), they are the impetus behind Basso's machinations both economic and political. Basso is emotionally challenged and acts out like a robber-baron to preserve not only his place in society, but to boost his perceived infallibility. While this doesn't make him particularly likable, it does make him extremely compelling. Beginning with Basso's murder of his wife and brother-in-law, Parker sets up scenes of loss and heartbreak that resonate time after time.
After writing this glowing review, I started wondering why Parker isn't ubiquitously mentioned as one of the foremost authors in the genre? If I had to answer I'd give a two-fold answer. First, Parker is an anonymous writer with no social media presence. Second, Parker writes literary fantasy. Last time I checked Martin Amis and Don DeLillo weren't exactly making the New York Times Bestseller List. If we can all agree that less people read fantasy than "real" fiction, the market Parker is ultimately writing to is even smaller than her mainstream contemporaries. Most the novels that are placed above Parker's are more traditional epic fantasy - A Song of Ice and Fire, The Black Company, The Kingkiller Chronicle, Lord of the Rings, etc.
Interestingly, for all that, Folding Knife is an epic fantasy - just not traditionally so. It follows a man through thirty years of his life describing his rise and fall from power through war and peace in 400 some odd pages. Unfortunately, this straddling the line of epic and literary fantasy limits Folding Knife's exposure somewhat preventing Parker from being appropriately recognized. I might be wrong. But if I am, why is there any list of the best fantasy novels out there without The Folding Knife right near the top? I can't explain it any other way.
I started writing this review last week, but it just wasn't coming together like I'd hoped. With over 2,000 words written, I was approaching critical mass. You see, K.J. Parker's The Folding Knife is not an easy book to review. There's a lot going on and it's rather non-traditional for a fantasy novel in a lot of ways and then entirely traditional in others. It wasn't until I ran across Lev Grossman's article in the Wall Street Journal Monday morning that I knew how I was going to attack this post.
Grossman says:
"Fantasy does tend to be heavily plot-driven. But plot has gotten a bad rap for the past century, ever since the Modernists (who I revere, don’t get me wrong) took apart the Victorian novel and left it lying in pieces on an old bedsheet on the garage floor. Books like “Ulysses” and “The Sound and the Fury” and “Mrs. Dalloway” shifted the emphasis away from plot onto other things: psychology; dense, layered writing; a fidelity to moment-to-moment lived experience. Plot fell into disrepute.
But that was modernism. That was the 1920s and 1930s. It was a movement – a great movement, but like all movements, a thing of its time. Plot is due for a comeback. We’re remembering that it means something too."
Yup, that sounds quite a bit like what's going on in Folding Knife and to everyone's benefit it allowed me to cut about a thousand words.
In the Vesani Republic, the First Citizen's word is nearly law. Elected by the people, he administers the largest economic power outside the somewhat fractured Eastern Empire. Today, the First Citizen is Bassianus Severus (Basso). Deaf in one ear and brilliant in business, he killed his own wife and brother-in-law after finding them in bed together. Alienated by his surviving family, he uses his influence to become the most powerful man in Vesani. Now what?
The first two sentence of that last paragraph, forget them... entirely. Anyone who has read this blog before knows I believe that world-building is a vital part of what imparts fantasy. I've always said great prose, great characters, and all the rest will only get someone so far in the speculative fiction genre. Parker has proven me wrong... mostly.
Folding Knife takes place in an invented setting. Want to know a secret? I don't care. I have no idea where Vesani is in relation to the Eastern Empire. I don't care. The moniker of Eastern Empire is so nebulous that I realized Parker doesn't want me to care. Parker's intent, I believe, is to cut away all the extraneous items that distract from the plot. Into that pit go world building, flowery prose, and unnecessary description. Parker even seems to do away with foreshadowing instead opting to tell the reader what happens before going into the details after.
What Parker has accomplished is like taking a car from Pimp My Ride and restoring its far more useful and effective former self. Parker picks out the important bits, remove the extraneous fluff, but keeps the meaning the same. This is accomplished to a degree that the novel possesses a style almost reminiscent of a news article (albeit the most impressive news article anyone might read). Even the opening chapter hits the reader with the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, and WHEN as Basso leaves the Republic in poverty on the top of a wagon. What it holds back is the why. Parker relishes filling in that blank with a brilliant tragedy in the tradition of Shakespeare and Euripides (ok, that might be hyperbole - but not absurdly so).
So that's what Folding Knife is. As for what it's about, the closest I can come is finance, loneliness, and in true Shakespearean form hubris. Finance is the device that Parker uses to move the plot from Basso's role as head of the Charity and Social Justice Bank. As someone who makes a living in the American political system I couldn't help observing a parallel between the Vesani (read: Basso) economy and America's. Leveraged, always betting on future profits, never cutting back - all of these are part of why Congress is having a lengthy argument about how best to restructure the federal budget. In that way it can certainly be read as a criticism of U.S. economic policy.
As for the other two items (loneliness and hubris), they are the impetus behind Basso's machinations both economic and political. Basso is emotionally challenged and acts out like a robber-baron to preserve not only his place in society, but to boost his perceived infallibility. While this doesn't make him particularly likable, it does make him extremely compelling. Beginning with Basso's murder of his wife and brother-in-law, Parker sets up scenes of loss and heartbreak that resonate time after time.
After writing this glowing review, I started wondering why Parker isn't ubiquitously mentioned as one of the foremost authors in the genre? If I had to answer I'd give a two-fold answer. First, Parker is an anonymous writer with no social media presence. Second, Parker writes literary fantasy. Last time I checked Martin Amis and Don DeLillo weren't exactly making the New York Times Bestseller List. If we can all agree that less people read fantasy than "real" fiction, the market Parker is ultimately writing to is even smaller than her mainstream contemporaries. Most the novels that are placed above Parker's are more traditional epic fantasy - A Song of Ice and Fire, The Black Company, The Kingkiller Chronicle, Lord of the Rings, etc.
Interestingly, for all that, Folding Knife is an epic fantasy - just not traditionally so. It follows a man through thirty years of his life describing his rise and fall from power through war and peace in 400 some odd pages. Unfortunately, this straddling the line of epic and literary fantasy limits Folding Knife's exposure somewhat preventing Parker from being appropriately recognized. I might be wrong. But if I am, why is there any list of the best fantasy novels out there without The Folding Knife right near the top? I can't explain it any other way.
July 10, 2024
Kāds rietumu blogeris savā atsauksmē šo grāmatu ir nosaucis par teicamu Sengrieķu traģēdijas un Šekspīriska vēsturiskā stāsta miksli. Neesmu liels eksperts augstākminētajos žanros, bet sajūtu ziņā izklausās pareizi. Katrā ziņā fantāzija te ir tikai tik daudz, cik izdomāta, bet gluži kā mūsējā, pasaule, maģija nav un lai ari visi nosaukumi svešs, sajūtu ziņā ir skaidrs, kurš ir mūsu pasaules mongolis, kurš moris un kurš Bizantijas imperators.
Izcila grāmata, teicams autora pasaules redzējums un humora izjūta. Neskatieties uz aprakstiem (politiskā fantāzija –fui!), pamēģiniet, lielākā daļa noteikti nenožēlosiet.
Plašāk blogā:
https://andrislasa.wordpress.com/2015...
Izcila grāmata, teicams autora pasaules redzējums un humora izjūta. Neskatieties uz aprakstiem (politiskā fantāzija –fui!), pamēģiniet, lielākā daļa noteikti nenožēlosiet.
Plašāk blogā:
https://andrislasa.wordpress.com/2015...
December 14, 2023
“That’s the thing,” she said. “You add on getting rid of starvation and poverty like it’s a fringe benefit. Like the slice of lemon you get with a plate of whitebait.”
He laughed. “That’s why I succeed,” he said, “where the men with beautiful souls always fail. If you walk through the market asking the stallholders to give you a slice of lemon for free, they’d laugh in your face. Pay for the whitebait and you get a good meal of whitebait for your money, plus the free lemon.”
“The Folding Knife” isn’t a book I’d recommend for everyone. It’s cynical and sometimes depressing. It reads like historical fiction that focuses on the politics and economy of a country. A lot of times, the economics can go over your head but with the way our character describes the situations, it is made easier to understand. Speaking of our main character.
Bassianus “Basso” Severus is such a fascinating character. At a young age, his father marries him off and has him trained to take over a bank he'd bought. His father doesn’t expect him to succeed, but he does! A bit too well actually. He becomes better than the man who trains him. Finally, a smart character who’s actually smart.
Despite my admiration for a smart character, I hate that I love Basso. He is an amoral man, who does the worst things, all because he sees an opportunity to make a profit. Yet you can’t help but root for him seeing how farther ahead he thinks of his plans, all possible contingencies and outcomes, or maybe that’s just me being impressed. I can’t help but think of that cringey quote “Throw me to the wolves and I’ll come back leading the pack.” but it perfectly describes Basso. As one character said:
“You have a knack of getting yourself into the most appalling trouble, which then turns out to your advantage. You might argue that a truly fortunate man wouldn’t get into the dreadful mess in the first place; he’d live a life of blameless, uneventful rectitude and eventually die, happy and obscure. You, on the other hand, have all the luck; the good sort and the bad. If your enemies took you out into the bay and threw you in the sea, you’d come up a few minutes later with a fistful of pearls.”
Others claim that it’s Basso inheriting his father’s luck that gets him so far and while that may be true, it’s not the whole picture, it’s barely even a noticeable portion. No, it’s Basso being a genius and thinking without silly things such as emotions blinding him. Yet that isn’t true either as seen with his relationships with certain characters.
His relationship with his parents was practically non-existent. They were emotionally distant and we can see Basso act that way as well with his own children (but that’s for other reasons). I would say he was closer to his father, especially after he inherited the bank and started earning money. He learned quite a bit from him, such as recognising the superior gifts of others and using them to his advantage. Basso even starts using his father’s signature quote: “Best deal I ever made”
When it comes to recognising other’s gifts, we have Aelius, a soldier who is the reason Basso is partially deaf. But when Basso sees his skills, he is quick to hire him, foregoing the history they share. The other person is Antigonus, the man who trained him and the only man Basso actually respected. Some might say he saw him as a mentor or a father figure. Still, even with the respect he has for him, Basso doesn’t see him as an equal.
When it comes to complicated family relationships, there’s nothing like that between Basso and his sister. She hates him with every inch of her being. Her loathing is so great, that she dedicates her life to ruining his. There were times when I hoped Basso would just get rid of her, a simple kill made to look like an accident but he doesn’t. Why?
Suddenly, Bassano smiled. “You like talking about her.”
“She’s the person I love most in the world,” Basso replied.
And now Bassano. Bassianus Arcadius Carausius is his nephew and godchild. Basso loves this boy. He loves him so much that when Bassano asks to join the bank, he refuses. Basso knows what kind of person he is, he isn’t blind to his character. He doesn’t want that for his beloved nephew. He wants him to be good. He wants him to be kind.
Bassano nodded slowly. “You reckon that if I go into business, it’ll make me all nasty and twisted.”
“That’s something of an oversimplification,” Basso said quietly, “but you’re on the right lines. I think that if you go into business, and you knuckle down and try really hard and apply yourself and harness all your considerable abilities, you might end up something like me. And that,” he added softly, “would be a dreadful shame. That’s all.”
Tense relationships aside, the plot follows Basso throughout his entire career from the bank to the leader of the government. K. J. Parker does not shy away from showing us the dark side of politics. Situations such as ignoring an assassination attempt because it would give your opponents leeway for their political ambitions, was a bit of a shock to me. Politics is messed up but I love reading about it. As we follow Basso, we learn the difficulty of leading a country, the decisions needed to be made that may go against your very ideals and how one mistake could cost you everything.
“You’re an infuriating man, Uncle. Why?”
Basso stopped. “I’ll give you a hint,” he said. “My father always used to say, the man who wins in the end is the man who can get the most out of a defeat.”
January 14, 2025
Biju dzirdējusi ne visai glaimojošas atsauksmes – garlaicīga, pārāk politiska, pārāk vienmuļa, tad nu tas iespaids, kas radās, lika man domāt, ka šo steidzīgi vajag lasīt koplasīšanā, citādi sazin kad un vai vispār saņemšos lasīt, bet patiesībā bija ārprātīgi labi. Tā īsti nevarējām pat nodefinēt, kas tieši patīk, bet lapaspuses šķīrās pašas no sevis.
Nezinu, vai man grāmata patiktu tikpat ļoti, ja lasītu angļu valodā, bet tulkojums bija dievīgs. Sulīga valoda, labs humors, lasītājs netika turēts par muļķi, daudzviet pašam ļaujot interpretēt teiktā nozīmi, jutos tiešām izklaidēta. Jā, ir ļoti daudz politikas, uzņēmējdarbības, ekonomikas, bet tas galīgi nav pasniegts “pagājusi stunda, bet patiesībā tikai minūte” marinādē. Manām bažām nebija nekāda pamata.
Iesaku!
Nezinu, vai man grāmata patiktu tikpat ļoti, ja lasītu angļu valodā, bet tulkojums bija dievīgs. Sulīga valoda, labs humors, lasītājs netika turēts par muļķi, daudzviet pašam ļaujot interpretēt teiktā nozīmi, jutos tiešām izklaidēta. Jā, ir ļoti daudz politikas, uzņēmējdarbības, ekonomikas, bet tas galīgi nav pasniegts “pagājusi stunda, bet patiesībā tikai minūte” marinādē. Manām bažām nebija nekāda pamata.
Iesaku!
December 3, 2024
Valsti vadīt nav malku skaldīt. Pirmajam pilsonim Baso ir zināms ķēriens uz politiskajām un finansiālajām mahinācijām valstiskā līmenī, ko vada tīri savtīgas un dažreiz impulsīvas vēlmes. Bet viņš ir veiksminieks, tādēļ nākotne šķiet panākumiem bagāta. Būt Pirmajam pilsonim ir arī diezgan vientuļš darbiņš, jo daudzi tevi apskauž, daži tevi dziļi ienīst (ieskaitot paša māsu) un reti kuram var uzticēties. Es neesmu nekāds politikas vai ekonomikas fans, bet bija interesanti, cik tad ilgi to veiksmi var turpināt izaicināt. Neskatoties uz to, ka galvenos noslēguma katarses momentus varēja diezgan precīzi paredzēt, tāpat ar nepacietību lasīju, kā tad visi kauliņi beigās sakritīs. Vienīgais, ko nevaru saprast, vai es nesaslēdzos pietiekami labi ar paša Baso personību vai traucēja tulkojums, bet bija pagrūti ielasīties. Labākā sadaļa grāmatā - Basano vēstules no kara lauka.
October 2, 2024
❓ Kas tavuprāt ir spēcīgāks - prāts vai naža dūriens?
📚 Grāmatas stāsts lasītāju ieved vīriešu pasaulē. Tā liks tev sajust uz ādas raupju vilnas audumu, pie gurniem piestiprinātu naža asmeni, un mutē izjutīsi paliekas no ilgus gadus noturēta viskija, kas dzerts, lai aizmirstu ienaidnieka naža dūriena atstāto brūci.
📚Grāmatas galvenais varonis ir Basians Severs jeb Baso. Viņa liktenis kļūt par Vesānijas republikas Pirmo pilsoni bija jau izsenis zvaigznēs ierakstīts, kad šādu pašu ceļu bija jau veicis viņa tēvs un vectēvs. Bet ar to viņam vēl nav gana - Baso ir arī valsts lielākās bankas īpašnieks. Viņš ir viltīgs, vieds, nesaudzīgs. Bet neskatoties uz rokās esošo lielo varu, viņš ir arī labu vēlošs ne tikai sev, bet arī visai tautai. Tiek attīstīta kuģu būvniecība, veicināta labklājība, domātas nākotnes stratēģijas vēl lielākam republikas plaukumam. Bet kur laime un uzplaukums, tur pakausī vienmēr svilpo skaudība, naids un atriebība! Nošvirkst naža asmens un... Kādi šķēršļi sagaida Baso? Ko sagaidīt šādās situācijās no pašiem tuvākajiem? Un galu galā - kas ir spēcīgāks: prāts vai naža dūriens? To visu un vēl vairāk - lasi grāmatā!
✨ Uh, pat tagad, rakstot atsauksmi, manai ādai uzmetas zosāda - cik sasodīti laba ir šī grāmata. Autors ir izveidojis fantastisku alternatīvās vēstures pasauli, kas arī, manuprāt, ir vienīgais iemesls, kādēļ šo grāmatu ierindo fantāzijas žanrā. Visi notikumi rada tik dzīvu sajūtu, ka grūti noticēt, ka šāda vieta uz mūsu pasaules tomēr nav bijusi. Man ļoti patika, cik liels uzsvars šajā stāstā ir ekonomikai - tā ir pamatu pamats visam un tā ir arī galvenais Baso virzītājs. Es ļoti izbaudīju Baso tēlu - var teikt pat maniakāli apsēsts ar savu republiku, tās labklājību, vienmēr problēmu atrisināšanas alkstošs, nosvērts, salaulājies ar ekonomikas pamatprincipiem un to ieviešanu republikā. Bet visvairāk viņš mani piesaistīja ar savu viedumu, zināšanu bagātību, un, protams, ar savu sasodīti labo humora izjūtu.
Varas spēlītes,spriedze,asiņainas cīņas un pāri visam - Varenais Baso!
Ja uzrunāja - izlasi! 🗡
📚 Grāmatas stāsts lasītāju ieved vīriešu pasaulē. Tā liks tev sajust uz ādas raupju vilnas audumu, pie gurniem piestiprinātu naža asmeni, un mutē izjutīsi paliekas no ilgus gadus noturēta viskija, kas dzerts, lai aizmirstu ienaidnieka naža dūriena atstāto brūci.
📚Grāmatas galvenais varonis ir Basians Severs jeb Baso. Viņa liktenis kļūt par Vesānijas republikas Pirmo pilsoni bija jau izsenis zvaigznēs ierakstīts, kad šādu pašu ceļu bija jau veicis viņa tēvs un vectēvs. Bet ar to viņam vēl nav gana - Baso ir arī valsts lielākās bankas īpašnieks. Viņš ir viltīgs, vieds, nesaudzīgs. Bet neskatoties uz rokās esošo lielo varu, viņš ir arī labu vēlošs ne tikai sev, bet arī visai tautai. Tiek attīstīta kuģu būvniecība, veicināta labklājība, domātas nākotnes stratēģijas vēl lielākam republikas plaukumam. Bet kur laime un uzplaukums, tur pakausī vienmēr svilpo skaudība, naids un atriebība! Nošvirkst naža asmens un... Kādi šķēršļi sagaida Baso? Ko sagaidīt šādās situācijās no pašiem tuvākajiem? Un galu galā - kas ir spēcīgāks: prāts vai naža dūriens? To visu un vēl vairāk - lasi grāmatā!
✨ Uh, pat tagad, rakstot atsauksmi, manai ādai uzmetas zosāda - cik sasodīti laba ir šī grāmata. Autors ir izveidojis fantastisku alternatīvās vēstures pasauli, kas arī, manuprāt, ir vienīgais iemesls, kādēļ šo grāmatu ierindo fantāzijas žanrā. Visi notikumi rada tik dzīvu sajūtu, ka grūti noticēt, ka šāda vieta uz mūsu pasaules tomēr nav bijusi. Man ļoti patika, cik liels uzsvars šajā stāstā ir ekonomikai - tā ir pamatu pamats visam un tā ir arī galvenais Baso virzītājs. Es ļoti izbaudīju Baso tēlu - var teikt pat maniakāli apsēsts ar savu republiku, tās labklājību, vienmēr problēmu atrisināšanas alkstošs, nosvērts, salaulājies ar ekonomikas pamatprincipiem un to ieviešanu republikā. Bet visvairāk viņš mani piesaistīja ar savu viedumu, zināšanu bagātību, un, protams, ar savu sasodīti labo humora izjūtu.
Varas spēlītes,spriedze,asiņainas cīņas un pāri visam - Varenais Baso!
Ja uzrunāja - izlasi! 🗡
September 24, 2024
4,5 zvaigznes. Ironisks ne-vēsturisks romāns par ļoti veiksmīgu azartspēlmani, kura azarts ir valsts vadīšana, nevis, mums, parastajiem mirstīgajiem, pieejamas spēlītes. Viss ļoti labi, bet uz pēdējo trešdaļu jau noguru no tās shēmošanas un sāku gaidīt, kā tad nonāksim grāmatas sākumpunktā ( jo bija skaidrs, ka sākums ir beigas). Galā likās, ka tas tika atrisināts pienācīgi.
May 3, 2023
Pretty good read. This is the second K.J. Parker book I’ve read, the first being the excellent, recent 16 Ways to Defend a Walled City.
Maybe a bit too early to generalise from two books but I see outlines of a style for this author, in the same way that Terry Pratchett had a style despite plots with different scenarios and characters. I see witty dialogue, a quick pace to a clever storyline with plenty of twists and turns. Sharp, tight prose, that rarely deviates from what we really need to know. These seem common to both books I’ve read.
In the previous book I quite liked the lead character; in this one I didn’t. That shouldn’t really matter as morally ambivalent, or anti-hero, characters can be very satisfying leads to a story. I couldn’t work up any empathy for Basso, even as a flawed lead character in this 3rd person narrative, despite plenty of back story to help you see why he thinks as he does. He seems to be emotionally cold though hints are given that isn’t the case for everyone he knows. You are taken closer to the character than the 3rd person often allows because the book is packed full of sharp dialogue (and some personal letters) between characters that takes you inside them, especially Basso. I was surprised how little there was to him other than a clever, Machiavellian banker/politician who eventually finds himself as the top dog in an old Venetian-style renaissance city state.
All in all a more than fun read. The dialogue is great, the author writes fast and effective prose, the storyline is clever. A historical fantasy with no magic. Basso is a difficult, fascinating person, and his lifelong issues with his sister, the opposite of my experience which is why I sort of disliked him, are difficult too, but a crucial part of the plot. He understands his flaws, is quite self aware but does little to change it.
I will read more by K.J. Parker as I already enjoy his style of writing.
Edit: After discussing with a friend who read this some time after my read, I realised I was too harsh in my rating! Now a clear 5*, because of Basso…
Maybe a bit too early to generalise from two books but I see outlines of a style for this author, in the same way that Terry Pratchett had a style despite plots with different scenarios and characters. I see witty dialogue, a quick pace to a clever storyline with plenty of twists and turns. Sharp, tight prose, that rarely deviates from what we really need to know. These seem common to both books I’ve read.
In the previous book I quite liked the lead character; in this one I didn’t. That shouldn’t really matter as morally ambivalent, or anti-hero, characters can be very satisfying leads to a story. I couldn’t work up any empathy for Basso, even as a flawed lead character in this 3rd person narrative, despite plenty of back story to help you see why he thinks as he does. He seems to be emotionally cold though hints are given that isn’t the case for everyone he knows. You are taken closer to the character than the 3rd person often allows because the book is packed full of sharp dialogue (and some personal letters) between characters that takes you inside them, especially Basso. I was surprised how little there was to him other than a clever, Machiavellian banker/politician who eventually finds himself as the top dog in an old Venetian-style renaissance city state.
All in all a more than fun read. The dialogue is great, the author writes fast and effective prose, the storyline is clever. A historical fantasy with no magic. Basso is a difficult, fascinating person, and his lifelong issues with his sister, the opposite of my experience which is why I sort of disliked him, are difficult too, but a crucial part of the plot. He understands his flaws, is quite self aware but does little to change it.
I will read more by K.J. Parker as I already enjoy his style of writing.
Edit: After discussing with a friend who read this some time after my read, I realised I was too harsh in my rating! Now a clear 5*, because of Basso…
August 18, 2016
Quite some time, or more precisely, very few books that I've read 100+ pages a day, as I finished this one in three days (it has 432 pages).
And it didn't even begin that great, as in, nothing mind blowing happens. But after 1/5 into the book I got used to the style and just read it in huge, uninterrupted bursts.
First, this isn't like what most avid fantasy readers are used to.
For example, Basso's character. He is great, smart and lucky. Are there really deep characterization of him? Not really, and it's also done discreetly, nothing spoon fed to you (like the people he trusts and why, why he does X or Y, it's all up to your guess and observation). Does he passes through major external or inner changes? Not really. Does he faces tough choices, morally or otherwise? Not really too.
But we also get spared a lot of melodrama and he simply kinda of sticks to you.
Then we have his profession: a banker who becomes a politician. Lots of technical stuff about these, but that actually were... interesting to read, specially considering the implications that obviously can apply as a critique to politics and economic policies pretty much anywhere in the world, to deceiving the public to the abandonment of the gold standard and all its implications. But all this and the reasons seen through the eyes of the people that did it.
The other thing about this book is that there is a lot of telling. Know that rule, "show, don't tell"? Somewhat it's an obsession of writers and readers alike, and telling is treated as a sin. Telling is great when used right.
Saying someone is angry is not unacceptable. Showing that that they are is harder, takes more time and sometimes doesn't serve the story better. Showing can be so terribly time consuming and even drag the story, specially when used in non-dramatic moments and applied to most of the story.
And here is a book where it's really done right. Of course, it won't work if you are not interested in the story about a banker who wants to dominate the world through currency and monopolies.
But this is was the best choice the author could have made. Think about it: the main character is a banker who becomes a politician that achieves the welfare of others by accident of his own selfishness.
At many points he questions himself (and others do it too through some amazing conversations about morality and ethics) if he simply lost the capacity to feel. This conscious, yet subtle touch of style added even more of the "impersonal, cold, distant person, who sees only numbers and people as pawns" image that a banker usually has. For me, it fitted perfectly.
And the third thing about this book is that it explores another subject usually frowned upon: luck and chance.
Pretty much everyone says that coincidences and good or bad luck are constant things in real life, but shouldn't exist in fantasy stories. Everything needs to have a purpose or be foreshadowed, and so on.
That's another theme explored along the story. Sure, it can backfire or be done wrong, but once again here it's done right. When protagonists and antagonists clashes, there's an outcome. And here sometimes this outcome starts to put in motion plans and actions based on it. People and events that both protagonists and antagonists had no idea that even existed.
Yes, the main characters do have agency, plenty of it in fact. But so do all the other people in the world. Just because you don't know they don't exist doesn't mean they don't have their own agency as well. These things happen and once you discover why someone did X, it will become pretty obvious that was what was gonna happen.
It subtly covers another aspect of the banking/political theme: speculation for one, and a very nice critique about politics: how it pretty much always fight to extinguish the fire instead of preventing it to start, and then, depending on the results, claim everything done right as their own doing or blame everything gone wrong on someone else.
So this mixture of good use of more telling instead of showing, luck and chance and some very good humor (or straight out very silly passages) on parts about politics/economics/war/ethics that prevented those themes to become too deadly serious was well worthwhile.
Parker probably wrote it with some criticism to the U.S or U.K policies, but really, the stuff that happens here is pretty much universal and parallels can be traced to pretty much any country in the world.
Of course, if you don't like the theme you probably won't enjoy the story. Oh, yes, there's no magic, it's pretty much a historical fiction, or even straight out political fantasy.
As for me, I think every choice the author made about how and why to tell the story fitted perfectly thematically and will definitely read more of K.J. Parker.
And it didn't even begin that great, as in, nothing mind blowing happens. But after 1/5 into the book I got used to the style and just read it in huge, uninterrupted bursts.
First, this isn't like what most avid fantasy readers are used to.
For example, Basso's character. He is great, smart and lucky. Are there really deep characterization of him? Not really, and it's also done discreetly, nothing spoon fed to you (like the people he trusts and why, why he does X or Y, it's all up to your guess and observation). Does he passes through major external or inner changes? Not really. Does he faces tough choices, morally or otherwise? Not really too.
But we also get spared a lot of melodrama and he simply kinda of sticks to you.
Then we have his profession: a banker who becomes a politician. Lots of technical stuff about these, but that actually were... interesting to read, specially considering the implications that obviously can apply as a critique to politics and economic policies pretty much anywhere in the world, to deceiving the public to the abandonment of the gold standard and all its implications. But all this and the reasons seen through the eyes of the people that did it.
The other thing about this book is that there is a lot of telling. Know that rule, "show, don't tell"? Somewhat it's an obsession of writers and readers alike, and telling is treated as a sin. Telling is great when used right.
Saying someone is angry is not unacceptable. Showing that that they are is harder, takes more time and sometimes doesn't serve the story better. Showing can be so terribly time consuming and even drag the story, specially when used in non-dramatic moments and applied to most of the story.
And here is a book where it's really done right. Of course, it won't work if you are not interested in the story about a banker who wants to dominate the world through currency and monopolies.
But this is was the best choice the author could have made. Think about it: the main character is a banker who becomes a politician that achieves the welfare of others by accident of his own selfishness.
At many points he questions himself (and others do it too through some amazing conversations about morality and ethics) if he simply lost the capacity to feel. This conscious, yet subtle touch of style added even more of the "impersonal, cold, distant person, who sees only numbers and people as pawns" image that a banker usually has. For me, it fitted perfectly.
And the third thing about this book is that it explores another subject usually frowned upon: luck and chance.
Pretty much everyone says that coincidences and good or bad luck are constant things in real life, but shouldn't exist in fantasy stories. Everything needs to have a purpose or be foreshadowed, and so on.
That's another theme explored along the story. Sure, it can backfire or be done wrong, but once again here it's done right. When protagonists and antagonists clashes, there's an outcome. And here sometimes this outcome starts to put in motion plans and actions based on it. People and events that both protagonists and antagonists had no idea that even existed.
Yes, the main characters do have agency, plenty of it in fact. But so do all the other people in the world. Just because you don't know they don't exist doesn't mean they don't have their own agency as well. These things happen and once you discover why someone did X, it will become pretty obvious that was what was gonna happen.
It subtly covers another aspect of the banking/political theme: speculation for one, and a very nice critique about politics: how it pretty much always fight to extinguish the fire instead of preventing it to start, and then, depending on the results, claim everything done right as their own doing or blame everything gone wrong on someone else.
So this mixture of good use of more telling instead of showing, luck and chance and some very good humor (or straight out very silly passages) on parts about politics/economics/war/ethics that prevented those themes to become too deadly serious was well worthwhile.
Parker probably wrote it with some criticism to the U.S or U.K policies, but really, the stuff that happens here is pretty much universal and parallels can be traced to pretty much any country in the world.
Of course, if you don't like the theme you probably won't enjoy the story. Oh, yes, there's no magic, it's pretty much a historical fiction, or even straight out political fantasy.
As for me, I think every choice the author made about how and why to tell the story fitted perfectly thematically and will definitely read more of K.J. Parker.
May 1, 2020
You would imagine a book about the financial aspect of warfare to be perhaps banal. Or egregiously tedious. You would be wrong in this assumption.
Edit 2nd read: Razor-sharp prose. May be his best work to date. Also, the first 12 pages of the book belong to some other unrelated novel. Strange, that.
Edit 2nd read: Razor-sharp prose. May be his best work to date. Also, the first 12 pages of the book belong to some other unrelated novel. Strange, that.
December 16, 2024
Cilvēks, kurš valsti veido pēc savas pārliecības. Noskaņa man atsita lasītos romānus par Seno Romu, bet, protams, šeit ir pilnīgi cita valsts, nav zināms, kuras pasaules malā. Vienā brīdī gan Baso pārrēķinās un tās žonglējamās lietas kļūst par daudz, bet ir ļoti aizraujoši lasīt.
Citāts no darba:
"Man liekas, ka, ja kāds tevi censtos uz ielas aplaupīt, tu viņam iztīrītu kabatas, pārdotu labāku nazi un visdrīzāk vēl piedāvātu darbu kā nodokļu iekasētājam."
Baso savilka uzaci. "Uztveršu to kā komplimentu."
Citāts no darba:
"Man liekas, ka, ja kāds tevi censtos uz ielas aplaupīt, tu viņam iztīrītu kabatas, pārdotu labāku nazi un visdrīzāk vēl piedāvātu darbu kā nodokļu iekasētājam."
Baso savilka uzaci. "Uztveršu to kā komplimentu."
September 13, 2023
First of all let's get the fantasy thing out of the way. This is historical fiction based on a made up world (which really resembles the Ancient Greco/Roman time).
This is at it's core a character study of Basso who is our protagonist. A banker and a politician who relies equally on his smart decisions and his endless luck. There is a lot of political intrigue and backstabbing which is fascinating at first but feels underwhelming after a while due to a lack of a worthy opponent for Basso. It seems that he outsmarts everyone so easily that at times it felt to me like a satire and I dont' think that's what the author intended.
Speaking of mr. Parker I think that those who 've read some of his other stuff will feel right at home here and me personally (having read and enjoyed his Saloninus trilogy of novellas) wished that this didn't remind me so much of his other works. I also believe that his style of writing (limited world-building, plot centred on one character) works better on shorter novels.
Finally for a book which focuses mainly on politics and economics, I was surprised to find the few chapters that dealed with war the most interesting and thought-provoking.
The Folding Knife was witty and fun at times but overall it felt like a one-trick pony..
6/10
This is at it's core a character study of Basso who is our protagonist. A banker and a politician who relies equally on his smart decisions and his endless luck. There is a lot of political intrigue and backstabbing which is fascinating at first but feels underwhelming after a while due to a lack of a worthy opponent for Basso. It seems that he outsmarts everyone so easily that at times it felt to me like a satire and I dont' think that's what the author intended.
Speaking of mr. Parker I think that those who 've read some of his other stuff will feel right at home here and me personally (having read and enjoyed his Saloninus trilogy of novellas) wished that this didn't remind me so much of his other works. I also believe that his style of writing (limited world-building, plot centred on one character) works better on shorter novels.
Finally for a book which focuses mainly on politics and economics, I was surprised to find the few chapters that dealed with war the most interesting and thought-provoking.
The Folding Knife was witty and fun at times but overall it felt like a one-trick pony..
6/10
August 29, 2022
This book - this book ruined Aug for me. During the read of it I kept thinking about it and during the latter half I couldn’t stop comparing stuff to it. Damn you book!!
This book follows “ Basso the Magnificent. Basso the Great. Basso the Wise. The First Citizen of the Vesani Republic” , which is a mash-up of Renaissance Florence and the Roman Republic. Just accept it - Parker makes it work.
This book is basically a long-form character study of Basso who is one of the oddest, compelling, and cold characters I've read in a long time. And one who I loved - though I am not sure why.
Despite this close focus on one character, the book is told in 3rd person because the author keeps us at a distance from Basso throughout the book which keeps us guessing as to what Basso is up to and why. We don't really hear Basso’s thoughts or justifications as we would in a first person POV - explanation is given mostly through dialogue. But even there is doubt as to the truth as Basso tends to perform sometimes. It was excellently done and such as smart writing choice by the author - definitely created this dissonance which made me anxious and invested throughout. I was generally disconcerted throughout the book (except near the end as the plot threads were brought together).
The choices Parker makes are peculiar but so smart. In the first half - each chapter is another major event in Basso’s life or in the Republic. But rarely do the chapters linger in those events. So we get a large span of time told in what feels like snippets. But in the second half () we focus in one one event and the pace becomes different - almost frenetic even though we are following one event. . Odd - but it works.
Plus, Parker doesn’t spend a lot of time on “exciting plot” items such as battles, action, even political maneuvering from the other side. There is no interest in the action-fantasy part of the plot here. Basso is not a warrior so the book never shifts our focus to another arena. Instead we get screeds on the economy, fiat money, monetary policy and markets and banking. All of which I adored!! This could be because I am an ex-banker but I loved it. So good - and so real!
Something about this book really broke my heart - made me sad which I am not sure why. Perhaps because it felt true to life - and real-life politics especially - in a venal, corrupt sense that got to me. This is less mustache twirling evil on display here but completely understandable corruption and hubris that we have all seen and we all excuse Seen that done too often IRL for this not to hit me hard.
So, for example, this book comments on the need for conflict of interest provisions and processes, between government and industry - not exactly a heady topic for fantasy but true to life. Parker manages to make these topics sardonic and kind of funny so the sadness only hit me when I thought about it. And I thought about it a lot.
I was so impressed with what and how Parker managed what he did, and the fact that I was thinking about how commonplace corruption was throughout the book, made this an easy 5 stars for me. Not the most uplifting read ever but still well worth the read.
This book follows “ Basso the Magnificent. Basso the Great. Basso the Wise. The First Citizen of the Vesani Republic” , which is a mash-up of Renaissance Florence and the Roman Republic. Just accept it - Parker makes it work.
This book is basically a long-form character study of Basso who is one of the oddest, compelling, and cold characters I've read in a long time. And one who I loved - though I am not sure why.
Despite this close focus on one character, the book is told in 3rd person because the author keeps us at a distance from Basso throughout the book which keeps us guessing as to what Basso is up to and why. We don't really hear Basso’s thoughts or justifications as we would in a first person POV - explanation is given mostly through dialogue. But even there is doubt as to the truth as Basso tends to perform sometimes. It was excellently done and such as smart writing choice by the author - definitely created this dissonance which made me anxious and invested throughout. I was generally disconcerted throughout the book (except near the end as the plot threads were brought together).
The choices Parker makes are peculiar but so smart. In the first half - each chapter is another major event in Basso’s life or in the Republic. But rarely do the chapters linger in those events. So we get a large span of time told in what feels like snippets. But in the second half () we focus in one one event and the pace becomes different - almost frenetic even though we are following one event. . Odd - but it works.
Plus, Parker doesn’t spend a lot of time on “exciting plot” items such as battles, action, even political maneuvering from the other side. There is no interest in the action-fantasy part of the plot here. Basso is not a warrior so the book never shifts our focus to another arena. Instead we get screeds on the economy, fiat money, monetary policy and markets and banking. All of which I adored!! This could be because I am an ex-banker but I loved it. So good - and so real!
Something about this book really broke my heart - made me sad which I am not sure why. Perhaps because it felt true to life - and real-life politics especially - in a venal, corrupt sense that got to me. This is less mustache twirling evil on display here but completely understandable corruption and hubris that we have all seen and we all excuse Seen that done too often IRL for this not to hit me hard.
So, for example, this book comments on the need for conflict of interest provisions and processes, between government and industry - not exactly a heady topic for fantasy but true to life. Parker manages to make these topics sardonic and kind of funny so the sadness only hit me when I thought about it. And I thought about it a lot.
I was so impressed with what and how Parker managed what he did, and the fact that I was thinking about how commonplace corruption was throughout the book, made this an easy 5 stars for me. Not the most uplifting read ever but still well worth the read.
March 13, 2020
"He sees a bed, in a well-furnished room. On the floor beside it lies a naked man, face down, holding a fancy costume dagger. His throat has been cut. On the bed there's the body of a woman, and her throat's been cut too, but she lies face upwards; her lips are still moving, but her eyes are just taking on that cold, hard look. If a speck of dust were to land on them, or a fly, they wouldn't blink. He sees her through a red blur, because the blood from her jugular vein spurted in his face. In his right hand he feels the handle of the folding knife."
The Folding Knife is a novel written by K.J. Parker, the pseudonym for Tom Holt. Parker's identity was a well-kept secret for nearly two decades. Though this is my first book by the author, this is a name I had been aware of in the fantasy world for quite some time. I knew once I eventually dove into their work that The Folding Knife would be my introduction, not only because I have owned it the longest, but because it is a rare standalone. Like much of the internet, apparently, I was under the impression that Parker was a woman.
Then I started The Folding Knife.
I'm sorry to say, but it was quite obvious to me early on that this was a male writer. The way the female characters were written certainly tipped me off in that regard. I'm absolutely *not* saying that men cannot write characters outside of the male persuasion, clearly. Scroll through the books I love and you'll see plenty of male authors who write kickass individuals! That's not the case for *some* writers, but for others?
You already know.
Now, there were women in this book, although I struggle to come up with a single redeeming quality about any of them. They were all so one-dimensional. Shit, the only one that was remotely interesting was Lina, Basso's sister. However, over the course of the book she became this cringey cartoon villain. And although I'm sure this will be a controversial comment (SO HOLD ONTO YOUR BUTTS), if the tables were turned and a female author had written a non-male character in the Basso role, with a man as Lina.. would she have been cut the same slack? I seriously doubt it.
O HAI DOUBLE STANDARDS!
But I digress.
This is marketed as high fantasy, although I would clarify that it leans much more heavily into historical fiction. And it is D-R-Y. I found myself skimming entire passages, which is something I never do. Truthfully, I should have DNF'd this, but there was something telling me to keep going. Surely it would pick up. An epic battle has to happen. Basso is going to redeem himself and become less of a boring twat waffle, right? RIGHT?!?
Reader, it did not pick up. Basso is bland as fuck, there isn't any magic (in the actual "fantasy" world or in the storytelling) and it's a so-called tragedy without any real emotional attachment.
After my point about the shitty female characters, this is probably incredibly petty of me to point out, but the pages and pages (and pages) of italics began to grate on my fucking nerves after awhile as well. So there's that.
I'm finding it hard to write this review. It's one of those stories where a lot happens, while nothing at all happens. It's slow, but without the burn.
Damn.
The Folding Knife is a novel written by K.J. Parker, the pseudonym for Tom Holt. Parker's identity was a well-kept secret for nearly two decades. Though this is my first book by the author, this is a name I had been aware of in the fantasy world for quite some time. I knew once I eventually dove into their work that The Folding Knife would be my introduction, not only because I have owned it the longest, but because it is a rare standalone. Like much of the internet, apparently, I was under the impression that Parker was a woman.
Then I started The Folding Knife.
I'm sorry to say, but it was quite obvious to me early on that this was a male writer. The way the female characters were written certainly tipped me off in that regard. I'm absolutely *not* saying that men cannot write characters outside of the male persuasion, clearly. Scroll through the books I love and you'll see plenty of male authors who write kickass individuals! That's not the case for *some* writers, but for others?
You already know.
Now, there were women in this book, although I struggle to come up with a single redeeming quality about any of them. They were all so one-dimensional. Shit, the only one that was remotely interesting was Lina, Basso's sister. However, over the course of the book she became this cringey cartoon villain. And although I'm sure this will be a controversial comment (SO HOLD ONTO YOUR BUTTS), if the tables were turned and a female author had written a non-male character in the Basso role, with a man as Lina.. would she have been cut the same slack? I seriously doubt it.
O HAI DOUBLE STANDARDS!
But I digress.
This is marketed as high fantasy, although I would clarify that it leans much more heavily into historical fiction. And it is D-R-Y. I found myself skimming entire passages, which is something I never do. Truthfully, I should have DNF'd this, but there was something telling me to keep going. Surely it would pick up. An epic battle has to happen. Basso is going to redeem himself and become less of a boring twat waffle, right? RIGHT?!?
Reader, it did not pick up. Basso is bland as fuck, there isn't any magic (in the actual "fantasy" world or in the storytelling) and it's a so-called tragedy without any real emotional attachment.
After my point about the shitty female characters, this is probably incredibly petty of me to point out, but the pages and pages (and pages) of italics began to grate on my fucking nerves after awhile as well. So there's that.
I'm finding it hard to write this review. It's one of those stories where a lot happens, while nothing at all happens. It's slow, but without the burn.
Damn.
December 8, 2016
Šis ir romāns, kur gandrīz vairāk par sižetu jāsajūsminās par to, cik gudri autors visu izdomājis un cik lieliski uzrakstījis.
Pilnā atsauksme https://gramatas.wordpress.com/2016/1...
Pilnā atsauksme https://gramatas.wordpress.com/2016/1...
October 13, 2019
Šo grāmatu grūti nodefinēt žanriski. Kaut kas no fantāzijas, kaut kas no vēstures. Kopumā aizraujošs darbs. Īpaši interesants likās galvenais varonis Basso Lieliskais. Tāds shēmotājs, viltnieks un intrigants. Saskatīju līdzības ar Šekspīra "Venēcijas tirgoni".
October 16, 2020
Inženieriski domājošu politekonomistu grāmata, kur viss sižets pa lielam ir problēmu parādīšanās un atrisināšana. Pie beigām process gan sāka kļūt mazliet vienveidīgs, pat ja galu galā domino kauliņi nokrita itin forši.
July 17, 2024
vara samaitā, vara pieradina, vara krāpj, izmanto un atbrīvo. autoram sanākusi iespaidīga retrospektīva, kā darbojas ap vienu cilvēku centrēta valsts varas sistēma un cik tā ir ievainojama. visvairāk tiem, kuri spiesti pakļauties.
February 7, 2024
Докъм 30% това си е книга за минимум 4 звезди. Но моноспектакъл на потенциален (понякога даже реален) злодей с остър ум, сух хумор, бизнес нюх и шеметна политическа кариера насред фентъзи сетинг в стил Абъркромби (в случая - алтернатива на средновековна Венеция) е тънка задача. След първата третина Басо (нашият герой) и Паркър (нашият писател) здраво зациклиха на едно място. Заповтаряха се едни и същи мотиви и битовизми до втръсване. Останалите герои са бегли и схематични, даже и злодейката, макар да има доста свежи попадения в диалога и особено в циничните, но точни разсъждения на Басо. Краят обаче тотално ме разочарова, никак не се връзва с нищо предишно, и изобщо, логиката се загуби.
2,6⭐️
2,6⭐️
April 1, 2019
I need to stop pretending I’m going to finish this. I thought it would be fantasy but it was historical fiction. That would have been ok if some of the characters hadn’t been tiresome.
March 31, 2022
Wow. That was just brilliant. Basso is one of the most remarkable characters I have ever read.
September 13, 2010
With luck, intellect, and an innate skill with strategy on his side, Basso is a powerhouse of ambition. His goal: to take everything he can and control the rest. Just because he can.
Well, at least that's what he'll tell you. But, as Basso would say, there's always another reason.
Set in the ancient Rome-like city of the Vesani Republic, THE FOLDING KNIFE follows the life of Bassianus Severus, First Citizen, from the odd circumstances surrounding his birth, to his meteoric rise in the banking industry, to becoming the elected leader of the most civilized city of the known world. It's a story of politics and business, of love and hate--and how little it takes for one to become the other. But mostly it's about Basso, and no matter how great a man becomes, and how pure his intentions are, when everything finally crashes the sound can be deafening.
Parker has a big story to tell and likes telling it quickly; for example, the first forty years are covered in three chapters. Then it's during the events following the author's engaging set-up that we can finally begin to unfold the motivations and back story. You have to be patient, because despite the story's quick pace, Parker seems to enjoy telling the important bits out of order, so you won't often understand the 'why' until later. As you read it's hard to say exactly where the story is headed, as it dashes this way and that, or takes the occasional turn. (Basso himself would approve of this method, since he takes great pride in the bait-and-switch tactics he uses on his political and business rivals.)
However, readers will be fine with swiftly moving from scene to scene because Basso is such an interesting character. It's easy to be caught up in the details surrounding his relationships and the choices he makes. He's a likable mixture of self-interest and soft-heartedness who will do what's ugly for sake of what's right, and is unapologetically aware of the kind of person he is. The people around him are as interesting as he is, such as the clever General Aelius and Basso's earnest nephew Bassano.
Parker's writing is fluid, fun, and fast-paced, the dialogue between the characters engaging and hilariously candid. The use of modern lingo, however, is oddly incongruous with the novel's era of carriages and swords, and it took me a couple of chapters to sync with the prose's flow. But once I did, the story flew by.
Easily the best part of the book is Parker's droll sense of humor, occasionally bordering on the downright silly. Basso and company see situations for how ridiculous they really are, which makes what could have been a too-serious story instead easy reading because of the way they poke fun at themselves and the world around them.
The majority of the novel takes place in the city of the Vesani Republic, but we also learn about the surrounding nations, their customs, and the eccentricities of their peoples. The author attempts to build a world of complexity, but overreaches so the world-building lacks focus. And while humor is great for dialogue, the frequently quirky descriptions of other nations makes it hard to give them significance when the author is inconsistent about whether we should take them seriously or not.
Parker spends 400 pages setting us up for...something. I'm not really sure what. As the novel progresses, it gets bogged down in the business, political, and wartime maneuverings. Where the climax should be are events we don't get to witness directly except through Bassano's idiosyncratic correspondence. After spending so long in the day-to-day goings on surrounding Basso, this jumbled summary of the culmination of events doesn't match the rest of the novel and takes the reader painfully out of the story. By the end, the plot completely disintegrates, with characters doing the inexplicable, Parker's attempts at being philosphical falling flat, and the story resolves into a wandering meaninglessness.
Is THE FOLDING KNIFE worth reading? Sure, on a Sunday afternoon when you're in the mood to enjoy fun to read prose and likable characters...but at the same time don't want to think too hard about the point of the story.
Well, at least that's what he'll tell you. But, as Basso would say, there's always another reason.
Set in the ancient Rome-like city of the Vesani Republic, THE FOLDING KNIFE follows the life of Bassianus Severus, First Citizen, from the odd circumstances surrounding his birth, to his meteoric rise in the banking industry, to becoming the elected leader of the most civilized city of the known world. It's a story of politics and business, of love and hate--and how little it takes for one to become the other. But mostly it's about Basso, and no matter how great a man becomes, and how pure his intentions are, when everything finally crashes the sound can be deafening.
Parker has a big story to tell and likes telling it quickly; for example, the first forty years are covered in three chapters. Then it's during the events following the author's engaging set-up that we can finally begin to unfold the motivations and back story. You have to be patient, because despite the story's quick pace, Parker seems to enjoy telling the important bits out of order, so you won't often understand the 'why' until later. As you read it's hard to say exactly where the story is headed, as it dashes this way and that, or takes the occasional turn. (Basso himself would approve of this method, since he takes great pride in the bait-and-switch tactics he uses on his political and business rivals.)
However, readers will be fine with swiftly moving from scene to scene because Basso is such an interesting character. It's easy to be caught up in the details surrounding his relationships and the choices he makes. He's a likable mixture of self-interest and soft-heartedness who will do what's ugly for sake of what's right, and is unapologetically aware of the kind of person he is. The people around him are as interesting as he is, such as the clever General Aelius and Basso's earnest nephew Bassano.
Parker's writing is fluid, fun, and fast-paced, the dialogue between the characters engaging and hilariously candid. The use of modern lingo, however, is oddly incongruous with the novel's era of carriages and swords, and it took me a couple of chapters to sync with the prose's flow. But once I did, the story flew by.
Easily the best part of the book is Parker's droll sense of humor, occasionally bordering on the downright silly. Basso and company see situations for how ridiculous they really are, which makes what could have been a too-serious story instead easy reading because of the way they poke fun at themselves and the world around them.
The majority of the novel takes place in the city of the Vesani Republic, but we also learn about the surrounding nations, their customs, and the eccentricities of their peoples. The author attempts to build a world of complexity, but overreaches so the world-building lacks focus. And while humor is great for dialogue, the frequently quirky descriptions of other nations makes it hard to give them significance when the author is inconsistent about whether we should take them seriously or not.
Parker spends 400 pages setting us up for...something. I'm not really sure what. As the novel progresses, it gets bogged down in the business, political, and wartime maneuverings. Where the climax should be are events we don't get to witness directly except through Bassano's idiosyncratic correspondence. After spending so long in the day-to-day goings on surrounding Basso, this jumbled summary of the culmination of events doesn't match the rest of the novel and takes the reader painfully out of the story. By the end, the plot completely disintegrates, with characters doing the inexplicable, Parker's attempts at being philosphical falling flat, and the story resolves into a wandering meaninglessness.
Is THE FOLDING KNIFE worth reading? Sure, on a Sunday afternoon when you're in the mood to enjoy fun to read prose and likable characters...but at the same time don't want to think too hard about the point of the story.
July 11, 2018
The Folding Knife is a socio-economic fantasy, and it's so much more interesting than that description makes it sound.
Of course, it's much more: murders, betrayal, attempted assassination, spies, wars and military strategies on a grand scale. We follow the rise of Bassanius Severus (Basso) from the ranks of a rather mediocre family, to the president of a bank, to the office of First Citizen of the Vesani Republic (an overt homage to Rome). Basso is cunning, ruthless, and inordinately lucky; you cheer for him nonetheless. His method of societal improvement, he says, hinges on the (disputable) fact that he is not a good man: where a virtuous leader would soon find that his intractable morals had expedited his demise, Basso fulfills his duties by seeking to advance his own interests (first ensuring that his interests align with his people's). He works every machination with an undercurrent of guilt, driven by a corrupt conscience that plagues him as often as it guides him. Ultimately, he seeks to change the face of the Vesani Republic forever.
This is a book about ends justifying means, what it means to be good, the limits of redemption, and the inescapability of our own nature. It is a masterful work. And yes, there's a lot of economics thrown in, and Parker somehow makes every word enjoyable.
Of course, it's much more: murders, betrayal, attempted assassination, spies, wars and military strategies on a grand scale. We follow the rise of Bassanius Severus (Basso) from the ranks of a rather mediocre family, to the president of a bank, to the office of First Citizen of the Vesani Republic (an overt homage to Rome). Basso is cunning, ruthless, and inordinately lucky; you cheer for him nonetheless. His method of societal improvement, he says, hinges on the (disputable) fact that he is not a good man: where a virtuous leader would soon find that his intractable morals had expedited his demise, Basso fulfills his duties by seeking to advance his own interests (first ensuring that his interests align with his people's). He works every machination with an undercurrent of guilt, driven by a corrupt conscience that plagues him as often as it guides him. Ultimately, he seeks to change the face of the Vesani Republic forever.
This is a book about ends justifying means, what it means to be good, the limits of redemption, and the inescapability of our own nature. It is a masterful work. And yes, there's a lot of economics thrown in, and Parker somehow makes every word enjoyable.
January 19, 2022
This is actually a re-read. Even better than the first time around, for now it became totally clear, how the thing with the knife works.
Still one of the best books I own. This one in my favorite Parker technique: begin at the end and from there on out, deconstruct. Marvelously made, witty and economically sound. I know of no other author, who can manage to start at the end without giving anything away and keep your nose bound in the book until you absolutely understand, how it came to that.
Highly recommended.
Still one of the best books I own. This one in my favorite Parker technique: begin at the end and from there on out, deconstruct. Marvelously made, witty and economically sound. I know of no other author, who can manage to start at the end without giving anything away and keep your nose bound in the book until you absolutely understand, how it came to that.
Highly recommended.
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