Jaguar

by Loup Durand

The epic story, sweeping from Brazil to Europe to Chicago in the twenties, of Candido Cavalcanti, a playboy posing as a revolutionary; Samantha Franck, a left-wing heiress; and Aliotchka Alekhine, a Russian spy

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Espionage, Mystery

323 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1989

Reviews

[Miles Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving my girlfriend a running commentary on the book:

"Jaguar tried to escape the clutches of the Cheka by going home to Brazil, but now they've manipulated him into leading a Brazilian Revolution."
"I hate it when that happens."
...
"Now he's escaped from the revolutionaries with the aid of an aged Scottish family retainer and his armoured train."
"Yay!"
"But the revolutionaries have caught up with him and are making them use the armoured train for the Revolution."
"Oh my, what a beamer."
"Also, Jaguar's American anarchist girlfriend doesn't like it when the aged Scottish retainer calls him 'laddie'."
"That's just the sort of thing aged Scottish retainers do, she really ought to know that."
...
"You know, there's a trick to writing books like this. You can't just jump right in with the armoured trains or the illegal boxing matches on oil rigs, you have to ramp up the improbability gradually."
"Yes, by the time he runs across Mongolia, you want the reader to think 'that's believable for the character."
"Running across vast unforgiving wildernesses seems to be Jaguar's superpower."
...
"Look at this, it's a book by the same author."
"That looks very much like a romp. Possibly even a caper."

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really hope this was written tongue in cheek.

[TM · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm still in the process of reading this, I think I might be hunting our more of Loup Durand's works. Like many novels that I've picked up on the free bookshelf at the local general store, this one has turned out to be a diamond in the rough. Following Candido and seeing the intricate set up that the revolutionists have plotted out for him is amazing. Each time the reader is led to believe that he and his lover have finally gotten a break and might make headway in the chase, Otto, Stepa, or another nasty rear their evil head. Add to the mix that this little game of cat and mouse has been going on for at least a year (at this point in the novel they have a young daughter) and over the globe, it's enthralling to see what will happen next.

5/31/12 - I have to say, I'm very disappointed in the Hollywood-ized ending. While the rest of the novel was stellar, the ending will have you wanting to throw the book against the wall.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I thought was an international espionage story (think John Le Carre maybe) turned out to be a completely wild round the world mix of confusion, love, death and the start of the KGB. Set in the 1920's just after WW1, it follows a man from a well to do family in South American who meets an American girl looking to be an anarchist martyr in Germany, pretends to be something he isn't....and then they both end up traveling around the world in all kinds of directions on many different forms of transportation (lots of boats, cars and busses but the train is the best). International assassins are the main story in theory, but really this is mostly a love story that just happens to involve multiple countries government heads, a few revolutions and a backstory on how one of the most feared government sponsored organizations got it's start.

Many times in reading this I would completely forget it was placed 100 years ago as outside of the normal "where's the cell phones" and the fact they'd do a lot of "and the boat ride took 2 weeks" when today they'd be on a plane, it had a very modern feel. Durand's writing kept everything even where it was both a semi-serious geo-political world drama, and just a story about a short guy trying to get his girl to stay with him. A line near the end that really got me : "He can't be more than a foot taller and eighty pounds heavier. I'll simply have to climb on a chair and strangle Him." showed off the somewhat satirical but also serious tone of the book - I laughed audibly but also knew our main character meant every word.

A book unlike most others that is definitely worth the read.

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book literally travels around the world! It was a little hard to follow but it taught me one thing: NEVER GIVE UP! I really enjoyed it and read several parts over to understand it better. OMG, I had a hard time putting it down. Candido is the MAN! And Samantha is the WOMAN. Did I tell you I liked the book? I wish someone would make a movie of this story, it could be mind blowing! Loup, are you listening?

[Laetitia Tiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it as a teenager more than once. Had a few nightmares but only because I am ver sensitive. The story is very good and the characters very touching... well in my memory 😅

[Jamie Robertson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would recommend his novel Daddy to anyone, so I started this with great expectations. I wasn't disappointed, a cracking storyline blending in major historic figures.
Sadly though, halfway through it became absolute drivel and continued to be drivel all the way to the end.
I have never wanted a book to end so much.

[Harold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one. It's simply a good spy/adventure story that is as easy to read as watching a good movie. I wanted something light after a few serious reads that took some concentration and this fit the bill nicely.Very satisfying.

[Meryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a waste of reading time.