I've been waiting a long time to read this book - I picked up a copy of Greenmantle almost a year ago in a shop, and have been looking out for The Thirty-Nine Steps ever since. Well, I finally found it in a second-hand bookshop in Camden this January, and finally got round to reading it this weekend.
The Thirty-Nine Steps is the story of Richard Hannay, who through a visit from one man goes from being a bored man exploring London to a fugitive in the possession of dangerous knowledge, holding the fate of England in his hands and trying to survive long enough to pass the information on to the people who need it.
Buchan wastes no time getting on with his book, it's exciting and fast paced from the first page, with Hannay constantly on the run, getting in and out of danger, fooling others as to his identity and being fooled by others in turn. It's a short book, an easy read (I read it in about two hours), and just really, really fun. Hannay is witty and likable, the dialogue is natural, the suspense is well maintained throughout. All in all, a very pleasant read.
The Thirty-Nine Steps is the story of Richard Hannay, who through a visit from one man goes from being a bored man exploring London to a fugitive in the possession of dangerous knowledge, holding the fate of England in his hands and trying to survive long enough to pass the information on to the people who need it.
Buchan wastes no time getting on with his book, it's exciting and fast paced from the first page, with Hannay constantly on the run, getting in and out of danger, fooling others as to his identity and being fooled by others in turn. It's a short book, an easy read (I read it in about two hours), and just really, really fun. Hannay is witty and likable, the dialogue is natural, the suspense is well maintained throughout. All in all, a very pleasant read.