Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews

Discussion in 'TMB Book Club' started by RJF-GUMP, Feb 29, 2016.

  1. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    This book was awesome. I'm reading the sequel now. ANyone else ever read it?
     
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  2. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    Never heard of it. Cliffs?
     
  3. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    really entertaining spy novel written by a guy that was a high ranking member of the CIA. Its about the recruitment of Russian assets by the CIA from within the SVR which is Russias intelligence agency
     
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  4. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    That sounds like it's right up my alley. I will add it to my list to read after this months book club selection.
     
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  5. Teflon Queen

    Teflon Queen The mentally ill sit perfectly still
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    Think I'm going to pick this up today. Been on a spy kick for a while...you ever read John Le Carre?
     
  6. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    no might need to look into it
     
  7. Teflon Queen

    Teflon Queen The mentally ill sit perfectly still
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    He's got a similar profile to this Jason Matthews guy...worked in MI5 and MI6 as a spy. The Karla Trilogy is a great starting point imo...he's considered one of the best, if not the best, spy novelists ever.
     
  8. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    I'm going to start this today after I finish the art of fielding.
     
  9. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    nice, I'm not sure what I'm going to read next after palace of treason. I'd like to read a biography of a great american. I tried reading Ben Franklins but it got super boring. Teddy Roosevelts was great though.
     
  10. Teflon Queen

    Teflon Queen The mentally ill sit perfectly still
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    The River of Doubt is another phenomenal read on Teddy. Following his failed presidential bid in 1912 he went on an Amazon expedition up an uncharted river and it's insane. Empire of the Summer Moon is somewhat of a biography on Quanah Parker, the last Comanche chief, and it's perhaps my favorite nonfiction that I've read.
     
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  11. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    I'm only about 10% in and am loving this book. Great call on recommending it.
     
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  12. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    40% in and this is setting up to be one of the best espionage books I have ever read.
     
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  13. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    I'm about to be done with the sequel
     
  14. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    Just finished. Awesome book. It's probably the best espionage fiction book that ive read in the past Few years. 9.5/10
     
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  15. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    i really enjoyed Palace of Treason as well, its not as good as Red Sparrow but it's still real good
     
  16. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    i put the karla trilogy on my To Read list
     
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  17. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    Likewise
     
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  18. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    Just finished Palace of Treason. It isn't quite to the level of Red Sparrow but is still damn good.

    I was very pleased to discover that there is a third book in the series in the works.
     
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  19. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    did not know that, will read
     
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  20. BayouMafia

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    Started yesterday. Currently 15% in and loving it.

    Cracks me up how he includes a recipe at the end of each chapter.
     
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  21. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    I just saw today that they are making Red Sparrow into a movie. Jennifer Lawrence will play Dominika.
     
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  22. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
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    damn that is awesome
     
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  23. BayouMafia

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    this popped up on my fb feed this evening
    RedSparrow.jpg
     
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  24. Don't Hate Me Bro!

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    Got it on audible, really good so far.
     
  25. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    Just finished. Couldnt put it down. Will start Palace of Treason ASAP
     
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  26. Truman

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    There are many great things about these book, but the banter between Nate, Forsyth and Gable kills me :laugh:
     
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  27. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    Only through 12 Chapters. While the consensus itt seems to be that Book 2 isnt as good the first, Im enjoying it just as much if not more.

    Gable might be my favorite literary character in recent memory. Dude slays me in every scene. Wonder who will play him in the movie.
     
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  28. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    Finished. Thought Palace of Treason was just as good as Red Sparrow. Im dying for more. Looks like the 3rd book is scheduled early next year.

    That part where they were intercepting Zyunganov and Triton's meeting at the park - I was freaking the fuck out. Great suspense.
     
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  29. rv12

    rv12 Cowabunga
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    Anyone have a .mobi of Palace of Treason they can send me? Truman
     
  30. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    If no one has it in .mobi format I have an epub if you want.
     
  31. rv12

    rv12 Cowabunga
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    You have a PM.
     
  32. rv12

    rv12 Cowabunga
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    Just finished. Totally agreed on the spoiler above. Phenomenal book and really looking forward to #3.
     
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  33. Love Tractor

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    8 chapters into the first book and I’m hooked.

    Are the sequels as good as this first one. I’m going to read them regardless just wondering.
     
  34. BayouMafia

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    Third book release is on my birthday next month :pipelayer:

    [​IMG]
     
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  35. Love Tractor

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    Wrapped up book 1. Book 2 on deck via audible.
     
  36. BayouMafia

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  37. Love Tractor

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    It sure seems like the CIA has some absolute boobs working in very important stations. Throckmorton probably shouldn’t have been chief of Moscow station.

    Looking forward to the movie I hope it’s well done.
     
  38. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    Just finished The Kremlin's Candidate. I thought it was great. There has been very little drop off in quality through 3 books in the series. The twists and turns in the world of espionage are incredible. The ending of this one certainly was eye opening.

    I just saw mention that this is to be the final installment of the series. I must have missed that. Is this confirmed?
     
    #38 Blackterno, Mar 26, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2018
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  39. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    I thought the entire trilogy was great. One of my faves.

    I looked To see what his next project was but didn’t see anything. I think It’s over but could see him picking it up 10-20 years down the road ( in the story)
     
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  40. Mix

    Mix I own a Fuddruckers with Scottie Pippen
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    Can we talk about how bad of an adaptation the movie was? The relationships in it made no sense, just terrible.
     
  41. Blackterno

    Blackterno Well-Known Member
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    I haven’t seen it. I was really looking forward to it but I have heard nothing good about the movie. I heard Jennifer Lawrence was an abomination as Dominika.
     
  42. Mix

    Mix I own a Fuddruckers with Scottie Pippen
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    She was terrible. They changed just about everything. She never really gets to know any of the other characters. They keep her isolated from most of the cast and expect us to care about anyone in it. Its just terrible.And they changed the ending completely I guess for sequel purposes.