Location : Cleveland, OH
After finishing Stephen Hunter's previous
Bob Lee Swagger novel, Night
of Thunder, I was wondering
if I would ever return to one of my favorite characters in fiction. That
novel was a disappointment. After reading an interview with Stephen Hunter,
in a magazine, I had renewed hope and interest for his latest installment,
I,
Sniper. It seemed that Hunter
was returning to the formula that made Bob Lee Swagger one of the best,
most thrilling characters in fiction.
The ghosts of Vietnam are still haunting some people. In a matter of a few days, four former Vietnam activists are shot dead by someone with excellent sniper skills. One of the most deadly Marine snipers of that war, with ninety-three confirmed kills, Carl Hitchcock, becomes a "person of interest" after he is shown to be depressed and despondent at the news that he was the second best sniper of that conflict. For years, he travelled the gun shows and sold his autograph, made money off of his name, as it was attached to guns, ammunition, and accessories, and allowed books to be published about him, specifically because he was the best sniper of that war. Within a few days of focusing on Carl, the FBI wraps up the case. However, the lead investigator wants another person to evaluate the shots. A person intimately familiar with sniping; Bob Lee Swagger. Swagger will not simply rubber stamp the FBI's findings and placate several parties, which puts him in a very bad position, which could result in his death.
With I, Sniper, Stephen Hunter returns to the pinnacle of the thriller genre and positions Bob Lee Swagger as one of the top characters in fiction. As the subject deals with violence, Hunter balances it with an examination of the effects of killing on the shooter as well as the survivors. This view lends a very human, realistic feel to the novel. While it may seem like overkill, Hunter spends time describing various rifles, ammunition, and sniping procedures. At first, this seemed to be simply a show of Hunter's extensive gun knowledge, later it is the basis for your understanding of key plot points. The time he spends on the weaponry is beneficial for the reader. For those that are familiar with the Vietnam War era, several characters will be familiar, as they are based on actual individuals. Also, Hunter has fun at the media's expense, showing their questionable ethics and lack of gun knowledge. The latter playing an important role in one climatic scene. Hunter keeps the reader guessing through most of the novel. providing one excellent plot twist after another, tying is all together in a very rewarding finale. Thoroughly entertaining, I, Sniper is one of the best Bob Lee Swagger novels to appear in several years.
Disclosure:
Obtained from: Bookstore
Payment: Purchased
Technorati tag: book review Stephen Hunter
The ghosts of Vietnam are still haunting some people. In a matter of a few days, four former Vietnam activists are shot dead by someone with excellent sniper skills. One of the most deadly Marine snipers of that war, with ninety-three confirmed kills, Carl Hitchcock, becomes a "person of interest" after he is shown to be depressed and despondent at the news that he was the second best sniper of that conflict. For years, he travelled the gun shows and sold his autograph, made money off of his name, as it was attached to guns, ammunition, and accessories, and allowed books to be published about him, specifically because he was the best sniper of that war. Within a few days of focusing on Carl, the FBI wraps up the case. However, the lead investigator wants another person to evaluate the shots. A person intimately familiar with sniping; Bob Lee Swagger. Swagger will not simply rubber stamp the FBI's findings and placate several parties, which puts him in a very bad position, which could result in his death.
With I, Sniper, Stephen Hunter returns to the pinnacle of the thriller genre and positions Bob Lee Swagger as one of the top characters in fiction. As the subject deals with violence, Hunter balances it with an examination of the effects of killing on the shooter as well as the survivors. This view lends a very human, realistic feel to the novel. While it may seem like overkill, Hunter spends time describing various rifles, ammunition, and sniping procedures. At first, this seemed to be simply a show of Hunter's extensive gun knowledge, later it is the basis for your understanding of key plot points. The time he spends on the weaponry is beneficial for the reader. For those that are familiar with the Vietnam War era, several characters will be familiar, as they are based on actual individuals. Also, Hunter has fun at the media's expense, showing their questionable ethics and lack of gun knowledge. The latter playing an important role in one climatic scene. Hunter keeps the reader guessing through most of the novel. providing one excellent plot twist after another, tying is all together in a very rewarding finale. Thoroughly entertaining, I, Sniper is one of the best Bob Lee Swagger novels to appear in several years.
Disclosure:
Obtained from: Bookstore
Payment: Purchased
Technorati tag: book review Stephen Hunter
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