Turkish Gambit

This is the third adventure of the Russian detective Erast Fandorin, a stuttering, moody youth who has great powers of deduction. Set in the late 1800s, the story is told through the eyes of Varya, a young "modern" woman who travels to the frontline of Russian's war against Turkey in Romania in order to be with her fiancé (a cryptographer with the army). Like an Indiana Jones heroine, Varya seems to have a knack for attracting trouble and being always in the midst of action. As Fandorin's temporary assistant, she helps him find a spy in their midst who is helping the Turkish army trick and stall the Russians.

A very enjoyable and light read, with touches of Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes.

Tracking traitors and stalking subversives (0/0 people found this helpful)

She's young, beautiful - and abandoned. Varvara Suvanova, a "modern woman" in late 19th Century Russia, has been deserted by her "guide" in a remote Bulgarian inn. Rescued - in a manner of speaking - by a diffident, but clearly significant, middle-aged man, Varya quickly finds herself embroiled in a web of war, intrigue and contrary values. Russia is [again!] at war with Turkey, a conflict viewed with concern by the European Powers - especially Great Britain. Varvara is seeking her fiance Pyotr, who is a cryptographer at Russian military headquaters. Her rescuer, Erast Fandorin, is a man of mystery, and Vavara is brought into his machinations by becoming his assistant. With this opening, Akunin launches a tale of Chekhovian proportions. In fact, describing this book as "Chekhov light" would be fitting.

A dispatch concerning Turkish military dispositions around Plevna launches the complex situation embroiling Varya and Erast. Hardly equipped to deal with state secrets, she can only mourn the easy victory that became a disastrous rout for the Russians. How did the Turks manage to intercept the battalions before they were even disposed for the planned assault? On this question, the entire story pivots as it becomes increasingly clear that the defeat was neither chance nor hinged on superior Turkish military skill. Something else is involved, here, and Fandorin's job is to determine what that is and who might be responsible.

As this story progresses, each new character is introduced with his [they are all men] pedigree trailing along behind. You can almost hear the military fanfare for each officer, and national anthems for the Europeans. For there are "observers" resident at this headquarters to report on activities. There is the Frenchman "Paladin", the Britisher McLaughlin - who is actually Irish, and a Bulgarian nobleman. Varya is continually plagued by indecision as to her role in this conflict. She doesn't wish to be treated as a "frail female", but is insulted when proper deference to her gender isn't given. She has no nursing skills, breaking into tears at the sight of wagonloads of wounded. Resentment at the hierarchical structure of Russian society is offset by her patriotism for the Motherland. The challenges are many and varied - more than once leading to fatalities.

While all this sounds terribly grim and foreboding, Akunin keeps the pace fast and the dialogue rich and delicious. It's hardly an example of Slavic despondency usually encountered in Russian fiction. The author is writing to a new market in Russia - middle class readers seeking entertainment without it being farce. Without contrivance, he keeps the reader smiling at Varya's struggle to maintain her self-generated identity. Her foil is Fandorin, who, although hardly an easily defined character, keeps offering surprises for her to cope with. Not the least of which is what drives him to his feats. A fine tale, well worth any reader's time. Fans of intrigue will find it a real gem. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Who is tricking whom? (0/0 people found this helpful)

"Gambit", literally "tricking somebody" is usually applied to military operations or chess strategies. In order to achieve the ultimate win some losses have to be accepted along the way. Both contexts fit here beautifully. Boris Akunin, Russian pen name of Georgian writer Grigory Chkhartisvili, has taken an actual episode from the 1877-78 war between the Russian and Ottoman empires to spin yet another successful yarn around young Erast Fandorin, secret agent in the Tsar's Special Division. The author fills a niche market in Russia, as he himself sees it, between the serious literature of the likes of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy and the usual light detective stories of today. For the international reader this new genre of Russian "espionage mystery" - the subtitle of the original - in a specific historical context is a fun read that at the same time provides some insights into the society of the day.

At the end of the previous, first novel in the series, Winter Queen, Erast Fandorin's world was shattered; the repercussions of the drama seem to have resulted in a change of character. Now, he tends to stutter and is introvert and reserved. Has he lost his detective's touch as well? En route to the Russian military command headquarters outside Plevna, in Bulgaria, where a secret mission has sent him, he literally stumbles across Varvara Andreevna Suvorova. A vivacious and "modern" young woman, she is intent on following her fiancé, a volunteer soldier and cryptographer stationed at the same camp. Varvara, Varya for short, takes over as the primary protagonist of the narrative and Akunin exquisitely develops her character and describes her increasingly important position among the expanding entourage of admiring men. One of these is Sobolev, the White General, for the Russian reader easily recognized as General Skobelev, the real-life hero of the battle for Plevna. For the Turkish side, Akunin also bases some of his characters on actual personalities in the conflict. Furthermore, he introduces an illustrious retinue of international journalists, who mingle with the senior military and are "embedded" at the front lines. Akunin's subtle sarcasm at their doings and mishaps shows through and gives the story a certain actuality to current issues surrounding media observing military conflicts. The drama builds when it becomes evident that a saboteur must be at work: Russian attack positions are pre-empted by Turkish troops. Can the culprit or culprits be apprehended before more lives are lost? Like at a treasure hunt, Akunin leads the protagonists and the reader on a few wild good chases. Will Erast Fandorin's ingenuity and sharp deductive talent, help or hinder the investigation?

Erast Fandorin has become a household name in Russia where millions of copies of each Akunin book are sold. The English speaking world is slowly catching on with now eight novels available in translation. This highly entertaining, this fast moving, action-packed and character-rich story, the second in the series, will delight any reader, beyond the already established Akunin fans. The author brings the intricate Russian historical events of the late 19th century to life with wit and a great sense of irony and humour. [Friederike Knabe]

DREADFUL (0/0 people found this helpful)

Be warned; this goes nowhere very slowly indeed. Our hero Fandorin is reduced to a virtual cardboard cutout and hardly features. You will see the villian of the piece coming a mile off. The best thing about my copy of this book is the preview of 'The Death of Achilles' which unfortunastly illustrates how much better Akunin can do.

Name's Fandorin, Erast Fandorin! (0/0 people found this helpful)

What can I say, I am an absolute fan of Akunin, and can't wait for each new release. Fandorin series is my favourite however I read all Akunin books I could get my hands on. Adventure + mystery + a tiny bit of romance + Akunin's unique ideas about various historic events = brilliant! You can't go wrong with a character like Fandorin, something between James Bond, Sherlock Holmes and Mr Darcy (ladies will know what I mean :-), men want to be him, women want to be with him.

I thoroughly enjoyed TG (but State Counsellor is my favourite among Fandorin series), it reminded me of Agatha Christi's Poirot novels, because of the way the suspicion fell on every character in turn. Hope you enjoy it too.

Boris Akunin

Reader Reviews:

Russian Artifice (0/0 people found this helpful)

Tracking traitors and stalking subversives (0/0 people found this helpful)

Who is tricking whom? (0/0 people found this helpful)

DREADFUL (0/0 people found this helpful)

Name's Fandorin, Erast Fandorin! (0/0 people found this helpful)

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