William F. Buckley, Jr.
Stained Glass (1978)
Author: William F. Buckley, Jr.
Genre: Thriller - Espionage
Plot Summary:
Set in West Germany during the reconstruction period after WWII, Blackford Oakes is a top CIA operative assigned to investigate the sudden political rise of Count Axel Wintergrin. Wintergrin is charismatic and popular. He advocates a reunification of West and East Germany and is opposed to the Stalin’s communist regime. The Soviet government is threatening mass retaliation if Wintergrin is elected as Chancellor, and the U.S. fears World War III erupting. Oakes goes undercover as the architect in charge of restoring the chapel of St. Anselm, located on Wintergrin’s estate and befriends the Count, only to find he will be required to kill him if the polls indicate Wintergrin’s political victory. Also undercover on Wintergrin’s staff is the beautiful Soviet agent and linguist Erika Chadinoff. SPOILER: On the appointed day, Oakes believes the Soviets are bluffing and finds that he cannot bring himself to kill Wintergrin and instead gives the control of the explosive device to Erika, who cannot do it either. Fearing this would happen, Oakes’ handlers have a back up plan in place and Wintergrin dies anyway.
Geographical Setting: Westphalia region of West Germany
Time Period: 1952
Series: Second in the Blackford Oakes series
Appeal Characteristics:
Plot driven, and secondary characters exist only to support the plot. The pacing builds gradually throughout the book – it’s like a freight train that rushes towards a breathtaking climax. Very compelling read. Very literary and not for people with meager vocabularies. Pro-American & Pro-CIA. Sympathetic and likeable protagonist – a man’s man that everyone wishes to be.
Similar Authors: John LeCarre
Red Flags: None really. There are two murders, but not graphic. Sex is implied, but again not graphic.
|top|
|
