Author Description
In Greenmantle (1916) Richard Hannay, hero of The Thirty-Nine Steps, travels across war-torn Europe in search of a German plot and an Islamic Messiah. He is joined by three more of Buchan's heroes: Peter Pienaar, the old Boer Scout; John S. Blenkiron, the American determined to fight the Kaiser; and Sandy Arbuthnot, Greenmantle himself, modelled on Lawrence of Arabia. The intrepid four move in disguise through Germany to Constantinople and the Russian border to face their enemies - the grotesque Stumm and the evil beauty of Hilda von Einem. In this classic espionage adventure Buchan shows his mastery of the thriller and the Stevensonian romance, and also his enormous knowledge of world politics before and during the First World War. This edition illuminates for the first time the many levels beneath the stirring plot and romantic characters. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
Richard Hannay must navigate a perilous landscape across war-torn Europe to dismantle a clandestine German plot and prevent the rise of a dangerous religious figure. Tasked with uncovering the source of a mysterious Islamic prophecy, Hannay recruits a team of specialists to infiltrate enemy territory. The narrative follows their movement through Germany toward Constantinople, where they encounter formidable adversaries. The story utilizes a third-person perspective to track the group's progress as they operate under cover of disguise to evade capture.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Espionage-driven plot centered on geopolitical instability during World War I
- Ensemble cast featuring distinct archetypes of the early twentieth-century adventurer
- Pacing characterized by rapid movement across diverse international settings
- Integration of historical political tensions with fictionalized intrigue
- Use of disguise and infiltration as primary tactical methods
- Exploration of the clash between Western intelligence and Eastern mysticism
- Stylistic influence of the adventure romance tradition
- High-stakes confrontation with antagonistic figures representing opposing ideologies
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers frequently highlight the book as a foundational example of the early twentieth-century spy thriller. Discussion often centers on the author's ability to blend high-stakes political tension with the conventions of the adventure novel. Critics note that while the prose reflects the imperialist attitudes of its era, the narrative remains effective in its construction of suspense and atmosphere. Many readers appreciate the camaraderie among the central characters, which provides a necessary balance to the darker elements of the espionage plot. The work is widely regarded as a significant entry in the Richard Hannay series, maintaining a consistent focus on action and international intrigue.
Page Count:
318
Publication Date:
1999-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191611204
ISBN-13:
9780191611209
Adventure
Thriller
English
Fiction thrillers
Historical
classic
Great Britain
Richard Rahl Fictitious character
English & College Success
Spy Fiction
War fiction
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