Tim Powers' Declare

[pegkerr]

I am reading Tim Powers' Declare and it is making me feel very, very stupid. I probably don't have enough experience reading spy novels. This is about the first time that one of his books has done this to me. I've heard that it gets better about two hundred pages in. Is this true?

Comments

[bethynyc.livejournal.com]

well, I knew *nothing* about spy stuff, and on the first read I found it tough, but it got better. Can't remember exactly where though.

It did make me research Kim Philby and the rest, though. and want to see Lawrence of Arabia.

[alisgray.livejournal.com]

It's been years, but i recall liking that one. it's better than your garden variety spy novel, assuming you like horror and fantasy and all that.

[lonesomenumber1]

I think it's helpful to have read some John le Carré -- I reread The Honourable Schoolboy and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy while I was waiting for Declare -- but it's not absolutely necessary. Part of the reason I found it helpful, though, is that le Carré gives me that same feeling of being not quite smart enough to grasp what's going on a good ways through each of his novels. I think it's intentional: le Carré's protagonists (and Powers' Andrew Hale) are caught up in events they can't understand, either. It's only toward the end of the book, when things start to become clear to the protagonist, that you start smacking yourself in the forehead saying, "Aaaaah, now I see!"

On the other hand, I can see where some folks might find that rather annoying. :-)

[ex-greythist387.livejournal.com]

I don't read spy novels or thrillers, most of the time, and Declare made me realize I know next to no history for the period. It does "become better" in that one becomes better acquainted with necessary tidbits. As I recall, Powers feeds readers what they need to know--and (IMO) the book is totally worth reading to the end.

(Plus! There's a scene based upon a segment of The Travels of John Mandeville! So cool!) (Okay, it may not be--I've no confirmation--but it sounds like a nod to me.)

[meril.livejournal.com]

(coming in from friendsfriends)

Declare was actually the first and only spy novel I've read. What you have heard is correct. There comes a point in the book where the more interesting non-spy elements come in and you may not want to stop reading.

Don't feel stupid. Like other people have said, you may want to look up the actual historical figures and events that Powers used. Other than that, you're given exactly what you need to know in the book.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I wish I could read spy novels. Or mysteries. Or Victorian historicals (the good ones). The problem with me, fictionwise, is I've been pretty much stuck in the SF/Fantasy genres almost since I could read. I've tried to read Grisham, and I almost succeeded, and I did read The DaVinci Code and Maurice and a couple of Leon Uris, so there are exceptions. But for the most part, I'm in a livelong groove (I refuse to call it a rut) as far as fiction is concerned. Fortunately, the genre is so varied that it's not boring at all. Still, I wish I could sink into a good mystery or spy novel.

[matociquala.livejournal.com]

I love Tim Powers, and I love spy novels (no kidding ,right?). And Declare is my least favourite book of his.

I feel like it got so bogged down in history it forgot it was a novel, personally.

YMMV.

[sienamystic.livejournal.com]

Aside from an aborted attempt to read The Bourne Identity, Declare is the only "spy" novel I've ever read. It just sucked me in from the very beginning, and although I love Powers, he does have a couple of books that just don't work for me - this just wasn't one of those. The action does pick up further into the book, however.

I do need to rent Laurence of Arabia.