The Care of Time (1981) is the last novel by British spy fiction writer Eric Ambler. It deals with the theme of international terrorism, using fictional unpublished memoirs of Russian terrorist Sergey Nechayev as a plot device.
 First edition (publ. Farrar Straus Giroux) | |
| Author | Eric Ambler |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
Publication date | 1981 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | |
| OCLC | 952979775 |
| Preceded by | Send No More Roses |
Plot
editRobert Halliday is forced by Karlis Zander to help edit the memoirs of a 19th century Russian terrorist Sergey Nechayev, otherwise Zander will detonate a bomb. Halliday soon discovers that Zander and his daughter are themselves threatened by a Middle Eastern terrorist group.
Reception
editKirkus Reviews wrote that the book is "elaborately farfetched" and "doesn't quite triumph by the more conventional criteria for suspense".[1] However, P.D. James wrote "Ambler controls his complicated plot with brilliant expertise".[2]
Writing in 2015, John Gray described the book as "prescient".[3]
Adaptations
editThe book was adapted for television in 1990, directed by John Davies, with Michael Brandon as Robert Halliday and Christopher Lee as Karlis Zander.
References
edit- ^ "The Care of Time". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ James, P. D. (6 September 1981). "Eric Ambler And The Arts of Intrigue". Washington Post. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ Gray, John (22 August 2015). "A Point of View: The enduring relevance of Eric Ambler's spy novels". BBC News. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
External links
edit
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