Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Restless

By William Boyd

It was a spy story with a difference. The characters were mostly believable and the 1940s era was beautifully drawn. I could feel the fear and apprehension in Britain and the USA. The twist in the plot was adding a daughter who was a product of post war Britain unaware of the roles that spies played in the war. I didn't like Ruth, the daughter, but she did mature in the end. The mother /daughter gap was well drawn. I hadn't read any William Boyd books but will certainly consider them in future. Another book that moves backward and forwards in time so it took some getting used to 8/10

It was an exciting read of espionage during the second World War. It is a beautifully written book that gives the reader an insight into the training of spies. It has an unusual plot but I felt that the ending was somewhat uninspired 7/10

On the whole I did not enjoy this book because to say I did would mean; a) I wouldn't want to put it down (no trouble ), b) I found it easy to read (whereas on a first reading I found myself having to refer back to previous chapters to check names etc c) It would be fast moving (whereas I was frustrated by the daughter's story which had little to offer - wanted to skip alternative chapters) d) Characters would come alive (didn't work with child ) e) Would be kept in suspense (whereas I guessed the double agent early on ) f) Needed to read book twice to really assimilate it. However, I did like the good descriptive passages i. e. Middle Ashton and the night spent alone in the wilds of Scotland 7/10