Historical Fiction at its Best (City of Gold - Len Deighton)

Member Name: senafernando

Product:	City of Gold - Len Deighton
Date:	11/11/00 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Holds the reader's interest well.

Disadvantages: Not as good as John Le Carre's best novels.

Deighton's City of Gold is a gripping read, probably one of his best since the Ipcress File. It is the story of treachery and skullduggery in Cairo (called the City of Gold because of the effect produced by sunlight,particularly during the winter months) and environs when the British Army
was involved in its bitter campaign against Rommel's Afrika Korps in 1942. It provides an interesting alternative view of Rommel, whose reputation as a great general was generally unchallenged prior to the publication of this book. Were his early victories against the British due to his brilliance, or was there a traitor in the British camp who forewarned him of their every move? The main plot of this novel is Major Albert Cutler's search for the traitor,
but there are several intertwining sub-plots, and underlying it all is Deighton's
marvellous evocation of the sights, odours, and atmosphere of Egypt in the 1940's.

Summary: