The Charm School

By: Nelson DeMille

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 24 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Something very strange -- and sinister -- is going on in the Russian woods at Borodino. In a place called Mrs. Ivanova's Charm School, young KGB agents are being taught by American POW's how to be model citizens of the USA. The Soviet goal -- to infiltrate the United States undetected.

When an unsuspecting American tourist stumbles upon this secret, he sets in motion a CIA investigation that will reveal horrifying police state savagery and superpower treachery.

©1999 Nelson DeMille (P)2009 Hachette

Critic reviews

"Riveting." ( Publishers Weekly)

An older book that has held up well

I read this great story back in the 80's. It was good then, and it's a good read today.
#tagsgiving

I enjoy all his books

But this was exceptional, even better than his epic CIA novel.

Feels like you're in Russia/USSR

If you could sum up The Charm School in three words, what would they be?

Fast-paced; insightful; heartbreaking

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Just about every page! If a book gives a great deal of detail, the author runs the risk of bogging down and slowing the pace; thereby the book gets boring. Demille gives enough detail to where you not only picture the place in your mind, but you FEEL like you are there with Seth, Lisa and Sam. Definitely keeps pace and doesn't bog down.

Which scene was your favorite?

Where the Colonel from the camp realizes he has the same fate that he assigned to so many other people.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Like real life, the heroes are not all good. The bad guys are not all bad. Spoiler alert! When everyone in the camp dies, you realize it really does have to be that way, from a political and war standpoint. At first, you keep wanting to believe there are real POWs from Viet Nam there, but really, can it be? Your heart roots for there really being POWs there, mainly because they are not dead, But your mind keeps reflecting and checking reality, it can't really be. You wonder,why? For what purpose? How would that work? Then your mind tries to wrap around these Russians/Soviet spies being in the USA. Could it really be true? HAS it already happened? The very essence of what identifies us with our country, how we think, walk, talk and helps define us.So much to think about and consider.

Any additional comments?

The Charm School is a must for anyone who grew up or lived during the Cold War.

Another rare 5 star

A friends father recommended this book to him. He mentioned it a couple times over the years. Finally recalled it at the right time and listened to it. Great book.

Excellent story performed well

It’s one of his better stories. As with many of his books, there are stretches where he is tedious and philosophical. But there is plenty of action and interesting characters.

So good.

oh the book starts a little slow. However when you become involved in the book shortly after the slow part it is intense and holds your imagination all the way through the end of the book. It is quite long, but so good! Here’s hoping that it will be made into a movie someday.

Best book ever!

DeMille steps on the gas and doesn’t let up!! Hooks you from the beginning and doesn’t let go

I loved this story!

Wow, Nelson DeMille has outdone himself this time. All of his books are great, but this is one of the best. This book is so good it's hard to put it down. I highly recommend this book!

DeMille just can't write a bad book!

My title says it all. His books start fast and stay fast. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat for sure. What amazes me is that all his books are different, not just similar plots warmed over.

Inappropriate Accent

Any additional comments?

The story is excellent. The performance, however, is of a low standard. The reader mispronounces even common Russian names, such as Gogol. Most disconcerting is that everyone in the story, even Russians, have some kind of New York/New Jersey intonation, where the last part of the sentence rises in pitch. This is distracting, to the point where this listener had to laugh out loud at times.