The Once and Future Spy

A Novel of Obsession

By: Robert Littell

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

An elite plan is afoot, a plan so secret and dangerous that its existence is known only to a tiny group of specialists within the innermost core of the CIA. There is virtually no paper trail - but somehow the plan has sprung a leak and the plotters must urgently plug it - or face deadly consequences.

©1990 Robert Littell (P)2003 New Millennium Audio, All Rights Reserved

Intriguing

This very thoughtful, compelling, and ironic book is definitely Littell. I have enjoyed all his other audiobooks, but there is an added depth and substance to this novel. The author weaves intricately between the past, and the present in a unique and interesting manner.

The folks that didn't like it, didn't 'get' it or were looking for excitement. While this book is well read by Scott Brick, and keeps ones interest, it isn't filled with edge-of-your-seat suspense that so many others have. Still, it is unusual, imaginative, and worth the read.

Different

The weaving into the story of a historical connection made this book. Without it, I don't think I would have liked it as much or cared as much about the protagonist. It provided a depth of character that by itself is not unusual, but the means of doing so was very original. This is my third book from Littell, and while it's my least favorite of the three, its still a very enjoyable "read". I'm starting to think I'd like anything from Littell.

Stupid Ending!!!!

Would you try another book from Robert Littell and/or Scott Brick?

Scott Brick as always was fantanstic. I have no idea why the book had such drama throughout and then ended the way it did. Completely let down by it.

What was most disappointing about Robert Littell’s story?

The ending. Unless there's a sequel I don't know about.......there definitely should be....

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

The Weeder

Was The Once and Future Spy worth the listening time?

No

disappointed

Disappointed in the story,. I kept on listening hoping for an improvement,what a let down.

Disappointed

What did you like about this audiobook?

After "The Company," I wanted more Littell. Three other books by this author, including "Once and Future Spy," have not measured up.

Dishonest

(Spoiler warning). I was drawn to this novel after listening to Littell's The Company and a couple of other novels of lesser renown. Initially, I was intrigued by the "story within a story" plot lines: the last days of the patriot Nathan Hale, as told by a modern descendent, "The Weeder" of the CIA, who himself has discovered a plot to nuke an Iranian city by rogue government agents, who want to kill him for his discovery. All of the mystery and suspense of the latter story line is revealed to be as bogus as the imagined narrative of Hale's capture and execution, both stories a product of the main character's psychosis. I felt incredibly cheated by this revelation.

Save your time and money

Robert Littel may have some talent, but it wasn't apparent to me in this novel. The plot was ludicrous, many of the characters are so crudely drawn they are more like caricatures, and the tie to the past was a gimmick.

Disappointed for the first time Mr Littell

Yet, I have read and loved Mr Littell's books in the past. I ignored reviews and purchased this title despite the warnings against it.

Sinister evil characters in and around the CIA betray and destroy a good man's mind. Destroy the love and confidence of the woman in his life, another character with a broken wing. Mr Littell is fond of those women in his book she re appears re incarnated, wounded and saved by the CIA agent. Except this one. Don't get me wrong, these are not live stories, not in any way.

There were lines repeated word for word by Silas and his forebear of Independence fighter, Nash over many chapters. Even the whole conversations if past characters are repeated by the present story. For me, it made for tedious listening.

The attempted death death scenes are truly bizarre, bloody incredulous.

Spoiler

If the entire story was a fantasy in Silas's mind, it is understandable that the attempts may be strangely executed. Yet the most bizarre murder attempt of all is witnessed.

The rest of the book is slow, it felt like treading water for hours before getting somewhere.

The ending was confusing, it made no sense to me in either context presented. There was not anything suggesting Snow would betray Silas again.
No tidying up if loose ends to help the listener understand.

A huge departure from the brilliant books like The Company. Read that instead, it is wonderful.

Left me flat and feeling duped of my credit.

Definitely not "The Company"

Would you try another book from Robert Littell and/or Scott Brick?

Yes The Company was a great read and Brick did a great job.

Would you ever listen to anything by Robert Littell again?

Yes same as above. Maybe he just needed time to mature as a writer.d

What character would you cut from The Once and Future Spy?

Nate

Any additional comments?

The back and forth between the civil war and present was hard to follow. The characters and their names were almost comical. Story was "disjointed". I stopped listening halfway through part two.

Not up to standard

I really don't have much to say about this novel. It in no way measures up to Littel's other fine works. I was very dissapointed.