The Day of the Jackal

By: Frederick Forsyth

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the most celebrated thrillers ever written, The Day of the Jackal is the electrifying story of an anonymous Englishman who in, the spring of 1963, was hired by Colonel Marc Rodin, operations chief of the O.A.S., to assassinate General de Gaulle.

France was infuriated by Charles de Gaulle's withdrawal from Algeria, and there were six known attempts to assassinate the general that failed. This novel dramatizes the seventh, mostly deadly attempt, involving a professional killer for hire who would be unknown to the French Police. His code name was Jackal, his price half a million dollars, and his demand total secrecy, even from his employers.

Step by painstaking step, we follow the Jackal in his meticulous planning, from the fashioning of a specially made rifle to the devising of his approach to the time and the place where the general is to meet the Jackal's bullet. The only obstacle in his path is a small, diffident, rumpled policeman, who happens to be considered by his boss the best detective in France: Deputy Commissaire Claude Lebel.

©1971 Frederick Forsyth (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A masterpiece tour de force of crisp, sharp, suspenseful writing." ( Wall Street Journal)
"Compelling, utterly enthralling....Some of the tensest thriller writing I can remember reading." ( Sunday Express, London)

Quite a chase!

This story is quite a chase as we ride along on the investigation for a mysterious man who has been hired to kill France's president. The story is written very engagingly, and I found myself really hoping for the success of all of the authorities involved. But also, I liked the character of the Jackal. Several of his actions and reasons I could totally understand.

Overall, this is an enjoyable story and totally worth the listen. And Simon Prebble does a great job of narration.

A Classic

I'd read the book back in the 60's or 70's. Since then I've forgotten the details so this was a new book once again. I enjoyed it over 3-4 days and looked forward to resuming the book where I left off. If you enjoy these types of books (Lone Assassin vs the "System," ) then you'll not have any complaints. And the reader was excellent. He could pronounce all the foreign words that gave me such trouble while reading. A nice English accent.

Great old espionage thriller!

This 1971 novel is set in 1963 France where the French outlaw group Organisation de l'armée secrète (OAS) hired an Englishman who used the name The Jackal to kill Charles de Gaulle. The suspense is intense.

Captivating!

I really enjoyed this novel. the narrator was very good and made the story come to life. I think the story took a little bit to get going, but towards the end, I didn't want to stop listening!

Great story tough beginning

Stick out the history lesson at the beginning. It gets good after that. Excellent story.

Very enjoyable

This is second Forsyth book I have read(listened), prior one Odessa File.
They were both intriguing and kept me interested and in anticipation in every chapter. This is set in the early 60's with the technology of the day without the super technology of current similar spy, or lone wolf novels. Forsyth lets the character carry to story. The author made me dislike the assassin and root for his capture or elimination. Both the author and narrator take you back to europe at that time. I have listen to this narrator before and he does very well with the characters

A taste of a bygone France

Being born in France at the time this novel is supposed to take place, I found the story doubly fascinating, not only for the suspense, but also for the depiction of a country that was still much closer to the 19th century than to the 21st, so different in every regard from what it has since become.
It is just a pity that the narrator does such a terrible job of pronouncing french names, they are barely recognizable...

The joy of narration

Having read this novel and watched a movie made on it, I was familiar with the plot and the climax. The movie hardly did justice to the writing. But the narration captured all details and possibly the emotions the author wanted us to go through as he was writing this. The experience was better than reading the novel or watching the movie.

Spectacular. A great listen for anyone who loves mysteries.

Very Good

Which character – as performed by Simon Prebble – was your favorite?

A good story. Simon Prebble could read the phone book and I would be happy.
No lagging or looking to see how much time was left. Great entertainment.

Exceptional read

Literally a page turner. This book was riveting, and was not how I expected it to be. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good thriller.