The Parsifal Mosaic

By: Robert Ludlum

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 28 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael Havelock’s world died on a moonlit beach on the Costa Brava as he watched his partner and lover, double agent Jenna Karas, efficiently gunned down by his own agency. There’s nothing left for him but to quit the game, get out. Then, in one frantic moment on a crowded railroad platform in Rome, Havelock sees Jenna. Racing around the globe in search of his beautiful betrayer, Havelock is now marked for death by both U.S. and Russian assassins, trapped in a massive mosaic of treachery created by a top-level mole with the world in his fist: Parsifal.   

Praise for Robert Ludlum and The Parsifal Mosaic   

“[Robert] Ludlum’s narrative imagination is a force of nature.”—The New York Times   

“As fast-paced and absorbing as any he’s written.”—Newsday   

“The suspense never lets up.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution   

“A crackling good yarn.”—Los Angeles Times Book Review

©1983 Robert Ludlum (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Mr. Ludlum's narrative imagination is a force of nature." (The New York Times)

"Massive melodrama... Ludlum does know how to put on a show." (Chicago Tribune)

"A crackling good yarn." (Los Angeles Times Book Review)

Lumbering Ludlum

It is a good thing Robert Ludlum writes a good adventure because this book is long and full of great detail. To tell the truth I selected it over several I was considering because of Scott Brick who I think is fantastic. If you are feeling that you want to get lost in an endless story this is a great choice.

A twisted spy novel

What did you love best about The Parsifal Mosaic?

The best thing I liked about this book is the way that they kept you guessing who was the top enemy spy until near the end of the book.

What did you like best about this story?

Scott Brick does a good job of portraying the characters and keeping them real.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene is when the enemy spy master sends people to kill the doctor and his body guards only to find out that it's a trap so he sends another of his teams to take out the first team he sent so they can't get caught in the trap, really cold.

Maybe My Favorite Ludlum

Robert Ludlum was clearly a formula writer. However, I always enjoy his formula. While some of his other titles have sold more, and\or been made into feature films, this one may be my favorite. This story pulled me in more than most other Ludlum works, and surprised me at several turns. If you like the Ludlum formula, or like mystery and espionage novels in general, you should give this one a listen.

I’m not sure this was the right voice for this audiobook. But, it is well executed. You might wish it had been a different voice, but you couldn’t ask this voice to perform it any better.

the narrator isn't right for the story

the lilting rhythm of the narrator was completely at odds with the intrinsic tension of the "spy thriller" making it almost unbearable to finish.

A GREAT STORY NOT A BORING SECOND, A MUST LISTEN

What made the experience of listening to The Parsifal Mosaic the most enjoyable?

THE MOST ENJOYABLE LISTENING IS MADE BY THE NARRATOR, SCOTT BRICK.HE IS A AUDIBLE SELLER, HE IS THE STORY.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

SCOTT BRICK'S VOICE, DIALETS MAKES THE STORY MORE INTERESTING,, HE MAKES THE STORY COME TO LIFE AND KEEPS YOU INTERESTED EVEN THOUGH SOMETIMES THE STORY GETS BORING. OVER 20 HOURS OF GREAT LISTINING.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

NO.

Any additional comments?

I WILL USE MY POINTS ON ANY NOVEL MYSTERY OR LOVE STORY THAT SCOTT BRICK NARRATES.

The Parsifal Mosaic complex confusing well written

The Parsifal Mosaic is a well written, complex, somewhat confusing Cold War spy novel written by a guy who used to do voices in commercials. The narrator, Scott Brick does a great job with the voices of the many characters in the book. Czech and Russian language are throughout the novel. It's worth a read. Rest in peace, Mr. Ludlum.

Ludlum in his classic period

This is Robert Ludlum at his best. Great locales, global larger-than-life conspiracies, a strong male lead, a cheesy (but enjoyable) none-too-expressive female lead, and non-stop action. But this one has a great twist at the end, as the distinction between villain and savior becomes quite blurry. A long, at times silly, but always enjoyable listen, narrated expertly by Mr. Brick. Recommended.

Capturing from the beginning

Great story with twists and turns. I thought 22 hours would be too much for a book but it went by in a breeze.

And the thing is, it could all be true...

Spellbinding Masterpiece!

Long have I been a fan of lengthy writers who take the time to develop every aspect of a multifaceted plot. Ludlum is a master of it. This book is one of his best. It ranks in the top 20 of my all time favorite contemporary works. Scott Brick renders the words as only he can do.

Disappointing

What disappointed you about The Parsifal Mosaic?

I'm not sure if it was the reader, story or both, but I tried four times to get into this book and with each attempt I became even more disappointed. The attempt at suspense was more like drama and too overwhelming. The reader just exacerbated the issue.

What could Robert Ludlum have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

It almost felt like Ludlum out his name on a book that someone else threw together. Perhaps the book was really missing a story.

Any additional comments?

I'm hoping to see if I can return this book!