The Road to Gandolfo

By: Robert Ludlum

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this wickedly funny novel, Robert Ludlum combines the explosive pacing of The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy with a bitingly witty send-up of everything from government bureaucrats and pandering military men to the mob, the law, and organized religion.

War hero and infamous ladies’ man General MacKenzie Hawkins is a living legend. His life story has even been sold to Hollywood. But now he stands accused of defacing a historic monument in China’s Forbidden City. Under house arrest in Peking, with a case against him pending in Washington, it looks like the end of Mac’s illustrious career.

But he has a plan of his own - and it includes kidnapping the Pope. What’s the ransom? Just one American dollar - for every Catholic in the world. Add to the mix a slew of shady “investors”; Hawkins’ four persuasive, well-endowed ex-wives; and a young lawyer and fellow soldier who wants nothing more than to return to private life - and you’ve got one relentlessly irreverent page-turner.

©1992 Robert Ludlum (P)1991 Random House Audio

Ludlum;s true calling

What did you love best about The Road to Gandolfo?

It put me in mind of Biller Wilder at his best, A laugh a minute. Outrageous storyline, memorable characters and perfect pacing. I was actually laughing out loud. I found myself imagining the perfect cast for the story. It would make a great movie.I'm reading the sequel the Road to Omaha, and it doesn't miss abeat.

What other book might you compare The Road to Gandolfo to and why?

n/a

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to dozens of Scott Bick's performances and this could be his best. His British accents are a bit stilted but, easily forgiveable.I still give him a 10 on this. No one else could have pulled this off as well.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

"And you thought you knew Robert Ludlum"

A waste of time and money

The story is outlandish, silly. I don't understand why some found the book so funny. The performance is good but the author gave the main character annoying speech patterns, repeating the words "boy" and "goddam" all the time. What a bore!

Hilarious

I have read this book once before and forgot how wild the story gets. Loved it!

One of the funnier books I have read.

I’m pretty sure I have read every book Robert Ludlum wrote before his death. He was clearly a formula writer, just one with a really great formula which he executed very, very well. I have enjoyed every one. With the exception of the sequel, The Road to Omaha, this book is different from anything else he published. So different in fact that it was originally published under the pen name Michael Sheperd. So it is surprising that this might just be my favorite.

It is just fun. Don’t pick this up looking for another Jason Borne. It isn’t that. A thriller? OK, I guess so. But, it is really a comedy. What happens when a rouge army general takes on The Church? It has to be funny, doesn’t it?

This is not a book that was ever going to win awards. It doesn’t take itself seriously enough. Silly and often outrageous this book is here for the laughs. If you like thrillers, and espionage, but for a little while think it would be nice to relax and have a little less drama in a story that isn’t dark and depressing, this is what you are looking for. As I type in 2019 it is a little dated now. But the laughs are still there and Scott Brick delivers them well.

Hard to follow

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I thought this story was very hard to follow. Not my favorite R. Ludlum story.

Better than reading the book

Would you listen to The Road to Gandolfo again? Why?

Yes. Trying to clear other books then try it again.

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

Laughing to hard to sit on the edge of my seat, might fall off.

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

The General and the lawyer. Could not have one without the other.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but too long to do so.

Any additional comments?

Thank you Robert Ludlum for this book. Great humor. The only improvement I can think of is "Road to Omaha" being an Audion Book. PLEASE!

A fun, twisted story!

Any additional comments?

For all his serious spy thriller novels, this is a great change. A very versatile author.

Classic Ludlum with humor

This is one of my favorite Books ever. A classic Robert Ludlum adventure with international intrigue, an unwitting hero, and a undertone of a love story. Only this one is humorous, filled with zany characters.

If you enjoy Douglas Adams, Christopher Moore, or Jimmy Buffet's Joe Merchant, you will enjoy this. Try also the sequel Road to Omaha.

Great story

plot is riveting. Narator "Scott Brick" brings this Ludlum tale to life! Kept me in my truck for an extra hour ;)

A Great Book

Where does The Road to Gandolfo rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I had not read nor listened to this book by Robert Ludlum. I am a great fan of his and enjoy all his books. This one did not disappoint me. I enjoyed listening to this book while I walked or did my sewing. The story was somewhat fanciful but as always Scott Brick as narrator pulled you quickly into the story.
If you ejoy Robert Ludlum and his writings, you will enjoy this book. Definitely worth buying.

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

Yes because Robert Ludlum gives you a bit of info and then weaves the story unwinding the plot as the story unfolds.

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

laugh in places