The Escape Plan

The novel delights on a number of levels - beginning with a strong 'what's next?' narrative line. From an opening crisis, we follow the lead characters over several decades, with their development well observed by a psychologist's clear eye, but set out with an artist's sensitive hand. Even minor characters come vividly alive in a few deft touches. Fictional characters become people you really know and remain intrigued by after the book is finished.

Perhaps only when you reluctantly put it down, do you realize what profound issues of identity and relationship lie behind the story. Freedom or conformity in a time of pressure - the post-Korean Cold War in the US - are background issues, over which the character's stories and the fun are skillfully interwoven.

Conversations are witty, and scenes sparkle with humour. Descriptions of the different locations from Hawaii to Washington, DC, are evocative, even poetic at times. It seems like a real world but seen through eyes more penetrating than our own. Don't miss this one!