Robert Ludlum has always been one of those authors, whose books you cannot simply put down, once you have started reading one. I started reading the book "The Tristan Betrayal" yesterday night, and could not do anything else until I was done with the book. This is the effect some books have on me - so I really try to avoid reading novels... and I miserably fail at the attempt ;)
The story walks us through the extra-ordinary life of Stephen Matcalfe; the plots and subplots, the love and betrayal, history and international agencies - all woven into an intricate novel. Stephen's love for Lana, his betrayal to her, her knowledge of his betrayal, the depths to which he goes to save his love and redeem himself of the guilt, Lana's understanding of love and her sacrifice for saving the world and the final realisation of the true meaning of Lana's gift to him by Stephen - have all been really well written.
Of course, the actual plot of how history has been changed by the handiwork of a few brave and great individuals, the exact description of the Gestapo and the Russian intelligence - pull you into the novel deeper and deeper. At one point, you will be identifying yourself with Stephen, anticipating what will happen next...
The way the story ends is really astounding - it really came out of the blue for me; I was still thinking how will Stephen ever be able to avert the danger of a possible nuclear war... and I had already reached the last few pages of the novel. Well, the end really was good - I won't give it away here! The words "understand the special gift - the gift of love" mean a lot... and we all ought to do that...
