Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
The reason it's such a familiar story to a modern reader is simply that it's been so much copied. When it was written, it was a new kind of story, which is why it's regarded as a classic.
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I think this is a very good comment. But although excellent for its time, I think it doesn't stand up well to subsequent work.
I was a bit unhappy about the disguise aspects of it, especially the end scene, but willing to go along for the story. I did rather like the section with the road maintainer.
I'm afraid the sections of travel and pursuit across Scotland compared very unfavourably for me with the scenes in
Kidnapped. I also found the idea of Hannay ending up at the one house he would not wish to be at very unlikely. Especially as this was clearly not a house suddenly rented for the purpose, but their house even before Hannay went to Scotland. (Else why the explosives?)
I was also disappointed by Hannay's decision to try to leave the train between stations. He was pretty inconspicuous until then!
But I must admit that I'd forgotten it was written so early. But it's still not one I plan on re-reading.