Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Smug, formulaic, and downright boring.... Yes, I'm talking about a Daniel Silva novel. I can't believe it either. But this latest effort--much of which was a tedious info-dump--manages to be both preposterous and dull. Whereas Silva's background as a journalist brought his previous novels to life, The Cellist reveals a mastermind who no longer endeavors to (or is no longer able to) distinguish between fact and fiction. Even at Silva's best, he's been unable to resist the temptation to inject himself into his stories. I don't mean in the sense that all authors are reflected in their works; every character, after all, reveals something about its creator. But I've always gotten the impression that Silva is absurdly pleased with himself: little comments here and there throughout the series seem designed to jerk the reader from the narrative and remind them of the genius behind the fiction. And in the case of The Cellist, the fiction simply isn't all that great. I kept waiting for the real Gabriel Allon to show up. About halfway through my slog-of-a-read, I came to the sinking realization that he'd been there all along. And that I no longer care for him. Gabriel hasn't aged well; he's a shell of his former intriguing self. No-- not a shell. A puppet. Gabriel Allon has become little more than the mouthpiece of his creator. The author's prerogative, to be sure. But it's not the reader's joy. Perhaps it really is time for Gabriel to ride off into the Venetian sunset.