Rating: 
Summary: AMATEURISH EFFORT
Review: Since a few other reviewers have rehashed the plot of this novel, I won't get into the specifics of it. I just want to say that it is not a very good one. It breezes along like an old Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew story---amazing coincidences popping up everywhere, stilted dialogue slipping from every character's tongue, and action sequences which are unrealistic to the point of being downright silly.
Years ago, Follett wrote three great action/suspense novels: Eye of the Needle, The Key to Rebecca, and Triple. If you want to be enjoyably entertained and save some money to boot, buy these novels in paperback. Don't waste twenty bucks on Hornet Flight.
Rating: 
Summary: excellant reading, but a printer problem
Review: The story is great, however, pages 86 thru ll9 are completely missing and 119 thru 148 are included twice. I figured it out, but I'm still missing 33 pages.
Rating: 
Summary: For Those Who Enjoy This Genre of Follett
Review: My first introduction to this writer's work was a book that has become a classic in the genre, "The Eye Of The Needle". For several books, and even more years, Mr. Follett pursued very different books like, "The Pillars Of The Earth", which was one of his most successful books, and has even lead to a "Pillars Of The Earth Day" annually. Many people enjoy both the areas that the author has ventured in to, but if given only one choice, I prefer the type that I first read.He returned to the present genre with, "Code To Zero", which is the weakest of the spy genre he has produced since returning to it. "Jackdaws", was closer to historically based fiction, and it was very, very good. His newest, "Hornet Flight", is also well worth your time, and is close to, "Jackdaws", you will have to decide which you prefer. He notes at the outset that, "Some of what follows really happened." Much less historical detail than he prefaced the last book with, but still intriguing for those who have read the history that takes place when this book is set. What he continued from his previous book was to place female characters front and center, on both the sides, that you will hope will succeed, and on the side of the Nazis which require no elaboration. This book is a bit predictable, but I am hesitant to be too critical for I don't know how much of the tale is based upon fact. If some events are predictable but true, they are breathtaking, if only a figment of the author's imagination, they are expected and not up to the level Mr. Follett writes at when at his best. Prime Minister Churchill appears and is portrayed accurately. There is also a character that was a close confidant and scientific advisor to Mr. Churchill during the war that may be the basis for one character in the book. I don't want to give what is a personal guess away, for it could spoil the book for some. If others agree with the observation, I look forward to reading the comments they offer. Mr. Follett is very good at what he does and he rarely makes a misstep with a book. "Hornet Flight", is absolutely one of his stronger works, even if it is not his very best. Mr. Follett when good or very good, is still better than most others who attempt the genre.
Rating:
Summary: JET-PACED PROSE WITH ON-TARGET DIALOGUE
Review: Ken Follett, acknowledged master of dramatic World War II thrillers, delivers another hard-driving, compulsively readable tale with "Hornet Flight." Fans of "Jackdaws" are undoubtedly standing in line to buy copies of Follett's latest. While the author is a master in his field, the voice performers for this tension filled saga are also master of their craft. John Lee, who read the Unabridged version, has received two Earphone awards, and is widely recognized for his outstanding stage work. Currently appearing on Broadway, Byron Jennings, who reads the Abridged versions, has numerous stage and film roles to his credit. Both voice performers offer splendid readings of "Hornet Flight," imbuing it with added danger, especially during a harrowing flight over the North Sea. Our story opens in 1941 when England alone stands in opposition to the spreading Nazi oppression, as Hitler deploys his troops throughout Europe. RAF bombers are England's ace-in-the-hole, their primary resistance. However, each deployment fails. Apparently, the German Luftwaffe has prior knowledge of when and where the RAF bombers will strike. How can this be? Digby Hoare, an aircraft engineer, under orders to Winston Churchill, investigates this problem. For assistance he turns to Hermia Mount who is on the staff of MI6, the British intelligence agency. Taking her charge to heart, Hermia ventures into Denmark, attempting to discover the leak. Meanwhile, on a far off Danish island Harald Olufsen, an 18-year-old aspiring physicist, crosses a German army base where he spies an odd machine. He is strongly opposed to the German occupation of his beloved country, and tells the Resistance what he has seen. However, this information must be brought to the attention of the British, and it is to this end that Harald embarks upon a perilous journey. He has no choice but to travel in an outmoded Hornet Moth, a tiny biplane in disrepair. He must make the plane air ready, and traverse the forbidding North Sea. Follett's strong suits are many - he crafts a fascinating, can't-put-down thriller, and he peoples it with strong characters, people to whom readers can relate. His prose is jet paced, filled with on-target dialogue. All in all, it's another irresistible combination from this stellar author. - Gail Cooke
Rating:
Summary: A Fast-Paced, Exciting WWII Thriller!
Review: In typical Follett fashion, Hornet Flight is a very fast-paced, exciting thriller that will keep you glued to your seat. If you're a 'Follett reader' you'll see that his latest book highlights a common theme in this author's WWII novels that lends them particular emotional resonance -- how, beyond the mass movements of armies, it is often the heroic actions of individuals that influences the direction of war. Moreover, these heroic actions are often initiated by women. Hornet's Flight is filled with interesting and credible characters as well as with many twists and turns (although several of them are somewhat predictable, which kep me from rating it five stars). Hornet Flight, which follows the very exciting Jackdaws, restores Follett to the top of his game as a writer of spy inrigue and WWII suspense. I would highly recommend Hornet Nest. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: a low flying tale
Review: Mr. Follett will always be counted on to produce a fine solid novel. I understand the main plot came from a factual incident and certainly is a solid idea for a novel. Intertwined with the German and Scandanavian officials mostly Nazi's at the time there is enough fluff around the plot to keep you highly interested. I do not read fiction to criticize the facts that may be missing but to accept and enjoy the idea of the story. I would highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Promising Story but a Fizzler in the End
Review: Hornet Flight has a lot going for that makes for a potent story:, courage and sacrafice, love and hate, loyalty and revenge, human ingenuity, a cerebral teen becomes a hero and gets the girl, World War II espionage, beautiful and spirited women, faustian choices, portraits of life in occupied Denmark, a small education on radar and night fighters, and nasty Nazis and collaborators. Follett builds a compelling plot worthy of a World War II epic such as Where Eagles Dare or Heroes of Telemark, but then seems to be in a hurry wrap things causing the aftertaste of Hornet Flight's ending sequence to be like cotton candy. This is far from a bad book and I will recommend it to my teenage son for vacation reading. However, Hornet Flight is light fare that is good book for a plane or beach, but one that will leave one's consciousness shortly after completion.
Rating:
Summary: Follet's Flight of Fancy
Review: Hornet Flight is an interesting and entertaining Ken Follett spy thriller WWII tale. Several characters are well developed, leaving the reader sad or perhaps relieved when one or more predictably dies in the course of the war time novel.
The story is simple but believable and does not require the reader to completely ignore history to enjoy the book. The length of the paperback is 500 + pages and provides hours of escape to a time most readers are glad they never lived.
This book is definitely not Follet's most detailed or intense, but well worth reading if you enjoy war novels, spy thrillers with light romance.
3 ½ Stars
Rating: 
Summary: The last Follett book I'll ever read.
Review: Hornet Flight continues the rapid download slide I last encountered in the horrid Jackdaws. C'mon, the British wait 14 days for some amateur spies to get some crappy 35mm photos from some radar installation in Denmark when Russia is being consumed?!???! This ONE installation keeps Bomber Command from attacking Germany??? WHY NOT JUST BOMB THE F'ING INSTALLATION OUT OF EXISTANCE??? HELLO!?!?! Send the Royal Navy to this ISLAND IN THE NORTH SEA installation and shell the place. And then... AND THEN the stupid "heroine" has some dance recital that is SO important that the predictable from page 11 flight to England has to be delayed for a day. Holy unbelieveable crap. Follett (if he hasn't hired teenage ghost writers or has some fancy Macintosh program doing his "writing" for him) violates just about every rule about fiction writing taught to freshmen in college. Hey, Ken, ever heard "show, don't tell"??? This is cheap, pulp fiction at its lowest. I would be ashamed to have people read this if I had written it -- I guess the only difference is the Follett has people that pay him for this claptrap and has people like me fooled into buying it. Well, never again.
Rating:
Summary: Follett Lite
Review: Follett's forte is WWII spy novels. This one fits the genre but is not up to his usual standard. It is a fast read - mostly because there is not much there. A Danish 18 year old mechanical genius gets drawn into the spy game when he stumbles upon a German radar installation. His older brother also gets drawn in by his English fiance. When older brother asks younger about the installation they realize it would be better for younger to photograph it. While he's on that trip, older brother gets captured and kills himself before he can be turned over to the Gestapo. Of course, the younger also developes a romantic interest who helps him reconstruct a two seat airplane to take them and the photographs to England. Follett leaves much to the imagination - or gullibility - of the reader. Somehow these two young people repair this broken plane in just a few days while working right next to a German encampment (conveniently placed so they can get petrol). The characters are likeable and believable. The pages turn quickly thanks to Follett's good, clean crisp style. The Danish cop with a grudge against the brothers' family is a wonderfully evil character. The plot is simple, yet good. The book just lacks depth to give it a higher rating. Still in all, a fun read - good for the beach.
|
