The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, November 04, 1983, Page 9, Image 9
Spy novel unf
By Chris Handal
A good rule to follow when buying a
thriller ? when there is a quote from
some other well known author on the
cover, the novel usually doesn't live .up to
the praise.
A good example is David Osborn's
"Love and Treason." On the cover is a
quote from Alistar Maclean, author of such
tightly written novels as "Goodbye California"
and "River of Death": "This year's
best thriller . . . brilliantly plotted, infinite
complications, audacious and
original."
While not a bad spy novel, "Love and
Treason" certainly does not live up to
Maclean's lavish praise. By working
backwards through Maclean's quote, one
can see how the thriller falls short.
THE BASIC plot is that the United
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Soviet agent. And the twist is how one investigates
one of the most powerful men in
I America.
The answer? One manipulates the
secretary of state's wife, who gave up a
career as a television anchorwoman to
marry Harold Volker, to investigate her
husband.
The plot although interesting, is hardly
original. According to Ron Rosenbaum's
article in Harper's magazine, "The Great
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Henry Kissinger was once suspected of being
a Soviet mole.
T. Not by coincidence, Volker is a GermanJewish
refugee, and his style of diplomacy
resembles Kissinger's famous shuttle
diplomacy. To keep the character from being
so identifiable with Kissinger, Osborne
throws in a dash of former Secretary of
State Alexander Haig by making Volker an
ex-general.
ALSO, THE novel is not full of "infinite
j complications." The novel does have its
.Russell House to
From Staff Reports
The reknowned Peter O'Toole will be
gracing the Russell House Theatre screen in
the "side-splittingiy funny" film, "My
Favorite Year." It's about a struggling
alcoholic, Errol Flynnish television actor
who manages to keep his managers busy and
himself off the stage.
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olds trite plot
twists, turns and reversals, as any good
thriller does, but they do not catch the
reader. The surprises do not surprise
because the reader has already deduced !
them.
As for brilliant plotting, the plot is in
terqsting but far from brilliant. Osborne
does provide a nice twist for the thriller by
having love be one of the major influences
in the story.
In most spy novels, there is a romantic
interest, but it is not primary to the action.
"Love and Treason" is an apt title for the
novel, for it is love and the relationships
that affect the progress of the novel.
Had the book dealt fully with this theme,
it might have been worthy of the praise on
its cover. But the relationships and the
motivations of the characters are treated
too superficially. An example is Alexis
Volker, who deeply loves her husband and
yearns to be a mother to his child. But these
desires are not fully explored or even explained.
Time after time, the reader is fnlH
not shown.
OSBORNE APPARENTLY attempted
to enter the realm Graham Greene explored
so well in the novel "The Human Factor."
But Osborne is not that good.
Despite these negative critisms, Osborne
writes a good enough thriller. While not in
the league of Robert Ludlum, Maclean and
Fredrick Forsythe, the book still compells
the reader onward.
The first half of the novel may drag while
Osborne tries to set up the relationships,
but the second is full of enough action to
keep readers turning the pages.
Though the plot has flaws and the
writing is sometimes unintentionally comic,
the action during the last half of the novel is
enough to carry the book. "Love and
Treason" may be far from the year's best
thriller, but it is also far from the worst.
film romance
"My Favorite Year," directed by Richard
Benjamin, will be shown tonight at 2:30, 7,
9:30 for $1 and $1.50.
"Kiss Me Goodbye" directed by Robert
Mulligan will be aired Saturday and Sunday
at 2:30, 7, 9:30.
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"Quintessence"
The latest release from the now re formed Sir Doug
soul and Tex-Mex music.
Sir Douglas Quintet
of sixties; remains i
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Few rock bands have maintained their
creativity from the Swinging '60s through the
Electric '80s, and the Sir Douglas Quintet,
originally from San Antonio, Texas, belongs
to that vibrant elite.
"Quintessence," the group's new album
combines Mexican, polka, country, blues
and rock styles, just as the band did in the
1960s and 1970s.
Original members Augie Meyer on
keyboards, accordion and vocals, and John
Perez oh djrums and vocals are joined by
Sneedv Snarks on bass euitar and I ouie
Ortega on guitar and vocals in the latest outfit
fronted by Sir Doug Sahm,the group's
lead vocalist, lead guitarist and chief
songwriter.
KICKING OFF side one is the boisterous
"Who Were You Thinking Of," with Meyer
on accordion and Sahm singing "You got
more out of it than I put into it last night/
Who were you thinking of when we were loving
last night."
The other side's comedy cut, "Velma
From Selrna" is a polka written and sung by
Meyer. The title's word play continues on the
Quintet's "Sheila Tequila," of the "Border
Wave" album from 1981.
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Sahm's violin is featured on "Down to
Saying Goodbye," with Meyer performing
piano, rather than his trademark organ, solo.
"Village Girl," a country cut limps, but
"Wicked, Wicked Woman" swings 50s-style
with Meyer's chopsticks piano and organ.
Sahm and crew sing this as nasally as
possible.
Neither of Ortega's vocals are on outstanding
cuts, but "1 Know, You Know" differs
from most tracks on the album as it is guitarbased,
rather than keyboard.
"GOT IT Bad for You" and "If This
Ain't Love" are obvious relationship songs.
"Adios Mexico" is a non-stop, south-of-theborder
tune meant for dancing, and instrumental
in the tradition of "La
Cacahuata," on the "Tex Mex Trip" album
from 1974.
Perez's steady backbeat anchors a closing
jammer, "Rolling Blues," clinching
"Quintessence" as a more satisfying album
than its previous "Border Wave."
The Quintet's eclectic approach has inspired
and influenced many Texas musicians
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the vitality of the band, proving a band
doesn't have to play "new music" to produce
good music.
Weekend Magazine
lonle in the News Music
Industry Reviews
Fhe week's music quiz
o's Who Among American
High School Students
out on cheating and drugs,
this and plenty of good
ne fun TODAY at 6 p.m.
on WUSC fm Alt. 90.5
1NDREWS SERVICES I
oad River Road * Suite 108 |
Columbia, S.C. 29210 ]
(803) 798-3277
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