Greenmantle

. The author:
John Buchan was a British novelist, historian, and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since the Canadian Confederation.
After a brief legal career, Buchan simultaneously began his writing career and his political and diplomatic careers, serving as a private secretary to the administrator of various colonies in southern Africa. He eventually wrote propaganda for the British war effort during the First World War. He was elected Member of Parliament for the Combined Scottish Universities in 1927, but he spent most of his time on his writing career, notably writing The Thirty-Nine Steps and other adventure fiction.

. Summary:
This is the second of Richard Hannays' adventures. The story takes him from First World War trenches on a mission of vital importance to the British campaign in the East. In an attempt to manipulate their Turkish allies the Germans have created a religious figurehead. This is a prophet of a new order to unify the disparate tribes of Asia and crush the allied offensive. Pursued by the barbaric General Stumm, Hannay (along with a cast of characters) make their way to Constantinople. Their purpose: to find the elusive Greenmantle and avert disaster. But who is Greenmantle? And what dastardly part has the sinister fanatic Hilda von Einem to play in the game? The answers will determine the outcome of the war.
Packed with incidents and incredible feats of derring-do, the story culminates at the offensive. Highly enjoyable and remarkably prescient.

I also listened to the book adaptation broadcast on BBC Radio 4: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tmckv..

. Quote:
“I'm an economical soul, and if I'm going to be hanged I want a good stake for my neck.”

. Characters: marks 2* /5. Plot: marks 4 /5. Settings: marks 3 /5. Dialogue: marks 3 /5Reviewing CriteriaCharacters: = one-dimensional; generic cardboard cut-outs; didn't care if they lived or died
** = a few redeeming features; slightly fleshed out; only wanted to punch a few of them
* = nicely rounded; would probably go for a pint with them; may add as a Facebook friend** = almost a real person; almost fully formed & three-dimensional; care about their motivations & actions
*** = fully formed & three-dimensional; completely invested in them; would probably date themPlot:* = boring; confusing; possibly generated by computer with a grudge against humanity = unoriginal but tolerable; several gaping holes; just about holds the reader's interest
* = average; unexceptional but works in the context of its own genre; nothing too earth shattering here** = exciting and dramatic; impressive; only a few minor flaws which can be overlooked
*** = rip-roaring; moved to tears; didn't want it to finish; wanted to re-read the book immediatelySettings:* = limited; hardly moved from one location; induces sleep (zzzz) = some variation; helped move the plot along; added a small degree of interest
* = fluid; generated a sense of anticipation; worked well with the plot & characters** = several locations; well described and exciting; propelled the lot along
*** = extensive jet-setting; exotic locations & well described geography; makes me want to add these to my bucket listDialogue:* = unconvincing, dull and clichéd. Blurgh (sad face) = somewhat bloated, a bit turgid and generally below par
* = not bad; fairly convincing; may be a bit exposition heavy but overall it works** = above average; very convincing; mostly enjoyable; worked well with the characters
***** = sparkling & erudite; intelligent & clever; brilliantly fitted to the characters

This book was first published in 1916; it's an adventure story from a bygone age.

The British protagonist and a few others (not all British) undertake an urgent espionage mission during the First World War, making their different ways across a Europe at war to meet up in Turkey. They experience considerable discomforts and dangers throughout, but in the end their mission is accomplished.

This is not my usual kind of reading, and I don't expect to reread it much, but it's quite readable and passes the time well enough.

I'm not sure that I've ever read it until now (2024). I noted the book briefly in my 1963 diary, but I suspect that I started it without finishing it. I turned 9 years old in 1963.