The Road to Gandolfo: A Novel

by Robert Ludlum

Book Overview

War hero and infamous ladies' man General MacKenzie Hawkins is a living legend. His life story has even been sold to Hollywood. But now he stands accused of defacing a historic monument in China's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803759207
• Release Date: January 1975
• Publisher: Dial Press
• Length: 258 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A terrific parody!

This book is one of my favorite depression relievers and a laugh riot from start to finish. For all Ludlum fans, if you are hooked on his customary fare of high voltage suspense and international shenanigans, with events moving at blinding speed, then this book may not be for you. The Road to Gandolfo was written by him before his thrillers became a class of their own and is as different from them as apples from oranges. Yes, there are international goings-on and plenty of war-gaming, strategy and tactics in pursuit of an incredible objective - the kidnapping of the Pope himself!. Yet this is no espionage thriller; rather this book is a terrific parody of the genre. From the fast paced beginning to the charming almost pastoral close, Ludlum spares nobody: the Army, the bureaucrats, the Mafia, the corporate world, lawyers, terrorists, all feel the bite of his wit. The characters too are well drawn: the autocratic Hawk, his four incredible wives, the bumbling Sam Deveraux and a wonderfully human Pope reminiscent of John XXIII all come to full life. A great fun read for the vacations or whenever you want to relax with a light read. A most enjoyable book!

If you like satire....

At the top of the list of my favorites. His only attempt at humor, I most times could hardly see the book for the tears of laughter. If you like Ludlum, you can't miss this!

This book had me sobbing with laughter!

The sheer audacity of Hawk's plot to kidnap the Pope (with Sam's reluctant assistance) leaves you breathless with laughter. Don't read this one in public - people look at you strangely!

Road to Gandolfo paved with un-Ludlumesque laughs

Robert Ludlum may be known for hard-hitting espionage and national-security thrillers, but when he hit The Road to Gandolfo, something must have tickled his funny bone. Honestly, this is one of the best books I've ever read. And the scary thing is, if things had been tweaked the other way, this would have been a classic Ludlum thriller. A tight plot, wonderfully developed characters--especially Hawkins' Harem--and raw unpredictability will make you ask "who is this guy and what did he do with Robert Ludlum?"

The Road to Gandolfo

If you've read Robert Ludlum's other books, you know to expect violence, intrigue, cloak and dagger, as well as excellent prose. If you pick up this book you can expect some of that, but you will be stunned when you find yourself on the floor rolling with laughter. Robert Ludlum a comedy writer? Robert Ludlum dabbling in farce? Yes, that's right the spymaster himself will lead you through a kidnapping of the Pope, a befuddled Army lawyer shamelessly taken advantage of by a shunned U.S. General and his bevy of beautiful ex-wives. An excellant read which you really won't be able to put down.