A very solid and truly intriguing novel it is. If I weren't a die-hard Hemingway fan, perhaps I wouldn't have been quite as deeply interested as I actually was. It's interesting to note that Simmons would improve significantly in his ability to portray historical figures as time went on. In this particular work, both Hemingway and Lucas, the protagonist, come across as rather blander. They lack the depth and vividness that make the main characters of his later historical-fiction novels so engaging and feel less human. It's as if they are not fully fleshed out, leaving the reader with a sense that there is more potential that wasn't quite realized. However, despite these shortcomings, the novel still manages to hold the reader's attention with its overall storyline and the setting it creates.

Mental Explosion. This is a spy thriller where the truth is represented in 95% of the story. This book is History!! With it, we understand not only a part of Hemingway's life but also the tentacles of the information and misinformation networks of different countries that were operating in Cuba during World War II. The story takes us on a thrilling journey through the complex world of espionage, filled with twists and turns. We see how Hemingway, a renowned writer, gets involved in this dangerous game. The detailed descriptions of the events and the characters make us feel as if we are right there in the middle of the action. It's a must-read for anyone interested in history, espionage, or just a good thriller.

I was truly intrigued by this particular work.

I had discovered that the first half of the book is an astonishing 95% true and real.

Ernest Hemingway, Ian Fleming, JFK, Gary Cooper, Hitler, and numerous other celebrities are all intertwined within the story.

However, with all that being said, I soon became incredibly bored with it.

I had already passed the halfway mark and decided to switch to the audio version in an attempt to get through it.

The book is extremely wordy, filled with a plethora of characters and facts.

While the baseline story is actually quite decent, it would have been much better if it had been told in a more expeditious manner.

It's not all that bad, though. There are indeed some clever and interesting connections between the people involved.

But one really has to endure a significant amount of dullness in order to reach those gems.

Overall, it's a bit of a mixed bag.

One of the best contemporary writers

Dan Simmons is truly a remarkable author who never ceases to astonish me. His versatility is simply outstanding as he can effortlessly write in any style and produce a work that stands out as the best within that particular genre. Take, for example, his fictional account of Hemingway's adventures in Cuba at the dawn of WWII. The way he crafts this story makes it seem so authentic that it could very well be a true portrayal of events, and perhaps it is quite close to what actually transpired. This book is an absolute delight to read. It has a brisk pace that keeps you engaged from start to finish, and there are enough unexpected plot twists to constantly keep you on the edge of your seat. Simmons' ability to create such a captivating and thrilling narrative is a testament to his extraordinary talent as a writer.

While this is a novel, the author clearly states that it is 95% factual.

The action and adventure story, which is the fictional part, wasn't my favorite aspect of the book. However, the historical backdrop based on actual events and characters was truly quite intriguing!

Set in and off the coast of Cuba between May 1942 and April 1943, it tells the story of Ernest Hemingway and his "crook factory" (its actual name). It is also populated by Nazis, corrupt Cuban officials, and Cuban citizen-compatriots of Hemingway's.

The plot of "The Crook Factory" revolves around Hemingway's assertion that Nazi spy and submarine activities were taking place in and around Cuba. The "crook factory" was Hemingway's plan to thwart the Nazis, even going as far as taking out submarines.

The narrator is a fictional FBI agent, Joe Lucas. What's not fictional is that the FBI maintained a file on Hemingway up until his death in 1961 and was very interested in his "crook factory" and what he was up to in Cuba.

The Freedom of Information Act allowed Dan Simmons access to FBI files for that part of his research. His research on Hemingway relied heavily on the author's diaries to reconstruct conversations and events that occurred during this time.

Simmons' portrayal of Hemingway seemed realistic based on my extensive reading about him. For Hemingway fans, history buffs, and fans of action, adventure, and spy stories, "The Crook Factory" is highly recommended.

It offers a unique blend of fact and fiction that will keep readers engaged from start to finish.

Historical fiction is not my favorite genre. However, Simmons manages to do it exceptionally well.

Generally speaking, I don't have a great fondness for Hemingway, although I do acknowledge his talent. Surprisingly, I found myself being moved to read Hemingway again, seeing him in a new light.

Leaving Hemingway aside, this book is a great choice for those who have a penchant for spy novels. What's more, it's a pleasant surprise to discover that it's mostly based on real events. This adds an extra layer of interest and authenticity to the story. It makes the reading experience even more engaging and captivating.

Overall, Simmons has crafted a book that is not only enjoyable for fans of spy novels but also manages to introduce a new perspective on Hemingway's work.

Another Simmons home run!

He masterfully weaves fact and fiction into a captivating tapestry of spy vs. spy. As narrated by the fictional FBI agent who becomes Hemingway's constant companion and sometimes alter-ego, Simmons once again breathes new life into Hemingway, the man, the myth, and the legend. By injecting a serious dose of intrigue and patriotism, he has energized this iconic figure.

Simmons' unique style of blending real life and make believe makes for truly great reading. This is not only evident in the excellent novel "Abominable" but also shines through in his other works.

When comparing and contrasting the Ilium and Olympos epic with Darwin's Blade, one can see the diverse range of Simmons' creativity. Each work has its own distinct characteristics and魅力, yet they all share Simmons' talent for crafting engaging stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Whether it's the epic scale of the Ilium and Olympos series or the thrilling plot of Darwin's Blade, Simmons continues to prove himself as a master storyteller. His ability to seamlessly blend fact and fiction, along with his richly developed characters and immersive worlds, makes his works a must-read for any fan of literature.

I “discovered” Dan Simmons through his “Hyperion” science fiction quadrilogy. It was quite a surprise when I found a used copy of this suspense book on my own husband’s bookshelf. I have read works by Ken Follett and Tom Clancy and others, but this genre isn't my “go to” one.

This particular book is an impressive espionage “historical fiction” (from which I get most of my history knowledge)....and, of course, there's HEMINGWAY! I truly love Hemingway.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It is complex, yet not overwhelming. It is satisfying in every sense. My estimation of Mr. Simmons has grown exponentially. I'm always impressed when an author I appreciate manages to cross the lines of literary classifications and emerges as a resounding success.

It makes me eager to explore more of his works and see what other literary gems he has in store for readers. I believe that his ability to blend different genres and create such engaging stories is a testament to his talent as a writer.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, historical fiction, or just a well-written story. It's a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

Stephen King recommended author.

Here is another book that combines history with fiction, which I really enjoy. However, I had a rather difficult time keeping up with all the acronyms used for the USA and German espionage agencies. It was so frustrating that I constantly had to flip to the reference pages at the beginning of the book. This really annoyed me and completely interrupted the flow of my reading.

Despite this minor drawback, the story itself was engaging and full of interesting twists and turns. The author did a great job of weaving historical events and real-life espionage into a fictional narrative. It made me feel as if I was right there in the middle of the action, experiencing everything along with the characters.

I would still recommend this book to others, especially those who are interested in history and espionage. Just be prepared to spend some extra time referring to the beginning of the book to keep track of all the acronyms.

My only experience with Dan Simmons up until now has been the Hyperion books. You can check out my reviews. I discovered that they were a bit of a mixed bag, with the returns diminishing as I went along.

However, Mr. Simmons is one of the most prominent living writers who can successfully transition from one genre to another. So, I decided to give him another shot with The Crook Factory, and I'm extremely glad I did.

Saying that this book is meticulous in detail would be an extreme understatement. Simmons immerses the reader in an abundance of minutiae related to historical settings, geography, cryptography, topography, spycraft, and sexual encounters. Honestly, it's overwhelming. He must have been smoking a lot of tobacco or taking amphetamines to have come up with such detailed descriptions. If not, then I'm truly in awe.

It's a great read, full of surprises, twists, intrigue, and offers insights into the life of the larger-than-life Ernest Hemingway.

I'm giving it four stars only because in my opinion, it could have lost 100 pages and still been just as good.

Papa Hemingway, the renowned American writer, found himself in Cuba during World War II. Amidst the turmoil of the war, he became involved in various activities. There were Nazi agents lurking around, and Hemingway was engaged in U-Boat submarine hunting. He also indulged in his passion for marlin fishing.

In this exciting scenario, Hemingway and his associates were armed with an array of weapons, including Thompsons, BAR's, shotguns, .357 Magnums, .38's, and .22's. There were ex-patriate spies, and organizations like the OSS, FBI, Adwehr, SS, MI5, and MI6 were all part of the complex web.

The story also features interesting characters such as Ian Fleming, Wild Bill Donovan, and J. Edgar. There were Cuban prostitutes with hearts of gold, bartenders, and drunken boxing matches. Marines, boxers, and jai lai stars added to the colorful mix. Celebrities like Marlene Dietrich, Ingrid Bergman, Gary Cooper, and Winston Guest were also present.

Large yachts sailed the waters, and there were sadistic Cuban police and secret Caribbean islands. Simmons has managed to pack all these elements into a 60% true/40% fiction account of Nazi hunting in Cuba by Hemingway's Crook's Factory in 1943. As with everything else Simmons writes, it is well-done and captivating.

It's the summer of 1942. FBI agent Joe Lucas has journeyed to Cuba at the behest of the Director. His task is to keep a watchful eye on Ernest Hemingway in the Caribbean. Lucas views this assignment as a demotion. It feels like a mere babysitting job for a renowned writer who has chosen to dabble in the world of spying. Hemingway has assembled a motley crew of misfits. This includes an American millionaire, a twelve-year-old Cuban orphan, a Spanish jai alai champion, and more. They form a would-be espionage ring that Hemingway has dubbed the "Crook Factory."

However, everything changes when Hemingway stumbles upon a crucial piece of intelligence. This discovery not only puts his own life in jeopardy but also has the potential to endanger the political landscape. Suddenly, the fate of the free world and the life of one of its most prominent writers rest in the hands of the FBI's most unyielding agent, Joe Lucas.