The Crook Factory focuses on the semi-covert intelligence operations that Ernest Hemingway coordinated in Cuba for the war effort in 1942. The events of this period are recounted by a fictional FBI agent assigned by J. Edgar Hoover to monitor Hemingway and ensure that any "real" intelligence reaches Washington.

Dan Simmons, as always, uses a highly tactile writing style that places the reader at the center of the action. He does an excellent job of blurring the lines between artistic embellishment and actual events. He makes good use of real people like J. Edgar Hoover, Ian Fleming, Marlene Dietrich, and others to add authenticity to the book. Fortunately, in his afterword, he reveals to the reader which parts are fact and which are fiction.

I should note that Dan Simmons is one of my all-time favorite authors. I eventually read everything he writes. Unlike many contemporary authors, he skillfully jumps across genres such as Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy. Like Simmons' The Fires of Eden, which is about Mark Twain's adventures in Hawaii, this book falls into the category of Historical Fiction, presenting real events in a fictional way to make them more accessible to a modern audience.

Compared to others in this genre, of which I must admit some unfamiliarity, I think The Crook Factory holds up well. However, for me, compared to the best of his other works, it wasn't that exciting. The whole endeavor reminded me of a research project on Hemingway that went wrong.

Strangely, I have noticed a recent trend among some of my favorite authors to address related topics. In particular, Ernest Hemingway (The Hemingway Hoax by Joe Haldeman) and Cryptography (Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson).

If you want to experience how great a writer Dan Simmons can be, this is not the place to start. May I suggest Carrion Comfort or Hyperion? I believe you will enjoy them much more.

This is the first real indication that Dan Simmons is losing his way as a writer, and it is truly disheartening to read. This is especially so considering that it comes after the excellent THE RISE OF ENDYMION.

The book begins fairly strongly, with vivid writing and a bold premise involving Hemingway's participation in espionage, as told mainly by Joe Lucas, an FBI agent. Although there is some evidence of Hemingway's involvement with the FBI in some manner, what Simmons fails to effectively dramatize here is his growing disillusionment.

However, the plot soon becomes tiresome and unconvincing. Simmons, who initially seems to have a good handle on Hemingway's voice, gradually abandons his commitment to authenticity as the novel progresses. He doesn't appear to have any overarching point to make, and as a result, the novel suffers from a kind of Wold Newtonesque conceit that Philip Jose Farmer could easily manage in his sleep, but which is beyond Simmons's capabilities.

Even die-hard fans of Dan Simmons are likely to be disappointed by this. If you're new to reading Dan Simmons, this sluggish book, which perhaps has only 200 pages of energy (definitely not 450), would not be the ideal place to start.

It seems that this work has received quite a few positive reviews. However, I have to say that his writing style doesn't quite suit me. There is an excessive amount of fact-telling, and I'm not entirely certain if all of it was truly necessary to advance the plot or add depth to the characters. The story, on the surface, appears to be based on an extremely intriguing premise. It has the potential to draw readers in and keep them engaged. But unfortunately, due to the overwhelming number of historical details, I simply couldn't manage to get fully emerged in the book. It felt as if the details were getting in the way of my enjoyment and preventing me from truly connecting with the story and its characters.

The Crook Factory offers a fascinating account of Ernest Hemingway's amateur spy ring during World War II in Cuba. Seen through the eyes of Joe Lucas, a state department agent dispatched by J. Edgar Hoover to monitor the renowned writer, the story gradually reveals the mysterious goings-on within the spy ring.

At first, the book progresses slowly, with the initial 60 pages taking several days to get through. However, once Lucas arrives in Cuba and we begin to follow Hemingway's activities, the pace quickens.

The research that went into this book is truly remarkable. What's even more astonishing is the authenticity of much of it, with memos from the State Department, intercepted transmissions, and other communications reprinted verbatim.

I believe all the characters are based on real people, and the end of the book has a Sandlot-esque quality as Lucas details the fates of each character.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book include Hemingway's thoughts on capturing life's best moments and the nature of novels and epilogues.

Overall, The Crook Factory is a captivating read that combines history, mystery, and literary charm.

Tackling a Simmons novel can be an arduous task, more so than with most other works.

The book in question clocks in at over 600 pages, which means it is rather long-winded in certain parts. However, despite this drawback, the author's vivid descriptions and engaging narrative make it easy to lose oneself in the story.

I found myself completely immersed, as if I was right beside Papa on his boat. I could almost feel the gentle sway of the vessel and smell the salty sea air.

We were sipping on some rum, enjoying the moment, while also taking potshots at sailing spies. It was a thrilling and exciting experience, one that made me forget about the length of the novel and simply enjoy the ride.

Overall, while Simmons' novel may have its flaws, it is still a captivating read that is well worth the time and effort.

Dan Simmons crafts a near-perfect amalgamation of fact and a touch of fiction within this spy thriller. Set in Cuba during America's inaugural year in World War II, it holds many surprises. Simmons meticulously details the facts and fiction in the reader's guide at the conclusion. However, it's advisable not to read it initially!

The story features Hemingway and other real-life characters, such as James Bond author Ian Fleming. They are interspersed throughout the fast-paced and no-nonsense spy narrative. This tale unfolds before the actual establishment of the CIA and precisely at the inception of its precursor, the OSS (Office of Strategic Services). Remarkably, one doesn't need a background in the history of that period or the subject matter to relish this novel. It offers an engaging and thrilling read that combines elements of reality and imagination in a seamless and captivating manner.

It's no secret that Dan Simmons undertakes extensive research prior to penning a book.

He makes this evident throughout the narrative, as whenever he discovers an interesting tidbit that's only peripherally related to the story, it finds its way into the text.

This aspect is both a boon and a bane of reading a Simmons novel. On one hand, it enriches the story; on the other, it bloats the book to an almost unmanageable extent.

Interestingly, Simmons paraphrases Hemingway's adage about writing being like an iceberg, with only 1/8th of the story visible. However, he doesn't seem to follow this himself.

This is ironic, especially considering he also paraphrases Hemingway's views on ending a novel in the two seemingly superfluous epilogues.

As I was reading, I conducted my own research to determine the factual accuracy of the story. I came across Simmons' statement that the novel is 95% factual. At first, I wondered why he didn't simply write a nonfiction account.

But later, when he paraphrases Hemingway again, this time about why he writes fiction instead of nonfiction, I found my answer and was content.

The story isn't quite a four-star read for me as it feels overly long and detailed. Yet, it's not a mere three-star book either.

I can't downgrade it for its flaws because, despite them, it's still a Dan Simmons book, which means it's engaging, thought-provoking, and interesting.

I prefer his genre stories to his historical ones, but I can't deny his prowess as a writer, regardless of the subject matter.

2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book set in a country beginning with "C"

One of my favorite books ever is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

This novel takes place in a small southern town during the 1930s and is told from the perspective of a young girl named Scout Finch.

The story explores themes of racism, injustice, and the loss of innocence.

Scout's father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who defends a black man accused of raping a white woman.

Despite the odds against him and the prejudice of the town, Atticus stands up for what is right and teaches his children important lessons about empathy and courage.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a powerful and moving book that has had a profound impact on me.

It makes me think about the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, regardless of their race or social status.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read that will stay with them long after they've turned the last page.

I have now read only 4 of Dan Simmons' novels, and I truly love him as a writer.

His exact and careful style is something that I deeply appreciate. It seems to be more at home in Victorian novels such as "Drood" and "Terror", where the slower pace allows for the full exploration and enjoyment of his intricate writing.

However, here, as in "Flashback", the execution of this style falters when faced with a faster-paced narrative. The delicate writing style, which is so wonderful in other contexts, robs the action scenes of any immediacy.

When combined with long passages of verbatim FBI notes and an overly close attention to irrelevant detail, the result is that the suspense, which should run tightly throughout the entirety of the novel, is completely lost.

It's a shame, really, because Simmons has so much talent as a writer, but in this case, the style and the pacing just don't quite mesh.

So far so good.

I'm not wild about Hemingway's writing, nor overly interested in his life. However, I trusted Dan Simmons to make it interesting, and he has succeeded.

Just as The Terror made me sorry to miss out on the early 20th century sailing expeditions, The Crook Factory has piqued my interest in Cuba in the 1940s. It has also made me curious about its relationship with World War II, the growth of spy organizations, and even Hemingway himself.

The book seems to offer a unique perspective on a particular time and place, and I'm eager to see where Simmons takes it.

Perhaps I'll come away with a new appreciation for Hemingway and his work, or maybe I'll simply have a better understanding of the historical context in which he lived and wrote.

Either way, I'm enjoying the ride so far and look forward to seeing what else The Crook Factory has in store.

I managed to get through this one.

The story is profound, engaging, and thrilling. I was drawn to it mainly to learn about Hemingway's character.

Just for that reason alone, the book is definitely worth reading.

Moreover, the adventure is captivating, with great plot twists and is written extremely well.

I have a liking for Dan Simmons' books. However, I must ensure that I don't have anything more urgent to read. Otherwise, I often find myself setting his books aside.

This particular book has made me decide to go back and read "Drood" again. That's a book that I have put aside far too many times.

It's high time I finish it.

Overall, this reading experience has been both enjoyable and thought-provoking, making me eager to explore more of Simmons' works and finally complete "Drood".

Author Dan Simmons presents a remarkable and historically precise espionage narrative. The story is set during the Spring and Summer of 1942. The premise involves Joe Lucas, an FBI/SIS agent under FBI Director Hoover, being assigned to a nascent spy ring masterminded by the renowned author Ernest Hemingway.

In 1942, Hemingway resided in Cuba on his farm and had amicable relations with most people, including Braden, the U.S. Ambassador to Cuba. This connection paved the way for the approval of Hemingway's amateur espionage operation, dubbed The Crook Factory.

Lucas, the narrator, quickly discovers that there is something of great magnitude unfolding in Cuba, far more serious and perilous than he had anticipated. Nazis and their adherents are ubiquitous, even within the Cuban National Police and perhaps within the FBI itself.

In Hemingway's words, "Estamos capados!" (We are surrounded!).

This is truly an excellent read, and according to the author, it is 95% based on actual facts. (Details can be found in Simmons' end note.)