It took me a whopping two months to finally finish this novel. I made the effort solely because I can't bear to leave a book half unread. But, let me tell you, it was a real struggle.

The writing is far from a pleasure. It's plain and dull, filled with useless descriptions that are placed in all the wrong spots. These descriptions only serve to slow down the already sluggish narration.

The characters are truly obnoxious. I couldn't care less about the fate of Irina or Arkady. Irina seemed like a constantly moaning baby, while Arkady was an arrogant, unwise, and almost too-good-to-be-true version of Robb Stark. I basically laughed at the whole pointless story between him and his wife. Also, if you're writing about the USSR, you should at least attempt to create the claustrophobic atmosphere that was typical of the Eastern area. "We all speak ill about the Party, but you don't have to say it out loud." I'm sorry, but what? You don't even need a history book to know that the KGB killed people for far less than that!

And then there's the thriller aspect itself. I'm not the biggest fan of this genre. I read this book only because I'm in love with the history of Russia and a friend told me it was full of it. So, I don't have the "eye" of a thriller-lover who can figure out the murder after just two pages. And yet, the destiny of almost all the characters was already clear to me before the first half of the book was over. The only thing that gave me any emotion was the death of Pasha, which I thought was very poorly resolved. The rest just bored me to tears.

I don't know. Maybe I'm the problem. As I said, thrillers aren't really my thing. But, like someone else wrote before me, I feel like all the praise this book received was simply because it's a book about Russia, allowing us to catch a glimpse of the totalitarian world of the USSR. Maybe I was expecting too much. Maybe "1984" forever raised my expectations too high for books that reference Communism. Or maybe I just didn't get it. But I really would not recommend this novel to anyone, ever.

I am generally not a person who is into murder mysteries at all. However, for me, it was the remarkable (and somewhat scary) descriptions of life in the Soviet Union that initially caught my attention and held me firmly. Martin Cruz Smith has a unique way of writing about the Soviet system, infusing it with both wit and profound insight. His words bring to life the complex and often tumultuous world of that era. The story is not just a simple murder mystery; it is a vivid portrayal of a society in flux. Reading this book was a truly fun and interesting experience. It allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of a time and place that I had only read about in history books. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about the Soviet Union or who simply enjoys a well-written and engaging story.

Really, it's just 2 and 1/2 stars.

The pacing of the plot was extremely uneven. There were several occasions when I nearly gave up on the book. It truly could have benefited from a more competent editor. Such an editor would have had the wisdom to remove approximately 100 pages, thereby enhancing the smoothness of the story's flow.

Having witnessed the film version upon its initial release, I firmly believe that the film was superior. The visual presentation in the film managed to capture the essence of the story more effectively than the written word in this particular case.

The book, despite having some interesting elements, failed to maintain a consistent rhythm throughout. It felt as if the author was sometimes rushing through important scenes and dragging out others needlessly.

In contrast, the film was able to condense the story in a more engaging and coherent manner, making it a more enjoyable experience overall.

Perhaps with a more thorough editing process, the book could have come closer to matching the quality of the film. As it stands, however, it falls short.

Discovering three decomposed corpses buried under layers of ice in Gorky Park, their faces mutilated and fingertips cut off to ensure they couldn't be identified, "The Network in Gorky Park" gradually veers towards an investigation direction that one could never have expected when reading the summary of this book. All the clues and inferences of the talented detective Arkady Renko unexpectedly lead to the discovery of a conspiracy involving the KGB, FBI, double agents, against the backdrop of the conflict between the communist Soviet Union and a capitalist United States during the Cold War.

In my eyes, this book is not just a simple mystery novel; the author has elevated it to a typical thriller, with unexpected twists and revealed truths. Many passages have a cinematic quality, and as I read, I feel as if I am watching the movie adaptation of the story unfold before my eyes, extremely engaging and realistic. After finishing reading, I learned that the novel has been made into a movie, so I'm sure I will queue up to watch the movie "Gorky Park" in the near future :))

Personally, I still prefer to read mystery novels about those psychotic killers, which are much scarier and more terrifying. But anyway, what the author Martin Cruz Smith brings in "The Network in Gorky Park" has been enough to satisfy me, although there are still many parts that are quite difficult to understand and follow (probably because it involves politics here and there, and it takes a long time to understand. There are some points that I just can't understand no matter how I read them, so I just skip them. Fortunately, these points are only secondary and don't have much impact on the main content of the story ^^).

P.S.: This book has been on my to-read shelf for a long time. Fortunately, I have finally read it :D Thank you Bach Viet for finally publishing this book too :))

What a remarkable thriller it is! Even after more than 30 years since it was penned, it still manages to deliver a captivating and thrilling experience. The writing is truly outstanding. One can easily perceive the disparities in how different countries view ethical, moral, and economic perspectives. Moreover, it showcases how these differences continue to influence the way things are accomplished in our contemporary world. This book provides an excellent understanding of the post-war and cold war posturing. It vividly illustrates that, indeed, it is the most astute chess player who emerges victorious in the game.

It is a great story that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The author's ability to create a sense of tension and suspense is truly remarkable. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

1.5 Stars
I so badly wanted to enjoy this book and had been eagerly looking forward to reading it!

However, to be brutally honest, I just didn't have a good time with this book. It was an arduous struggle to finish it. The story lacked a proper pace, and there wasn't enough interaction among the key characters. Instead, it got completely bogged down in overly heavy descriptions, often about things that were extraneous to the plot. I also didn't really find a single character that I could invest in or like. In fact, I found the book rather depressing.

That said, this is just my personal opinion of the book. It doesn't mean that others won't enjoy it. As other reviews show, some other readers have a much more positive outlook on the book.

I definitely don't plan to continue with the series as there are numerous other better books available out there.

I vividly recall seeing this very book on my mum's bedside table during the early 1980s.

Just recently, I had witnessed people arguing that Gorky Park was one of the outstanding hard-boiled thrillers of the past 40 years.

Consequently, I picked up an old paperback copy to give it a try.

The first thing that strikes you about this book is its density. It is extremely well-researched and dense with details.

Arkady Renko, the protagonist, is a complex character who constantly finds himself working with less information compared to those who are trying to hinder his investigation.

In any other story, he would likely be a peripheral figure, perhaps the foreign cop assisting a fish-out-of-water American in uncovering the truth behind a murder.

However, Gorky Park is a different sort of creation.

The novel progresses inexorably as evidence is gradually revealed and convoluted motives are uncovered.

It is truly hugely impressive and a must-read for thriller enthusiasts.

I think Gorky Park is an outstanding example of how research can be integrated into a real and relevant world.

The author, Cruz Smith, although not Russian himself, offers sufficient context and details that make me believe in his portrayal of the Soviet Union and the characters that inhabit it.

His chief inspector, Arkady Renko, is particularly engaging. However, Smith doesn't overdo it. He doesn't inundate the story with a plethora of factoids that he may have learned during his research.

It's a well-plotted book that kept me engaged until the late stages of the last part. But then, when Kirwill and Arkady start debating the relative merits of murder in the USSR and the USA, I began to feel impatient and my interest started to wane.

I just wanted the book to wrap up already. The constant switchbacks, betrayals, and the omnipresent snow got very tiring.

Arkady reminded me a great deal of Martin Beck, but with a Ukrainian twist. I'm still undecided whether this is a three or four-star book for me. Maybe I'll just settle on 3.5 and be done with it.

This book gave the impression that it was extremely long, and unfortunately, not in a positive sense.

I had a strong aversion to most of the characters. I understand that there are supposed to be some characters that one dislikes, but it shouldn't be the majority. The main character, Arkady, was simply beyond belief in his stupidity. He was so naïve and trusting of everyone, which was quite astonishing considering his supposed knowledge and experience.

One would expect a plot filled with espionage and double crossing to be thrilling. However, that was not the case. It was dreadfully boring and overly drawn out. Moreover, it was blatantly obvious from the start that every single person was going to end up betraying our so-called "hero".

As for the ending, without revealing any spoilers, it was highly disappointing. It failed to live up to the expectations set throughout the story, leaving the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction and letdown.

Overall, this book was a major letdown in terms of both its characters and its plot. It had the potential to be a great read, but unfortunately, it fell far short of that mark.

Set in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, this police procedural was unfortunately not able to capture my interest.

The story seemed to lack the necessary elements to engage me fully. The characters were not developed deeply enough, and I found it difficult to form an emotional connection with them.

The plot, while potentially interesting, was presented in a rather平淡 manner. There were no real twists or turns that would have kept me on the edge of my seat.

The setting, although unique, was not utilized to its full potential. I felt that more could have been done to explore the political and social context of the Soviet Union during that time period.

Overall, I can only give this police procedural two stars. It had some good ideas, but it failed to execute them effectively. I would not recommend it to others who are looking for a thrilling and engaging read.

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.

A page-turning climax awaits in this thrilling tale, filled with a fascinating cast of double agents. These individuals, masters of deception, keep the reader on the edge of their seats as they navigate a web of lies and intrigue.

And, of course, there is the Fem Fatale, a mysterious and alluring figure who adds an extra layer of danger and excitement to the story. With her charm and wiles, she has the power to manipulate those around her and turn the tide of the plot.

Together, these characters create a world of espionage and danger that is both captivating and thrilling. The reader is drawn into their world, eager to discover the truth behind their actions and the secrets they hold.

As the story reaches its climax, the tension builds to an almost unbearable level, leaving the reader breathless and eager for more. This is a story that will keep you turning the pages long into the night, unable to put it down until you have discovered the final, shocking twist.