Lie Down with Lions

"Lie Down With Lions" opens in Paris in 1981. John Ellis, an American CIA agent, is working undercover and living with a politically active Englishwoman, the sensual, lovely Jane Lambert, who he plans on proposing marriage to as soon as he completes his assignment. Jean-Pierre Debout, a French doctor and member of the Communist Party, is going to Afghanistan, ostensibly to provide medical assistance to the rebel forces fighting against the Soviets. He has, however, another agenda. Jean-Pierre also loves Jane and wants her to accompany him to Afghanistan as his nurse-assistant. Ellis, after capturing an important KGB agent, is exposed as CIA. Jane leaves him in disgust, not only because of his job, but because he lied to her.

The Valley of Five Lions, a place of ancient legend, lies deep in the Afghan mountains, far removed from civilization. Jane and her husband, Jean Pierre have been working here, in a rebel village, for a year. They minister to the local inhabitants, who have never seen a doctor before, and patch together and stitch-up the wounded warriors. An American visits the valley with an important message for Masud, a famous and effective guerrilla leader, from the White House. The messenger is John Ellis. A terrible treachery is discovered, shortly after he arrives. A nightmare flight with the Soviets in pursuit occurs, across the Hindu Kush, leading to an extraordinarily suspenseful confrontation. The action here is unbelievable with Ken Follett, the master of the suspense-thriller, at his best.

As usual, Follett's narrative is riveting and the action intense. His characters are well drawn and believable, with all their complexities and conflicts. There are so few novels written about Afghanistan, especially during this important period in history, and that makes "Lie Down With Lions" all the more worthwhile a read.
JANA


Breathless high adventure   November 6, 2004
Roberto (Rabat, Morocco)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Ken Follett is a great, romantic top thriller writer, an artist of compelling talents. And as always, he has written another blockbuster with a fast-paced story line. Even though, I've read many of his novels, after just a few, I realised that most of them have a pattern and they're similar to one another in their technique of writing. I think this one, will be forever one of his finest masterpieces.
As soon I flipped the cover, it pulled me into a vivid and exciting time of an obstinate war between the Soviet Union and the United States. Even though, I'm not very pro-American and the way of solving problems and keeping the peace by the U.S.A for me is controversial, I got shot by the plot (I'm a poet and I didn't know it)and interesting intrigue created by the C.I.A
Everything starts in France, Paris where a C.I.A agent, under the nickname Ellis, and his partners, make a trap for a very dangerous and well known Arab terrorist. As you read, you become the main character - Ellis. You start to feel and react as he does. Happiness for being with your girlfriend Jane in her apartment, after an intoxicating night spent with her; fear, uncertainty before the climax of a mission and victory, all of this follows you like a shadow in the first part.
The plot is tight, starts off and never slows down until the hair-raising finale. This could be compared to a wild river with many tributaries; main characters, other people like Jean-Pierre, Anatoli, Masud or Mohammed who have a big affect on the story; descriptions of a land and weather, sounds, people's feelings and their reactions; finally sex and action, which is more in one chapter, than you can imagine, all of this makes the story vivid and the river flow smoothly. Moreover, the details used by the author, the way how he hammered out words created an unbelievably authentic story. The scenes of sorrow and of Afghans dying due to sustained injuries after the cruel raid of soviet helicopters, or on the other hand, the suffering, dismay and fear in the eyes of the Russian officer captured by Masud; he is alive yet, his body is in contempt and torn to pieces by Afghans who play with him in a brutal and barbarian game similar to polo. It is called buzkhasi; players on horses' backs, scramble for the object of a game until it crumbles.
Also the important thing about this book is, that it even touches the sense of hearing. For example, even though, when you read that place is silent, the noise and drone of soviet helicopters, or the sound of shootings from AK-74, will interrupt you. The sough of a river, which crosses the Afghanistan and is as cold as icy little blades, stabbing your flesh as you step inside, all play a symphony in your mind.
If you don't want to miss all of this experience and fun , which this book offers, the solution is to just read it!


Great reading   March 11, 2004
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

Not the most intellectual book in the world, but who cares? What a page turner? This is a gripping book with great action, steamy sex scenes and likeable hero/heroine, all set in a well researched and thoroughly believable Afghanistan. One of my two favourite Follett books. Go read and enjoy!


Good Reading   November 15, 2002
Pig Daddy (England)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful

Good plot and well written which is expected from Follett. The story is of the old love triangle formula. Follett gets it to work through the sub plots of both the men being spies for opposing countries starting in France and ending up in war torn Afghanistan. Well worth reading if you are a first timer with Follett or and old pro!


A typical Follett pageturner but not one of his best   September 26, 2000
jankeesvanvliet@yahoo.com (Netherlands)
2 out of 5 found this review helpful

This book tells the dated story of a western treesome in the war of Afghanistan. One beautiful and voluptueus English nurse and her French husband-doctor are helping the rebels. Then, her ex-boyfriend, an american CIA agent comes to Afghanistan to help the rebels. Ols love never rusts and you can imagine the story. I've read this book when I was in Brazil with 15 heavy-drinking friend while I have not expected to read one page but I could not lie it down ( as lions....)