Review: Legends : A Novel of Dissimulation

So you think you know who you are, but are you really sure? Because in Robert Littell's latest thriller you may well realize that even you may not be who you think you are. With identity theft being the greatest crime to hit our times, Littell weaves an ingenious tale around the conflicting identities of former CIA operative Martin Odlum that will make you wonder who people really are; which is the theme for this existential spy thriller.

The title 'Legends' references the espionage term for false identities that operatives use when in deep cover. Odlum is a man confused, because while working as a P.I. in Littell's native Brooklyn, he wonders if he actually is a civil war expert-cum-arms dealer Dittman; or perhaps he's really an IRA explosives expert called Pippen or perhaps he's someone else. His CIA therapist considers that he has a hidden trauma causing his multiple personalities, but has to back-off. As the novel progresses we start to sense a real feeling of dread, almost like watching a slow motion car crash. In some ways this could be considered a horror novel with a dash of Philip K Dick. The plot is chilling in the deft hands of Littell, and there are many deaths on the journey which is peppered with people who may not be who they seem to be. Characters such as the mysterious Stella Kastner who engages Odlum to track down a relative to free her sister from her marriage, or the mad dwarf Hamlet who rules the toxic island in the Aral sea, or the gangster Samat or even Odlum's ex-boss the mysterious Crystal Quest aka Fred Astaire. Odlum during his quest is told that Stalin, Trotsky and Lenin were all invented names, so in a world where no one is who they seem to be; is it any wonder that Odlum is slowly turning mad? The book rapidly gathers momentum from the surreal opening in the Russian countryside and then becomes a globe-trotting epic that Franz Kafka would have been proud of escaping, but the real kicker is how Littell knits this devious tale together with a huge dash of irony. If you like your espionage tales with an existential flavour then this will delight. From the pen of one of the best exponents of the thriller genre, - make that any genre, be prepared to learn how the world behind the looking glass really works. I thought 'The Company' was a hard act to follow, but how will Littell top this diamond of a tale?

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Ali Karim - RAM

Mysteries

Book Review: Legends : A Novel of Dissimulation