Has anyone else here read Frederick Forsyth's 'Day of the Jackal'?
I just finished reading this excellent thriller, and can highly recommend it.
The only trouble I had with this book was trying to put it down. The film (1973) is also highly recommended and is actually very accurate to the book.
The whole story rattles along at breakneck speed, and Mr Forsyth had certainly done his research on the French political scene of the early 1960's.
Never has 412 pages been read so quickly before. For any of the poor souls out there who have yet to read this masterpiece, I suggest you hurry up and buy a copy now from your local bookstore.
For anybody who has read this book, what was your view on it?
A classic? Or maybe overated or inaccurate? Let me know what you think.
Mex

I have read it many times, and it is in my top 10 best books. Forsyth unfolds the polt so dramatically, that it is a hard book to put down- remember the phone call to the flat in London, that the Jackal missed?- 5 seconds that could have changed the whole plot!

The next book was not too bad, either... 'The Odessa File'- both are highly recommended to any lovers of the spy/action genre.

Mexico, thanks for your post- I will have to re-read it again

The 'Odessa File' is going to be my next read. I've seen the film a few times but just never got around to reading the book. From what I hear the film actually changed the ending slightly, so now i'm keen to read the book to see exactly what does happen in the end. I'm not so sure if 'Odessa' will reach the hights of 'Jackal' but i'm going to have some fun finding out!
Glad to hear your a big 'Jackal' fan too Ozzz2002. I haven't heard anyone say a bad word about that book yet. By the way, avoid the 'Jackal (1997) with Bruce Willis..diabolical.
Mex

I prefer most books to the movie that was made from it. I would highlight Alaistar MacLean novels- 'Force 10 from Navarone', 'The Guns of Navarone', 'Where Eagles Dare' were all great books, but translated poorly onto the silver screen.

The worst 'conversion' ever, in my opinion, was 'Catch-22'- the book is brilliant, but the movie was woeful.

Edward Fox did a great job in 'Jackal', but you will still never tear me away from the book version.