Never: A Novel

Ken Follett is one of the most prolific authors of over arcing series that I consider "must reads". He also has a significant number of stand alone stories that should come stamped with "BINGE READ" on the cover. His books cover so many differing eras and the series span huge pieces of history in many countries with immigrant history featuring in many of them. Follett is a "visual" writer. He skillfully paints the characters and communities in his books, making them very hard to forget. He does tend to pack alot of story into each of his books, this one is a little over 800 pages.In the multinational thriller, NEVER, Follett splits the story into three world views as they work to stop those who would see a WWIII launch using nuclear weapons. As these three groups work their seperate goals, readers get a glimpse of prevailing politics as they set policy to aggravate the other parties instead of focusing on the immediate threat. The story line is full of tension and suspense, each battle could push the world powers into destroying sections of every country. This was an easy 5 star read, but then, Follett books usually are.

This is not high literature, and definitely not a pick-me-up, but it's competently written, and would be a perfect book for a long flight. You'll be entertained and carried by the action.

Eight hundred pages that I raced through, putting it down with difficulty. I had no idea how it would end. The ending was memorable, is all I will say.Told in three POVs: a female US president, a female intelligence/CIA operative in North Africa, and a male vice minister of intelligence in China. This is about people whose jobs are to keep their country's citizens safe. They devote most of their hours to that, yet manage to carve out moments for themselves. As we all do. A really interesting and suspenseful read.

Anything by Ken Follett is almost guaranteed to be well written and very readable. This book is that, but doesn't live up to his normal standards otherwise. Follett excels at historical fiction, particularly anything taking place during WWII or older. This book revolves around a number of characters involved in increasing tensions between the US and China potentially leading to nuclear war. I found much of the plot unrealistic. Some of that was probably to make the plot work (e.g., a weak Chinese leader that bears no resemblance to dictator-for-live Xi Jinping), but some of it was unnecessary (e.g., some of the author's biases regarding diplomacy, civil-military interaction, etc. shine through). Bottom line, you probably won't regret reading this book, but don't expect it to be at the level of the Knightsbridge series or the Century Trilogy.

Kept me reading late into the night. The characters and situations were believable and human. Ken Follet delivers another deeply textured story

Not Follett’s best, but I love all the novels I have read of his. This is a good novel to bring you into the realm of nuclear war. The characters and story lines within the novel were a bit disparate. Got its point across. But an ending which was too abrupt.

Wow! When I first started this book, I almost abandoned it. I didn’t, at first, see where it was going. I am SO glad I continued reading! Mr. Follett has weaved a masterpiece!Ken Follett has joined my list of Favorite Authors!

I have no accolades that have not already been showered on Ken Follett. The characters are immediately engaging, the pace rapid and the plot completely believable.This author just never disappoints.

Pedido recebido, sem queixas

Best novel written by Follet. No more comments needed.

This is a truly engaging novel, with several plots going at the same time, centered around escalation of worldwide events. Follet is a master novelist, and it's clear with this book's writing, which draws you in, caring about the people he writes about, and while this is a long novel, you simply have to read it to the end. The subject may be unnerving for some, dealing as it does with war, but it presents a perfect picture of why things escalate and the people who are both directly and indirectly involved. Some will find the ending bothers them, others may find it a bit abrupt, but it is an integral part of the story. A masterpiece of a novel!

I reviewed one of Follett's books recently but this is far better. Probably, in my opinion, one of his best. It kept me engrossed all the way through, and I thought he'd turn it into a softer ending. He didn't. I take my hat off to him: it's a much better ending for that.

Scary, chilling, terrifying, shocking, exciting and thought-provoking, are just some of the adjectives that have been used to describe Ken Follett's "Never", but perhaps the most disturbing is plausible because Follett's story of retaliation, escalation and annihilation that follows when negotiation and diplomacy fail and pride and popularism carry the day is just that.As ever Follett's writing is brilliant, well-researched, entertaining and unputdownable yet simultaneously frightening and sobering, amongst his contemporary novels this is possibly his best yet. Mixing three sub-plots and love-stories revolving around a covert operation against jihadist drug running in Saharan Africa seen through the eyes of two CIA's operatives, embassy girl Tamara Levit and undercover agent Abdul John Haddad; US electioneering and public opinion seen through the eyes of US President Pauling Greene; and the stand-off between the communist old guard and the emerging new leaders amongst the Chinese general secretary's politburo seen through the eyes of junior Intelligence Secretary Chan Kai Follett carefully and skilfully navigates his story from a terrorist attack in Saharan Africa to nuclear attacks between the USA and China.For lovers of contemporary thrillers in the Tom Clancy or Frederick Forsyth mould this is a must read, but if you've come here by way of Follett's historical "Pillars of the Earth" Kingsbridge novels then perhaps be prepared to be disappointed, this is very different.