Book Review: Whiteout by Ken Follet
Whiteout
by Ken Follet
Published by Penguin Group
ISBN #0-525-94843-0
Reviewed by Wil Hough
Whiteout, by Ken Follet, is such a perfect swirling blizzard of shifting drifting plot complications that it could serve as a primer on character and plot development. But that’s the writer/editor in me speaking. For the normal reader, this exciting novel is flat out hot reading with every page nagging to be flipped over in a mad chase to keep up with each new twist to those “best laid plans.” Beyond that, however, there is so much more to Whiteout than the frantic attempt by authorities to recover the dreaded Modoba-2 virus from its thieves before it can be unleashed upon unsuspecting holiday revelers. This has to do more with the interaction of the dynamic interaction of characters the author has masterfully crafted.
Ostensibly, the plot line has to do with a theft of the biological agent from an apparently impregnable Scottish BSL4 Level research laboratory, known as The Kremlin, which is dedicated to the development of cures for various diseases. However, as is said, “the best laid plans of” men and lab rats often go astray; and, in this case, one complication builds upon another. As British authorities begin a desperate pursuit of the thieves through a freak Christmas Eve blizzard, unforeseen circumstances abound. It all plays out like a Mission Impossible plot gone terribly wrong. How wonderful for a reader to be so unable to predict what will or will not happen for a change.
However, this masterfully believable yarn is really about the characters involved and how they change in relationship to one another. Early on, Follet takes meticulous care to develop the idiosyncrasies of each. At first I wondered about that issue. Lesser authors often inflate their word counts with excessive pandering to detail. However, as the plot unfolds, every nuance becomes critical to their interrelation and behavior. Furthermore, every twist of the plot brings new complications to antagonists and protagonists alike.
For the thieves to defeat the sophisticated security protecting the vials of virus and antidote stored at the facility, it was plain to see that Kit Oxenford, the architect of said security system, had to have a serious gambling habit – so much the better to manipulate him into cooperation with the underworld. However, why did it matter that Toni Gallo, a former police detective now in charge of security at the laboratory, and Police Detective Superintendant Frank Hackett were estranged and antagonistic former lovers? Why involve us with the family Christmas party being hosted by Stanley Oxenford, head and founder of the research facility dubbed The Kremlin by its staff? And, even if all that mattered, why were the juvenile snogging attempts of the barely pubescent Craig and Sophie – not to mention their little cousin’s cage full of pet white rats, so important to the story? Read it and find out.
Mr. Follet has crafted an adventure to delight male and female readers alike – and one from which writers and editors can also gain a deeper insight into their craft. I give it a 9.5 on the heretic scale and highly recommend it to fans of both romance and adventure.
Wil Hough, a senior editor and founding member of The Rose & Thorn staff, breathes and writes from the Chicago area, when he is not whitewatering up in northeast Wisconsin.
Thanks for the great review! I'm always glad to hear that a book is believable before I invest my time and money into it. Also, knowing that this adventure story appeals to both men and women is great to know!
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Great book review! I love how you use snowy words to talk about the book
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I have got the book...it was quite impressive to read the word....i suggest u to buy definately u will enjoy it...
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I love this review, by the way, where can i buy this book now? I tried to find it but find nothing in many bookstores.
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