The Hunt for Red October: A Jack Ryan Novel

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 16,600 ratings

Price: 21.88

Last update: 07-30-2024


Top reviews from the United States

George P. Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars The Novel that Made Clancy's Reputation (and It's Better than the Movie!)
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2021
I have read every Jack Ryan novel Tom Clancy ever wrote. At least I thought I had until I decided to re-read The Hunt for Red October. It turns out I had confused the movie with the book, so my re-read turned into a first read.

In the story, a Russian nuclear submarine—the titular Red October—goes missing, the motive of Marko Ramius (its captain) unclear. The Soviet Navy launches every ship it has in its Atlantic feet, on the surface or under it, with orders to find and destroy the sub. But why?

That massive deployment catches the attention of Washington DC, for the Soviet boats are headed toward American coastal waters. CIA analyst Jack Ryan thinks he knows the reason why. Together with his bosses, he sets up an audacious plan to intervene and … well, if you haven’t seen the movie or read the book, I don’t want to give away the ending.

As is almost always the case, the book is better than the movie. Like later Clancy novels, the plot is labyrinthine. It is told by an omniscient narrator who jumps in and out scenes, unfolding the mystery one turn at a time. No wonder the movie simplified some of the plot lines, characters, and actions.

The Hunt for Red October established Clancy’s reputation as a master of the suspense drama. His novels combine large-scale global forces as the background for individual heroic action. I may not have read Clancy’s first novel back in the day, but looking through his catalogue, I know I read all the others. Clancy’s reputation—not to mention Alec Baldwin’s brilliant performance in the movie—gave me good reasons to do so.

This book is long, but it is nevertheless a page turner, which is my first rule of thumb when evaluating a suspense or mystery novel. Also, it didn’t push the limits of my willing suspension of disbelief, which is my second rule. Despite the wheels-within-wheels plotlines, the book’s main action felt plausible. (If you grew up in the 70s and 80s, you’ll know what I mean when you read it.)

So, five stars to The Hunt for Red October, which celebrates its 37th anniversary this year. It’s a great read, and a fantastic start to a series of novels well worth reading, for a second or third time … or even the first!
Julie A. Gunderson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2024
There are definitely a lot of differences between the book and the movie, but both are excellent. This was a great read.
Mark
4.0 out of 5 stars It Grew on Me
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2019
It took me a few tries to read this book, as it's written in a different fashion to what I'm accustomed: namely, Clancy threads his narrative through multiple POV characters with clear third person omniscient narration. While expecting this to be a "Jack Ryan novel," as was advertised, here Ryan is simply one of many significant characters. With the expectation that I'd be reading something hero-centric, like Jack Reacher, I was disappointed, which threw me off initially. Another challenge is Clancy's flair for didactic writing, often devoting huge sections to explaining the technical working of some machine. This is educational indeed, and I commend Clancy's knowledge, but if I'm not in the mood for this kind of writing it can make the book rather dry.

I finally developed the momentum to read the book all the way through, and it is intricately plotted with very well-developed characters. The scale of Clancy's story is immense, and he creates a compelling geopolitical drama that feels as realistic as a season of 24 (a compliment, mind you). From the confines of a Russian submarine to intrigue in the oval office, Clancy effectively evokes all of these diverse environments with skill and authority, as if he were actually a participant in all of the places he uses as his settings (and I'm sure he hasn't been in all of them).

The result is a book that exudes authority. Clancy is a wise narrator with keen insight into the nature of men and states, and it's he who is truly the star of the book, rather than Jack Ryan. In that way it's a "Tom Clancy novel." Upon finishing this one I immediately ordered the next.

A book is only as good as its author, and Clancy seems to know his stuff. Now that I'm used to his style of writing, I confess that I like it, and eagerly look forward to reading Red Storm Rising.
Holly Rowan
5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd reading
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2024
This book reads better the 2nd time around. An intricate well honed plot with a judicious lead in to the second book. There has been an attempt to re-edit the grammar to bring it up to current usage which just irritated me. It interrupted the flow of the book. Poor judgement on the part of the editors to justify their existence.
Viktoria
5.0 out of 5 stars He's done it again - a very enjoyable reading with just enough suspense
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2024
He's done it again - a very enjoyable reading with just enough suspense that I had to go ahead and read the ending then back to the book where I left it off.
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Book's condition
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024
The book's condition was in good condition. The pages were clean and I thank you. I gave you 5 stars.
Marvin P
5.0 out of 5 stars Love Tom Clancy books.
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024
Tom Clancy tells great stories. I also like some of the other books written under his name, but not as good as the master yearn spinner. I am not going to reviews the 30 or so I have bought from Amazon but I would start with the books Mr. Clancy actually wrote then go from there. The Campus series is pretty good too. Op-Center too.
Duk
4.0 out of 5 stars Slow Start, Solid Finish
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2023
The front end of this book was a true struggle. Too many résumé’s of too many random characters I cared little about. Once the action in the Atlantic got underway, the story was hard to set aside. Here I am writing a review at 2:30am. This is my first Tom Clancy book. And I’ve never seen the film. Had you asked me a day or two ago if I’d read more of Clancy’s Ryan, I’d have said no. Now at this early hour, I admit I might.

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