What do You think about Trans-Siberian Express (2013)?
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. The story takes place before the fall of the Soviet Union. Dr. Alex Cousins is a leukemia specialist who is asked by the US government -- specifically the President -- to help a Russian named Viktor Moiseyevich Dimitrov who is the ailing General Secretary of the Politburo. Dimitrov has leukemia and may not have long to live, but he is the least undesirable among the many leading personalities within the Soviet Union and may be one that the US can work with. Dr. Cousins treats Dimitrov and his cancer goes into remission. As a reward for his help, Dimitrov convinces him to take the Trans-Siberian Express train as Alex travels back to the US. Dimitrov meant is as a gift so Alex can explore the Siberia as described by his grandfather in his many stories. But, Alex knows he has too much information which a lot of powerful people within the Soviet Union would love to get their hands on. He has no illusions that he may not reach US alive. Warren Adler writes what I can only describe is a shadow of a mystery-thriller -- there is hardly any mystery nor is it very thrilling. The story takes forever to take shape and when it does manage to get going, it is hardly exciting at all. The other characters can only be described as created to simply fill space because they are hardly developed enough to make the reader feel for them. The romance between Alex and his cabin mate lacks form as well. To be perfectly honest, it took me a long time to finish the book because I found it so lifeless and dull. Warren Adler fans may enjoy reading the book, although it is nowhere near as a good read as War of the Roses. (You can also read my review of this book at Bames Live)
—Bames
I received Trans-Siberian Express from NetGalley and I think I only clicked on it because it had a train on the cover. I love trains. Turns out I love this book, too!Trans-Siberian Express is totally not my usual type of book. It's adult instead of YA and it's got spies in Russia. Russian politics and place names and people names can get really confusing, you know? But Warren Adler gave us a character list right in the front of the book for reference! And it's not that long of a list. If it was familiar, American names the author probably wouldn't have even needed to do that.So, the plot of the book follows Dr. Alex Cousins as he travels by train from Moscow through Siberia to the coast of the Sea of Japan. He is one of the leading cancer experts in America, and has just come from treating a top politician in Russia. As soon as he boards the train, though, he notices the possibility of KGB agents watching him. On the way to the dining car the first evening, he notices that there's an entire car of KGB agents attached to the end of the passenger train. As the journey progresses, the intrigue only grows stronger, as does Dr. Cousins' attraction to one of his fellow passengers, the sultry Anna Petrovna.Trans-Siberian Express isn't a Jason Bourne novel. It's not all action and go-go-go. It's more of a slow build-up, but the climax is INTENSE when we reach it! I was able to pace myself and enjoy the ride... until about 2/3 of the way through. Then I had to drop everything (including sleep) and keep reading until I reached the end!Warren Adler does great things with a very limited setting. Instead, he more than fully develops multiple characters. I could really feel like I was there on the train with them. I saw them fully fleshed in my mind; could hear them conversing. I could smell the Russian borscht and hear the muffling of the snowfall. This book made me want to travel to Moscow to take a ride on the Trans-Siberian Express! (Do they even still do that?)I read a lot of YA, so the few behind-bedroom-doors scenes startled me just a little. Otherwise, I'm considering buying a copy to give to my dad! That's a good endorsement, there.
—Marie
In his novel TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS, Warren Adler has written an intriguing story and wrapped it in the rattling confines of a supposedly first-class Russian train. If you are a train travel fan, you’ll be intrigued with the details of train travel on Russian Railways, the largest in the world. It is a lengthy trip made enjoyable by interesting and devious characters and the details about an infamous train. Dr. Alex Cousins, a renowned leukemia doctor, is on a covert mission to Russia to attend to its Politburo Chief, Victor Dimitrov, who is suffering from end-stage leukemia. Note: There is a tendency for Russians to use all of their lengthy names as they address each other. In the interest of saving space in this review I will either shorten their names or not name them at all. Check out the author’s very considerate list of characters at the beginning of the book. Then, as soon as possible, revert to last names only. You will soon get the idea and be able to sort them out as you read.Cousins discovers that Dimitrov has a devilish plan for a nuclear strike on China. Dimitrov is on the short list for staying alive because of his disease and, fearing that Cousins will spill the beans about his plans, puts him on the train to the farthest reaches of Eastern Russia to delay his return to the US until the plans can be completed. Cousins is put on board the Russiya, a venerable old passenger train that, strangely enough, is still in operation today. Modern travelers are not kind in their comments about the service and it sounds like the author got the on-board amenities about right. That is fun to read.Cousins, as one might expect, is under close surveillance during his trip, including by a statuesque blonde who is assigned the second bunk in his two-person cabin. As would be expected, a tryst takes place, revealing a lack of restraint on the good doctor’s part. He falls heavily in love with the beautiful KGB agent Anna Valentinova, the thrills of the flesh reducing him to a quivering mass of uncertainty and zero reasoning ability. Side stories of revenge, angst, jealousy, betrayal and homicide are included, all well developed. My favorite character is a bratty boy who keeps the passengers and crew agitated with his behavior. The book is well written and moves the reader along at breakneck speed. There are not many lapses in action. Flashbacks are well handled, explain much of the story, and make it easier to follow the frenetic pace. Long hours of traversing the Siberian wilderness pass quickly under Warren Adler’s guidance, making the trip intriguing. This is a fine reading experience.
—Schuyler Wallace
