Hannay starts as a civilian and by the end of the war is a Brigadier General and has a knighthood. One aspect of Buchan that may amuse some of his readers is the cult he made of success. Since Buchan invented the modern spy novel, according to Graham Greene, with his 1910 novel The Power House it isn’t surprising he is still so readable today. Although I’d read the novel before, I still laughed out loud at the mental picture of Hannay in jammies and dressing gown when, due to circumstances, he is “left to receive my guest in a room littered with broken glass and a senseless man in the cupboard.”Ħ Responses to “A Review by Mary Reed: JOHN BUCHAN – Greenmantle.” Military and intelligence gathering methods have changed since WWI and for the modern reader this gives Greenmantle a poignant air at times.Įven so, it’s a rattling good yarn, with plenty of action, excitement, and suspense, along with a dash of wit. My verdict: This novel mirrors a time and society where fair play, decency, and honour were important and practiced as far as possible even in wartime. In different disguises the men take separate roads to Constantinople where they will meet and begin their search, if they all arrive safely - and it’s a big if.Īlong the way they encounter dangerous enemies and life-threatening situations and must use fast thinking and physical daring to even get to Turkey to begin their quest in the first place.

However, they must begin the task with no clues except three words scribbled on a piece of paper - Kasredin, cancer, and v.I. It is a matter of great urgency and no time can be lost. Blenkiron, joined later by an old friend from Hannay’s South African days, must find the mysterious Greenmantle and assess the situation so the British can take countermeasures.

Hannay, Arbuthnot, and “sedentary dyspeptic” American John S.

Anxious to return to the front line, they are instead asked to undertake a secret mission. Richard Hannay, last seen just before the war in The 39 Steps and now a major in the Lennox Highlanders, is recuperating from shrapnel wounds suffered at Loos, as is his friend Sandy Arbuthnot. Set during World War I, it certainly revolves around one: who is Greenmantle and can he be found in time to interfere with German plans to use him in their bid to grab the Middle East? I’ve debated whether or not Greenmantle could be classified as a mystery. Reprinted many times in both hardcover and paperback, including: Hodder & Stoughton, UK, hc, 1947 Penguin, UK, pb, 1956 Pocket #94, US, pb, 1941.

Greenmantle by john buchan