The Thirty-Nine Steps

Book Review: *The Thirty-Nine Steps ( spy adventure. )
Author: John Buchan

John Buchan’s *The Thirty-Nine Steps* is an interesting Novel of spy craft published in 1915. The book is designed to take place just on the eve of the First World War and it presents an average man in extraordinary circumstances. Jim’s life seems to be full of risks and adventures, and the book is interesting for readers who like reading adventures of the early XX century.

The story starts when Hannay sedentary Scotsman who lives in London coincidentally meets an American called Franklin Scuder. Scudder alleges origins as a spy who has uncovered plots to engage Europe in a destructive war. However, before he reveals this secret, which was the real purpose of the meeting, Scudder is murdered in Hannay’s apartment leaving Hannay with no …<|human|>Shortly after sharing this secret, Scudder finds himself murdered in the company of Hannay and the latter can only barely escape. As police offer to chase him for murder, and a group of intimidating spies are hot on his heels, Hannay has to flee across the Scottish moors to prove his innocence and stop the enemies.

Buchan is not very much inclined to write complicated prose, which is more than appropriate for the genre he has chosen. The quick pace of the storytelling effectively makes the readers have the suspense feel. Every chapter contains new or more shocking turns and features perils of both human and geographical kinds for Hannay, who is preoccupied with escaping prospective spies as well as the landscapes’ harshness. What gives the novel such interest is how Hannay has to think his way out of situations. Everything from pretending to be a milkman to Scottish moors; Hannay uses his intelligence to outwit the villains at every stage.

It must be noted that the Scottish background of the novel is rather Cheesy. The complicating factor, the mountains, the moor, small villages, and isolated places give added feeling of desperation to the situation. Many of the descriptions of the countryside that Buchan gives to the reader are quite graphic.

Though *The Thirty-Nine Steps* is an adventure novel, it has elements of patriotism and loyalty. Hannay who hasn’t got any political ambitions, is drawn by a certain calling to serve his nation. In the later part of the film, he is even more concerned about preventing the enemy’s plan not for his own benefit, but for the sake of Britain.

This is the major criticism of the novel; writers say that some elements of the novel are done half-baked and some characters especially the villains lack depth. Nevertheless, this does not reduce the level of interest in forming the book at all. I believe that Streeter Buchan’s work remains more or less in the background, but the focus is given to Hannay and his adventure, and the pace suits the kind of narrative that is being provided.

Hence, *The Thirty-Nine Steps* is thrilling and rather interesting.  In writing the book over a hundred years ago, these aspects of espionage and politics remain relevant to the present age. It’s quite clear why this novel has become a classic – it’s got a great storyline packed full of action and a nice main character. This book should be read at least by those who like stories of ordinary individuals finding themselves in extraordinary circumstances.