Personal by Lee Child: A Jack Reacher Novel You Won't Want to Miss
Lee Child Personal Epub 15: A Review of the 19th Jack Reacher Novel
If you are a fan of thrillers, you have probably heard of Lee Child and his famous protagonist, Jack Reacher. Lee Child is one of the most popular and prolific authors in the genre, with over 100 million books sold worldwide. His novels are fast-paced, action-packed, and full of twists and turns. One of his best-selling books is Personal, the 19th installment in the Jack Reacher series. In this article, I will review Personal and tell you why you should read it.
lee child personal epub 15
Introduction
Who is Lee Child?
Lee Child is the pen name of James Grant, a British author who was born in Coventry, England, in 1954. He worked as a television producer for Granada TV before he was fired in 1995 due to corporate restructuring. He then decided to pursue his dream of writing novels and created Jack Reacher, a former military policeman who wanders around the world solving crimes and helping people in trouble. Lee Child has written 25 Jack Reacher novels so far, as well as several short stories and novellas. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the CWA Diamond Dagger, and the Edgar Award. He lives in New York City with his wife and daughter.
What is Personal?
Personal is the 19th book in the Jack Reacher series, published in 2014. It follows Jack Reacher as he is summoned by his old friend and former commander, Frances Neagley, to help with a top-secret mission. Someone has taken a shot at the French president from a long distance, and the only clue is a bullet casing that matches one of four snipers that Reacher once arrested. Reacher has to find out which one of them is behind the assassination attempt and stop him before he strikes again. His investigation leads him from Arkansas to London, Paris, and Romania, where he faces a ruthless enemy with a personal vendetta against him.
Why read Personal?
Personal is a thrilling and entertaining read that will keep you hooked from start to finish. It has all the elements that make a great Jack Reacher novel: a compelling plot, a charismatic hero, a formidable villain, a diverse cast of characters, exotic locations, realistic details, witty dialogue, and explosive action scenes. It also explores some interesting themes such as loyalty, justice, revenge, and identity. Whether you are a longtime fan of Lee Child or a newcomer to his work, you will enjoy reading Personal.
Summary of Personal
The plot
The story begins with Jack Reacher receiving a coded message from Frances Neagley, his former colleague in the 110th Special Investigations Unit of the US Army Military Police Corps. She tells him to meet her at an army base in Rock Creek Park, Washington DC. There he learns that someone has tried to kill the French president at a G8 summit in Paris using a sniper rifle from over a mile away. The only clue is a spent shell casing that matches one of four snipers that Reacher arrested 16 years ago for killing civilians in Bosnia. They are John Kott, a former US Marine; Hugo Bruiser, a former British SAS; Carlos Cruz, a former Mexican Federal Police; and O'Donnell, a former Irish Republican Army. Reacher is asked to join a covert team led by Casey Nice, a young CIA analyst, to find out which one of them is the shooter and where he is hiding.
Reacher and Nice fly to Little Rock, Arkansas, where Kott was last seen after being released from prison. They track him down to a motel, where they find him dead in his room, apparently killed by a professional hitman. They also find a note with an address in London, which leads them to a gangster named Charlie White, who runs a security company that hires ex-military personnel. White tells them that he hired Kott for a job in Paris, but he never showed up. He also reveals that he works for a mysterious man named Peter "The Little Man" McCann, who is the real mastermind behind the assassination attempt.
Reacher and Nice fly to London, where they meet up with Neagley and another CIA agent named John Baldacci. They infiltrate McCann's headquarters, where they discover that he is a former British army officer who was dishonorably discharged for selling secrets to the Russians. He now runs a criminal empire that deals in drugs, weapons, and human trafficking. He also has a personal grudge against Reacher, who once broke his arm and humiliated him in front of his men. McCann has hired Bruiser as his sniper, and plans to kill the French president at another G8 summit in London.
Reacher and his team manage to locate Bruiser's hideout, but they are too late to stop him from taking the shot. However, Reacher notices that Bruiser is aiming at the wrong target: he is not trying to kill the French president, but the American president instead. Reacher realizes that McCann has double-crossed Bruiser and set him up as a patsy. Reacher shoots Bruiser before he can fire, saving the president's life. He then chases McCann to a nearby subway station, where they have a final showdown. Reacher kills McCann by pushing him onto the tracks in front of an incoming train.
The characters
The main characters in Personal are:
Jack Reacher: The protagonist of the novel and the series. He is a former military policeman who lives as a drifter with no fixed address or belongings. He is 6'5" tall, weighs 250 pounds, has blond hair and blue eyes. He is highly intelligent, observant, resourceful, and skilled in combat. He has a strong sense of justice and morality, and often helps people in need. He is also witty, sarcastic, and confident.
Frances Neagley: Reacher's old friend and former subordinate in the 110th Special Investigations Unit. She is a tough and smart woman who works as a private investigator and security consultant. She has dark hair and green eyes. She is loyal to Reacher and trusts him implicitly.
Casey Nice: Reacher's partner in the mission. She is a young and attractive CIA analyst who specializes in behavioral science. She has blond hair and blue eyes. She is smart, diligent, and eager to learn from Reacher. She also suffers from anxiety and takes medication for it.
Peter McCann: The antagonist of the novel. He is a former British army officer who was kicked out for treason. He now runs a criminal organization that operates across Europe and Asia. He has red hair and blue eyes. He is cunning, ruthless, and vengeful. He hates Reacher for breaking his arm and ruining his career.
Hugo Bruiser: The sniper hired by McCann to kill the president. He is a former British SAS soldier who became a mercenary after leaving the army. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He is cold-blooded, professional, and efficient.
The setting
The novel is set in various locations around the world, including:
Washington DC: The capital of the United States of America, where Reacher meets Neagley at an army base.
Little Rock: The capital of Arkansas, where Reacher and Nice track down Kott at a motel.
London: The capital of the United Kingdom, where Reacher and his team infiltrate McCann's headquarters and stop Bruiser from killing the president.
Paris: The capital of France, where the first assassination attempt takes place at a G8 summit.
Romania: A country in Eastern Europe, where McCann has a secret base that produces drugs and weapons.
Analysis of Personal
The theme
One of the main themes of Personal is the idea of personal vendetta. The title of the novel refers to both the personal nature of the assassination attempt and the personal history between Reacher and McCann. McCann holds a grudge against Reacher for breaking his arm and humiliating him in front of his men. He wants to get back at Reacher by killing the president and framing him for it. He also wants to make Reacher suffer by killing his friends and allies. Reacher, on the other hand, does not care about McCann's revenge. He only wants to stop him from harming innocent people and bring him to justice. He does not let his emotions cloud his judgment or interfere with his mission. He also does not seek revenge for himself, but for the victims of McCann's crimes.
The style
Lee Child's style is simple, direct, and engaging. He uses short sentences, active verbs, and vivid descriptions to create a fast-paced and suspenseful narrative. He also uses dialogue to reveal the characters' personalities, motivations, and relationships. He uses humor and sarcasm to lighten the mood and add some wit to the story. He also uses various literary devices such as foreshadowing, flashbacks, and cliffhangers to keep the reader interested and intrigued.
The structure
The novel is divided into 61 chapters, each with a number as a title. The chapters are short and concise, usually ending with a hook or a twist that makes the reader want to read more. The novel follows a linear chronology, except for some flashbacks that provide background information or explain previous events. The novel also switches between different points of view, mainly Reacher's and McCann's, to show their perspectives and thoughts. The novel has a clear beginning, middle, and end, with a rising action, a climax, and a resolution.
Conclusion
What did I like about Personal?
I liked Personal for several reasons. First of all, I liked the plot, which was original, unpredictable, and thrilling. I liked how Lee Child incorporated real-world issues such as international politics, terrorism, and corruption into his fictional story. I also liked how he created a complex and realistic villain who had a believable motive and plan. Second of all, I liked the characters, especially Jack Reacher, who was a likable and relatable hero. I liked how he was smart, brave, loyal, and honorable. I also liked how he had a sense of humor and a human side. I also liked the other characters who supported him, such as Neagley and Nice, who were strong and competent women. Third of all, I liked the style, which was clear, concise, and captivating. I liked how Lee Child wrote in a way that made me feel like I was there with Reacher, experiencing what he experienced.
What did I dislike about Personal?
I disliked Personal for a few reasons. First of all, I disliked some of the unrealistic aspects of the story, such as Reacher's ability to survive multiple injuries and attacks without any serious consequences. I also disliked how he was able to solve every problem with his superior skills and intuition without any mistakes or failures. Second of all, I disliked some of the clichés and stereotypes that Lee Child used in his story, such as the American hero saving the world from the evil foreigner, or the young female agent falling for the older male agent. I also disliked how some of the minor characters were underdeveloped or stereotypical, such as the corrupt politicians or the dumb thugs. Third of all, I disliked some of the repetitive and redundant parts of the story, such as Reacher's constant description of his physical appearance or his preference for coffee.
Would I recommend Personal?
I would recommend Personal to anyone who likes thrillers or Jack Reacher novels. It is a fun and exciting read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. It is also a good introduction to Lee Child's work if you have not read any of his books before. However, if you are looking for a more realistic or nuanced story that challenges your expectations or makes you think deeper about its themes or messages, you might want to look elsewhere.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Personal:
Q: Is Personal a standalone novel or part of a series?
A: Personal is part of the Jack Reacher series, which consists of 25 novels and several short stories and novellas. However, you can read Personal as a standalone novel without having to read the previous books in the series.
Q: How accurate is Personal in terms of its facts and details?
A: Lee Child does a lot of research for his novels and tries to make them as accurate and realistic as possible. However, he also admits that he sometimes bends or breaks the rules of reality for the sake of the story. For example, he exaggerates Reacher's physical abilities and injuries, or he changes some historical or geographical facts to fit his plot.
Q: Is Personal based on a true story or inspired by real events?
A: No, Personal is not based on a true story or inspired by real events. It is a fictional story that Lee Child created from his imagination. However, he does use some real-world issues and references in his story, such as the G8 summit, the Russian mafia, or the Romanian orphanages.
Q: Is Personal suitable for young readers or children?
A: No, Personal is not suitable for young readers or children. It contains graphic violence, strong language, and mature themes that are not appropriate for younger audiences. It is intended for adult readers who enjoy thrillers and action novels.
Q: Is Personal available in other formats or languages?
A: Yes, Personal is available in various formats and languages. You can find it in paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook, or large print editions. You can also find it in different languages such as Spanish, French, German, Italian, or Chinese.
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