The Prodigal Spy

I really enjoyed Los Alamos, so I was looking forward to reading another book by this author. This book managed to overcome a general rule I have with any book. If it hasn't really captured my attention by the end of 50 pages I cut my losses. In this case, it took about 100 pages (about 20% of the book), which provides background info from the main character's youth. The information is important to the overall plot, but could have been accomplished in less than 50 pages. Not sure why I stuck it out, but I'm glad I did. The book picks up the pace, providing a decent amount of suspense. Although I liked Los Alamos better, it probably had more to do with a setting I thought was more interesting. This is a good book, but I'm not sure if I read it first I'd be all that interested in reading other works by the author.

Kanon second thriller opens with an emotionally charged view of 10-year-old Nick Kotlar's bewilderment and loyalty as his father, Walter, a state department official, is hounded by the House on Un-American Activities Committee. The section culminates, shockingly, with his father's mysterious flight from the country and the murder of a woman, the witness against him, that same night.

Twenty years later, 1969, Nick, drifting after a tour in Vietnam and an Oxford degree, meets an attractive young journalist, Molly, who tells him his father urgently wants to see him - in Prague. Angry, resentful, but curious, Nick, now the stepson of a highly placed diplomat involved in the Paris peace talks on Vietnam, agrees.

Volatile emotions mix with paranoia and intrigue behind the iron curtain in beautiful, broken Prague, simmering fitfully after the Soviet invasion of the previous spring. Walter, terminally ill, wants out, and his son's eyes are opened to the determination and weakness at his father's core. Walter believes he has the clues that will expose the conspiracy that destroyed him and still operates at the highest levels of government.

But his father's game is more than ever dangerous and no one - including the girl Nick is falling in love with - can be trusted.

Kanon ("Los Alamos") fleshes out the Cold War period with suspenseful immediacy, placing the Vietnam War and the public and private high-level maneuvering in chilling context. He creates an undercurrent of menace on which complex emotions of family loyalty and love ride uneasily. A mystery, a love story, and a good old-fashioned spy thriller, with heart.

The Prodigal Spy begins well with the McCarthyesque trial of Walter Kotlar experienced through the eyes of his son, Nick. Nick's certainty in his father's innnocence he discovers his father has one shirt the size the star witness claims to have sold him and rushes to get rid of the "evidence." Thinking he has fixed the problem, he is devastated when Walter flees after the suicide (murder?) of the key witness against him to turn up much later as a defector in the Soviet Union. Nick may be a bit precocious, but his actions seem plausibly childlike and realistic in his naive belief that getting rid of the shirt got rid of the problem. There is tremendous emotional power in this section of the book and it draws the reader in with its promise.
Years pass and and the adult Nick is asked by his father to help him come home by finding the important, and still active spy, who orchestrated Walter's defection in order to protect himself from discovery. This sets up what should be a satisfying and intriguing mystery, except the clues are too obvious and Nick to obtuse to see them.
The older Nick isn't as clever as the young Nick or surely he would have solved the mystery of who was the important spy as soon as he discovered his father's lighter was found at the scene of the suicide - now surely a murder. His equally obtuse inability to understand the witness's letter and discover who was the prime mover in this family tragedy was just as frustrating to this reader who wanted to shake him and tell him to just stop and think for one minute.
Over all, this is a fine story. It's well-written. The dialogue is credible and it's emotionally satisfying. However, as a mystery it lacks subtlety.

Joseph Kanon's first book was the well crafted "Los Alamos," which took place during 1945. This novel starts a few years later, during the height of the McCarthy red scare in the 1950s and then mvoes forward some twenty years to its conclusion.
Nick Kotlar, all of ten years old, is caught up in the McCarthy hearings when his father is suspected of being a spy. When a key witness dies, his father flees the country and settles behind in the Soviet Union. Nick is devastated by his father's actions and his mother later marries a close ffriend of the family. In many ways, the opening chapters are the most compelling as we watch a child deal with the confusion surrounding his father's defection.
Years later, the adult Nick is contacted by his father to help him come home by finding the important, and still active spy, who actually was behind his father's fleeing, a move apparently orchestrated to protect the spy from detection. This sets up what starts as an intriguing mystery, but unfortunately it becomes fairly obvious who is behind the entire plot along the way. Nonetheless, there are a few surprising twists, especially near the end, although the book is not quite as satisfying as "Los Alamos."
Still, this is a fine story and Kanon has a good ear for dialogue that is credible and realistic. Enjoy it for what it is, a rather satisfying mystery set in the Cold War era.

"The Prodigal Spy" is a very good novel, that could've been exceptional. The 1950's in America are a fantastic subject. The anti-communist frenzy made the public paranoid, and the paranoid public stirred up even more frenzy. Those are the circumstances when freedom and democracy die a painful death.
Mr. Kannon did a marvelous job describing the people trapped in these desperate times both in USA and Czechoslovakia. The atmosphere filled with fear and mistrust weighs heavily above the characters of this compelling book. And then the trouble starts in the last 70 or so pages of this novel. It seems that author was under some pressure to make this thoughtful book into a page turning thriller. His twist at the end was something that this reader predicted in the first 100 pages, and not because I am exceptionally smart, but because it was very predictable.I would advise Mr. Kannon that making book palatable to everyone has sometimes the opposite effect, not pleasing anybody. Even so I enjoyed most of this book and would gladly try the rest of his opus.

This was another novel that was hyped quite a bit in media circles when it was released in hardcover. Yet once again, it fails to live up to its hype. The premise of the story, revolving loosely around the Communist witch-hunting of the 1950's and the distrustful mindset of the late '60's, was promising. Mr. Kanon's portrayal of Nick Kotlar's inner conflict was also great. However, the story fails to deliver on much else. There was so much that could have been done with the premise and historical setting that Mr. Kanon did not achieve. The plot was also very, in the words of a previous reviewer, "transparent"; you could literally figure out who did what about 200 pages or less into the novel. And even then, the outcome was very unsatisfying. Also, a nagging problem for me was the numerous historical inaccuracies. A couple have been listed in prior reviews; the notable one I caught revolved around the Order Of Lenin medal. Given recent historical works surrounding the KGB, the Order of Lenin was indeed awarded to non-Soviet spies (i.e. Kim Philby). However, those who were awarded it were not allowed to keep it beyond their award presentation, much less be able to travel abroad with it. Therefore, I could not get past the fact that Kotlar's father was supposedly living in Czechoslovakia with it. Inaccuracies in the spy genre are very near to mortal sins, especially with authors such as Clancy, Ludlum, and DeMille as competitors in the field. A weak, easily solved plot and inability to make the most of a historical setting and premise that is ripe for the picking are also huge gaffes. It is a quick read, but very disappointing. I can't help but believe that if another, more able writer were given this type of story to work with, it would be a far better and more enjoyable read.

In a contemporary book world dominated by the macabre, the distasteful and the sappy, it's wonderful (and rare) to find a genuinely entertaining read. Kanon's prose flows swiftly and he excels at building tension into many scenes, particularly those in Prague. These qualities warrant forgiveness for the all too transparent ending and the occasional glitch that greater attention to the research might have avoided. (The Mayflower Hotel--or any other DC hotel--doesn't have 16 floors and the Soviet Embassy isn't on Embassy Row--it's downtown.) Yet Kanon vividly captures the essence of Prague in the 60s (though how he fails to mention Hradcany Castle is beyond me). These are small irritations. A larger disappointment is that the reader is more likely to remember the action at the train station in Prague than the characters who played the scene or their motivation. OK, OK. I'd like to have it both ways--memorable characters in a tightly-woven, suspenseful plot--but these days, you're lucky to get even one of them. Kanon gives us a very good read for the money and I'm thankful for that.

a tour de force. atmospheric, erudite, psychologically deep, gorgeously written, hard to put down. twist after twist but believable & very moving. perhaps best thriller i've ever read; certainly best Kanon and that's saying something. readers are assumed to be not only intelligent but also generally familiar with 20th century history. the profoundly paranoid mood of the 1950s is particularly chillingly evoked; i personally remember I Like Ike buttons but it's hard to say how well this atmosphere will resonate with someone who does not. very specific to the Cold War.

The plot revolves around a young man whose father was a Soviet agent exposed by way of a House Un-American Activities Committee hearing and his efforts first, to live down the trauma this introduced into his life, and then to redeem his father's memory. While working as a research assistant he receives a request from his father to meet him in Prague, then suffering through the aftermath of the Prague Spring of 1968.

The book falls into three distinct parts, a plodding and interminable prelude, an exciting and well written middle, and an implausible and unsatisfying ending. The middle probably makes the rest worth reading.

The Prodigal Spy is well written, hooking the reader to the end. However, the plot is paper thin, and like most of the other reviewers, I knew what the conclusion would look like. My major concern is that there is a major loophole in the story, concerning the location of a certain object, and how Nikku knew it would be there. If anyone can enlighten me personally as to where in the book Nikku finds out that the object would be hidden there, then please email me and let me know. On the whole, I'd recommend the book, as it stands apart from most spy books, though not as good as le carre. Good book, shame about the obvious plot.

This well-crafted story opens with a State Department man in the hot seat during the 1950s Communism hearings. Much to his wife and son's amazement he defects to Russia -- a clear statement of his guilt to all concerned. Years later he contrives a rendezvous with his now grown son to whom he reveals that it wasn't really as simple as all that. Would love to give it all away, but will resist.
The spy story is super. Nice surprises. Nifty double crosses. Good suspense. My only hesitation on recommending this book are two to three pages of very detailed gratuitous sex. Certainly not necessary for the storyline, and sure to offend some readers.

It is rare to find intelligent thriller writers. Joseph Kanon is one such writer; Alan Furst and Daniel Silva are others. The Prodigal Spy is a good thriller where the emphasis is not on the thrills but on the human costs of spying. At its core is a haunting father-son love story which was haunting and disturbing. Not many books talk about the deep love sons have for their fathers and vice versa. And, what it is to grow up without a much beloved dad. In this day of declining readership, I despair that not many would pay just $7.99 to buy and read a classy, sophisticated and very touching thriller and would rather while away their life on soul-numbing TV and Facebook.

Srinivas Anumolu

Enjoyed the mystery angle of the book and even more so the historical setting - I read it with my laptop - googling many of the events and places. As a result, my knowledge and understanding of pre WWII decision-making (Munich Accord) and post-war East Europe developed greatly. And the history seems to be pretty accurate, based on conversations I've had since with those who had a better education in history than I did (our school years always seemed to end before we got to WWII).

There are scores of novels written around the McCarthy Period but perhaps none that deals so realistically about the personal human effects of that terrible time. This is the touching story of a young man's search for the truth about his father. His quest takes him from the comparative safety of modern day America to the behind the Iron curtain. What he discovers there forces him to have to choose between granting his father's last wish and risking his own future.

The characterisation is excellent and the meeting of father and son pictured with sensitivity and skill. The air of menace in the Communist State is captured beautifully. The plot has many twists and turns but ends credibly.

An excellent read.

Excellent writing ruined by an all too predictable ending. If one does not figure out who "Silver" is by page 220, go back to the fundamentals of mysteries and read "The Hardy Boys" series. However, the last three pages was an unexpected twist I had not counted on.
The only reason I granted two stars was because the begining was so intriguing and wonderfully structured. I really felt the pain the young Nick went through.
Over all, no go.

Having read Kanon's previous novel "Los Almos" and hating it, I don't know what possessed me to start reading the "Prodigal Spy". All I can say is that I am very glad that I pick up this book, because reading it was one of the most enjoyable reading experienced I've had.

I won't go into the plot, because many of the other reviewers have summarized it very well.

I don't give this book 5 stars only for the simple fact that I thought the end was very predicable. (I guessed the "who done it" about 50 pages before the end). However, that did not change the fact that this book was an extremely enjoyable read, and reminded me of Riech's "Numbered Accounts" (Maybe because the lead character is also named Nick??)

If you're into spy novels (or even if you're not), do yourself a favor and read this book!!!

Kanon seems to have a knack for spy stories written during the more interesting time in recent american history. but this story was also about the relationship between nick and his father. the biggest problem i had with the book was that the main villain, Silver, was obvious who it was from the very beginning.

an historical novel of the not so distant past. the red scare with hoover setting up his own police state in an ironic emulation of the ostensible enemy. a family is torn apart by the then prevailing zeitgeist. prague behind the iron curtain is skillfully brought to light.

Good spy story, great setting, sense of place, but above all, wonderful, thoughtful turns of phrase that make you read whole paragraphs out loud to the person next to you. I wish novels came stamped with a code that indicated that pleasure was within.

This was one of the most intelligent and engaging espionage novels I have read. I rate this as highly as I would Ludlum's Bourne Identity. If the McCarthy era intrigues you, I think you will enjoy this story.

The writing is excellent and characters are rich BUT the plot moves at such a glacial pace that after 250 pages not a lot has happened!!! And your eyes start to glaze over and you truly age!!!! LOL. I read some of the other reviews and they gave it 4 stars with a "predictable ending". Well if it's so predictable and obvious, why give it 4 stars?? I think if the pace of the book was better I would have rated it higher too, but at this point I don't even care to finish it.

This book is more about love than intelligence. Joseph Kanon is extremely good as writing what's in the head of a boy and to describe prague during the soviet occupation. This is the story of Nick Koltar a man who saw his father leaving him and his mother because he was accused of beeing a spy. As I said, it's more about Nick's relationship with his father than a real spy book but it's still a page turner. For those who love mystery but still wants to see sentimental character.

"The Prodigal Spy", by Joseph Kanon. The author talks about a little kid, Nick, who was trying the best to help his father, Wolter Kotlar. A lot people were accusing him from being a communist. It's a Wonderful book full of mystery, suprises and loving between father and son, husband and wife. I recomment this book to every each of you. Joseph had done a great job to evoke the feeling from a son toward his father. It's an Excellent book.