The Cellist: A Novel (Gabriel Allon Book 21)

Smug, formulaic, and downright boring.... Yes, I'm talking about a Daniel Silva novel. I can't believe it either. But this latest effort--much of which was a tedious info-dump--manages to be both preposterous and dull.Whereas Silva's background as a journalist brought his previous novels to life, The Cellist reveals a mastermind who no longer endeavors to (or is no longer able to) distinguish between fact and fiction. Even at Silva's best, he's been unable to resist the temptation to inject himself into his stories. I don't mean in the sense that all authors are reflected in their works; every character, after all, reveals something about its creator. But I've always gotten the impression that Silva is absurdly pleased with himself: little comments here and there throughout the series seem designed to jerk the reader from the narrative and remind them of the genius behind the fiction. And in the case of The Cellist, the fiction simply isn't all that great. I kept waiting for the real Gabriel Allon to show up. About halfway through my slog-of-a-read, I came to the sinking realization that he'd been there all along. And that I no longer care for him. Gabriel hasn't aged well; he's a shell of his former intriguing self. No-- not a shell. A puppet. Gabriel Allon has become little more than the mouthpiece of his creator. The author's prerogative, to be sure. But it's not the reader's joy.Perhaps it really is time for Gabriel to ride off into the Venetian sunset.

I have read every book by the author. I was wary of this book since his last few books have been repetitive to the point of boredom and marred by politicalization. I was right. Almost unreadable. The author, like many in his field such as James Lee Burke, should have stopped after his first six or seven books and looked for new material. Instead we get the same general plot, characters, descriptions, ect. over and over. Unfortunately, the author has also decided that his reading public needs to hear his views on modern politics whether we agree or not. Will never purchase another Silva book. I only wish I could send this one back to Kindle for a refund.

I returned same day I received it. Have read all his other books, got a whiff in his last book but the dedication finished me with him. He dedicated to Capitol Police saving democracy on Jan 6th.. That was all I needed to return it immediately.

My wife and I have read all of DeSilva's books and looked forward eagerly to this one. What a disappointment! This is nothing but an anti-Trump screed. To think I wasted $20 for propaganda I could get anytime on CNN for free??!!

I stopped reading after the first couple of chapters. I read for an escape. I don't want to read about the characters social distancing.

What began as a wonderful action series, with a magnificent and complex protagonist, has, over the last several books, devolved into a somewhat predictable political screed. I only made it through half of this one. If such is to your taste, fine. It is no loner to mine. Mr. Silva is capable of much better writing.

The plot of these gets thinner and thinner with every new release over the past few years. And, predictably repetitive: a beautiful woman, an espionage novice, is guided by Allon to take down the bad guys. Limited character development of new characters, repeat characters reduced to caricatures, abundant repetition of boilerplate, and unforgivably bad editing. The vivid supporting cast from previous novels barely appears and has virtually no dialogue. Most of the novel is presented via a smarmy-toned omniscient narrator who does nothing to breathe life into the characters we all love. I so much miss the depth and rich complexity of the early Allon novels. The past few have been worthless money grabs profiting from the affection readers have for the earlier works. A sad disintegration of what was once a great series.

If I wanted to relive the last 18 month of the pandemic and a one sided view of US politics, I might, only barely have liked this book. It’s really sub-par writing for Silva. I’ve enjoyed most everyone of his prior Allon books! However, Silva’s treatise on his obvious world views, from carbon footprint, to sustainable green energy, evil billionaires, corrupt banks was too much.And no I do not forgive this author for making me pay to read his personal opinions! I read for enjoyment, and at this time in history a little escape into good fiction is something I’ve longed for!I cannot recommend this book to anyone of any political persuasion, if you want to read a better written political review of the last 18 month or a scientific read regarding climate change there a better more fact based well written books out there. As regarding the pandemic, books will come but there are decent ones already out there! In summary, I wish I could get a refund on my purchase, because the book is not recognizable as a true Gabriel Allon book!I can only suggest to anyone who has so enjoyed the past books in the series to not pay full new price, but to wait and buy it as a used paperback if you are so inclined not to skip this one!

Having read all of Daniel Silva's books and loving them, I was about 75% through The Cellist and thought some else must have replaced Daniel. The book goes off on to a left socialistic rant naming actually past American president. Totally opposite to what I normally expect from Mr Silva, only to find in the acknowledgements that Daniel explains that he changed the planned ending of this book, which was pretty obvious! As a long time fan, you have now lost me and many more I'm sure. I was very angry after ending this book and actually felt like demanding my money back! It's might be acceptable for wannabe rap stars spouting their political opinions but I don't expect long term characters in my favourite books to start preaching socialistic drivel to me!

...but I guess that what happens you let your spouse write the story for you.He didn't really die, but he has in my library. Big letters on his file "DECEASED".Like many of the other reviewers I was abruptly interrupted throughout the story by grating, fingernail-on-chalkboard alerts that, as it turns out were virtue signalling by Silva et.al. Added to that, a story line that seemed lifted from the Guardian newspaper and I have to admit getting so lost I had to frequently check to see what book I was reading. Entire chapters seemed to slip by without even a glimpse of Gabriel. The 24 hour news feed was up and running telling me what to think.I got the feeling, as I waded this treacle, that it had been largely written by a Guardian columnist and, much to my surprise and, perhaps relief, the author gushed praise about the work of his wife who wrote entire chapters, making no effort to conceal her own profession as an opinion writer for CNN or, indeed, her opinions.At least, in the end, it was all explained to me. I needed to read some Ross Macdonald just regain my own sense of balance and what a novel is actually about.Shame about Gabriel. He hardly appeared in this one. In fact, I didn't come accross anyone I actually cared about in this one, including him.Now I'm really nervous about waiting for the 26th of October to see what Jack Reacher is up to and whether Lee Child has disappeared down the same slippery slope...

This would have been a really good book if he hadn't spoiled it with the Covid 19 propaganda. Clearly he's making it clear what his political views are and that shouldn't be happening in fiction novels. I've enjoyed most of Silvas books but gradually these books about the super hero Allon are becoming a bit repetitive and tiresome. Maybe he should try writing something like his first book The Unlikely Spy.

Returned for refund after reading the first few pages of 'pandemic' propagandaWe don't need to be reminded of this when reading fiction . Will be the first allon book I don't read out of principal

*spoiler alert*Already the first sentence takes you to skilfully crafted world of Gabriel Allon masterfully created by Daniel Silva. Silva once again proves why he's nr. 1 New York Time Bestselling Author. He mastered the way to mix the fiction with facts in a such a way that will leave you thinking where the facts and the fiction starts.Mr. Silva is known for taking inspiration in todays events so it doesn’t come as a surprise the story is being affected by coronavirus or the riot that happened in the US on 6th January. The riot changed the ending of the book, which Silva mentioned, but it would surprise me if he didn’t add it to the book. It sits nicely with the mix of facts and fiction.Isabel was a lovely addition to the family. I like brave heroine who is capable of taking care of herself but also doesn’t hide her fear. Going against Russia is very brave. I enjoyed her storyline and hopefully we will see her again some time in the future. Plus, there is never enough of the cello.Also, it’s wonderful to see Gabriel restoring a painting. Restoration is a huge part of the series and although it is sometimes put in the background, it is still there. And as usual, restoration has been done in whirlwind, yet still nicely described.I’m glad Silva is brining back characters from the past books, this time especially Anna Rolfe. It’s been a long time since her first appearance and it’s been great to see her again. And St. Martin is getting more regular than I thought possible when I encountered him the first time. The one character I’ve missed was Adrian, though.I loved the last message Gabriel left behind as it’s obvious he’s becoming more and more like Ari. That was a nice touch. Both of them are eternal.Now, I’m back to the waiting. Always the waiting.