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greybeard49's review against another edition
5.0
As always - a master writing wonderfully crafted prose. Sallis writes crime stories, in this case a spy story, to subtly and skilfully examine the human condition.
You will not be disappointed by any of his books.
You will not be disappointed by any of his books.
frasersimons's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly full of great prose, an interesting little mystery, and great pacing and action scenes. Short and sweet.
sixdaysago's review against another edition
4.0
After having read Drive and its underwhelming sequel Driven, I had come to think of James Sallis as a writer of sparse and short crime fiction who succeeded most in moments of violence or action. Death Will Have Your Eyes proves that impression incorrect. Whilst Sallis, in this earlier novel, still manages to engage in tense scenes, the novel is more a metaphysical examination of one's direction in life and identity through the guise of a spy thriller.
The plot itself is secondary and, unlike John le Carre's spy novels, it ends in a somewhat anticlimactic and redundant fashion. This is not at all to say it detracts from the enjoyment of the narrative, rather, the pleasure in reading it comes from these almost surreal character moments as David, traveling America in a vague search of a rogue agent, spends most of the novel thinking about his past and, in diners, bars and motel rooms, finding poignant connections with a cavalcade of strangers.
It is short enough to be read in few sittings and this is how I would recommend it. As Sallis intentionally misquotes Cesare Pavese, reading this instills in you some kind of mild "fever in my bones", wrapped up in an unreal world.
The plot itself is secondary and, unlike John le Carre's spy novels, it ends in a somewhat anticlimactic and redundant fashion. This is not at all to say it detracts from the enjoyment of the narrative, rather, the pleasure in reading it comes from these almost surreal character moments as David, traveling America in a vague search of a rogue agent, spends most of the novel thinking about his past and, in diners, bars and motel rooms, finding poignant connections with a cavalcade of strangers.
It is short enough to be read in few sittings and this is how I would recommend it. As Sallis intentionally misquotes Cesare Pavese, reading this instills in you some kind of mild "fever in my bones", wrapped up in an unreal world.
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