Set in 2012, this novel deals with migrants from Albania, entering Greece full of hope – and finding even more problems than they ran from. Well then, my friend, shall we cross the border?
This review is part of LoveBooksTours. Check out the other hosts!
Thrillers are defined through a number of things. Plot twists and action, of course, but the characters are also really important. And I’m not only talking heroes here – any thriller worth his salt needs a good villain.
That’s actually a point of critique I have here. There’s a villainy Greek henchmen in this story (named after a god), and he turns out not only to be a racist (which was expected, it’s kind of his qualification for this job), but also to be a stereotypical sadist. Which is a kind of villain that can be easily written, but it’s also very cliche.
Another important thing for a good thriller is pace, and I’m happy to report that The Migrant hits it just right in my opinion. The story continuously moves forward, although I felt left out at a very few moments. That’s due to the fact that this book has a precessor I haven’t read, but don’t worry – you’re not missing much, you just don’t recognize some people. It doesn’t break the story for you if you haven’t read the first book.
The clash of cultures – Albanian and Greek, all seen through the eyes of an Englishman – makes for a very interesting backdrop to the story. It builds a colorful tapestry and adds depth to the characters. It also means there’s a lot of hate going around.
When all is said and done, this is a good thriller with an unusual setting that’s rather heavy on contemporary politics, even though it takes place a few years in the past. After all, those themes are – in the worst possibly way – timeless.
4 stars for me.
Crossing the Pond Reviews 