Mr Standfast by John Buchan
Mr Standfast by John Buchan is one of the BBCs '100 Novels that Shaped our World' books. It comes under the March heading of 'Adventure' and it is certainly in the right place. It is one of the most adventurous books I have read in a very long time and was excitement from cover to cover. The book is the third in a trilogy about Richard Hannay, an English officer come 'secret agent', during the First World War. He is assigned by the War Office, to infiltrate British anti-war groups who are a cover for a more serious and subversive German spy ring. In disguise as Cornelius Brand, a South African engineer, Hannay's investigation takes him from undercover in a quaint English village to tracking spies in the Scottish Highlands and chasing them through bomb damaged London. 'Brand' must escape capture in Switzerland and ultimately fight the war at the French front. Every chapter is packed with fast moving excitement.
The book is very much of its time. Published in 1919, the reader must suspend modern political correctness to fully embrace the spirit of the novel. It truly transports you back in time. This is helped by Buchan's very detailed writing and the in-depth characters of the book. There is Hannay himself, a real courageous hero; war office bosses and brave assistants. There is also the well-formed and strong feminist character of Mary Lamington contrasted against Hannay's injured friend Peter and ultimately the scurrilous enemy whose name I shall not disclose, for fear of a 'spoiler'.
This is not the type of book I would normally choose to read but felt enriched for doing so. As the third book in the series; preceded by The Thirty Nine Steps and Greenmantle, it can be read on its own but I felt reading these first would have added to the back story and explained some incidents referred to. Throughout the book there are references and links to The Pilgrim's Progress and I am tempted to delve into that also. This is a great book to be captured by - just be careful that you can escape it at the end!
Submitted by Tinya Reserve
