John Buchan

May 1914. Britain is on the eve of war with Germany. Richard Hannay is living a quiet life in London, but after a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger he stumbles into a hair-raising adventure-desperate hunt across the country and against the clock, pursed by the police and cunning, ruthless enemy. Hannys life and security of Britain are in grave peril, and everything rests on the solution to a baffling enigma: what are the thirty-nine steps?

The thirty-nine steps

Sarah Sammis

The 39 Steps is actually a quick read and a rather dry thriller. I think part of that apparent dryness is a result of it being the inspiration for so many spy thrillers. It is impressive to see a book published in 1915 still in print -- so many books don't have this long of a life in print. All the comedic bits that make it a memorable Hitchcock film aren't there. Even as a young filmmaker he was already exercising his authority as an up and coming auteur.

The thirty-nine steps

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