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Description edit
First published in 1959, at the height of cold war paranoia, The Manchurian Candidate is a terrifying and suspenseful political thriller featuring Sergeant Raymond Shaw, ex-prisoner of war, Medal of Honor winner, American hero . . . and brainwashed assassin. Condon’s expert manipulation of the... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Raymond Shaw: A cold, unlikeable person with family in high places. The perfect candidate for experimental Soviet brainwashing.
- Bennett Marco: Shaw's CO when their platoon was captured in a skirmish in Manchuria during the Korean War. Finds his life strangely entangled with Shaw's and the only one to understand the implications of what has happened.
- Johnny Iselin: A stand-in for Joe McCarthy in this version of America. He is a bully, a lout, and tool of his wife Eleanor.
- Eleanor Iselin: Raymond Shaw's mother. The loathing Raymond feels for her is only compounded by the fact she is the ultimate controlling mother.
First Sentence edit
It was sunny in San Francisco; a fabulous condition.
Themes & Symbolism edit
Series & Lists edit
This book is in Guardian 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read. (authoritative list)
This is book 46 of 99 in NPR's Top 100 Killer Thriller. (community list)
This is book 79 of 98 in The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time (Crime Writers' Association, 1990). (authoritative list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Richard Condon (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Book Company
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1959
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 311
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Book Company
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1959
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 311
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813.54
Subjects edit
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