The Amateur
Robert Littell
There’s nothing quite like a spy fiction to keep you on the edge of your seat — and Robert Littell’s thriller is like no other. The Amateur follows CIA cryptographer, Charlie Heller, who is driven by grief and a thirst for revenge after his fiancée, Sarah, is killed by terrorists during a hostage situation. Frustrated by the CIA’s reluctance to take action, Heller leverages his access to classified information to blackmail the agency into training him for a solo mission. Sound gripping, right?
This novel, first published in 1981, is soon to be released to the silver screen in Spring 2025, starring multi-award winning actor, Rami Malek, as our protagonist, Charlie Heller.
Marrying together spy fiction and thriller genres, Littell offers riveting twists and nail-biting storylines to his readers in spades — as seen in all of his most famous novels. Critics have praised The Amateur for its fast pace and psychological depth, while many also admire the suspense that is added by Charlie’s vulnerability and inexperience contrasting with his sudden want to kill.
“This elegant spy novel has everything: honest emotions, shifting moods, a likeable hero and heroine, despicable villains, intrigue, action, surprise twists, economical writing, lively dialogue . . . The Amateur is the work of a real pro.”
- The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Littell’s protagonist goes through a transformation during the novel. We see Charlie develop from a back-of-house office worker, to a fierce, determined man who is adamant about seeking revenge and justice for his fiance’s murder. Despite having his ability to kill dismissed by his higher-ups in the CIA, Heller doesn’t take no for an answer, and we watch him step up the mark. Thus, Littell is able to give his reader those existential questions of “Could I kill to avenge a loved one?” and “Is anyone a natural-born killer?”.
Unbeknownst to many, Spring 2025 will not be the only time that The Amateur will grace the silver screen. It was adapted to film shortly after it was released with Littell screenwriting his novel into a script himself.
“As cold-war thrillers go, this is an efficient and enjoyable one, with a good cast, a clever if overburdened plot, and a stylish brand of mayhem”
- The New York Times
Whilst we see Littell’s first publication come to life again over 40 years later, it’s important to note that, when first published, it was not well received and reviews halted the publication of his work. Critics were harsh, but this did not stop Littell and we soon were given his most famous works such as The Company (2002) which gave The Amateur a new lease of life, with modern critics loving the story.
“A plot that resembles Swiss cheese, with holes big enough for all those shiny Mercedes Benz production cars to drive through”
- Stephen Zoller, Cinema Canada
Contrary to how his debut novel was received, in more recent years, Littell’s popularity has grown, with some even suggesting that Littell could have been the founding father of spy fiction. This may have been the case, had it not been for his predecessors such as Ian Flemming with his iconic series, James Bond.
The Amateur still holds a special place on the shelves of spy fiction enthusiasts, adding a unique flavour to the genre that appeals to both casual readers and genre purists. The mixture of suspense and sympathy we feel for Charlie who is determined to seek revenge for his murdered fiance are classic, timeless hallmarks of the spy fiction genre. We are so excited to see Littell’s work brought to life in the modern age and see James Hawe’s adaptation.
Read more books to raise your heartbeat
If nail-biting thrillers and suspense gets you excited to read your next page-turning novel then check out our reviews of thriller fiction to find your next obsession. With gripping novels such as The Housemaid and The Power of the Dog (which has also been adapted to the screen) we’re sure to inspire a new favourite find. Keep adding amazing novels to your ‘TBR’ list by checking out the Victoria Freudenheim blog and our latest reviews page.
