Survival Reflex

Did nothing for me either let me tell you. Okay an old army mate of the Big Guy's and Pol's is doing his thing in the rain forest of Brazil. Through a third party he requests assistance to Pol and as he is tied up with Able Team he asks the Big Guy to assist. Assist with what? Well it seems this is all actually through his girlfriend who maybe doesn't really know what the doc actually wants. huh? Anyway the Big Guy is blinded temporarily at the start of the title but manages to catch up with the Doctors group. As has been reviewed he is led around whilst this group tries to stay in front of others who are seeking them. Who? Well the Army is after him as he has the cheek to treat anyone who needs assistance. Well we can't have the Rebels or civilians being treated can we. There is also not one but two Rebel groups who reckon the Doc would not only be good to fix up their men but would be good to have around as well for any further injuries the men may sustain. AND all of the groups waltz around through the rain forest looking for each other or trying to evade each other. YAWN!!! It's rubbish and that is praising it up.

I liked the angle of Bolan having to confront what he would do if he was blind. As a person who's been blind since birth, I bristled a bit at Bolan's fantasies of wandering around his apartment memorizing the furniture, but his line of work is definitely sight-dependent, and remembering that made it a bit easier to read. My low rating has nothing to do with the blindness subplot. What annoyed me about this book was the deus ex machina-style ending. We have pages and pages and pages devoted to these parties pursuing Bolan and Co., and yet when push comes to shove, it felt to me like the time was wasted. To say much more would give the plot away, and I won't do that. It didn't work for me. That's all I'll say.

Bolan undertakes a personal mission to check in on an old army buddy of his, only to be blinded in the process. The author probes deep into the psyche of Bolan, of coping with a disabling injury. Mike Newton’s depiction of Bolan's mind is bedrock solid. There is only one false note, where Bolan had never considered a disabling injury, thinking/worrying about the fatal injury, something I do not buy. This novel explores the disability angle that no other novel has done before. The jungle politics of Brazil is a bit muddled. Light on action, this is a survival drama that questions putting one’s life on the line for a duty for a higher calling. I would consider this novel a mixed bag, but solid characterization and ruthless action decides this one. Speaking of bags, I am glad the author forgoes the usual bag of tricks and instead of the gunshot wound (to the side), a bout of blindness is a challenging change of pace.

Just finished this one. I for one was let down. If you have not read the book stop reading this now. When Bolan loses his sight he allows himself to be tied to a stretcher? For a third of the book we read about his thoughts of being worthless and what would he do with his life? Even so far as fantasies about living in an apartment and memorizing where the furniture is. The whole time he can’t see could be spent training the group on the unfamiliar weapons they just got or some such. Bolan could do that blindfolded. I see time and time again where Bolan states, no sense worrying about what can't be changed. Or whats done is done lets move on. The whole dwelling on feelings and what could be or might happen seems completely out of character to me. And to be involved in a kidnapping seemed a little off to me too. He comes to the jungle to help his friend his friend says hey I’m fine, it’s what I want to do. Bolan joins with his group to drug him and take him away against his will? Seems hard to believe to me. I spent a good part of the book thinking that’s not what Bolan would do. Not a great read. Larry Just my opinion.