The Army of the Republic by Stuart CohenBlue Archipelago Reviews

The Army of the Republic by Stuart Cohen – Reviewed

The Army of the Republic by Stuart Cohen is a brilliant insight into an alternative, revolutionary America which explores the issues of love, family and rebellion.

My Book Review Rating:

Fiction or non-fiction? What’s the genre?

This book is a wonderful work of fiction filled with politics, torture and the fight for loyalty and freedom.

Why did you decide to read this book?

I was asked to review this book by the PR agent. If I’m perfectly honest it is not the kind of book that I would normally read; it’s the sort of book that I call a ‘boy book’ all about revolution and assassinations. So once I again I am grateful for being introduced to a book that is outside my comfort zone – but which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Summarise the plot – without revealing the ending!

The Army of the Republic is set in a revolutionary America, where rich company tycoons and a corrupt government are leading the country in the wrong direction. On one side of the cause we have Lando, a twenty-something guerrilla who is obsessed with saving his country. On the other, the billionaire entrepreneur James Sands who is determined to preserve his privileged position. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way in a plot that sometimes comes a little too close to reality.

What did you like about this book?

For me, this novel was unlike anything I’d read before and that made it a great read. I really liked how Cohen pulls all the threads of the plot together and against the background of politics and torture he weaves in a sub-plot of loyalty and the fight to be loved and accepted for who you are.

What didn’t you like?

This novel is written from the viewpoint of the three main characters, Lando, James Sands and Emily, but it’s written in the first person and in the early chapters I never could quite tell who was telling the story. I found this quite frustrating and if I hadn’t been reading it for a review I would have given up within the first few chapters. Of course I’m glad I didn’t because after a while I began to recognise the ‘voices’ and from there it became a book that I didn’t want to put down!

What did you think of the main character?

For me Lando is the main character in this novel; the plot and the sub-plots all revolve around him. He’s an interesting character, caught up in this world of revolution and the fight against the Regime. He really struggles with the need to protect his identity and not put himself or his family in danger, while at the same time wanting to let the barriers down to connect with Emily.

Are there any other interesting characters in the book?

I found Anne Sands (wife of James) to be a really interesting character. As wife of a billionaire whose husband thinks that she appreciates all of their privileges she is more interested in her family’s well being and happiness and when James refuses to make a stand against the corrupt security company Whitehall she joins Emily at the protests, putting her own life in danger.

What did you think about the ending?

The ending is sad, and brutal, but also hopeful and in a strange way extremely satisfying.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of them?

This is my first encounter with Stuart Archer Cohen, but I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for other works from this impressive author.

Which of your readers are likely to enjoy reading this book?

If you are looking for a white-knuckle ride of a novel then you will enjoy this book; if you believe that America is headed in the wrong direction then you will connect with the themes in this novel. If you’re looking for a book for your book club with multiple themes for discussion then Army of the Republic by Stuart Cohen would be the perfect choice.