"The Day of the Jackal" by Frederick Forsyth

Frederick Forsyth (born August 25, 1938) is a well known English author. His works include The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Dogs of War, The Fist of God, Icon and some others.

Originally a reporter by profession, he published his first novel 'The Day of the Jackal" in 1971. The book went on to become an international best seller. Later the book was also made into a movie by the same name.

The Day of the Jackal is a thriller and is set in 1963 France when the right wing organization Organisation armée secrète (OAS) was active there. It beautifully captures the political complication its societal implications in France of that era. The writer has been able to stitch together the plot with in the mesh of real world. The story is basically of spy suspense thriller genre.

It revolves around the two main characters, One is the professional assassin ' Jackal' hired by OAS to kill the President Charles de Gaulle and the second is his nemesis Police Detective Lebel.
The depiction of both the characters is done carefully bringing out the differences between the two characters and the one similarity: that both the people are true professional dedicated to their work. The minute planning done by Jackal and his undoing by Lebel are treat to the reader.

Jackal is a true methodist who doesn't talk much and may come out to be a cold blooded killer and a true gentleman depending upon the situation. The concern is depicted when Lebel remonstrates "A real gentleman, thought Lebel, and dangerous as a snake. They are always the worst kind, for a policeman, the real gentlemen. Nobody ever suspected them." Lebel on the other side is a family man with a nagging wife but a great insight in to the human personalities known by the name of Professor among his colleagues. He has perfetcly judged the pesonality
of Jackal and considers him to be a true professional like him self who will not leave a job incomplete. The mutual respect and hatred for eachother come to the fore in the end when both come face to face for the first and last time: "Chacal," he said. The other man said simply, 'Lebel." before the two men shoot to kill each other.
In the end the author leaves the suspense for the reader as to the true identity of Jackal
with the question "Who the hell he was?"

The depiction lacks the romanticism and is more of a detailed arid account of a story reported by a newspaper reporter. The attention given on details is good and can get a bit boring sometimes.

All in all the book is a decent time pass if you are into spy thriller fictions.

Download the Book here: http://rapidshare.com/files/130376506/The_Day_of_Jackal.doc