Plot or Premise

Set in the 1970s, a Russian poet has sought asylum in the U.S. Days before he qualifies for citizenship, he is kidnapped from Grand Central Station. Why was he taken? How can they help him? Where is he?

What I Liked

The story diverges on two tracks — a black-bag CIA operative comes in from the cold just enough to maintain full deniability while he looks for the missing poet. At the same time, an FBI manager keeps poking and prodding trying to find out why. Neither one knows the other exists, and the two stories remain fully compartmentalized.

What I Didn’t Like

The opening is extremely descriptive, almost one step removed from the action, and it takes a while until you fully engage in the two tracks.

The Bottom Line

I see why it won awards.