The Thirty-Nine Steps

by John Buchan
The Thirty-Nine Steps cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Adventure
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £3.99–£8.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 10447
  • Added: 2026-01-25
  • Updated: 2026-02-03
  • ISBN: 9783387000207
  • Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
  • Published: 2023-08-25
  • Formats: 9
  • Reviews: 3

The Thirty-Nine Steps is a gripping adventure novel that has captivated readers for generations. This edition, reproduced by the publishing house Megali, is designed to be accessible to everyone, including those with impaired vision, thanks to its large print format. The story follows a man who uncovers a sinister plot and must use all his wits to survive and thwart the conspiracy. /n/nThe novel's fast-paced action and intrigue have made it a staple of the adventure genre. Its large print edition ensures that the thrilling narrative is accessible to a wider audience, making it a must-read for both classic literature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

Reviews
Spybrary · 2025-12-01
excellent 4.50

The book is considered one of the best espionage-thrillers, praised for its superb writing and engaging plot. It is a classic in its genre.

This reviewer thinks the book is a standout in the espionage-thriller genre, highlighting its superb writing and engaging plot. They believe it's a classic that has stood the test of time. The reviewer also appreciates the political context in which it was written, adding depth to the reading experience. Overall, it's a highly recommended read for fans of the genre.

Quick quotes

    It's a superb book and is, truly, one of the best of its kind — that is, the espionage-thriller.

    Written by John Buchan, a politician, the book offers a unique perspective on the political climate of the time.

    The pacing is excellent, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout.

She Reads Novels · 2019-08-28
good 3.00

The book is entertaining at first but becomes tedious and repetitive in the middle. It's a good introduction to the espionage genre.

This reviewer found the book very entertaining initially, but felt it became a bit tedious and repetitive in the middle. They appreciated the introduction to the espionage genre and the cat-and-mouse game that unfolds. However, they felt the pacing could have been improved to maintain the initial excitement throughout. Overall, it's a good read but not without its flaws.

Quick quotes

    I found it very entertaining at first, but somewhere in the middle I thought it became a bit tedious and repetitive.

    There were far too many instances of Hannay escaping his pursuers in the same manner.

    As a first of its genre, this is a good introduction to the espionage cat-and-mouse game.

The Guardian · Robert McCrum · 2014-07-07
great 4.00

The book is hard to put down with its sparse, contemporary prose. It's a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue.

Robert McCrum praises the book for its sparse, contemporary prose that makes it hard to put down. He describes it as a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue, highlighting the fast-paced action and suspense that establish a template for the modern spy thriller genre. McCrum appreciates Buchan's writing style and the way it keeps readers engaged throughout. Overall, it's a highly recommended read for fans of thrillers.

Quick quotes

    John Buchan's espionage thriller, with its sparse, contemporary prose, is hard to put down.

    The novel is notable for its fast-paced action and suspense, establishing a template for the modern spy thriller genre.

    Buchan's writing style is engaging and keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Appears in Lists