S. Lee Manning’s Trojan Horse explores political intrigue and corruption at the highest levels of government. Questions of deception, loyalty, and conscience are what makes this thriller so absorbing — questions with which, on a smaller scale, we all must grapple.
Margaret Bradford is at the helm of the ECA, a top-secret American government agency. On her team are Jonathan Egan, the son of a former senator, who grew up mixing with the Washington elite; and Kolya Petrov, a Russian Jewish émigré. The team begins to suspect that a high government official must be a mole: three agents have already been killed by the notorious Mihai Cuza, a Romanian national who has the ear of the next leader of Romania.
Bradford and the ECA are trying to find information to take down Mihai Cuza. Their latest plan is to create a Trojan horse, a computer malware that misleads the user of its true intent. But deception is not reserved for the enemy: without his knowledge, Kolya is also designated to take a fall.
On the surface, Trojan Horse is an action story about secret agents fighting to maintain power and control. As the novel progresses, however, questions of fairness and the value of human life rise to the surface. How far can you take a risk with a person’s life? When should you step in and do something about an issue you think is wrong? One of Mihai Cuza’s men becomes uncomfortable with the violence in which he is caught up. He tries to justify his behavior: “I knew what they’d do to him, but since I didn’t have to take part, I didn’t think about it.” Ultimately, Manning shows, it is not so easy to “fool yourself.”
Trojan Horse is a highly entertaining read (although readers should be prepared for some descriptive violence). It contains plenty of suspense and fast-paced action, but also ideas that will leave the reader thinking long after the novel is put back on the shelf.
Merle Eisman Carrus resides in New Hampshire. She received her Masters of Jewish Studies from Hebrew College and is a graduate of Emerson College. Merle is the National President of the Brandeis National Committee. She leads books discussion groups and author interviews. She writes book reviews for various publications. She blogs her book reviews at
biteofthebookworm@blogspot.com
Discussion Questions
Courtesy of S. Lee Manning
- What impression do you get of Kolya’s early childhood? Of his time in the Russian boy’s school?
- How did both experiences form his character and direct his path in life?
- There are three women who play large roles in Trojan Horse. What are each of their strengths and weaknesses? How do you think operating in a largely male field (espionage) has affected them?
- What does the engagement scene between Alex and Kolya when tell you about these characters? What does this scene add to the plot?
- There is overt and violent anti-Semitism in Trojan Horse. Is there also a more subtle anti-Semitism? What evidence do you have to back it up one way or the other?
- Do Kolya and Alex change how they relate to their Jewish heritage over the course of the book?
- What is the role of music in Trojan Horse, and what does it say about the usefulness and the limitations of art in dealing with life’s difficulties?
- What was your impression of Romania before you read Trojan Horse? Has it changed? How? Would you like to visit?
- Cuza thinks that he’s the hero of the book, not the villain. Why? What makes a villain or a hero?
- Towards the end of the book, Cuza and Alex have a discussion on the pros and cons of torture. Do you think either is persuasive? Why or why not?
- Why do you think the author chose to depict explicit violence in some of the scenes?
- Trojan Horse raises questions of betrayal and ultimate loyalty. Who is loyal to what and whom, and do you find it admirable or questionable?
- Characters in Trojan Horse are continually making choices in difficult situations. What are the choices made by Margaret, by Frick, by Elizabeth, by the President, by Manion, and by Kolya?
- What do their choices say about their characters and their ethics?
- What alternatives could each of them have chosen?
