Rogue MaleRogue Male
Score Classic
What it's about
In the 1930s, a professional hunter in an unnamed Central European country gets a vicious dictator in his sights before security catches him. Imprisoned and tortured, he makes a harrowing escape across enemy territory.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It's a classic chase thriller.
You'll love it if you liked
Greenmantle
The Day of the Jackal
The Spy Who Came in From the ColdGood to know
It's relentless.
By the numbers
- Readers59 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Gripping, Dark
If you like this, read next
The Godfather
Rebecca
Crime and Punishment
The Pillars of the Earth
In Cold Blood
The Name of the RoseExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →Quick answers
Is Rogue Male worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It ranks #1,895 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 65.7 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Rogue Male about?
In the 1930s, a professional hunter in an unnamed Central European country gets a vicious dictator in his sights before security catches him. Imprisoned and tortured, he makes a harrowing escape across enemy territory.
How long does it take to read Rogue Male?
About 5 hours (210 pages), or about 10 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Rogue Male?
If you liked it, try Greenmantle by John Buchan, The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth or The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John le Carré.



















