“Is it safe?”
— Babe is repeatedly tortured by Szell, who asks this question while drilling into his teeth.
Archivist's Choice
Marathon Man
William Goldman (1974)
Genre
Thriller / Mystery
Reading Time
240 min
Key Themes
See below
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A graduate student and marathon runner is pulled into international espionage, torture, and murder after his brother's visit, forcing him to uncover a diamond conspiracy and answer the chilling question: 'Is it safe?'
Synopsis
Thomas 'Babe' Levy, a Columbia graduate student and marathon runner, lives with the memory of his father's suicide during a political scandal. His life changes when his estranged older brother, Doc, a covert government agent, visits him. Doc is involved in a dangerous plot with Nazi war criminal Dr. Christian Szell, 'The White Angel,' who wants a fortune in stolen diamonds. Doc is murdered, and Babe is drawn into the conspiracy, suspected of knowing information he does not have. He endures brutal interrogations as Szell's men try to find the diamonds. Babe must outrun and outsmart these ruthless agents, navigating a world of betrayal and violence, all while trying to understand the ominous question, 'Is it safe?' The story ends with Babe confronting Szell, using his intelligence and resilience to defeat his tormentor, leading to Szell's death and Babe's escape.
Reading time
240 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Suspenseful, Terrifying, Intense, Gritty
✓ Read this if...
You love high-stakes thrillers with a relentless pace, a compelling protagonist, and a truly terrifying villain.
✗ Skip this if...
You are sensitive to graphic torture scenes or prefer lighthearted mysteries.
Plot Summary
The Setup: Babe and Doc's Lives
Thomas 'Babe' Levy is a graduate student at Columbia University, focused on history and marathon running. He is affected by his father's suicide, a historian disgraced during the McCarthy era. His older brother, Henry 'Doc' Levy, lives a more mysterious life, supposedly working for an oil company but often traveling to dangerous places and doing secret work. Despite their different lives, the brothers are close. Babe also begins a relationship with Elsa Opel, a foreign exchange student from Switzerland, who appears kind but has a hidden connection to Doc's work.
Doc's Final Mission
In Paris, Doc Levy barely escapes an assassination attempt by former Nazis. He is pursued by Dr. Christian Szell, 'Der Weisse Engel' (The White Angel), a former SS dentist from Auschwitz. Doc kills Szell's brother, who was part of the diamond smuggling, but Doc is mortally wounded. Before dying, Doc tries to contact Babe, leaving a cryptic message that hints at danger and hidden diamonds. This event starts the thriller, connecting Babe to a world of espionage and violence he never knew.
Babe's Introduction to the Underworld
After Doc's death, Babe is drawn into his brother's dangerous world. He is confronted by two mysterious men, Janeway and Karl, who claim to be U.S. government agents investigating Doc's death. They question Babe about Doc's activities and any information he might have about 'Scylla,' a code name for the diamonds. Babe, who knows nothing, is confused and terrified. These encounters escalate from questions to physical threats, making it clear he is a target and his life is in danger. This forces him to face the reality of Doc's secret life.
The First Interrogation and Szell's Arrival
Dr. Christian Szell arrives in New York to get his stolen diamonds and arranges Babe's kidnapping. Szell, a calm and sadistic man, subjects Babe to a brutal interrogation with dental instruments, repeatedly asking, 'Is it safe?' Babe has no idea what Szell means and cannot answer, leading to more torture. This scene clearly shows Szell's cruelty and the high stakes. Babe's endurance is tested, but he still cannot give Szell the information he wants.
Escape and the Revelation of Elsa's Betrayal
Babe manages a difficult escape from Szell and his men. Fleeing through New York, he seeks refuge with Elsa, only to learn she is involved in the plot. Elsa, working for Szell, was tasked with getting close to Babe to get information about Doc and the diamonds. This betrayal destroys Babe's trust and makes him feel more isolated. He realizes everyone around him could be an enemy, and he cannot trust anyone. His escape is short-lived, as Szell's men soon recapture him.
The Reservoir and the Diamonds
Szell, believing Babe has the key to the diamonds, forces him to go with his men to a bank where Doc had a safe deposit box. The box contains a fortune in diamonds, stolen from Jews during the Holocaust. Babe, now understanding 'Scylla,' is forced to get them. This scene highlights the terrible origin of Szell's wealth and the scale of his past atrocities, making his pursuit of the diamonds even more monstrous. The diamonds represent not just wealth but also immense suffering and injustice.
The Library and the Showdown
Babe, now with the diamonds, escapes again and lures Szell to a confrontation at the New York Public Library. He creates a distraction, drawing attention to Szell, who is recognized by an elderly Jewish woman as 'Der Weisse Engel.' This public exposure of Szell's past as a Nazi war criminal adds tension and moral weight to the climax. The library, a symbol of knowledge and truth, becomes the place where a monstrous lie is revealed.
The Water Treatment Plant
The story's climax happens at a water treatment plant. Babe, using his marathon runner's endurance and quick thinking, leads Szell on a desperate chase. He uses his knowledge of the facility and the diamonds to turn the situation against Szell. In a dramatic sequence, Babe throws the diamonds into the water, forcing Szell to try and retrieve them. This act is both a tactic and a symbolic rejection of the blood money Szell desires. The water treatment plant, a place of purification, becomes the site of Szell's death.
Szell's Demise
As Szell tries to get the diamonds from the water, Babe uses the chance to attack him. In a final, brutal fight, Szell falls, impaling himself on his own retractable knife. His death is quick and violent, a fitting end for a man who caused so much suffering. With Szell gone, Babe's immediate torment ends, but the psychological scars remain. The diamonds, the source of so much evil, are scattered and lost, preventing them from being used again.
Aftermath and Reflection
Afterward, Babe is left to deal with the traumatic events. He has lost his brother, discovered the dark side of international espionage, and endured terrible torture. His innocence is gone, and his view of the world is changed forever. The novel ends with Babe thinking about his experiences, the question 'Is it safe?' now having a deep meaning. He survived, but at a great personal cost, leaving him to rebuild his life after the horrors he witnessed.
Principal Figures
Thomas 'Babe' Levy
The Protagonist
Babe transforms from an innocent, academic young man into a hardened survivor, forced to confront the darkest aspects of humanity and his own capacity for violence.
Henry 'Doc' Levy
The Supporting
Doc's arc is largely concluded before the main narrative, serving as a tragic catalyst whose past actions drive the plot forward.
Dr. Christian Szell
The Antagonist
Szell's arc sees him return from hiding to reclaim his fortune, only to meet a violent end, a victim of his own greed and past.
Elsa Opel
The Supporting
Elsa's arc is one of revelation, moving from a loving girlfriend to a betrayer, exposing the extent of the conspiracy surrounding Babe.
Janeway
The Supporting
Janeway's brief arc demonstrates the ruthlessness of intelligence operations, as he is killed by Szell's men after failing to secure the diamonds.
Karl
The Supporting
Karl's arc is limited to his role as an enforcer, ultimately dying in the pursuit of Babe and the diamonds.
The Old Jewish Woman
The Mentioned
Her brief appearance serves to expose Szell's identity, providing a crucial turning point in the climax.
Themes & Insights
The Loss of Innocence
Babe Levy starts as a naive graduate student, focused on studies and running, protected from the world's harsh realities. His forced entry into a brutal world of espionage, torture, and murder destroys his innocence. He experiences betrayal from those he trusts, endures great pain, and is forced to commit violent acts to survive. This theme is central to his change, as seen in the dental torture scene where his sheltered life is brutally ended, leaving him forever altered.
“"He had been safe. He would never be safe again."”
Survival and Resilience
Despite facing overwhelming odds, brutal torture, and constant threats, Babe shows great resilience and a strong will to survive. His background as a marathon runner gives him physical endurance and mental strength, helping him escape his captors and outsmart Szell. This theme is clear in his repeated escapes and his ability to endure Szell's sadistic interrogations, always looking for a chance to fight back. His survival shows the human spirit's ability to endure terror.
“"He was a runner. He ran. It was what he did."”
The Pervasiveness of Evil
The novel explores how evil, especially the legacy of Nazism, can continue and reappear decades later. Dr. Christian Szell, a former SS dentist from Auschwitz, embodies this theme. His continued existence and pursuit of blood diamonds show that past atrocities have lasting effects. The theme also extends to the unclear motives of government agents, who are willing to sacrifice Babe for their goals, suggesting that evil can appear in different forms, not just obvious villainy.
“"Is it safe?"”
Identity and Legacy
Babe deals with the legacy of his father's suicide and his brother's mysterious life. His own identity is shaped by these figures, and his ordeal forces him to confront who he really is beyond being a student or a runner. The diamonds themselves represent a terrible legacy of the Holocaust, forcing characters to face their roles in either continuing or fighting against this dark history. Babe's journey is about forming his own identity despite overwhelming external pressures.
“"You want to know who you are? You're a runner, Babe. You're a runner."”
Betrayal and Trust
A main theme is the destruction of trust. Babe initially trusts Elsa, only for her to betray him, working for Szell. The unclear motives of the government agents also create distrust. This theme highlights Babe's isolation as he realizes he cannot rely on anyone but himself. The betrayal is deeply personal and contributes to his loss of innocence, forcing him to be constantly cautious and question everyone's motives.
“"She was beautiful, and she was a lie."”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
MacGuffin
The diamonds stolen by Szell from Holocaust victims.
The stolen diamonds serve as the central MacGuffin of the story. While their horrific origin (stolen from Jews during the Holocaust) adds significant thematic weight, their primary function in the plot is to drive the actions of most characters. Szell is obsessed with reclaiming them, Doc was involved in their transportation, and the government agents seek to recover them. Babe, initially unaware of their existence, becomes entangled in the conflict because of his perceived connection to them. The diamonds are the object of desire that propels the narrative forward.
The 'Is It Safe?' Question
Szell's chilling interrogation phrase.
The repeated question 'Is it safe?' acts as a powerful motif and a psychological torture device. It is initially meaningless to Babe, amplifying his terror and confusion during Szell's interrogations. As the story progresses, the phrase takes on deeper meaning, symbolizing not just the safety of the diamonds, but also Babe's shattered sense of security and the pervasive danger he faces. It becomes a shorthand for the loss of innocence and the impossibility of true safety in the world he now inhabits.
The Marathon Runner Metaphor
Babe's identity as a runner reflecting his endurance and pursuit.
Babe's identity as a marathon runner is more than just a character trait; it's a profound metaphor for his journey. His physical training and mental discipline as a runner directly translate to his ability to endure torture, escape his captors, and outlast Szell. The act of running symbolizes his relentless pursuit of answers, his flight from danger, and his ultimate endurance in the face of overwhelming odds. It highlights his resilience and his capacity to push through pain, both physical and psychological.
Flashbacks/Backstory
Details of Doc's and Szell's pasts are gradually revealed.
The novel utilizes backstory, particularly concerning Doc's covert activities and Szell's horrifying past as a Nazi dentist, to gradually reveal the layers of the conspiracy. These revelations are not presented upfront but are parceled out, often through fragmented memories or brief explanations, keeping the reader and Babe in suspense. This technique builds tension and slowly unveils the true scope and depravity of the situation, explaining the high stakes and the historical context of the conflict.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“The world is full of people who are very, very good at what they do. And those people tend to be quiet.”
— Babe's brother, Doc, reflecting on the nature of skilled individuals, especially in espionage.
“He knew about things. He was a knower.”
— Describing Babe's unique ability to retain information and make connections, even if he doesn't fully understand them.
“You're a student, I'm a dentist. We're both in the business of pain.”
— Szell taunting Babe during a torture session, drawing a dark parallel.
“He understood what it was to be a victim, and that was the beginning of his understanding of everything.”
— Babe's internal realization after suffering, leading to a deeper comprehension of the world.
“There are no good guys. There are no bad guys. There's just us.”
— Doc explaining the moral ambiguity of his profession to Babe.
“Revenge is a dish best served cold, and this was ice-cold.”
— A general reflection on the nature of vengeance, applicable to several characters' motivations.
“He wasn't a hero, not in the classic sense. He was just a man who had been pushed too far.”
— Narrator describing Babe's transformation from an academic to a desperate survivor.
“The past is never dead. It's not even past.”
— A thematic undercurrent, showing how past atrocities and hidden histories continue to impact the present.
“Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, just to survive.”
— A recurring theme as Babe is forced into extreme actions.
“He was a survivor. That's what he was. He had always been one.”
— Babe recognizing his own inherent resilience throughout his ordeal.
“The truth was a weapon, and sometimes it was the only one you had.”
— Babe's realization about the power of information and honesty, even in dire circumstances.
“You run for your life, because that's all you've got left.”
— Babe's internal mantra during his desperate flight from his pursuers.
“Fear was a constant companion, but it wasn't paralyzing. It was motivating.”
— Babe's internal struggle and how he uses his fear to fuel his actions.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The central conflict begins when Babe's older brother, Doc, a mysterious government agent, is murdered. This event, coupled with Doc's earlier request for Babe to hide a package, inadvertently draws Babe into the dangerous world of Christian Szell and his search for stolen diamonds, shattering Babe's academic and athletic life.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
