I listened to A Perfect Spy by John Le Carre on audio where it was read brilliantly by Michael Jayston. It’s a stand-alone spy novel and is generally regarded as autobiographical so it concentrates a lot on events which aren’t actually about spying – it’s really about what influences a person to act and think the way that they do.
Magnus Pym is a British agent working undercover in a British embassy presenting himself as a diplomat. When his father dies Magnus disappears. The secret world is frantic as they don’t know if he has defected or maybe even been a Soviet agent all along. His wife feels betrayed and comes under considerable scrutiny along with all those who have supported him. Magnus himself has fled to Devon and is writing about his life, and especially about his father, in a document addressed to his young son. The description of the search for Magnus and the life he has in hiding is interspersed with his memories of his life so that we begin to understand what has led him to this point.
The various episodes in Magnus’ life, especially those involving his father, are not revealed in chronological order so the narrative appears confusing. What you have to grasp is that each story or retelling of an event builds a picture of the father that Magnus loved but who used and betrayed him. As you begin to see this you also understand how he behaves when he meets other people in the secret world who he loves and admires. Although the character of Magnus’ father is the one you will remember from the book the author beautifully shows us Magnus and all his influences until we understand how exactly his character has developed and why he has done what he has done – it all seems inevitable when you know everything that has happened. It is, in my opinion, a beautiful piece of writing.
This book is funny in places and very cynical about class, money and power. It is also very sad. I thought it was clever and touching and I enjoyed it a lot.
Anne Is Reading 