Recommendations? (Want another bookski like this one)

[susie_flo]

 

Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once...
 
Would any of you fine, erudite people care to recommend a book that offers a good dose of espionagey fun? (I've just finished listening to 'Restless' by William Boyd - a thoroughly enjoyable WW2 spy romp which has whetted my tastebuds for more...)
 

  
 

Comments

[whiteshadow.livejournal.com]

Most books by Ian Flemming could well fit the bill

Or Huraki's Murakami's Wind Up Bird Chronicle has a chapter or two about a spy mission which is kinda different to anything I have ever read ... in fact that goes for the whole book!

[steer.livejournal.com]

Wind up bird is great but I guess I would not have described it as about spies (though I see what you mean). It's just a wonderful book but he can pretty much do no wrong as an author (IMHO).

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Thank you (all of you) for the Murakami recommendation.

I have dithered about reading him over the years... I tend to be put off by any write whose work is described as 'dreamlike' (in the same way that I can't stand films where the main theme is someone else's surreal drug trip).

But hell, you can't all be wrong... I shall give him a go!

[steer.livejournal.com]

I don't really like spy thrillers but for spy-like things that aren't really about spying per se:

The Innocent by Ian McEwan -- beautifully written, occasionally disturbing, a superb read.

Spies by Michael Frayn -- delicately beautiful, a really moving book. [Not really actually about spies at all so cheating really.]

[zoo-music-girl.livejournal.com]

I was going to recommend Spies by Michael Frayn too. I would also second The Innocent.

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that, I'll check them both out (I've not read any Michael Frayn before)

[kissmeforlonger.livejournal.com]

You could do a lot worse than Spycatcher by Peter Wright. Not a novel and all the more interesting for it.

Also maybe the Smiley novels by John le Carre.

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

I will take a look at Spycatcher, thanks. I usually stick to fiction but might make an exception for spies ;-) (I must look into le Carre, he is a popular recommendation.)

[whiteshadow.livejournal.com]

oooh anything by John Lecarre!

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Thanks... (any suggestions for a good one to start with?)

[rosamicula.livejournal.com]

Graham Greene - The Third Man

Anything by John le Carre

Dan Vyleta - Pavel and I (finished this a week or so ago and wished i hadn't - fucking brilliant)

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Le Carre is coming through as a strong recommendation...
And Pavel and I looks fab (I just Googled it - it is going on the list!)

[rosamicula.livejournal.com]

Hey you can borrow my copy of Pavel and I!