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okevamae's review
3.0
I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In this historical novel, set alternately in the early days of World War II and the years immediately after the war, our main character Evelyn is a bright and talented young woman from humble beginnings who doesn’t really know what she wants in life, but who gravitates toward excitement whenever it crosses her path. The alternate title of the book (UK title?) is The Imitator, the reasons for which become more and more obvious as the book progresses. Evelyn is skilled at social camouflage, changing her behaviors (and often outright lying) to fit in with certain people and groups, often at the expense of her relationship with those she holds dearest. But when these skills are tapped by MI-5 in the service of Britain in World War II, the stakes (and the consequences) for Evelyn are heightened, especially when her forays into espionage and her personal life collide.
This is not a fast-paced spy thriller. That might sound like a criticism, but it’s not - the book instead takes its time to get to know the characters, with the plot gradually accelerating as Evelyn’s situation grows more and more complex. The book alternates between the life Evelyn finds herself in after the war, in 1948, before traveling back to show us at length how she got there, in 1939. Unfortunately, I found the jumps back and forth in time a little confusing, with no indication other than the characters and places mentioned, which makes it a little difficult to know when you’ve jumped forward, especially if you have trouble keeping track of tertiary characters’ names. A simple statement of the date at the beginning of each chapter would clear things up nicely.
In spite of her shortcomings, I found Evelyn to be a mostly sympathetic character worth rooting for, and the plot was an intriguing tale of espionage, based in part on real events. Recommended for those looking for a slower-paced spy story or female-centered historical novel.
The book contains LGTBQIA Rep: there is one explicitly gay character, another that is either gay or bisexual (I don’t think it’s ever stated), and this one might just be my perception of subtext but the main character, Evelyn, gives me a strong Ace vibe.
TW: Antisemitism typical to stories set in WWII-era Europe, sexual assault, and an instance of fatphobia which was minor but kind of blindsided me.
In this historical novel, set alternately in the early days of World War II and the years immediately after the war, our main character Evelyn is a bright and talented young woman from humble beginnings who doesn’t really know what she wants in life, but who gravitates toward excitement whenever it crosses her path. The alternate title of the book (UK title?) is The Imitator, the reasons for which become more and more obvious as the book progresses. Evelyn is skilled at social camouflage, changing her behaviors (and often outright lying) to fit in with certain people and groups, often at the expense of her relationship with those she holds dearest. But when these skills are tapped by MI-5 in the service of Britain in World War II, the stakes (and the consequences) for Evelyn are heightened, especially when her forays into espionage and her personal life collide.
This is not a fast-paced spy thriller. That might sound like a criticism, but it’s not - the book instead takes its time to get to know the characters, with the plot gradually accelerating as Evelyn’s situation grows more and more complex. The book alternates between the life Evelyn finds herself in after the war, in 1948, before traveling back to show us at length how she got there, in 1939. Unfortunately, I found the jumps back and forth in time a little confusing, with no indication other than the characters and places mentioned, which makes it a little difficult to know when you’ve jumped forward, especially if you have trouble keeping track of tertiary characters’ names. A simple statement of the date at the beginning of each chapter would clear things up nicely.
In spite of her shortcomings, I found Evelyn to be a mostly sympathetic character worth rooting for, and the plot was an intriguing tale of espionage, based in part on real events. Recommended for those looking for a slower-paced spy story or female-centered historical novel.
The book contains LGTBQIA Rep: there is one explicitly gay character, another that is either gay or bisexual (I don’t think it’s ever stated), and this one might just be my perception of subtext but the main character, Evelyn, gives me a strong Ace vibe.
TW: Antisemitism typical to stories set in WWII-era Europe, sexual assault, and an instance of fatphobia which was minor but kind of blindsided me.
kleonard's review
3.0
A short but intense novel about a young woman recruited because of her language skills to work for MI5 during WWII. A nice study of the period, its politics, and how knowing what the right thing to do is very fraught. A solid read.
smamato2's review
4.0
Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher Ecco for the opportunity to read this book. I have read my fair share of Historical Fiction and specifically WWII themed fiction. I appreciate the story in An Unlikely Spy, it is a side of WWII that I haven't seen conveyed in fiction. An Unlikely Spy examines the time leading up to WWII in England known as the Phony War, Evelyn Varley is a young Briton who is recruited in MI5 and is asked to infiltrate a ladies group of likely German sympathizers to gather intel for the British Government. Evelyn is required to make decisions to save her country or save those people close to her. Her decisions live with her even after the war has ended. They say don't judge a book by the cover I was drawn to the book based on the cover and title. I was engrossed with this book, although I felt the ending was awkwardly revealed, I was satisfied with how it ended.
gbatts's review against another edition
1.0
A Scooby-Doo version of a spy thriller.
As The Imitator is being marketed as a ‘literary thriller’ I kept reading, waiting for the cliches to be blown apart and to have my assumptions challenged. Instead I waded through pages of one-dimensional characters and unnatural dialog. The second half of the book was pretty much straight-up exposition.
Evelyn as a character made no sense. How did someone from a working class background, who learnt how to become wallpaper to fit in at her upper-class boarding school, become such a social progressive? There are constant descriptions of her physical discomfort when interacting with fascists. I would have thought a spy needed more of a poker face? She was described as aloof but seemed with insecure with a desperate need to be liked.
The general tone of the novel seemed much too contemporary for the WW2 setting. Especially in the wake of Brexit, it’s disingenuous to dismiss the English fascists as a few bad eggs. There were small things too, like a photo being described as ‘back-and-white.’ I get that setting a novel in WW2 creates instant drama, is a lazy allegory for the rise of populism today and opens yourself up to a market of readers with an insatiable appetite for WW2 stories.
As The Imitator is being marketed as a ‘literary thriller’ I kept reading, waiting for the cliches to be blown apart and to have my assumptions challenged. Instead I waded through pages of one-dimensional characters and unnatural dialog. The second half of the book was pretty much straight-up exposition.
Evelyn as a character made no sense. How did someone from a working class background, who learnt how to become wallpaper to fit in at her upper-class boarding school, become such a social progressive? There are constant descriptions of her physical discomfort when interacting with fascists. I would have thought a spy needed more of a poker face? She was described as aloof but seemed with insecure with a desperate need to be liked.
The general tone of the novel seemed much too contemporary for the WW2 setting. Especially in the wake of Brexit, it’s disingenuous to dismiss the English fascists as a few bad eggs. There were small things too, like a photo being described as ‘back-and-white.’ I get that setting a novel in WW2 creates instant drama, is a lazy allegory for the rise of populism today and opens yourself up to a market of readers with an insatiable appetite for WW2 stories.
jacki_f's review against another edition
3.0
Inspired by a true story, this is about a woman who goes undercover for MI5 during WW2 to infiltrate a Nazi sympathiser group. It is interesting to me how MI5 would use women who were only in their early 20s, give them minimal training and then put them into a position of such pressure. Evelyn has been an outsider for most of her life so finds it quite easy to assume a role, but she is unprepared for the stress of living a double life and the toll it will take on her.
I've read a couple of other novels covering similar territory: [b:Our Friends in Berlin|36521386|Our Friends in Berlin|Anthony Quinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530190836l/36521386._SY75_.jpg|58244109] and [b:Transcription|37946414|Transcription|Kate Atkinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521173471l/37946414._SY75_.jpg|64175388] and all three of them have disappointed me. I don't know if it's because the groups never feel dangerous enough?
In The Imitator, Evelyn is always held at a distance. I wondered if I would have liked this more if she had narrated it rather than it being written in the third person. An interesting plot but one that I never felt emotionally invested in.
I've read a couple of other novels covering similar territory: [b:Our Friends in Berlin|36521386|Our Friends in Berlin|Anthony Quinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530190836l/36521386._SY75_.jpg|58244109] and [b:Transcription|37946414|Transcription|Kate Atkinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521173471l/37946414._SY75_.jpg|64175388] and all three of them have disappointed me. I don't know if it's because the groups never feel dangerous enough?
In The Imitator, Evelyn is always held at a distance. I wondered if I would have liked this more if she had narrated it rather than it being written in the third person. An interesting plot but one that I never felt emotionally invested in.
essjay1's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this more than I actually did. I love the story this is based on but it turns out I just didn’t care enough about any of the characters to care very much about the outcome. Really 2.5, rounded up because one thing I love about historical fiction is the chance to learn new things and now I am intrigued by the real life Evelyn, Joan Miller.
squidjum's review
3.0
I appreciated the hopeful note of the ending, though I had some difficulty connecting with the character of Evelyn
quiche12's review against another edition
4.0
An intriguing novel- mix of historical fiction, spy thriller and the tale of a woman trying to find her place in the world. I particularly enjoyed the historical aspect- there aren’t many books that cover the early years of WWII. I also enjoyed learning about MI5. Recommended for fans of historical fiction .