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A review by paul_cornelius
Spy Story by Len Deighton
5.0
Len Deighton's ellilptical writing style meshes with the slow reveal in this story as well as the ultimate misdirection of the plot. In other words, I was surprised at the ending. Didn't see it coming. Put that along with Deighton's usual wit and oblique cultural references, and it all makes Spy Story one of his better efforts.
Despite the elliptical style, readers more attuned to the literal and step by step description of events will nonetheless find the footing secure. The plot is so steady and the characterization of Pat Armstrong so focused that it is difficult to be distracted by any minor, formal experimentation.
Speaking of Pat Armstrong, readers find out this is the name of the heretofore anonymous hero of the earlier spy books starting with The IPCRESS File. But don't get too excited. For it is also implied that this is an alias, a name adopted by the one time employee of the Secret Service who has now moved onto other things.
And am I the only one who saw a resemblance to Ice Station Zebra, the movie, I mean, as I've not read the book. To equate the lowbrow MacLean in any fashion with Deighton is sin enough, but to see similarities in the latter part of Spy Story seems downright shocking.
Despite the elliptical style, readers more attuned to the literal and step by step description of events will nonetheless find the footing secure. The plot is so steady and the characterization of Pat Armstrong so focused that it is difficult to be distracted by any minor, formal experimentation.
Speaking of Pat Armstrong, readers find out this is the name of the heretofore anonymous hero of the earlier spy books starting with The IPCRESS File. But don't get too excited. For it is also implied that this is an alias, a name adopted by the one time employee of the Secret Service who has now moved onto other things.
And am I the only one who saw a resemblance to Ice Station Zebra, the movie, I mean, as I've not read the book. To equate the lowbrow MacLean in any fashion with Deighton is sin enough, but to see similarities in the latter part of Spy Story seems downright shocking.