Secret Lovers (1977) by Charles McCarry – In the early 1960’s Paul Christopher is in Berlin
Christopher learns that the package contains the hand written manuscript of an epic Russian novel on life in the Soviet Union . It is effectively an expose of Communism. I was reminded of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s masterpiece, The Gulag Archipelago. The writer, Kiril Kamensky, has recently been released from prison camp. He has been working on the book for decades. The manuscript has been smuggled to the West through a series of couriers.
Christopher is puzzled by the killing. If it was the KGB that has killed Bulow why would they wait until after the transfer and why have the earlier couriers not been immediately captured and interrogated.
Christopher, after returning to Paris Russia
Should the manuscript be published now or when Kamensky has died or left the U.S.S.R.? What will be the consequences for Kamensky if published now? What is gained and lost by publication?
Christopher, always in tight control of his emotions, also spends time in Rome
McCarry has a powerful description of secrets and the effect upon their relationship:
“I wish I had another life, the way you do, Paul,” she said. “Maybe I could stay inside it, as cold as you, and learn the secret you told me when I told you about Franco.
“The secret?”
“Of how to love, and feel nothing.”
Christopher sets out to determine who was responsible for Bulow’s death. It is a difficult search. He moves around Europe seeking out information. Christopher must dig deeply into the major conflicts that have defined Europe during the 20th Century. The answer is deep in the shadows of the world of espionage during the height of the Cold War.
It was an interesting book but the story did not catch me. I do want to read another to see if I feel differently. It has somewhat of a Le Carre feel to the story. McCarry is uncompromising in his portrayal of international intrigue. (Apr. 26/12)
Bill - A thoughtful and well-written review, for which thanks. It's interesting how a story with all of the elements (and this one seems to have some interesting ones) may not "grab" us. I'm interested in the character of Rothschild; he seems to have a fascinating history. I'll bet his character added to the story...
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. I wonder if I built up my expectations too highly for the book. When a series becomes widely heralded I have to remind myself to let the books speak for themselves.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds an interesting book, Bill, even though it wasn't as enjoyable for you as it might have been. The comparison with John Le Carre seems apt - and on a good day, Le Carre is pretty unbeatable. It is interesting, though, that the plot of the lost/only ms is still quite a common one in crime fiction, even in this electronic age. I'm reminded of The Ghost Writer by Robert Harris, featuring an ex-prime minister said to be based on Tony Blair - the author was a friend of Blair's but fell out with him, apparently. I have not read the book as I am not a fan of Harris, but Prof Petrona and my elder daughter both enjoyed it. It was made into a film, The Ghost, which I have seen - starring Pierce Brosnan as the ex-PM, the superb Olvia Williams as his wife, and Ewan McGregor as the titular Ghost (Writer). (I think they have now retitled the book to be the same as the film). I am told that the twist at the end of the book is different from that in the film, so you can take your pick if either appeals to you!
ReplyDeleteMaxine: Thanks for the comment. In Secret Lovers the manuscript is not lost but it is the only copy. Your comments on Robert Harris reminded me that he wrote a non-fiction book I found very interesting on the fake Hitler diaries. Thinking about that hoax made me realized that in Secret Lovers there was no scientific examination of the manuscript. Rothchild confirmed it was in the handwriting of the author and was written in his style. It was actually authenticated rather casually which brought mind back to the Hitler diaries which were intially found real mainly because the German magazine wanted them to be real.
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily Solzhenitsin; several writers had books smuggled from the U.S.S.R. Vasily Grossman and Boris Pasternak are obvious examples.
ReplyDelete'It is interesting, though, that the plot of the lost/only ms is still quite a common one in crime fiction, even in this electronic age.'
Reality too, Joseph Heller's daughter tells of how she had to go to his agent with the final draft of his novel and if he had a deart attack or was run over she had to save the book.
Whoops!
ReplyDeleteJoseph Heller's daughter tells of how she had to go with him to his agent with the final draft of his novel and if he had a deart attack or was run over she had to save the book.
Anonymous: Thanks for the comment and additional information on saving the book.
ReplyDeleteAha! One of the targets of our ol' word thief Quentin Whatshisname. (Already forgotten. HA!) I saw a copy of McCrary book in a thrift store and wanted to buy it and sample his work to see what was so "stealable." But I passed on it. A few weeks later the book was gone. Ugh. Luckily, there is the library if I want to try McCrary.
ReplyDeleteI like the concept of this plot. I may try this one instead of the one everyone raves about -- THE TEARS OF AUTUMN which was the book I found but someone else bought.
John: Thanks for the comment. I got this book in Minneapolis in the back room at Once Upon a Crime bookstore. They had 8-10 McCarry books. It was hard to limit myself to one. I will be interested in reading your review when you find a McCarry book.
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