Enigmatic Cambridge spy with a hidden life.
"The Untouchable" is a unique literary work that delves into the complexities of identity and loyalty. The narrative voice of the elderly Victor Maskell, a British intelligence agent and art expert, guides the reader through a gripping tale of espionage and intrigue. The novel's most distinctive feature is the manifold doubleness of the protagonist, who is both betrayer and dupe, Irishman and Englishman, husband and lover of men. This book would be a good read for anyone interested in historical fiction and tales of covert operations.
ISBN: 9780679767473
Estimated First-hand Retail Price: $42.77
Authors:
John Banville
Publisher: Vintage Books
Date of Publication: 1998-06-30
Format: Paperback
Related Topics:
Literature
Goodreads rating: 3.94
(rated by 3765 readers)
Description
WINNER OF THE LANNAN LITERARY AWARD FOR FICTION • From the Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea comes the fascinating story of a former British spy who's been unmasked as a Russian agent—and "one of spy fiction's greatest characters" (People). • "Contemporary fiction gets no better than this." — The New York Times Book ReviewOne of the most dazzling and adventurous writers now working in English takes on the enigma of the Cambridge spies in a novel of exquisite menace, biting social comedy, and vertiginous moral complexity. The narrator is the elderly Victor Maskell, formerly of British intelligence, for many years art expert to the Queen. Now he has been unmasked as a Russian agent and subjected to a disgrace that is almost a kind of death. But at whose instigation?As Maskell retraces his tortuous path from his recruitment at Cambridge to the airless upper regions of the establishment, we discover a figure of manifold Irishman and Englishman; husband, father, and lover of men; betrayer and dupe. Beautifully written, filled with convincing fictional portraits of Maskell's co-conspirators, and vibrant with the mysteries of loyalty and identity, The Untouchable places John Banville in the select company of both Conrad and le Carre."Victor Maskell is one of the great characters in recent fiction.... The Untouchable is the best work of art in any medium on [its] subject." — Washington Post Book World"As remarkable a literary voice as any to come out of Ireland; Joyce and Beckett notwithstanding." — San Francisco Chronicle
Condition guide
Book Condition Guide
Books in Like New Condition
This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Very Good Condition
This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Good Condition
We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Well Read Condition
This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
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Enigmatic Cambridge spy with a hidden life.
"The Untouchable" is a unique literary work that delves into the complexities of identity and loyalty. The narrative voice of the elderly Victor Maskell, a British intelligence agent and art expert, guides the reader through a gripping tale of espionage and intrigue. The novel's most distinctive feature is the manifold doubleness of the protagonist, who is both betrayer and dupe, Irishman and Englishman, husband and lover of men. This book would be a good read for anyone interested in historical fiction and tales of covert operations.
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