Spies (2002) is a psychological novel by English author and dramatist Michael Frayn. It is currently studied by A-Level, and some GCSE, literature students in various schools.
An elderly man, Stephen Wheatley, reminisces about his life during the Second World War as he wanders down the now modernised London cul-de-sac that he once called home. Through a series of extended flashbacks we learn about his life as a young boy, when he and close friend...
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Spies (2002) is a psychological novel by English author and dramatist Michael Frayn. It is currently studied by A-Level, and some GCSE, literature students in various schools.
An elderly man, Stephen Wheatley, reminisces about his life during the Second World War as he wanders down the now modernised London cul-de-sac that he once called home. Through a series of extended flashbacks we learn about his life as a young boy, when he and close friend Keith Hayward started spying on the latter's mother, convinced that she was an agent of the Nazis. As the story slowly unfolds, the reader learns how this seemingly innocent childhood game subtly exposes a slew of dark secrets that reverberate down the years.
The narrative style therefore takes on the form of a bildungsroman.
Spies was received well by the literary community, with many critics praising Frayn for his creative and original approach. Once published, Spies went on to win the 2002 Whitbread Novel of the year for achievement in...
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