A Spy In The Family

by Alec Waugh

1970 First Printing Hardcover w/Dust Jacket

Genres: Fiction

250 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Born Alexander Raban Waugh to Arthur Waugh, author, literary critic, and publisher. He was the elder brother of the better-known Evelyn Waugh. His third wife was Virginia Sorenson, author of the Newbery Medal-winning Miracles on Maple Hill.

Waugh was educated at Sherborne School, a public school in Dorset, from where he was expelled. The result of his experiences was his first, semi-autobiographical novel, The Loom of Youth (1917), clearly inspired by The Harrovians (1931) by Arnold Lunn, and so controversial at the time (it openly mentioned homosexual activities between boys) that Waugh remains the only former pupil to be expelled from the old boys society (The Old Shirburnian Society). It was also a best seller.

Waugh went on to a career as a successful author, although never as successful or innovative as his younger brother. He lived much of his life overseas, in exotic places such as Tangier - a lifestyle made possible by his second marriage, to a rich Australian. His 1957 novel Island in the Sun was a best-seller, as was his 1973 novel, A Fatal Gift.

He also published In Praise of Wine & Certain Noble Spirits (1959), an amusing and discursive guide to the major wine types, and Wines and Spirits , a 1968 book in the Time-Life series Foods of the World.

Waugh is said to have invented the cocktail party when active in the 1920s London social life and served rum swizzles to astonished friends who thought they had come for tea. Within eighteen months, early evening drinks had become a widespread social entertainment.

Waugh also has a footnote in the history of reggae music. The success of the film adaptation of Island in the Sun and the Harry Belafonte title track provided inspiration as well as the name for the highly successful Island Records record label.
(Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Kexx · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those books that I read years ago and a friend jogged my memory and decided to re-read. A mistake. Perhaps daring in its day but now feels like a book written for money by a dirty old man. Sad.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

70's exploitation in book form. Not very well written.

[Mjl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprising read....starts off in typical upper class suburban family life style in 1960s London, very prim, very proper, very conservative. But not so! Things soon spice up sexually, criminally and finally profesionally. I have read much cruder and more graphic material (anything Jasmine Haynes has written for instance) but somehow the naivete and innocence of the backdrop and the open curiosity of the intimate discussions makes it very much more shocking. Not emotionally engaging but fascinating as a fly-on-the-wall exposé of clandestine lives and bedroom secrets.

[Esther · Rating 2 out of 5]

Soft porn from the 1960 with not much else to offer except an obsession with public school boys.
The only real plot appears in the last 15 pages and it is rather contrived.
Interesting to note the restrictions placed on foreign travel in 1960s

[Peter Waller · Rating 2 out of 5]

A more unlikely or stupid plot it would be difficult to find. I won't be reading anymore books by this geezer! He's lucky to get two stars; I must be in a good mood! Probably because I've managed to finish the book.

[DoctorM · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comic s/m lesbian spy novel with '60s-hip styling. Fun, sexy, and worth finding.

[Edmond Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful, intimate thriller