The spy in black. By: J. Storer Clouston

by J. Storer Clouston

Joseph Storer Clouston (23 May 1870, Cumberland - 23 June 1944, Orkney) was an Orcadian author and historian.J S Clouston OBE, the son of psychiatrist Sir Thomas Clouston, was from an "old Orkney family," according to his obituary in The Scotsman. After being educated at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh, and Magdalen College, Oxford, he was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in London in 1895, but never practised as a lawyer. Soon after embarking on a career as a writer, he published one of his most popular novels, The Lunatic at Large. He was also a historian, author of a great history of Orkney, a founder member and second president of the Orkney Antiquarian Society, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. His The Spy in Black was made into a successful film in the late 1930s. His First Offence was also filmed in France as Drole de drame (directed by Marcel Carne, 1937). He died at home at Smoogro House, Orphir, Orkney. Asked how to say his name, he told The Literary Digest it was cloos'-ton, "with ou as in group." (Charles Earle Funk, What's the Name, Please?, Funk & Wagnalls, 1936.)

Genres: Thriller

92 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1917

About the author

Joseph Storer Clouston, although born in Cumberland, was classed as an Orcadian author and historian as he originally came from an old Orkney family.

He was the son of psychiatrist Sir Thomas Smith Clouston and his wife Harriet (nee Storer). He was educated at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh and Magdalen College, Oxford. Although he was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in London in 1895, he never practised as a lawyer.

His first published book was Vandred the Viking; or The Feud and the Spell (1898) and the following year he published what was to be his most celebrated work, The Lunatic at Large, to which there were a number of sequels.

He married his wife Winifred at St Andrews and St Leonards, Fife on 11 March 1903 and at one time they lived in St John's Wood, London. They had two sons and one daughter.

His novel The Spy in Black (1917) was made into a successful film in 1939 and starred Conrad Veidt. It was released in the USA as 'U-Boat 29'.

He was also a historian and as such was the author of a couple of histories of Orkney, Records of the Earldom of Orkney 1299 - 1614 (1914) and A History of Orkney (1932). He was a founder member and the second president of the Orkney Antiquarian Society, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

He died at his home Smoogro House, Orphir, Orkney on 23 June 1944.

Gerry Wolstenholme
October 2012

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came to this book from the film also titled The Spy in Black and sometimes U-Boat 29. Clouston’s book was published in 1917, thus all the espionage is from WWI. It was adapted as a film in 1939 just before WWII and was the first collaboration by Powell and Pressburger with Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson as stars.

The book’s action begins with a German submarine officer being dropped off on a remote Scottish island (Orkney) where there are British naval comings and goings (Scapa Flow). Ironically he seems a decent character and goes on to have dealings with a less savory German agent, a beautiful German agent and a traitorous British naval commander.

Not much happens for the longest time except interactions between the Germans in a remote house. The submarine officer immediately falls crazily in love with the gorgeous woman. The action, again confined to the remote nest of spies, all happens in the very end.

It is generally an entertaining book but the film is better. Veidt is terrific. There is more action. The story is craftily changed quite a bit. If you read the book and like it I recommend the film. Clouston lived until 1944, so he probably was able to enjoy some new popularity and probably saw the film.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched the film of The Spy in Black while I was staying on Orkney. I didn't expect to find a copy of the book, but to my delight I got a hardback published by a local small press in the Kirkwall bookshop. I explained to the cashier that I'd seen the film the previous evening: "Ah! Conrad Veidt!" she said, and we exchanged a Look.

As in many early espionage novels, the levels of coincidence and the unwillingness of most characters to engage in subterfuge and dishonorable activity, not to mention the ease with which they fall in love, seem far-fetched. But it's a pacy story filled with vivid imagery and locations. I liked the device of switching narrators and was impressed that the main narrator is a sympathetic German.

[Frank McAdam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A British World War I spy thriller told largely from the point of view of the enemy German spy. The author must have thought this a clever idea but it leads to a major problem. Since the reader comes to know the spy much better than his British adversaries - who aren't revealed until the book's end anyway - the reader's sympathies inevitably lie much more with him, no matter he is fighting on the wrong side, than those opposing him. The fact that the spy is an upright courageous officer from an aristocratic background who displays the highest integrity throughout the story only worsens the problem. Accordingly, the reader can't help feeling deeply dissatisfied with the denouement, politically correct though it may be.

Aside from this, the book is well written but so predictable that the reader can guess where the story is going long before the end.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good spy story. Set in WW2 in a place that is clearly Orkney. No spoilers but the tale is well explained at the ending.