Spies by Michael Frayn (November 2024)

[Blaine]

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe Keith's mother was having an affair with her brother-in-law (Uncle Peter), who had deserted and was living in the Lanes, injured and ill, like a tramp. Clear Uncle Peter was in love with his sister-in-law.

Aunt Dee did not herself go to help her husband either because she was afraid, ashamed or because of the affair or because she knew her husband was in love with her sister.

Happy to be corrected if I got it wrong.

[Nigeyb]

The tramp was Uncle Peter (Aunt Dee’s husband) who’d gone AWOL & was who also having an affair with Keith's mother whilst simultaneously dying from his war wounds

[Nigeyb]

I was typing my reply at the same time


Glad we concur Ben

[Neer]

Thanks Ben and Nigeyb. The identity of the person was clear but I am curious about the fallout between the sisters. What was the cause of it? And why after all those days?

Keith seemed to be turning into his father. So sad.

Over all, I was left feeling dissatisfied. The end did not quite do justice to the great beginning.

[Nigeyb]

Presumably Auntie Dee did not know about the affair, or indeed Uncle Peter going AWOL and so disgracing her

[Blaine]

I would have to look back to see what was the exact trigger for the sisters' estrangement, but I think that Keith's mother's journeys to Uncle Peter had been a secret until Stephen exposed them. I don't recall whether Keith's horrible father revealed it directly to Auntie Dee or whether it was neighborhood gossip.

What I found wonderful about the book was the way it showed how events and life generally are so misunderstood due to limited information and a limited worldview. I loved the way Frayn slowly brings the facts into focus, and how knowledge creates a world and destroys what existed before.

[Neer]

"What I found wonderful about the book was how events and life generally is so misunderstood due to limited information and a limited worldview. I loved the way Frayn slowly brings the facts into focus, and how knowledge creates a world and destroys what existed before."

Beautifully put, Ben.

[Joy D]

I am late to the party on this one, but I recently finished it and loved it. I agree that it is somewhat like The Go-Between, since I had the same reaction to both books. I must read more from Michael Frayn. I've put a few others on my list to read.

[Nigeyb]

That’s great Joy D


There’s a few Frayn discussions here. Feel free to revive them. All his books we’ve read have been winners

[Joy D]

I will go find the other discussions, Nigeyb, thanks!

[Nigeyb]

Look forward to your reactions