The ambiguities of war are explored in a spy novel filled with tension and wry humour
English writer Kate Atkinson, known for her sophisticated and sarcastically funny prose, is in sparkling form in her new novel, Transcription, which delves into wartime espionage. The first part of the storyline is a ripper, revolving around Juliet Armstrong, enlisted by MI5 in 1940, at the age of 18, to join a team targeting British Nazi sympathisers.
Juliet is an interesting young lady: sexually innocent but keen to get going, working class, well educated, tough and sardonic. She’s pretty good at lying, too. All the better for her new career as a spy.
Her first assignment is based in a flat in Dolphin Square, in central London, adjacent to a neighbouring flat that has been wired to record a suburban “cast of perfidy” who regularly pop in to engage in treasonous conversations with an undercover MI5 agent.
Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin October 6 - 12 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin October 6 - 12 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.